Patents Issued in October 24, 2017
  • Patent number: 9795746
    Abstract: The present relates to a filter needle coupled between a fixation member having a needle for injecting a medical fluid after filtering foreign substances contained in the medical fluid and a disposable syringe, the filter needle includes an outer housing having a front end portion to which the fixation member is coupled and a rear end portion to which the disposable syringe is coupled and a filtering unit which is disposed inside the outer housing, and in which a medical fluid supplied from the fixation member to the disposable syringe is passed through as is, while a medical fluid supplied from the disposable syringe to the fixation member is filtered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Dongguk University Industry—Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Sung Min Kim, Ho Chul Kang
  • Patent number: 9795747
    Abstract: A lancet driver is provided wherein the driver exerts a driving force on a lancet during a lancing cycle and is used on a tissue site. The driver comprises of a drive force generator for advancing the lancet along a path into the tissue site, and a manual switch for a user interface input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Mark Castle, Rodney Kugizaki, Robert Englert, Thomas Shoup, Jeff Perry
  • Patent number: 9795748
    Abstract: A delivery device is provided which comprises a container containing a dose of a powder and having at least one exit orifice for dispensing the dose from the container and a chamber adapted to receive the container in an operative configuration. The device further comprises at least one gas inlet by which gas may enter the chamber and at least one gas outlet by which gas and entrained powder may exit the chamber. The delivery device is operable to generate a gas flow through the chamber between the at least one gas inlet and the at least one gas outlet, which brings about orbital motion of the container within the chamber in that at least a central region of the container orbits a central axis of the chamber. The volume occupied by the container is at least 25% of the volume of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Pharmaxis Ltd.
    Inventors: Philip Seeney, Douglas Ivan Jennings
  • Patent number: 9795749
    Abstract: A dry powder inhaler includes a dose container assembly having a dose container disk with opposing upper and lower surfaces, a first row of circumferentially spaced apart dose containers at a first radius and a second row of circumferentially spaced apart dose containers at a second radius. The dose containers have dry powder therein and are sealed via a first flexible sealant over apertures in the upper surface and a second flexible sealant over apertures in the lower surface. A piercing mechanism includes two reciprocating piercers that serially alternate between the two rows of dose containers in the dose container disk. A rotatable ramp disk includes first and second sets of circumferentially spaced-apart ramp elements in staggered, concentric relationship that are configured to move the first and second piercing members between retracted and extended positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Oriel Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald A. Thoe, James G. Skakoon, David A. Schuelke, Thomas W. Ruckdeschel, David Harris, Scott Alexander Lewis, Andrew Murray Gow, Jonathan David Tuckwell
  • Patent number: 9795750
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an inhaler which is appropriate for delivery of medicament in dry powder form used in respiratory diseases, particularly in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, the present invention relates to an inhaler which includes a blister package appropriate for carrying the medicament in dry powder form and used to realize an effective inhalation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Sima Patent ve Lisanslama Hizmetleri Ltd. Sti.
    Inventor: Mahmut Bilgic
  • Patent number: 9795751
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an inhaler which is appropriate for delivery of medicament in dry powder form used in respiratory diseases, particularly in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, the present invention relates to an inhaler which includes a blister package appropriate for carrying the medicament in dry powder form and used to realize an effective inhalation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Sima Patent ve Lisanslama Hizmetleri Ltd. Sti.
