Patents Issued in July 29, 2014
  • Patent number: 8792952
    Abstract: A sensor holder to be applied on an appendage of a subject is disclosed herein. The sensor holder includes a substrate with at least a first location for a first sensor component, the substrate surrounding a hollow for receiving the appendage along a longitudinal axis of the hollow. The substrate is gradually thickening when drawing away at least a predetermined distance from the at least first location for the first sensor component along a perpendicular direction of the substrate in relation to the longitudinal axis of the hollow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: General Elecric Company
    Inventor: Magnus Kall
  • Patent number: 8792953
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Brister, Paul V. Neale, James Brauker, James Patrick Thrower
  • Patent number: 8792954
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Brister, Paul V. Neale, James Brauker
  • Patent number: 8792955
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Brister, Paul V. Neale, Peter C. Simpson, James H. Brauker, James Patrick Thrower, Mark Shults, Rathburn K. Rhodes, Paul V. Goode, Jr., Arnold L. Holmquist
  • Patent number: 8792956
    Abstract: An analyte sensor including an antiglycolytic agent or a precursor thereof and a chelating agent that stabilizes the antiglycolytic agent positioned proximate to the working electrode of the sensor. Also provided are systems and methods of using the electrochemical analyte sensors in analyte monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Tianmei Ouyang, Zenghe Liu, Hyun Cho, Benjamin J. Feldman
  • Patent number: 8792957
    Abstract: A biomedical sensor system is disclosed that includes a plurality of electrodes and a contiguous adhesive material that is in contact with each of the plurality of electrodes. In certain embodiments a method is provided that includes the step of applying a first surface of adhesive material to a patient wherein the adhesive material includes at least two electrodes on second surface thereof that is opposite the first surface. The method also includes the step of receiving a time varying signal a first electrode of the at least two electrodes at a first location such that the time varying signal is not received at a second electrode of the at least two electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: FLEXcon Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Greene, Suraj Gorkhali, Kenneth Burnham
  • Patent number: 8792958
    Abstract: An embodiment of a mapping probe assembly includes a body frame with a lumen therein. The body frame includes a catheter shaft region, a loop section and a transition region between the catheter shaft region and a loop section. A plurality of mapping electrodes are attached around the loop section. Electrical conductors extend through the lumen of the body frame to the mapping electrodes. In some embodiments, the loop section is skived, where a portion of the body frame is removed toward the interior of the loop section. The loop section has a generally planar loop, and further has a loop center. In some embodiments, the catheter shaft has an alignment generally perpendicular to the loop section where the alignment of the catheter shaft is along a line that intersects the planar loop proximate to the loop center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac J. Kim, Josef V. Koblish
  • Patent number: 8792959
    Abstract: A biological information detection device has a device main body and a biological signal detection portion formed integrally with the device main body. The detection portion has at least one electrode for contacting a biological surface of a human body. A mounting portion mounts the main body and the detection portion to a human body without the mounting portion being directly attached to the detection portion. The main body and the detection portion are integrally connected by a mechanical connection portion that mechanically connects the main body and the detection portion to each other, and by an electrical connection portion that electrically connects the main body and the electrode of the detection portion to each other. The mechanical connection portion and the electrical connection portion are positioned relative one another so as not to be arranged alongside a load direction of an external force acting on the mechanical connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Hideki Okuda, Teruo Kato, Dai Terasawa, Takahiro Kaneko, Hiroshi Kawamata, Nobukazu Omori, Hideaki Koshoji
  • Patent number: 8792960
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus for generating an analysis of an inflammation of a joint, for determining a proteoglycan proportion of a joint, and for generating an analysis of osteoarthritis of a joint, for a predetermined region within a body of a patient, a three-dimensional MR image data set is generated with a magnetic resonance imaging scanner. At least, a portion of a joint is located within the region. For each of several different automatically determined layers, a two-dimensional MR image is calculated from the three-dimensional MR image data set. For each layer, the thickness of a predetermined tissue, which is represented in the two-dimensional MR image corresponding to the layer, is determined, by means of which an analysis of a joint inflammation is automatically determined depending on the respective thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Inselspital-Stiftung
