Testing Artificially Regulated Or Assisted Heart Patents (Class 600/510)
  • Patent number: 10507358
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and a computer program for monitoring a fitness exercise are described. A plurality of heart-rate variability values and a plurality of exertion parameter values are measured during an exercise measured. The heart rate variability values correlate with the exertion parameter values through a human physiological mechanism, and the exertion parameter values characterize the physical exertion of the exercise. A mathematical correspondence is then constructed from the plurality of measured heart rate variability values and associated exertion parameter values. The mathematical correspondence describes correlation between the heart rate variability values and the exertion parameter values and the user's physiological state during the exercise. Then, the physical exertion of the exercise is monitored by applying the mathematical correspondence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: POLAR ELECTRO OY
    Inventors: Hannu Kinnunen, Jarkko Haataja, Tero Posio
  • Patent number: 10496732
    Abstract: A method for generating and displaying a user-customized page and a mobile device thereof are provided. The method for processing a user-customized page in a mobile device includes collecting use information of a user with respect to the mobile device when a preset specific situation occurs, generating a user-customized page associated with the specific situation using the use information when the specific situation is terminated, and storing the generated user-customized page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chihoon Lee, Sanghyuk Koh, Taeyeon Kim, Jihye Myung, Hyunmi Park, Hyemi Lee
  • Patent number: 10471261
    Abstract: A connector block that permits simultaneous and continuous interconnection of the three leads of the epicardial pacing wires, the pacemaker, and the ECG monitor on clear separately labeled connectors is provided. Circuitry is provided that allows the display of epicardial signals on the telemetry unit, while still preserving the ability to pace the heart from the pacemaker. When pacing the connector block prevents excessive loading of the pacer signals by the ECG monitor and/or damage to the monitor by the high-voltage pacer signals. The connector block may be used universally on all monitors without the need for sophisticated understanding of the electrical characteristics of the ECG monitor or concern for damage or improper signal loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Nicholas Von Bergen, Philip Terrien, Matthew Knoespel, Connor Sheedy, James Olson, Randal Mills
  • Patent number: 10456057
    Abstract: A signal processing evaluator and methods that compare a digital waveform of a cardiac signal to a first processed signal generated by a test system such as an EP recorder or an EP mapping system and generates a first finding evaluating how well the test system filters non-cardiac signals or simulated body impedance. A simulator and methods that send cardiac signals including non-cardiac signals or simulated body impedance to a test system and to a signal processing evaluator for evaluation of the test system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: BIOSIG TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Budimir S. Drakulic, Thomas George Foxall, Sina Fakhar, Branislav Vlajinic
  • Patent number: 10451701
    Abstract: With an MRI apparatus using a transmission coil having multiple channels, a region desired to be diagnosed is efficiently imaged with high image quality. The MRI apparatus comprises a region setting means for setting a region in an imaging region, of which high quality image is desired to be obtained, as a first region, and an optimization means for determining at least one of amplitude and phase of a radio frequency wave transmitted to each of the multiple channels as a radio frequency magnetic field condition, and the optimization means determines the radio frequency magnetic field condition so that at least one of specific absorption ratio and signal value of a region that generates artifacts is not higher than a predetermined value defined for each, under a uniformity constraint condition that uniformity of radio frequency magnetic field distribution in the first region is not lower than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Yukio Kaneko, Hideta Habara, Yoshihisa Soutome, Yoshitaka Bito
  • Patent number: 10406373
    Abstract: An extra-cardiovascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator is configured to store a cardiac signal segment in response to sensing a cardiac event and obtain a notch filtered signal segment by notch filtering the cardiac signal segment. The ICD determines a count of crossings of the notch filtered signal segment by the cardiac signal segment and determines whether electromagnetic interference (EMI) is present in the cardiac signal segment based on a value of the count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Xusheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 10342981
    Abstract: A medical device system for controlling ventricular pacing therapy during cardiac resynchronization therapy that includes a sensing device to sense a cardiac signal and emit a trigger signal in response to the sensed cardiac signal, a therapy delivery device to deliver the ventricular pacing in response to the emitted trigger signal, and a processor configured to identify a fiducial point of the cardiac signal sensed in real-time, set a window comprising a start point positioned a first distance prior to the fiducial point and an endpoint positioned a second distance less than the first distance subsequent to the fiducial point, determine a signal characteristic of the cardiac signal within the window, determine whether a P-wave is detected in response to the signal characteristic, determine whether an atrio-ventricular interval timer has expired, and emit a trigger signal to deliver the ventricular pacing timed off of the local maximum in response to the P-wave being detected and not timed off of the local m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Subham Ghosh, Kushagr Gupta
  • Patent number: 10300284
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A neural fulcrum zone is identified and ongoing neurostimulation therapy is delivered within the neural fulcrum zone. This neural fulcrum zone corresponds to a combination of stimulation parameters at which autonomic engagement is achieved, while the tachycardia-inducing stimulation effects are offset by the bradycardia-inducing effects, thereby minimizing side effects such as significant heart rate changes while providing a therapeutic level of stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignees: LivaNova USA, Inc., East Tennessee State University