    Inventor: Mahmut Bilgic
  • Patent number: 9795752
    Abstract: A combination respiratory therapy management system creates a combined respiratory therapy prescription that can be executed by a combined respiratory therapy device to provide multiple coordinated respiratory therapies to a patient. The system can update the combined respiratory therapy prescription and implement the updates while the combined respiratory therapy device is in use. Some versions of the system provide additional features that allow the combined respiratory therapy prescriptions to be created, accessed, shared with other users, and performed by the combination respiratory therapy device in a customizable user-friendly and non-threatening way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: MHS CARE-INNOVATION, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Birnkrant, Chad M. Boerst, Mike Yang ChangGuo
  • Patent number: 9795753
    Abstract: Various methods and systems for delivery of an ETT for intubation are provided. In one example, an ETT delivery system includes a rail system for guiding insertion of an ETT and at least partially defining the motion of the ETT. The ETT delivery system further may include a video laryngoscope blade coupled to the rail system and a delivery mechanism. In some examples, the ETT delivery system further includes a positioner configured to adjust the motion of the ETT. As a further example, the ETT delivery system may include a swing arm and a guide rail to at least partially define the motion of the swing arm. Further, a drive-down mechanism may effect motion of the swing arm. As another embodiment, a rail system, a disposable blade and a positioner may be provided. Further, a delivery mechanism may be operatively linked with the integrated rail system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Chunyuan Qiu
  • Patent number: 9795754
    Abstract: Disclosed is ventilator mask comprising an upper part of an elastic material and a mask body, wherein the upper part of the mask is joined with the mask body of the ventilator mask by a mask connection region, wherein a wall of the upper part of the mask bounds at least in certain regions of the wall a cavity which is filled with a filler at least in certain regions of the cavity and the cavity is formed at least in certain regions of the cavity along the periphery of the upper part of the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Loewenstein Medical Technology S.A.
    Inventor: Martin Eifler
  • Patent number: 9795755
    Abstract: The invention provides a patient interface (10) comprising a patient interface element (12, 14, 15) for delivering breathing gas to a patient, and a forehead support (30). One of the forehead support and the patient interface element comprises a shaft (50) and the other comprises a hollow tube (51) in which the shaft is received, with the shaft slidable within the tube to permit adjustment of the position of the forehead support relative to the patient interface. The shaft and hollow tube are rotatable between a free and locked configuration. This provides a simple to use adjustment mechanism with few components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Harmina Christina Zeijlstra, Antonius Adrianes Petrus Schudelaro, Richard Johannus Maria Van De Ven, Sander Theodoor Pastoor
  • Patent number: 9795756
    Abstract: Described are nasal cannulas that improve the precision of the delivered dose for nitric oxide therapy by reducing the dilution of nitric oxide. The nasal cannulas may reduce the total volume and potential for retrograde flow during nitric oxide therapy through the design of the specific dimensions of the flow path and/or having check valves in the nitric oxide delivery line and/or having a flapper or umbrella valve dedicated to nitric oxide delivery. The nasal cannulas may also use materials that limit oxygen diffusion through the cannula walls. The nosepiece for these cannulas may be manufactured by a molding technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt Hospital Products IP Limited
    Inventors: Craig Flanagan, Simon Freed, John Klaus, Thomas Kohlmann, Martin D. Meglasson, Manesh Naidu, Parag Shah
  • Patent number: 9795757
    Abstract: An adapter for selectively providing fluid to a device from one of multiple fluid sources has a body with a first inlet for connecting a first one of the multiple fluid sources to the device and a second inlet for connecting a second one of the multiple fluid sources to the device. The adapter also includes a handle that is movably coupled to the body and includes an access control element. The handle is configured to secure the body to a device when the adapter is in either of a first position or a second position that is rotated relative to the first configuration. The access control element obstructs access to the second inlet when the adapter is secured to the device in the first position and the access control element obstructs access to the first inlet when the adapter is secured to the device in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: VYAIRE MEDICAL CAPITAL LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Harold Miller
  • Patent number: 9795758
    Abstract: A ventilation gas cooling apparatus is configured in a modular form adapted for selective removable engagement to a ventilator. The apparatus includes a gas inlet port, a gas delivery port, a pressure sensing port, and a thermoelectric cooler. The inlet port is fluidly connectible to a source of therapeutic breathing gas at an external end and is fluidly connectible to an inlet of the ventilator at an internal end. The delivery port is fluidly connectible to a patient circuit at an external end and is fluidly connectable to an outlet of the ventilator at an internal end. The pressure sensing port is fluidly connectible to both a pressure sensing port of the ventilator and to the patient circuit. The apparatus may further include a cooling fluid system operative to circulate either a gas or liquid coolant along at least a portion of a multi-lumen tube integrated into the patient circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Breathe Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Samir S. Ahmad, Mark J. Zechmeister, Enrico Brambilla