    Inventors: Timothy Hughes, Tallal Charles Mamisch
  • Patent number: 8792961
    Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) system to create an MR magnitude image data set and a phase image data set of an examination subject, first echo signals in a first raw MR data set are detected after a first echo time TE1 and at least second echo signals in at least one second raw MR data set are detected after a second echo time TE2 that is longer than TE1, a magnitude image data set is generated on the basis of the first raw MR data set and the at least one second raw MR data set with averaging of the first and the at least one second raw MR data set, and the phase image data set is generated based on the phase information contained in the at least two raw MR data sets, with averaging of the respective phase information contained in the at least two raw MR data sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Patric Gross, Joerg Roland
  • Patent number: 8792962
    Abstract: A catheter has single axis sensors mounted directly along a portion of the catheter whose position/location is of interest. The magnetic based, single axis sensors are on a linear or nonlinear single axis sensor (SAS) assembly. The catheter includes a catheter body and a distal 2D or 3D configuration provided by a support member on which at least one, if not at least three single axis sensors, are mounted serially along a length of the support member. The magnetic-based sensor assembly may include at least one coil member wrapped on the support member, wherein the coil member is connected via a joint region to a respective cable member adapted to transmit a signal providing location information from the coil member to a mapping and localization system. The joint region provides strain relief adaptations to the at least one coil member and the respective cable member from detaching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.
    Inventors: Maribeth Esguerra, Jennifer Maffre, Thanh Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8792963
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed to locate a robotic instrument in the field of view of a camera. The method includes capturing sequential images in a field of view of a camera. The sequential images are correlated between successive views. The method further includes receiving a kinematic datum to provide an approximate location of the robotic instrument and then analyzing the sequential images in response to the approximate location of the robotic instrument. An additional method for robotic systems is disclosed. Further disclosed is a method for indicating tool entrance into the field of view of a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenyi Zhao, Christopher J. Hasser, William C. Nowlin, Brian D. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8792964
    Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for conducting minimally-invasive procedures involving heart valves at least one multi-access articulated x-ray imaging robot is employed that allows a radiation detector carried by the robot to be moved in arbitrary paths, such as in circle, an ellipse, or along a spiral, around a patient in order to generate multiple projection exposures of the relevant region of the patient during the procedure. An image processor reconstructs a 3D image from the projection exposures substantially in real time during the procedure, and the 3D image is displayed to operating personnel during the procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Maschke
  • Patent number: 8792965
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of methods of and systems for detecting and biopsying lesions with a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) system. The system comprises, in some embodiments, a CBCT device configured to output a cone beam CT image of at least a portion of a patient's breast and a multi-axis transport module, having at least three degrees of freedom and configured to position a biopsy needle within a 3D frame of reference based on inputs received from the cone beam CT device. The transport module can be configured to place the biopsy needle adjacent to, or within, a target of interest within the breast. Also disclosed are embodiments of methods of and systems for testing CBCT systems with phantoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Koning Corporation
    Inventors: Ruola Ning, David L. Conover, Yong Yu
  • Patent number: 8792966
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for marking tissue to be subsequently located for removal from a body or for other examination. In general, a marker is provided that can be delivered through a tissue wall proximate to tissue desirable for marking. The marker can be movable between a non-deployed or unexpanded position, in which the marker is configured to be delivered through a relatively small diameter passageway, to an expanded, balloon-like position in which the marker is configured to engage opposed sides of a tissue wall proximate to the desired tissue. The marker can remain disposed in the body in its expanded position and be subsequently palpably identified and/or visually identified to locate the desired tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Voegele, William B. Weisenburgh, II
