Patents Issued in September 30, 2014
  • Patent number: 8849367
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the ablation of tissue. A steerable ablation catheter can include one or more ablation elements at its distal end and one or more ablation elements fixedly attached to its shaft. The distal end of the ablation catheter can be deflected to assume a number of different deflection geometries in at least one direction along the shaft. One feature of the ablation catheter is that its shaft can comprise materials of differing durometers or stiffnesses attached together at a joint. Methods associated with use of the ablation catheter are also covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
    Inventors: Randell L. Werneth, Ricardo D. Roman, Christopher G. Kunis, Alexander J. Asconeguy, Sadaf Soleymani, Jeffrey Trinidad, Martin Chambers, Hakan Oral, Fred Morady, Jerald L. Cox, Guillermo W. Moratorio, Samuel Fu, J. Christopher Flaherty
  • Patent number: 8849368
    Abstract: Apparatus for capturing EEG signals comprising an implantable signal capture unit (34) connected to a proximal end of at least one implantable electrode (32) is implanted by passing a tubular guide sheath (24,26) along a subcutaneous path from an implantation site, passing the distal end of a said electrode through said guide sheath to bring said signal capture unit to said implantation site, and withdrawing said guide sheath from the electrode while progressively axially splitting the guide sheath to enable its removal. The signal capture unit may have a housing having at least two electrode contacts on its for capturing EEG signals in operative connection with circuitry within said housing for receiving said EEG signals and for wireless transmission thereof for reception at a location exterior to the body of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hypo-Safe A/S
    Inventors: Rasmus Madsen, Henning Beck-Nielsen
  • Patent number: 8849369
    Abstract: Subdural arrays transmit electrocorticogram recordings wirelessly, across the patient's skull, allowing the craniotomy used for surgical placement of the arrays to be completely closed. In various embodiments, the arrays also respond to commands, applying signal patterns to the patient's brain for diagnostic and treatment purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: EIC Laboratories
    Inventors: Stuart F. Cogan, Philip R. Troyk, John S. Ebersole, Vernon L. Towle
  • Patent number: 8849370
    Abstract: A medical imaging system is provided. The medical imaging system comprises a movable acquisition device, a processing unit and a display, wherein the display is fixed to the movable acquisition device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Bernard Bouvier
  • Patent number: 8849371
    Abstract: A patient treatment unit for analyzing and treating abnormality of human or animal tissues, includes a display; a pulse generator circuit that outputs a sequence of electrical pulses at a pulse frequency, the electrical pulses having a pulse width, the pulse generator controlling the pulse frequency and the pulse width of the electrical pulses; a pair of probes for contacting a body of a patient and electrically coupled to the pulse generator; and a voltage and current sensing circuit that senses a voltage or a current via the probes when contacting the body of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: NewLife Sciences, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald J. Weinstock
  • Patent number: 8849372
    Abstract: A method and system for producing an image of a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, in which the presence of a contrast agent is detected using a spin-lock pulse sequence, is described. More specifically, a contrast agent that induces saturation of magnetic resonance signals responsive to a spin-lock condition is administered to a subject. A spin-lock condition is subsequently established to saturate spins in proximity to the contrast agent. Image data is then acquired with an imaging pulse sequence and images indicative of the presence of the contrast agent are reconstructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Wald, Thomas Witzel, Bruce R. Rosen
  • Patent number: 8849373
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for estimating internal position information of a target in real-time based on a single gantry-mounted x-ray imager and a respiratory signal. The x-ray imaging is done periodically to limit radiation dosage. Initial parameters for the estimation model are determined in a pre-treatment session using four dimensional computed tomography (4D CT) in combination with a respiratory signal acquired from the patient. The model parameters are updated during treatment based on the periodic x-ray image data and the respiratory signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Stanford University
    Inventors: Paul J. Keall, Amit Sawant, Peter Maxim, Yelin Suh, Lei Xing, Billy W. Loo, Jr., Byung Chul Cho
  • Patent number: 8849374
    Abstract: A surgery assistance system including a rigid endoscope having a position-orientation detection marker, 3-dimensional (3D) shape measurement device for obtaining data corresponding to a 3D surface of a patient and data corresponding to a 3D surface of the position-orientation detection marker, and computation unit for aligning pre-stored tomographical data of the patient and the data corresponding to the 3D surface of the patient, computing an optical axis of the rigid endoscope on the basis of the data corresponding to the 3D surface of the position-orientation detection marker and a pre-obtained 3D relative position relationship between an actual optical axis of the rigid endoscope and the position-orientation detection marker, for computing a tissue wall in the patient from the 3D tomographical data, and for computing an intersection of the tissue wall and the computed optical axis of the rigid endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: National University Corporation Hamamatsu University School of Medicine