  • Patent number: 9795759
    Abstract: A flow controller can include a conduit wall and a membrane coupled to the conduit wall. The membrane is configured to obstruct gas flow through the conduit. The flow controller includes a membrane controller, positioned adjacent to the membrane, wherein the membrane is positioned on one side of the membrane controller, such that the membrane controller impedes bending of the membrane in a second direction different from the first direction, thereby restricting gas flow through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: VYAIRE MEDICAL CONSUMABLES LLC
    Inventors: Manuel Barraza, Michael J. Cegielski
  • Patent number: 9795760
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for enabling a passenger in a moving vehicle to read text or view an image while avoiding or reducing the symptoms of motion sickness, by providing the passenger a view of the text or image simultaneously with a view of external stationary reference points. The methods, apparatuses, and systems, in some embodiments, include the use of a transparent medium which can display text or images. Other embodiments include a video camera capturing video images and substantially simultaneously displaying such images together with text or images on a means of display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Samuel Kim
  • Patent number: 9795761
    Abstract: Printed instructions can be included with the tray in a medical procedure kit.—The printed instructions can include instructional material, such as pictorial, step-by-step instructions intended for a health care services provider for using the medical procedure kit. The printed instructions can also include a separate patient aid, suitable for inclusion within the medical procedure kit, which includes patient education information relating to a particular medical procedure. To make recognition easier, the patient aid can be configured with a greeting card appearance, activity sheet appearance, or other graphical indicia that indicates that the patient aid is intended for the patient and should be delivered to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Medline Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lockwood, Jennifer E. Tomes, Sarah Zyburt, Susan E. Macinnes
  • Patent number: 9795762
    Abstract: Catheters and a method of preparation thereof, the catheter comprising a catheter body, a juncture hub, extension lines and connectors, the catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface, a tip region having a length of 10 cm measured from the distal end of the catheter body, and at least two lumen, each of the catheter body lumen having a proximal end, a distal end, a Lumen Aspect Ratio of at least 3:1, and an intraluminal surface, the distal ends of the at least two catheter body lumen being (i) non-coterminus or (ii) laser-cut, the exterior surface of the catheter body in the tip region or the intraluminal surface of the two catheter body lumen comprising a hydrophilic polymer layer having an Average Dry Thickness of at least about 50 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: ARROW INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Bouchard, Zheng Zhang, Jun Li, Matt Skinner, Laurence Roth, Douglas Weaver, Eric W. Marchese, Robert Reed, Chad Huval, Christopher R. Loose
  • Patent number: 9795763
    Abstract: Delivery devices, systems, and methods are configured to enhance retention of a therapeutic agent delivered at a treatment site, for example, via impeding agent backflow. A device may include sheath having a first end, a second end, and a length between the first end and the second end. The sheath may include an outer diameter and an inner channel between the first end and the second end, and at least one penetrating member configured to form a channel at the treatment site. The device may include an elongate member having a first end, a second end, and a length between the first end and the second end, the elongate member being configured to move relative to the sheath. The elongate member may be configured to control the movement of the penetrating member with respect to the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: CELL PRECISION, LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Wach, Raymond P. Vito, Jack Griffis, W. Robert Taylor
  • Patent number: 9795764
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide a hoop drive assembly. A hoop drive assembly according to the various embodiments may include one or more toothed rings and one or more motors coupled to the one or more toothed rings. In the various embodiments, rotation of the one or more toothed rings may change an orientation of a turret supported by the hoop drive assembly and/or move a control actuator of a catheter held in a modular plate coupled to the turret.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: CATHETER PRECISION, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Pacheco, Steve Foley, David Jenkins, Thomas Jackson, Luke Hares, Daniel Leonard Fuller
  • Patent number: 9795765
    Abstract: A catheter assembly including a tapered steering spine having a varying stiffness along an axial length. The tapered steering spine is tailored to provide increasing flexibility from proximal to distal in a way that makes the bend radius more uniform along the length of the steering section. In one embodiment, the tapered steering spine includes structures on adjacent rings that engage with each other when the steering section is flexed to limit the minimum bend radius to a predetermined minimum and which enhances the torsional rigidity of the steering section regardless of the degree of flexure of the steering section. The limited bend radius can prevent excessive bending of components such as fiber optics. The enhanced torsional rigidity can negate the need for torque braid in the section of the catheter shaft that surrounds the tapered steering spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical International Holding S.Ă  r.l.