  • Patent number: 8792967
    Abstract: To improve image quality as well as considering miniaturization. In the top surface 2A of a housing 2, a placing part 7 is provided near other end of shorter side ED2. A reflective board 6 is provided between an imaging opening part 3 facing to the above placing part 7 and one end of shorter side ED1. And in the housing 2 at a lower part of the above imaging opening part 3, a CCD image pickup device 4 for transmitting near infrared lights that passed through a finger FG placed on the placing part 7 and was refracted by the reflective board 6 as a blood vessel image signal S1 is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hideo Sato
  • Patent number: 8792968
    Abstract: A system, an apparatus and a method for human health evaluation utilizing Thermal Micro Texture (TMT) mapping technology is disclosed. The method comprises scanning body areas of a patient utilizing an infrared camera, detecting abnormalities in the body of the patient, analyzing abnormalities of the patient against information stored in a database, and reporting results to the patient in a pre-determined format. The method provides an earlier discovery of disease by mapping and analyzing abnormal temperatures changes in the body, which can help prevent the disease from progressing at an early stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventors: Song Xiao, Pei Si Cai, Jun Yang, Xiu Fang Deng, Ying Jie Wu
  • Patent number: 8792969
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for processing a video acquired using a 2D monocular video camera system to assess respiratory function of a subject of interest. In various embodiments hereof, respiration-related video signals are obtained from a temporal sequence of 3D surface maps that have been reconstructed based on an amount of distortion detected in a pattern placed over the subject's thoracic region (chest area) during video acquisition relative to known spatial characteristics of an undistorted reference pattern. Volume data and frequency information are obtained from the processed video signals to estimate chest volume and respiration rate. Other respiratory function estimations of the subject in the video can also be derived. The obtained estimations are communicated to a medical professional for assessment. The teachings hereof find their uses in settings where it is desirable to assess patient respiratory function in a non-contact, remote sensing environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar A. Bernal, Lalit Keshav Mestha
  • Patent number: 8792970
    Abstract: A system which generates a warning signal in the event of looming pulmonary edema and/or looming decompensation. The system has an impedance detection unit for determining impedance values, which represent a transthoracic impedance course, and an impedance analysis unit (78), which is connected to the impedance detection unit. The impedance analysis unit (78) is implemented to determine the degree of modulation for a particular impedance course detected by the impedance detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Olaf Skerl, Michael Lippert, Gerald Czygan, Stefan Paule
  • Patent number: 8792971
    Abstract: A method for identifying oversensing in implantable medical devices (IMDs), such as implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), is described. A near-field electrogram signal and a far-field electrogram signal are obtained via a near-field electrode pair and a far-field electrode pair. The near-field electrogram signal is compared to the far-field electrogram signal and a determination of whether oversensing exists is made based on the comparison. In some instances, a scheduled therapy is withheld in response to determining that oversensing exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. Gunderson, Amisha S. Patel, Chad A. Bounds, Mark L. Brown
  • Patent number: 8792972
    Abstract: A real-time method and system to accurately demarcate sub-territories of the subthalamic nucleus area in the brain during surgery, based on microelectrode recordings and a Hidden Markov Model. Root mean square and power spectral density of the microelectrode recordings are used to train and test Hidden Markov Model in identifying the dorsolateral oscillatory region and non-oscillatory sub-territories within the subthalamic nucleus. After the dorsolateral oscillatory region in the subthalamic nucleus is mapped, the microelectrodes are removed, and a macroelectrode is inserted in the mapped dorsolateral oscillatory region for producing deep brain simulation for treatment of Parkinson's disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Alpha Omega Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Adam Zaidel, Hagai Bergman, Zvi Israel
  • Patent number: 8792973