    Inventors: Seiji Yamamoto, Toshihisa Takai, Etsukazu Hayashimoto, Masaaki Kinpara, Akira Miura
  • Patent number: 8849375
    Abstract: An IVUS catheter is advantageously provided with a particular radio-opaque pattern enabling detection of catheter rotation angle with respect to an X-ray imaging source for co-registering IVUS image data with angiographic X-ray or CT image data, for example. An ultrasound catheter system supports orientation and display of intra-vascular ultrasound imaging data. The system comprises an ultrasound catheter for acquiring ultrasound images comprising a body having a pattern of radio-opaque material on the external surface of the catheter body. The pattern varies with angular rotation of the catheter and indicates an angle of rotation of a predetermined reference orientation of the catheter relative to an X-ray radiation source, so that an X-ray image of the catheter body indicates the pattern and the pattern is analyzable by an image data processor to determine the angle of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: John Baumgart, Guang Yang
  • Patent number: 8849377
    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 adjacent to tissue desirable for marking. The marker can coil adjacent to the desired tissue. The marker can remain disposed in the body in its coiled position and be subsequently palpably identified and/or visually identified to locate the desired tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Voegele, William B. Weisenburgh, II
  • Patent number: 8849378
    Abstract: A chemical liquid injector has syringe adapter 300 removably receiving a cylinder flange formed at a trailing end of cylinder 210 of syringe 200C, 200P, and injection head 110 on which syringe 200C, 200P is mounted with syringe adapter 300 interposed between them. Injection head 110 has adapter receiver 114a opened upward, on which syringe adapter 300 is exchangeably mounted. Syringe adapter 300 has a pair of arm portions located on both sides of left and right of the received cylinder flange and supported to be elastically displaceable so that an interval between the arm portions can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Nemoto Kyorindo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Nemoto, Takashi Saitoh, Shigeru Muramatsu, Hirofumi Uchizono
  • Patent number: 8849379
    Abstract: Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Geelux Holdings, Ltd.
    Inventor: Marcio Marc Abreu
  • Patent number: 8849380
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for multi-spectral imaging of tissue to obtain information about the distribution of fluorophores and chromophores in the tissue. Using specific spectral bands for illumination and specific spectral bands for detection, the signal-to-noise ratio and information related to the distribution of specific fluorophores is enhanced as compared to UV photography, which uses a single RGB image. Furthermore, the chromophore distribution information derived from the multi-spectral absorption images can be used to correct the fluorescence measurements. The combined fluorescence, absorption, and broadband reflectance data can be analyzed for disease diagnosis and skin feature detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Canfield Scientific Inc.
    Inventor: Sachin V. Patwardhan
  • Patent number: 8849381
    Abstract: A system for assessing a cardiac condition of a subject includes a sensor configured to record a plurality N of electrocardiographic signals from the subject to generate an ECG (electrocardiogram). The system further includes a processor configured to compute an RMS (root-mean-square) magnitude function from the recorded signals, and to measure from the RMS magnitude function an RMS variable that contains information about the cardiac condition of the subject. The ECG may be a standard 12-lead clinical ECG. The measured RMS variables may include RMS T-wave width, RMS RT recovery time, and RMS QT interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Robert L. Lux, Jay W. Mason
  • Patent number: 8849382
    Abstract: An integrated catheter placement system for accurately placing a catheter within a patient's vasculature is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated system comprises a system console, a tip location sensor for temporary placement on the patient's chest, and an ultrasound probe. The tip location sensor senses a magnetic field of a stylet disposed in a lumen of the catheter when the catheter is disposed in the vasculature. The ultrasound probe ultrasonically images a portion of the vasculature prior to introduction of the catheter. ECG signal-based catheter tip guidance is included in the integrated system to enable guidance of the catheter tip to a desired position with respect to a node of the patient's heart. Various aspects for visualizing and manipulating display of the ECG signal data acquired via the present system, together with aspects of various ECG sensor configurations, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Cox, Christian W. Crook, Anthony K. Misener, Paul D. Morgan, Daniel R. Morris
  • Patent number: 8849383
    Abstract: An active medical device using non-linear filtering for the reconstruction of a surface electrocardiogram (ECG) from an endocardial electrogram (EGM) is disclosed. The device for the reconstruction of the surface ECG comprises: a plurality of inputs, receiving a corresponding plurality of EGM signals from endocardial or epicardial electrogram (x1[n], x2[n]), each collected on a respective EGM derivation of a plurality of EGM derivations, and at least one output delivering a reconstructed surface ECG electrocardiogram signal (y[n]), related to an ECG derivation, and a non-linear digital filter (12?, 12?, 14) with a transfer function that determines the reconstructed ECG signal based on said plurality of input EGM signals. The non-linear digital filter includes a Volterra filter type (12, 12?, 12?) whose transfer function includes a linear term (h1) and at least one quadratic (h2) and/or cubic (h3) term(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sorin CRM S.A.S.