    Inventor: Alexandre Romoscanu
  • Patent number: 9795766
    Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter adapter and an introducer needle. The introducer needle extends through the catheter adapter and through a catheter tube so as to assist placement of the catheter tube into a patient's blood vessel. Blood flashback into the catheter tube and/or catheter adapter through an aperture in a side of the needle indicates when the catheter tube is within the blood vessel. After the catheter tube is placed in the blood vessel, the introducer needle is withdrawn. A primary septum within the catheter adapter blocks blood flow in a proximal direction past the primary septum. A secondary septum proximal the primary septum is biased so as to enter into the aperture in the introducer needle and plug the aperture while the needle is being withdrawn, thus blocking blood flow through the aperture after the aperture is drawn through the primary septum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventor: Teng Sun Teoh
  • Patent number: 9795767
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing injections with lowered likelihood of infection include catheters and other injection means with protective coverings. The protective covering can protect the catheter or other injection means before, during, or before and during insertion of the catheter into an insertion site. The protective covering includes two or more parts of interlocking protrusions and channels that allow for sliding motion of the parts relative each other but that resist separation of the parts in the direction perpendicular to the long axis of the two or more parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventors: Alexander Mellon Eaton, Gabriel Mikal Gordon, Dyson William Hickingbotham
  • Patent number: 9795768
    Abstract: An introducer apparatus includes an outer sleeve and an inner cannula received within the lumen of the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve has a profile such that at least a portion of the distal end of the outer sleeve tapers in the distal direction at an angle not exceeding about 2° relative to a longitudinal axis of the apparatus. The distal open end of the outer sleeve has a wall thickness not exceeding about 0.003 inch. The inner cannula includes a tapered distal end portion. The tapered distal portion of the inner cannula extends distal to the distal open end of the outer sleeve, such that a generally smooth diametrical transition is provided between the outer sleeve tapered portion and the open distal end of the inner cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Arman H. Valaie
  • Patent number: 9795769
    Abstract: To provide a balloon catheter and an apparatus and method for manufacturing the balloon catheter, whereby the degree of welding can be appropriately adjusted and the balloon catheter can be formed so as to have a desired surface profile suitable for various uses including medical use. With a shaft 14 inserted through a catheter tube 30a inserted into an end portion 28b of a balloon and also with a pressure tube 32a fitted around a welding section where the end portion 28b of the balloon 28 is lapped over the catheter tube 30a, the shaft 14 is heated by emitting laser light from a laser radiation unit 8 to the welding section while the shaft 14 is rotated by a chuck, to weld the welding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SEIDENSHA ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kimihiko Watanabe, Hirotoshi Fuse, Takakazu Tomizawa, Yoshiyuki Sugawara, Yoshio Fukamatsu, Eiji Kaneko
  • Patent number: 9795770
    Abstract: A nasal airway passage device that keeps a nasal airway passage open when inserted into both nostrils. The device includes a hollow body having two hollow legs and a transverse segment that has a central opening. A malleable wire is embedded within a wall of the body, that is, embedded in a wall of each of the legs and embedded a wall of the transverse segment. The wire helps to retain the legs in either a straight orientation or a curved orientation. A band may be provided that encircles the legs initially and moves to encircle the transverse segment upon insertion of the legs into the nostrils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Christine Lydie Zolli
  • Patent number: 9795771
    Abstract: A system for use in percutaneous surgical procedures includes a dilator with an expandable sleeve positioned around its outer surface that accepts one or more additional dilators or retractors between the sleeve and the dilator to form an access port to a surgical site in a patient. The system can be used in spinal surgical procedures and the sleeve and one or more additional components of the system can be radiolucent and disposable after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Hai H. Trieu, Sachin P. Budhabhatti