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing an interface between a nerve and an external information system. The apparatus includes a substrate having a first surface, an opposite second surface, and an electrode body, wherein the electrode body includes a plurality of holes extending therethrough. The apparatus also includes a plurality of electrical leads embedded within the substrate and a plurality of ring electrodes, wherein each of the ring electrodes circumscribes a corresponding hole, and wherein at least a portion of the ring electrodes is positioned on each of the first surface and the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Washington University
    Inventors: Daniel Moran, Blaine Christiansen, Matthew MacEwan
  • Patent number: 8792974
    Abstract: A method of building classifiers for multimodal neurological assessment is described. The method comprises the steps of extracting quantitative features from a plurality of physiological and neurocognitive assessments, and selecting a subset of features from the extracted pool of features to construct multimodal classifiers. A device for performing point-of-care multimodal neurological assessment is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Brainscope Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil S. Rothman
  • Patent number: 8792975
    Abstract: An electroencephalogram measurement apparatus includes: an electroencephalogram measurement section for measuring an electroencephalogram of a user by using a plurality of electrodes; an electro-acoustic transducer for presenting an acoustic signal to the user, the electro-acoustic transducer being in a vicinity of at least one electrode among the plurality of electrodes while the electroencephalogram measurement section is worn by the user; an amplitude envelope extraction section for extracting an amplitude envelope of the acoustic signal presented by the electro-acoustic transducer; a frequency analysis section for applying a frequency analysis to the amplitude envelope extracted by the amplitude envelope extraction section; and a noise estimation section for estimating an electrical noise which is mixed at the at least one electrode by using a previously provided set of transform rules and the extracted amplitude envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yumiko Kato, Shinobu Adachi, Yoshihisa Terada, Koji Morikawa
  • Patent number: 8792976
    Abstract: Artificial control of a prosthetic device is provided. A brain machine interface contains a mapping of neural signals and corresponding intention estimating kinematics (e.g. positions and velocities) of a limb trajectory. The prosthetic device is controlled by the brain machine interface. During the control of the prosthetic device, a modified brain machine interface is developed by modifying the vectors of the velocities defined in the brain machine interface. The modified brain machine interface includes a new mapping of the neural signals and the intention estimating kinematics that can now be used to control the prosthetic device using recorded neural brain signals from a user of the prosthetic device. In one example, the intention estimating kinematics of the original and modified brain machine interface includes a Kalman filter modeling velocities as intentions and positions as feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Vikash Gilja, Paul Nuyujukian, Cynthia A Chestek, John P Cunningham, Byron M. Yu, Stephen I Ryu, Krishna V. Shenoy
  • Patent number: 8792977
    Abstract: The system of the present invention includes (a) means for displaying image information including a target image and a cursor image for tracking the target image; (b) means used when the subject moves the cursor image; (c) means for detecting the state of tracking the target image by the cursor image; (d) means for detecting the muscle active state of the subject using the means (b); (e) means for analyzing the tracking state detected by the means (c) and the muscle active state detected by the means (d); and (f) means for evaluating the motor function of the subject by using results of analysis obtained by the means (e) as indexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignees: Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
    Inventors: Shinji Kakei, Jongho Lee, Yasuhiro Kagamihara
  • Patent number: 8792978
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for optical- or optical-and-electrical stimulation of e.g., auditory nerve pathways, for example spiral ganglion in the cochlea or neurons in the cochlear nerve. Several configurations for guiding and directing the optical stimulation are disclosed. Several configurations for guiding and directing the electrical field (used in some embodiments, for sensitization) in and through the destination tissue to which the optical stimulation is directed are disclosed. In some embodiments, and array of IR VCSELs emit stimulation light, in particular to tissue in the cochlea for restoring hearing. In some embodiments, an electrical signal is also applied in a manner that reduces the amount of light in a pulse that is otherwise needed to elicit a NAP. In some embodiments, a heat dissipater is used to spread the heat generated by operation of the lasers and their circuits, to avoid heat damage to the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathon D. Wells, Andrew Xing, Mark P. Bendett, Matthew D. Keller, Bryan J. Norton, James M. Owen, Shuming Yuan, Robert W. Royse, Charles A. Lemaire