    Inventor: Alaa Makdissi
  • Patent number: 8849384
    Abstract: A method and system for determining the mechanism of cardiac arrhythmia in a patient is disclosed. The method basically entails measuring the impedance of cardiac tissue in a portion of the patient's heart using a catheter during an episode of supraventricular tachycardia to produce an iso-impedance map of that cardiac tissue on a video display and analyzing the pattern of the iso-impedance map to differentiate focal arrhythmia caused by a circumscribed region of focal firing and reentrant arrhythmia caused by a macroreentrant circuit. The method can also be used to identify regions of coherent rapidly conducting tissue e.g., Bachman's bundle or the inferoposterior pathway insertion points, to identify focal “mother rotors” throughout the left atrium that may participate in the generation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation and to identify areas of CAFE (complex atrial/fractionated electrograms) that truly reflect these mother rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
    Inventor: Allan M. Greenspan
  • Patent number: 8849385
    Abstract: Techniques for performing a lead integrity test during a suspected tachyarrhythmia are described. An implantable medical device (IMD) may perform the test prior to delivering a therapeutic shock to treat the suspected tachyarrhythmia and, in some cases, may withhold the shock based on the test. In some examples, the IMD measures an impedance of a lead a plurality of times during the suspected tachyarrhythmia. In some examples, the IMD measures the impedance a plurality of times between two sensed events of the suspected tachyarrhythmia. The IMD or another device may determine a variability of, or otherwise compare, the measured impedances to evaluate the integrity of the lead. Instead of or in addition to withholding a shock, the IMD or another device may change a sensing or stimulation vector of the IMD, or provide an alert to a user, if the integrity test indicates a possible lead integrity issue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan G. Kracker
  • Patent number: 8849386
    Abstract: An electrocardiogram (ECG) analyzing system for analyzing electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, the system including: a computing device including: a transformer for transforming an ECG signal into a time-frequency representation over a plurality of frequencies over a period of time; a calculator for calculating a magnitude of the time-frequency representation; an analyzer for analyzing a degree of clustering of a plurality of low-magnitude values in the time-frequency representation; and a diagnosing system for diagnosing whether ventricular fibrillation is present based on the degree of clustering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: James Waters
  • Patent number: 8849387
    Abstract: A monitor of a physiological parameter of subject under test to which the monitor is attached, in operation. The monitor includes a set of accelerometers operating in different ranges of acceleration and a physiological sensor. The physiological sensor may include an ECG circuit producing an output data characterizing the subject as a function of a degree of motion and/or reorientation of the monitor or an oximeter device. The process of monitoring includes a determination of R-wave of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Barry Gilbert, Clifton Haider, Christopher Felton, Daniel Schwab
  • Patent number: 8849388
    Abstract: A method for detecting an R-wave from an ECG signal (x(t)) derived from a living body, the method comprising the steps of (a) acquiring the ECG signal from the living body, (b) digitizing the ECG signal into a digital ECG signal (x(ti)), (c) filtering the digital ECG signal with a bandpass filter (53) and applying an absolute value filter (55) thereto to create a filtered ECG signal (g(ti)), (d) for each sequential value of the filtered ECG signal, comparing (57) the filtered ECG signal to an ECG tracking threshold (TT), (e) if the filtered ECG signal is no greater than TT, incrementing a counter (59), but if greater than TT, setting the counter to zero; and (f) comparing (63) the counter to a predetermined refractory count RC and, if the count is equal to RC, outputting an R-wave trigger indicating that an R-wave has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Apn Health, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Brodnick, David G. Jansson
  • Patent number: 8849389
    Abstract: A method for visualization of electrophysiology information can include storing electroanatomic data in memory, the electroanatomic data representing electrical activity on an anatomic region within a patient's body over a time period. An interval within the time period is selected in response to a user selection. A visual representation of physiological information for the user selected interval can be generated by applying at least one analysis method to the electroanatomic data. The visual representation can spatially represented on a graphical representation of the anatomic region within the patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cardioinsight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charulatha Ramanathan, Harold M. Wodlinger, Harris Gasparakis, Steven G. Arless, John E. Anderson, Soniya Bhojwani
  • Patent number: 8849390