  • Patent number: 9795772
    Abstract: A drug delivery device (10) includes expandable element (12) formed of a braided structure having a body portion (16) and first and second end cones (18, 20). The end cones are attached at their necks (22, 24) to a catheter assembly (14). The expandable element (12) can expand to a vessel contacting configuration, in which the body portion (16) contacts the vessel wall. Bioactive agent (28) covers at least the outer surface of the body portion (16) such that bioactive material can be administered to a vessel wall. The end cones (18, 20) have an open structure allowing unrestricted passage of blood through the device (10) in the deployed configuration, such that blood flow can be maintained during the administration of bioactive agent (28) from the device (10). The expandable element (12) can be radially contracted by extending it in the longitudinal direction, both for deployment endoluminally to the treatment site and also for retrieval following the administration of the bioactive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Steen Aggerholm, Christina Rauff Hansen, Sean D. Chambers
  • Patent number: 9795773
    Abstract: There is described a dry powder medicament delivery device comprising: a medicament container containing a unit dose of dry powder medicament; a medicament dispensing assembly; and optionally an air source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Nichol Boyes, Philip Wilson Braithwaite
  • Patent number: 9795774
    Abstract: A problem to be solved of the present invention is to provide a drug formulation and a method of administering an active ingredient which allow the active ingredient to be delivered evenly into the site of action in the skin with high efficiency while ensuring stability of the active ingredient over a long time, and which are easily handled and are less stressful for patients. Mean for solving the problem is a microneedle assembly formulation for skin treatment comprising a platform and a plurality of conical or pyramidal microneedles formed on the platform containing a base composed of a bio-soluble and thread-forming polymer substance and an objective substance retained in the base, wherein the objective substance is a substance effective for prevention or treatment of skin senescence, or treatment of skin scar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignees: BIOSERENTACH CO., LTD., LABO JUVERSA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kanji Takada, Ichiro Ono
  • Patent number: 9795775
    Abstract: In one aspect a drug delivery device may include a reservoir containing a liquid drug formulation and a microneedle assembly in fluid communication with the reservoir. The microneedle assembly may include a plurality of microneedles, with each microneedle defining an open channel for receiving a drug formulation. The open channel may have a normalized hydraulic radius ranging from about 0.1 to about 0.8. The open channel may also have a liquid-to-solid interfacial energy and a liquid-to-vapor interfacial energy when a fixed volume of the drug formulation is received therein. In addition, the drug formulation and a cross-sectional geometry of the open channel may be selected and configured such that the liquid-to-solid energy exceeds the liquid-to-vapor energy as the length of the fixed volume of drug formulation is increased within the open channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Baker, Russell F. Ross, Sridhar Ranganathan
  • Patent number: 9795776
    Abstract: An inspectable joint in a medical device is disclosed that includes at least one medical-grade tube having an end, a medical-grade fitting having at least one joining surface configured to accept the end of the tube, and a joining material disposed between the tube and the joining surface. The joining material includes a first component configured to couple the tube to the fitting and a second component configured to provide observable evidence of the presence of the joining material between the tube and the joining surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: CAREFUSION 303, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Steven Alpert, Lisa Davis
  • Patent number: 9795777