  • Patent number: 8792979
    Abstract: Certain cardiac arrhythmias can be prevented by appropriate electrical stimulation of autonomic nerves innervating the heart. An implantable cardiac rhythm management device is configured to deliver such stimulation when an autonomic imbalance is predicted to be present via an endovascular electrode. Autonomic imbalance may be predicted to be present based upon circadian rhythms, detected heart rates, or detected heart rate variability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam W. Cates
  • Patent number: 8792980
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for employing mechanical measurements to synchronize contractions of ventricular wall locations. Accelerometers that may be placed within electrode leads are positioned at ventricular wall locations, such as the left ventricle free wall, right ventricle free wall, and the anterior wall/septum wall. The accelerometers produce signals in response to the motion of the ventricular wall locations. A processor may then compare the signals to determine a difference in the synchronization of the ventricular wall location contractions. The difference in synchronization can be determined in various ways such as computing a phase difference and/or amplitude difference between the accelerometer signals. One or more stimulation pulses may be provided per cardiac cycle to resynchronize the contractions as measured by the accelerometers to thereby constantly and automatically optimize the cardiac resynchronization therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Yinghong Yu, Jiang Ding, Qingsheng Zhu
  • Patent number: 8792981
    Abstract: A portable medical device is provided with an internal accelerometer device. The medical device includes a circuit board, the accelerometer device, and a response module coupled to the accelerometer device. The accelerometer device is mechanically and electrically coupled to the circuit board, and it includes a plurality of mass-supporting arms for a plurality of electrically distinct sensor electrodes, piezoelectric material for the mass-supporting arm, and a proof mass supported by the mass-supporting arms. Each of the mass-supporting arms has one of the sensor electrodes located thereon. Acceleration of the proof mass causes deflection of the piezoelectric material, which generates respective sensor signals at one or more of the sensor electrodes. The response module is configured to initiate an acceleration-dependent operation of the portable medical device in response to generated sensor signals present at the sensor electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitry Yudovsky, Ian B. Hanson, Sheldon B. Moberg
  • Patent number: 8792982
    Abstract: A medical device delivers a therapy to a patient. Posture events are identified, e.g., a posture of the patient is periodically determined and/or posture transitions by the patient are identified, and each determined posture event is associated with a current therapy parameter set. A value of at least one posture metric is determined for each of a plurality of therapy parameter sets based on the posture events associated with that therapy parameter set. A list of the therapy parameter sets is presented to a user, such as a clinician, for evaluation of the relative efficacy of the therapy parameter sets. The list may be ordered according to the one or more posture metric values to aid in evaluation of the therapy parameter sets. Where values are determined for a plurality of posture metrics, the list may be ordered according to the one of the posture metrics selected by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Miesel, Kenneth T. Heruth
  • Patent number: 8792983
    Abstract: A method comprises connecting at least one portion of a far-field radio-frequency (RF) first telemetry circuit in an implantable medical device to an energy source through a power connection module, detecting information included in a first predetermined wireless signal, changing a conductivity state of the power connection module when the information in the first predetermined wireless signal is detected to couple power to the at least one portion of the first telemetry circuit, detecting a second predetermined wireless signal, and changing a conductivity state of the power connection module to decouple power to the at least one portion of the first telemetry circuit when the second predetermined wireless signal is detected and the first telemetry circuit enters an idle state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Von Arx, David J. Yonce, Scott T. Mazar, Karen M. Kramer, Thomas J. Harris
  • Patent number: 8792984
    Abstract: A device connector assembly includes a plurality of electrical contacts and a sealing member including a corresponding plurality of apertures; each electrical contact extends within a corresponding aperture of the plurality of apertures such that each contact is accessible for coupling with a corresponding connector element of a lead connector. The lead connector elements protrude from a first side of an insulative substrate of the lead connector, and may be coupled to the contacts of the device connector assembly by aligning each connector element with the corresponding aperture of the sealing member, and applying a force to a second side of the insulative substrate, opposite the first side, in order to press each connector element into engagement with the corresponding contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Kast, Charles E. Peters, Michael J. Baade, James A. Alexander, Andrew J. Ries