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for improved processing for multi-channel signals. In an exemplary embodiment, an anomaly metric is computed for a multi-channel signal over a time window. The magnitude of the anomaly metric may be used to determine whether an anomaly is present in the multi-channel signal over the time window. In an exemplary embodiment, the anomaly metric may be a condition number associated with the singular values of the multi-channel signal over the time window, as further adjusted by the number of channels to produce a data condition number. Applications of the anomaly metric computation include the scrubbing of signal archives for epileptic seizure detection/prediction/counter-prediction algorithm training, pre-processing of multi-channel signals for real-time monitoring of bio-systems, and boot-up and/or adaptive self-checking of such systems during normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Javier Ramón Echauz, David E. Snyder, Kent W. Leyde
  • Patent number: 8849391
    Abstract: The speech sound intelligibility assessment system includes: an output section for presenting a speech sound to a user; a biological signal measurement section for measuring an electroencephalogram signal of the user; a positive component determination section for determining presence/absence of a positive component of an event-related potential in the electroencephalogram signal in a zone from 600 ms to 800 ms from a starting point, which is a point in time at which the output section presents a speech sound; a negative component determination section for determining presence/absence of a negative component of an event-related potential in the electroencephalogram signal in a zone from 100 ms to 300 ms from the same starting point; and an assessment section for evaluating whether the user has clearly aurally comprehended the presented speech sound or not based on the results of determination of presence/absence of the positive and negative components, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shinobu Adachi, Koji Morikawa
  • Patent number: 8849392
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying a region of the brain by measuring neuronal firing and/or local field potentials by recording discharges from at least one implanted electrode and analyzing the recording of the discharges within the beta frequency band range to determine an area of beta oscillatory activity. Once the region of the brain is identified, this region may be stimulated to disrupt the beta oscillatory activity thereby treating a movement disorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Andres M Lozano
  • Patent number: 8849393
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining characteristics of a device electrode disposed on a medical device within a body. A plurality of measurement electrodes are coupled to an external surface of the body and establish transmission paths for current through the body. An electronic control unit (ECU) is configured to cause transmission of current between a pair of active electrodes selected from the measurement electrodes and thereby generate a voltage on the device electrode. The ECU receives impedance signals from a plurality of passive electrodes among the measurement electrodes other than the active electrodes. The ECU establishes a virtual reference electrode at a reference position within the body responsive to the impedance signals and computes a position of the device responsive to the voltage on the device electrode and the reference position of the reference electrode. The ECU may also compute impedances at the device and measurement electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Hauck, Jeffrey A. Schweitzer, Lev A. Koyrakh
  • Patent number: 8849394
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear function by mounting a support system to the head of the patient so that the support system is aligned with a target tissue of the first ear; applying a therapeutic agent to the first car by energizing an iontophoresis electrode supported by the support system; and actuating a device while the device is supported by the support system so that the device therapeutically remodels the target tissue of the first ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton G. Clifford, Greg Liu, John H. Morriss, Joshua Makower, William M. Facteau, Eric Goldfarb, John Y. Chang
  • Patent number: 8849395
    Abstract: A guide catheter system includes a guide catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer wall and a first, second and third electrode wherein the first, second and third electrodes are spaced longitudinally apart from each other on the outer wall of the catheter, and an electrical impulse generator connected to the guide catheter wherein the electrical impulse generator includes a circuit for selecting an adjacent pair of electrodes to use as a bipolar electrode system to send an electrical impulse and a method of use thereof to treat vasospasm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Mokelke, Robert Shipley
  • Patent number: 8849396
    Abstract: A port for receiving a lead is defined at a first end of a connector housing of a connector assembly for an implantable electrical medical device. A lumen extends from the port along a longitudinal axis of the connector housing. At least one of a plurality of connector contacts disposed in the connector housing couples to a terminal of the lead when the lead is received by the connector housing. The connector contacts include spring contact probes spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis of the connector housing with at least a portion of each of the spring contact probes extending along a first transverse axis into the lumen of the connector housing. The plurality of spring contact probes physically contact the terminals of the lead solely along the first transverse axis when the lead is received by the connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Robert DeRohan, Aditya Vasudeo Pandit
  • Patent number: 8849397