    Abstract: An infusion set system, including a base and a fluid connector removably coupleable thereto is disclosed. The fluid connector includes a fluid path portion and at least one connector latch displaceably connected to the fluid path portion and displaceable to a latching position in which at least a portion of the connector latch extends into the fluid path portion, which includes a cannula extending from a top interior surface thereof, and a plurality of internal sidewalls corresponding to at least two of a plurality of flat side surfaces of at least one of a base section and a base latch, thereby facilitating connection between the base and the fluid connector in a plurality of discrete rotational connecting positions. When the fluid connector is locked to the base, the at least one connector latch engages a base latching portion of the base and restricts proximal displacement of the fluid connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Ralph Sonderegger, Ronald Marsh, Charles Hwang, Stephen Richards, Victor Politis, Joshua Horvath, Benjamin Glace, James Sullivan, Ryan Lambert, Gregory Venditto, Eric Bené
  • Patent number: 9795778
    Abstract: An electrode structure for an implantable stimulation lead for use in stimulating a target nerve structure within a patient includes a flexible backing defined by a major dimension extending in a direction of a first axis, and a minor dimension extending generally orthogonal to the first axis. The electrode structure also includes a plurality of electrodes coupled to the backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Mokelke, Shantha Arcot-Krishnamurthy, Brian Soltis
  • Patent number: 9795779
    Abstract: An electrical stimulation lead includes a lead body insertable into a patient. Electrodes are disposed along the lead body. The electrodes include at least two sets of segmented electrodes. Each set of segmented electrodes includes a first segmented electrode and a second segmented electrode radially spaced apart from one another around a circumference of the lead body. A tab is disposed on the first segmented electrode of each set of segmented electrodes. The tabs extend into the lead body. A guide feature is disposed on the tabs. The guide features are each radially aligned with one another along the length of the lead body. Conductors extend along the length of the lead body from a proximal end to the electrodes. Each of the conductors is electrically coupled to at least one of the electrodes. At least one of the conductors extends through the radially-aligned guide features of the tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Anne Margaret Pianca, Priya Sundaramurthy
  • Patent number: 9795780
    Abstract: An apparatus for vascular denervation, comprising a catheter configured for delivery into a vessel of a patient. A balloon is mounted on a distal tip of the catheter, the balloon being configured to be inflatable and further configured so that, upon inflation, the balloon adopts a shape that includes a first edge and a second edge that wind around each other in a double helix, the first edge and the second edge being separated from each other by a first crease and a second crease that also wind around each other in a double helix. A first electrode is attached to the balloon and is located to extend along the first edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Benny Serna, Stephen Pacetti, John Stankus
  • Patent number: 9795781
    Abstract: An implantable leadless cardiac pacing device and associated retrieval features. The implantable device includes a docking member extending from the proximal end of the housing of the implantable device including a covering surrounding at least a portion of the docking member configured to facilitate retrieval of the implantable leadless cardiac pacing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian L. Schmidt, Benjamin J. Haasl, John M. Edgell, Dana Sachs
  • Patent number: 9795782
    Abstract: RFID-based sensors, RFID readers and software sense a changed condition. In one embodiment, an RFID-based sensor includes a base that may be placed at a location where a condition may change. The sensor includes an RFID tag that is coupled to the base. The sensor also includes a detector that can be electrically coupled to the RFID tag. If the condition changes, an electrical property of the detector also changes, impacting an operation of the RFID tag. The impacted operation can be detected by an RFID reader/interrogator so as to provide a notification. An advantage over the prior art is that the condition change can be sensed wirelessly over a domain that can be laborious or hazardous to access otherwise. Moreover, RFID based sensors can be made by modifying common RFID tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: WEST AFFUM HOLDINGS CORP.