  • Patent number: 8792985
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for treating a subject. An electrical signal is applied to at least one stomach site of the subject. The electrical signal is configured to reduce a rise in a blood glucose level of the subject, in order to treat the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Metacure Limited
    Inventors: Shlomo Ben-Haim, Shao Policker, Ofir Biton, Tamar Harel
  • Patent number: 8792986
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for modulating the autonomic nervous system by the electrical stimulation of the neuro-muscular system of a patient, and include an implantable electrical system for gastrointestinal stimulation which incorporates a heart rate sensor to indicate the neurovegetative patient condition, to initiate and terminate stimulation at specific locations, and an algorithm to automatically control electrical stimulation frequency, interval, amplitude, or a combination of such parameters for adaptive treatment of obesity, anorexia, other eating disorders, diseases related with the so called “metabolic syndrome” (e.g., impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes type 2, GERD, systemic hypertension, early arterovascular degeneration, early senility, and the like), and disorders related to a pathologic inbalance of the autonomic nervous system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Valerio Cigaina
  • Patent number: 8792987
    Abstract: Deep brain electrodes are remotely sensed and activated by means of a remote active implantable medical device (AIMD). In a preferred form, a pulse generator is implanted in the pectoral region and includes a hermetic seal through which protrudes a conductive leadwire which provides an external antenna for transmission and reception of radio frequency (RF) pulses. One or more deep brain electrode modules are constructed and placed which can transmit and receive RF energy from the pulse generator. An RF telemetry link is established between the implanted pulse generator and the deep brain electrode assemblies. The satellite modules are configured for generating pacing pulses for a variety of disease conditions, including epileptic seizures, Turrets Syndrome, Parkinson's Tremor, and a variety of other neurological or brain disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert A. Stevenson, Christine A. Frysz, Barry C. Muffoletto, Robert W. Siegler, Steven W. Winn, Thomas A. Skwara, Dominick J. Frustaci
  • Patent number: 8792988
    Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side effects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Nevro Corporation
    Inventors: Konstantinos Alataris, Andre B. Walker, Jon Parker, Yougandh Chitre, Sangsoo Wesley Park, James R. Thacker
  • Patent number: 8792989
    Abstract: A method for stimulating facial nerves in a subject with synkinetic reinnervated muscles includes providing an electrode, having a plurality of contacts, in a parotic region of the subject's face, stimulating each of the contacts separately, identifying one or more contacts from the plurality of contacts that cause one or more nerve branches to activate a desired facial muscle, and selecting the identified contacts to stimulate the one or more nerve branches. The system includes an electrode having a plurality of contacts for placement in a parotic region of the subject's face and a processor in communication with the electrode. The processor has program code for stimulating each of the contacts separately, for identifying one or more contacts from the plurality of contacts that cause one or more nerve branches to activate a desired facial muscle, and for selecting the identified contacts to stimulate the one or more nerve branches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Orlando Guntinas-Lichius, Andreas Müller, Werner Lindenthaler
  • Patent number: 8792990
    Abstract: An improved external charger for charging the battery within or providing power to an implantable medical device is disclosed. The improved external charger includes circuitry for detecting the temperature of the external charger and for controlling charging to prevent exceeding a maximum temperature. The external charger in some embodiments includes a user interface for allowing a patient to set the external charger's maximum temperature. The user interface can be used to select either constant maximum temperatures, or can allow the user to choose from a number of stored charging programs, which programs can control the maximum temperature to vary over time. Alternatively, a charging program in the external charger can vary the maximum temperature set point automatically. By controlling the maximum temperature of the external charger during charging in these manners, the time needed to charge can be minimized while still ensuring a temperature that is comfortable for that patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Aghassian