    Abstract: A device (1) for the medical care of a patient in an emergency which comprises an item of clothing (2) which may be worn by the patient on the body and monitoring devices (8, 9) arranged on the item of clothing (2), which may monitor at least one physiological function of the patient, in order to detect an emergency. The device further comprises a cardiac compression device (3, 4) arranged on the item of clothing (2), which is operatively connected to the monitoring device (8, 9), in order to treat the patient with a cardiac resuscitation when the monitoring device (3, 4) determines an emergency, and a defibrillator (5, 6, 7) as well as the intraosseous delivery of drugs into the bone marrow cavity of the breast bone. Moreover, a device (1) for the medical care of a patient in an emergency, which comprises as a therapeutic device a respiratory therapeutic device (10, 11, 12, 13) which is able to supply oxygen and/or a drug for pulmonary resuscitation into the respiratory system of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Oestreich & Partner GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Oestreich
  • Patent number: 8849398
    Abstract: A pump for inducing flow within a vascular system comprises two inlets. The pump has a first configuration for deployment within the vascular system and a second, operable configuration for directing the fluid flow within the vascular system, where the second configuration has a greater diameter than the first configuration. A centrifugal impeller is configured to induce the fluid flow by rotation about an axis of rotation, where the flow is in a direction generally transverse to the impeller's axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Minnetronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Don W. E. Evans
  • Patent number: 8849399
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining whether a patient is a responder to cardiac resynchronization therapy. The beginning and ending of the intrinsic ventricular depolarization are determined through signals measured from one or more electrodes implanted in the patient's heart. An interval between the beginning and ending of the intrinsic ventricular depolarization is computed and is compared to a threshold. The threshold may be determined empirically. The pacing parameters of a heart stimulation device, such as a pacemaker, may then be configured, for example, by setting the paced atrio-ventricular delay based on whether the patient responds positively to cardiac resynchronization therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiang Ding, Yinghong Yu, Julio C. Spinelli
  • Patent number: 8849400
    Abstract: A method and system for post-processing of sensing data associated with identification of a cardiac event by a medical device that includes transmitting a plurality of stored sensing data generated by the medical device to an access device, the stored sensing data including sensed atrial events and sensed ventricular events. The access device determines, in response to the transmitted data, instances where the medical device identified a cardiac event being detected in response to the sensing data, and generates a template in response to correlated morphologies of adjacent intervals prior to a detection interval corresponding to the cardiac being identified as the cardiac event and a morphology of the detection interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. Gunderson, Mark L. Brown, Amisha Somabhai Patel
  • Patent number: 8849401
    Abstract: An implantable device (10) is used to emit electrical stimulation signals to surrounding tissue by means of at least one stimulation electrode (17). The device (10) has an input stage which is connected to a supply unit (12) by a cable, by means of which the input stage is supplied with at least one substantially square electrical AC voltage which is, averaged over time, at least virtually free of a DC voltage with respect to an external ground (29), which can be connected to the tissue (64) (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Retina Implant AG
    Inventor: Albrecht Rothermel
  • Patent number: 8849402
    Abstract: A system and method for contactless power transfer in implantable devices for charging rechargeable batteries disposed within the implantable devices are provided. The system includes a first coil electrically couplable to a power source, wherein the first coil is configured to produce a magnetic field. The system further includes a second coil electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery disposed within the implantable device and configured to receive power from the first coil via the magnetic field and to transfer the power to the rechargeable battery. The system also includes a field focusing element disposed between the first coil and the second coil and configured as a self resonant coil having a standing wave current distribution to focus the magnetic field onto the second coil and enhance the coupling between the first coil and the second coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Adnan Kutubuddin Bohori, Somakumar Ramachandrapanicker, Suma Memana Narayana Bhat
  • Patent number: 8849403
    Abstract: A lead extending exteriorly from an active implantable medical device (AIMD) is at least partially ensheathed within an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield. The AIMD has a conductive equipotential surface to which the EMI shield may be conductively coupled. An impeding circuit may be provided for raising the high frequency impedance of the lead. An energy diversion circuit may also be provided for conductively coupling the lead to the EMI shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Shawn Johnson, Robert A. Stevenson, Warren S. Dabney, Holly Noelle Moschiano, Kishore Kumar Kondabatni, Neal Nesselbeck, Joseph Spaulding, Henry R. Halperin, Albert C. Lardo