    Inventors: Blaine Krusor, Isabelle Banville, Joseph Leo Sullivan, David Peter Finch, Daniel Ralph Piha, Laura Marie Gustavson, Kenneth Frederick Cowan, Richard C. Nova, Carmen Ann Chacon, Gregory T. Kavounas
  • Patent number: 9795783
    Abstract: A content reproduction apparatus includes a storage unit storing a plurality of content files and performs treatments by playing the content files stored in the storage unit. The content reproduction apparatus also includes a treatment setting unit configured to set a treatment based on a treatment condition input by a user; a content file obtaining unit configured to obtain, from the storage unit, a content file corresponding to the treatment set by the treatment setting unit; and an edit-and-output unit configured to play the content file obtained by the content file obtaining unit or the content file edited according to an instruction of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SHISEIDO COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Saito, Yuichiro Mori
  • Patent number: 9795784
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a patient with dyspnea are disclosed. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes identifying the patient as suffering from dyspnea, and, based at least in part on identifying the patient as suffering from dyspnea, implanting an electrical signal delivery element within the patient in signal communication with an afferent neural pathway of a carotid body chemoreceptor. The method can further include at least reducing dyspneic sensations in the patient by directing an electrical signal from the electrical signal delivery element to the neural pathway to at least partially block afferent signals from the chemoreceptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Cibiem, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin J. Hlavka, Lynn S. Elliott
  • Patent number: 9795785
    Abstract: A system for frequency matching a cochlear implant during fitting includes a tissue stimulation device configured to generate a tonal stimulus to mask efferent nerve fibers in a subject, one or more response measurement contacts configured to measure CAP signals during and outside of a refractory period, a frequency matching module in communication with the response measurement contacts and configured to receive the CAP signals during and outside of the refractory period to determine a stimulation location on the cochlear implant based on a comparison of the received CAP signals both during and outside of the refractory period, and a parameter adjusting module in communication with the frequency matching module and configured to interface with the cochlear implant and to adjust its processing parameters based on the stimulation location. Methods for frequency matching a cochlear implant during fitting are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Konrad Eugen Schwarz, Angelika Dierker, Martin Franz Goll
  • Patent number: 9795786
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a saliency-based apparatus and methods for visual prostheses. A saliency-based component processes video data output by a digital signal processor before the video data are input to the retinal stimulator. In a saliency-based method, an intensity stream is extracted from an input image, feature maps based on the intensity stream are developed, plural most salient regions of the input image are detected and one of the regions is selected as a highest saliency region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Greenberg, Alan Horsager, Mark S. Humayun, Kelly H. McClure, Matthew J. McMahon, Peter Meilstrup, Neha Parikh, Arup Roy, James D. Weiland, Chunhong Zhou
  • Patent number: 9795787
    Abstract: A retinal prosthesis system can comprise: a flexible substrate; a nanowire light detector which is placed on the substrate, and comprises one or more nanowires of which the resistance changes according to the applied light; one or more micro-electrodes which are placed on the substrate, are electrically connected to the nanowire light detector, and come in contact with retinal cells; and an electric power supply source for applying electric power to the nanowire light detector and the micro-electrodes. The retinal prosthesis system can be implemented into a very thin and flexible substrate type high resolution retinal system by manufacturing a nanowire light detector on a substrate in which micro-electrodes are implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY R&DB FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Dong Il Cho, Sangmin Lee, Suk Won Jung, Jong Yoon Shin
  • Patent number: 9795788
    Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs), and methods for use therewith, use a same coil for receiving communication and power signals. An IMD, which is configured to operate in a charge or power mode and in a communication mode, includes a coil, power circuitry and communication circuitry. The coil includes first and second terminals and an intermediate tap therebetween. The power circuitry is coupled, during the charge or power mode, to a first portion of the coil extending between the first and second terminals of the coil. The communication circuitry is coupled to a second portion of the coil extending between the first terminal and the intermediate tap of the coil. A third portion of the coil, extending between the intermediate tap and the second terminal of the coil, is decoupled from the power circuitry during the communication mode, which prevents current from flowing through the third portion of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Sauer
  • Patent number: 9795789