  • Patent number: 8792991
    Abstract: Techniques for modeling therapy fields for therapy delivered by medical devices are described. Each therapy field model is based on a set of therapy parameters and represents where therapy will propagate from the therapy system delivering therapy according to the set of therapy parameters. Therapy field models may be useful in guiding the modification of therapy parameters. As one example, a processor compares an algorithmic model of a therapy field to a reference therapy field and adjusts at least one therapy parameter based on the comparison. As another example, a processor adjusts at least one therapy parameter to increase an operating efficiency of the therapy system while substantially maintaining the modeled therapy field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. Gerber, John C. Rondoni
  • Patent number: 8792992
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an electrostimulation energy storage capacitor, a circuit path communicatively coupled to the electrostimulation energy storage capacitor and configured to provide quasi-constant current neural stimulation through a load from the electrostimulation energy storage capacitor, a current measuring circuit communicatively coupled to the circuit path and configured to obtain a measure of quasi-constant current delivered to the load, and a control circuit communicatively coupled to the current measuring circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to initiate adjustment of the voltage level of the storage capacitor for a subsequent delivery of quasi-constant current according to a comparison of the measured load current to a specified load current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Linder, Keith R. Maile, Ramprasad Vijayagopal, Ron A. Balczewski
  • Patent number: 8792993
    Abstract: An implantable electrical stimulation lead includes a tip electrode disposed on a distal tip of the lead body. One tip electrode has a base and a separate plug attached to the base. The base defines an interior lumen closed at one end by the plug. Another tip electrode has an electrode body, a stem extending from the electrode body, and shaped retention features extending from the stem. Yet another tip electrode has an electrode body, a stem extending from the electrode body, and a flange disposed on the stem opposite the electrode body. A further tip electrode has an electrode body defining an interior lumen and a plurality of protrusions extending into the interior lumen. Another tip electrode has an electrode body and arms extending from the electrode body. The electrode body defines an interior lumen and the arms extend over an opening to the interior lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific, Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Anne Margaret Pianca, Joshua Dale Howard, William George Orinski
  • Patent number: 8792994
    Abstract: A lead anchor includes a first outer shell and a second outer shell adjacent the first outer shell. The first outer shell defines a first opening and the second outer shell defines a second opening, and the first and second outer shells together define a lead lumen extending from the first opening to the second opening. The lead anchor also includes a flexible sleeve disposed in the lead lumen and attached to both the first outer shell and the second outer shell. The first and second outer shells are configured and arranged to rotate relative to each other and cause the flexible sleeve to twist within the lead lumen to facilitate gripping of a lead within the lead lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Cameron Venancio
  • Patent number: 8792995
    Abstract: Medical leads include a lumen body at an end of the lead, and the lumen body includes multiple filar lumens. The lumen body is joined to a lead body, and electrical connectors are longitudinally spaced along the lumen body. Filars within the filar lumens are directed through filar passageways within the lumen body to attach to the electrical connectors on the lumen body. The filar passageways may be aligned with the filar lumens, and slots within the electrical connectors may be aligned with the filar passageways to facilitate assembly. The lumen body may provide additional stiffness to the end of the lead where the lumen body is located to facilitate lead insertion into the medical device. The filar lumens of the lumen body may have a longitudinally straight configuration so that the portions of filars within the filar lumens are held in a longitudinally straight configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Klardie, Michael J. Kern, Brian T. Stolz, Marty D. Martens
  • Patent number: 8792996
    Abstract: An implantable medical lead is disclosed herein. The lead may include a longitudinally extending body, an electrical conductor, a tube and an electrical component, such as, for example, an electrode for sensing or pacing, a defibrillation coil, a strain gage, a pressure sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, an integrated chip, an inductor, etc. The body may include a distal end and a proximal end. The electrical conductor may extend through the body between the proximal end and the distal end. The tube may be swaged about an outer circumferential portion of the electrical conductor. The electrical component may be on the body and electrically connected to the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: PaceSetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Dorab N. Sethna, Sean Matthew Desmond, Sergey Safarevich, Keith Victorine, Greg Kampa