  • Patent number: 8849404
    Abstract: A feedthrough assembly may include a ferrule defining a ferrule opening, a feedthrough at least partially disposed within the ferrule opening, a capacitive filter array at least partially disposed within the ferrule opening, and a lead frame assembly. The feedthrough may include at least one feedthrough conductive pathway and the capacitive filter array may include at least one filter array conductive pathway. The lead frame assembly may include an electrically conductive lead electrically connecting the at least one feedthrough conductive pathway and the at least one filter array conductive pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh V. Iyer, Simon E. Goldman, Thomas P. Miltich
  • Patent number: 8849405
    Abstract: Implantable medical devices include elongated conductor bodies and related features including an attachment to the medical device at one end and a connector that receives a medical lead at the other end. The connector may have various features such as a modular design whereby the connector is constructed from a series of stacked contact modules. Other features of the connector include electrical contacts that are relatively thin conductors or the order of 0.040 inches or less and that may include radial protrusions to establish contact with the electrical connectors of the lead. Furthermore, electrical contacts may be mounted within the connector in a floating manner so that radial movement of the electrical contact may occur during lead insertion. Additional features include a feedthrough where conductors exposed beyond a housing of the implantable medical device make direct electrical connection to conductors present within the elongated body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale F. Seeley, Michael T. Hegland
  • Patent number: 8849406
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of affecting physiological disorders by stimulating a specific location along the sympathetic nerve chain. Preferably, the present invention provides a method of affecting a variety of physiological disorders or pathological conditions by placing an electrode adjacent to or in communication with at least one ganglion along the sympathetic nerve chain and stimulating the at least one ganglion until the physiological disorder or pathological condition has been affected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Inventor: Ali R. Rezai
  • Patent number: 8849407
    Abstract: In a patient suffering from neural impairment, stimulation is provided to sensory surfaces of the face and/or neck, or more generally to areas of the body that stimulate the trigeminal nerve, while performing an activity intended to stimulate a brain function to be rehabilitated. The simulation may then be continued after the performance of the activity has ceased. It has been found that the patient's performance of the activity is then improved after stimulation has ceased. Moreover, it tends to improve to a greater extent, and/or for a longer time, when the post-activity stimulation is applied, as compared to when post-activity stimulation is not applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Yuri P. Danilov, Mitchell E. Tyler, Kurt A. Kaczmarek
  • Patent number: 8849408
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices to provide correction parameters for implanted electrodes by applying a cathode pulse to a bilateral implanted electrode while providing a synchronized anode on the opposite electrode. The electrical field can be “shaped” over space and time to reach more of the targeted area by selecting various combinations of active contacts. The cathode lead directs the electrical field to the target and the placement and number of anode contacts activated determines the electric field path and rate of dissipation based on vertical and horizontal distance and timing. The correction parameter can be applied to anode and cathode contacts on a single implanted lead. Each lead can have plural anode and cathode contacts each independently controllable. Active anodes and cathodes are statically or dynamically selected to generate a shaped electric field to reach the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Gilson, Gregory F. Welch, Nizam Razack
  • Patent number: 8849409
    Abstract: A method of treating a medical condition in a patient using an implantable medical device, comprising providing an electrical signal generator; providing at least a first electrode operatively coupled to the electrical signal generator and to a vagus nerve of the patient; sensing cardiac data of the patient; determining at least a first cardiac parameter based upon said cardiac data; setting at least a first value; declaring an unstable brain state of a patient from said at least a first cardiac parameter and said at least a first value; and adjusting the at least a first value. Also, a computer readable program storage device encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, performs the method. In addition, the implantable medical device used in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Cyberonics, Inc., Flint Hills Scientific, LLC
    Inventors: John C. Colborn, Mark G. Frei, Ivan Osorio
  • Patent number: 8849410
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing asynchronous neural responses to treat pain and/or other patient conditions are disclosed. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes selecting a target stimulation frequency that is above a threshold frequency, with the threshold frequency corresponding to a refractory period for neurons of a target sensory neural population. The method can further include producing a patient sensation of paresthesia by directing an electrical signal to multiple sensory neurons of the target sensory neural population at the stimulation frequency, with individual neurons of the sensory neural population completing corresponding individual refractory periods at different times, resulting in an asynchronous sensory neuron response to the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Nevro Corporation