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for prevention and/or remediation of cardiac arrhythmias, e.g. optimizing anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) algorithms. More particularly, implantable devices are provided that measure and treat cardiac arrhythmias. By monitoring the ATP attempt from additional electrodes, far-field morphology analyses, and/or measuring the return interval from a failed ATP attempt; the devices may estimate when entrainment has occurred, the amount of delay within the reentrant tachycardia, and/or tachycardia termination/acceleration. These variables and occurrences can be used to optimize the first and/or subsequent ATP attempts. Furthermore, other exemplary embodiments describe methods to integrate electrical restitution properties into the design of ATP pacing algorithms to facilitate tachycardia termination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: CARDIOFLOW TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Walter Kaiser
  • Patent number: 9795790
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for cardiac rhythm management. In some cases, a system may include a pulse generator for generating pacing pulses for stimulating a heart of a patient; a memory; and a sensor configured to sense a response to an unwanted stimulation and to produce a corresponding sensor signal. A processing circuit may receive the sensor signal for a time after one or more pacing pulses, and may derive a time-frequency representation of the sensor signal based on the received sensor signal. The processing circuit may use the time-frequency representation of the sensor signal to help identify unwanted stimulation. Once unwanted stimulation is detected, the processing circuit may change the pacing pulses to help reduce or eliminate the unwanted stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Holly E. Rockweiler, David C. Olson, Sunipa Saha
  • Patent number: 9795791
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for cardiac stimulation. A cardiac stimulation device includes a plurality of electrodes, and a pulse circuit electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes, the pulse circuit including a capacitor configured to charge to an initial charge level, deliver a test pulse having a first amplitude to the plurality of electrodes by only partially discharging, and subsequently deliver a backup pulse to the plurality of electrodes, the backup pulse having a second amplitude that is larger than the first amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Persson, Matthew G. Fishler
  • Patent number: 9795792
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) may be configured into a sensing only mode in which the IMD does not delivery therapy. For example, the IMD may be configured to operate in a sensing only mode to reduce the undesirable effects that may be caused by external fields, such as those generated by an MRI device. However, there may be instances, such as a change in the patient's condition, in which it may be desirable to transition from the sensing only mode to a pacing mode to provide therapy. In accordance with the techniques described herein, the IMD monitors signals on one or more leads coupled to the medical device while operating in the sensing only mode and transitions to a pacing mode in response to not detecting a minimum number of signals on the one or more leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Ellingson
  • Patent number: 9795793
    Abstract: Architectures for an implantable neurostimulator system having a plurality of electrode-driver integrated circuits (ICs) in provided. Electrodes from either or both ICs can be chosen to provide stimulation, and one of the IC acts as the master while the other acts as the slave. A parallel bus operating in accordance with a communication protocol couples the ICs, and certain functional blocks not needed in the slave are disabled. Stimulation parameters are loaded via the bus into each IC, and a stimulation enable command is issued on the bus to ensure simultaneous stimulation from the electrodes on both ICs. Clocking strategies are also disclosed to allow clocking of the master and slave ICs to be independently controlled, and to ensure that relevant internal and bus clocks used in the system are synchronized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Jordi Parramon, Emanuel Feldman, Paul J. Griffith, Jess W. Shi
  • Patent number: 9795794
    Abstract: A signal processor is described for communication with an implanted medical device. An external processor transmits to the implanted medical device an implant data signal having a sequence of HI and LOW logic states at a fixed data bit rate. The pulse width durations of the HI and LOW logic states is adjustable in response to feedback telemetry data from the implantable medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Baumgartner, Jose Rodriguez-Navarro, Martin Stoffaneller, Andreas Mitterer
  • Patent number: 9795795
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a device for generating stimulation signals, comprising: a stimulation delivery circuit; a first component to monitor charge delivered in at least one charge pulse via the stimulation delivery circuit; and a second component to ensure delivered charge substantially corresponds to charge of a charge pulse intended to be delivered by the stimulation delivery circuit. In some embodiments, the device may further comprise a charge setting circuit responsive to a charge pulse setting signal, such as a constant current of fixed pulse width, to set the charge of the charge pulse intended to be delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: The Bionics Institute of Australia
    Inventors: Peter Misha Seligman, Hugh Joseph McDermott