  • Patent number: 8792997
    Abstract: A peel-away lead implant tool is described. The peel away lead implant tool is adapted to be disposed over the terminal connector of a lead during an implantation procedure to protect the terminal connector. The peel-away lead implant tool includes a flexible polymer sheath including electrical contacts formed in a contact region of the sheath. The electrical contacts can be either metal foil contacts or conductive polymer contacts and extend from an outer surface to an inner surface of the sheath such that when the testing apparatus is coupled to the lead implant tool, the electrical contacts are pressed into electrical contact with the ring electrodes located on the terminal connector. The lead implant tool also includes various removal means facilitating the easy removal of the implant tool from the terminal connector when the implantation procedure is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Tockman, Timothy R. Jackson, Peter J. Wolf, Christopher A. Fuhs
  • Patent number: 8792998
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices efficiently identify cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacing parameter set(s) that provide improved hemodynamic response relative to an initial CRT pacing parameter set, wherein each CRT pacing parameter set includes at least two CRT pacing parameters. User input(s) are accepted that specify a maximum amount of time and/or parameter sets that can be used to perform testing, and specify relative importance of parameters within the sets. Based on the accepted user input(s), there is a determination of how many different variations of each of the CRT pacing parameters can be tested, and based on this determination different CRT pacing parameter sets are selected and tested to obtain a hemodynamic response measure corresponding to each of the different sets tested. Additionally, one or more of the tested CRT pacing parameter sets, if any, that provide improved hemodynamic response relative to the initial CRT pacing parameter set is/are identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Cecilia Qin Xi, Yasser Sowb
  • Patent number: 8792999
    Abstract: An electrode assembly including a carrier section, an electrode section(s), and joint section(s). Each electrode section including an electrode contact, and an electrode section body. Each joint section connecting the carrier section to at least one electrode section, and providing each connected electrode section with at least one of pitch, roll, and yaw about a point generally along an axis between the carrier section and the electrode section. The joint section made of material of durometer less the durometer of the carrier section. A fill section can substantially occupying the space between the carrier section and the electrode section that is not occupied by the joint section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Peter Sibary, Nicholas Pawsey
  • Patent number: 8793000
    Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided that contain wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry coupled to multiple antennas. An electronic device may alternate between a sleep mode and a wake mode. During wake mode, the electronic device may monitor a paging channel in a wireless network for incoming paging signals. The device may use either a single antenna mode or a multiple antenna mode such as a dual antenna mode in monitoring the paging channel. In the single antenna mode, a single active antenna is used to receive paging signals. In the dual antenna mode two antennas are simultaneously used to receive paging signals. The device may choose which antenna mode to use based on signal quality measurements and history information on successfully received paging signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Syed A. Mujtaba, Youngjae Kim, Bharath Narasimha Rao, Kee-Bong Song, Xiaowen Wang
  • Patent number: 8793001
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring an output driver that can be parameterized and is suitable for controlling actuators in industrial automation technology, for applying analog signals to an output channel, with the following steps: determining resulting internal leakage power based on the parameterization data provided for parameterizing the output driver, comparing the leakage power relative to a leakage power limiting value, and, dependent functionally on the comparison result, stopping the application of an analog signal on the output channel corresponding to the parameterization data provided for parameterizing the output driver. The invention further relates to an analog signal output device, suitable for controlling actuators in industrial automation technology and in accordance with the aforementioned method, comprising at least one output driver and a monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Brand, Stephan Grewe, Hubertus Lohre