    Inventors: Andre B. Walker, Zi-Ping Fang, Anthony V. Caparso
  • Patent number: 8849411
    Abstract: A system for programming a neurostimulation device coupled to one or more electrodes. The system comprises a user interface configured for allowing a user to select a set of stimulation parameters and to define a graphical shape representative of an anatomical region of interest. The system further comprises memory configured for storing the graphical shape in registration with an anatomical reference, and output circuitry configured for communicating with the neurostimulation device. The system further comprises a controller configured for recalling the registered graphical shape and anatomical reference from the memory, generating display signals capable of prompting the user interface to concurrently display a representation of the electrode(s) relative to the recalled graphical shape and anatomical reference, and programming the neurostimulation device with the selected stimulation parameter set via the output circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Moffitt, Dennis Zottola, Jim Cassidy
  • Patent number: 8849412
    Abstract: A system includes a controller module, which includes a storage device, a controller, a modulator, and one or more antennas. The storage device is stored with parameters defining a stimulation waveform. The controller is configured to generate, based on the stored parameters, an output signal that includes the stimulation waveform, wherein the output signal additionally includes polarity assignments for electrodes in an implantable, passive stimulation device. The modulator modulates a stimulus carrier signal with the output signal to generate a transmission signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Devices LLC
    Inventors: Laura Tyler Perryman, Patrick Larson, Chad Andresen
  • Patent number: 8849413
    Abstract: A lead for an implantable cardiac prosthesis having an integrated protection against the effects of magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) fields. A protection circuit (26) may be placed at the distal end of the lead comprises a resistive component (28) interposed between the electrode (E1, E2) and the distal end of the conductor (22, 24) associated with this electrode. A normally-open controlled active switch (34, 36) may allow in its closed state to short-circuit the resistive component. A control stage (32) may be coupled to the conductors and detect the voltage of a stimulation pulse applied on the conductor(s), and selectively control by this voltage the closing of the active switch for a duration at least equal to the duration of detected stimulation pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sorin CRM S.A.S.
    Inventor: Alaa Makdissi
  • Patent number: 8849414
    Abstract: An implantable paddle lead includes a paddle body coupled to a distal end of an elongated lead body. A plurality of contacts are disposed on a front surface of the paddle body. At least one manually bendable shape-retaining member is interconnected with the paddle body. The at least one shape-retaining member is formed from a deformable material that is stiff enough to maintain a given shape for at least one day. The at least one bendable shape-retaining member is interconnected with the paddle body such that bending the at least one shape-retaining member causes a corresponding bend of at least a portion of the paddle body in proximity to the at least one shape-retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Dongchul Lee
  • Patent number: 8849415
    Abstract: An implantable connector for use with a neurological device and a lead extension includes a male connector having a plurality of electrical contacts axially arranged along the connector, insulated from each other. The connector also includes a female connector having one or more channels axially disposed therein and a plurality of conductors axially arranged on the female connector. The plurality of conductors are electrically insulated from each other, and at least one indexing element is disposed adjacent to one or more of the channels. The indexing element allows the male connector to be received into the one or more channels in a defined orientation relative to the channel, thereby forming at least two electrical connections along two or more axial positions. Often the neurological device is a brain stimulating and recording lead. The male and female connectors are often fastened together with a screw or by twist-locking the two members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Purvis Bedenbaugh
  • Patent number: 8849416
    Abstract: An implantable device (100) having an electronic component (110) and a biologic materials component (130). The biologic materials component has target cells in a matrix that interfaces the electronic component with the surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: University of Rochester
    Inventor: Spencer Rosero
  • Patent number: 8849417
    Abstract: A medical lead is configured to be implanted into a patient's body and comprises a lead body, and an electrode coupled to the lead body. The electrode comprises a first section configured to contact the patient's body, and a second section capacitively coupled to the first section and configured to be electrically coupled to the patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Olsen, Gregory A. Hrdlicka, Carl D. Wahlstrand, Thomas Barry Hoegh