    Inventors: Bruce H. KenKnight, Jeffrey L. Ardell, Imad Libbus, Badri Amurthur
  • Patent number: 10258250
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a GPU-based parallel electrocardiogram signal analysis method, comprising: performing a filtering process of electrocardiogram signals through a long interval artifact removal and a short interval artifact removal; performing a QRS detection of the filtering-processed electrocardiogram signals through an R-wave position extraction, a QRS complex start and end positions extraction and a QRS complex width extraction; performing an abnormal waveform classification of the QRS-detected electrocardiogram signals through template creation; wherein at least one of the long interval artifact removal, the short interval artifact removal, the R-wave position extraction, the QRS complex width extraction and the creation template is performed by a multiple threads at a GPU device side in parallel, any thread being read through its unique index number to process corresponding data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: SHENZHEN INSTITUTES OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Ye Li, Xiaomao Fan, Furu Xiang, Yunpeng Cai, Fen Miao
  • Patent number: 10244958
    Abstract: A cardiac function measurement and evaluation device is provided to measure and evaluate cardiac function in patients with atrial fibrillation, sinus arrhythmia, and the like, using thoracic impedance data and electrocardiogram data. By creating a two-dimensional scatter plot in which (dZ/dt)min values and preceding RR intervals (RR1) corresponding thereto, and the like obtained by thoracic impedance measurement, are plotted, it is possible to visually and easily evaluate the state of cardiac function in patients with atrial fibrillation and sinus arrhythmia. Using the measurement and evaluation device of the present invention makes it possible to perform examinations easily and repeatedly with less burden on patients. Therefore, it is possible to provide very useful information for diagnosing heart disease, selecting drugs, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: MEDICAL CORPORATION USHIRODA INTERNAL MEDICINE CLINIC
    Inventor: Shinichi Ushiroda
  • Patent number: 10207118
    Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques for associating therapy adjustments with posture states using a timer. The techniques may include detecting a patient adjustment to electrical stimulation therapy delivered to the patient, sensing a posture state of the patient, and associating the detected adjustment with the sensed posture state if the sensed posture state is sensed within a first period following the detection of the adjustment and if the sensed posture state does not change during a second period following the sensing of the sensed posture state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis M. Skelton
  • Patent number: 10207112
    Abstract: Methods of nerve signal differentiation, methods of delivering therapy using such nerve signal differentiation, and to systems and devices for performing such methods. Nerve signal differentiation may include locating two electrodes proximate nerve tissue and differentiating between efferent and afferent components of nerve signals monitored using the two electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Xiaohong Zhou, Lilian Kornet, Richard N. M. Cornelussen, Robert W. Stadler
  • Patent number: 10194820
    Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system senses a cardiac signal indicative of heartbeats and an acoustic signal indicative of heart sounds and detects atrial tachyarrhythmia based on the sensed cardiac and acoustic signals. In various embodiments, the system senses the cardiac and acoustic signals without using an atrial lead, thus allowing for, for example, monitoring atrial fibrillation burden in a heart failure patient who does not wear an implantable device with an atrial lead. In various embodiments, the system detects heartbeats and heart sounds, measures parameters associated with the detected heartbeats and heart sounds, and detects one or more specified types of atrial tachyarrhythmia using the measured parameters. In various embodiments, the measured parameters are selected from heart rate, heart sound amplitude, cycle length variability, and systolic and diastolic intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Pramodsingh Hirasingh Thakur, Qi An, Barun Maskara
  • Patent number: 10136860
    Abstract: A system for assessing risk associated with a suspected heart rhythm disorder includes at least one sensor for generating a signal received from a beating human heart over a plurality of time segments, and an analytic engine that receives the signal and calculates a change in the signal among at least a first time segment and a second time segment in response to a change in at least one of rate and regularity induced in the beating human heart. The analytic engine generates a risk score for the heart rhythm disorder based at least in part on the change in the signal. The system may further be configured to control modification of tissue of the beating human heart based on the risk score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, The United States of America as Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventor: Sanjiv Narayan
  • Patent number: 10129767
    Abstract: A method for collecting diagnostic data in a wireless communication network. The method comprises storing previously measured results of the diagnostic data for improving quality of the wireless communication network, determining a spatiotemporal correlation model based on the previously measured results of the diagnostic data in accordance with a data collection strategy, and collecting new diagnostic data based on the determined spatiotemporal correlation model and the data collection strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Wang, Pei Zheng
  • Patent number: 10010716
    Abstract: An implantable medical system includes an implantable medical lead including at least one electrode and an implantable medical device (IMD) coupled to the implantable medical lead. The IMD includes a sensing module that obtains electrical signals on the implantable medical lead. The electrical signals on the implantable medical lead include cardiac signals as well as noise-induced signals. The IMD also includes a noise detection module that obtains noise signals independently of the electrical signals on the implantable medical lead. A control module of the IMD adjusts a sensing threshold of the sensing module in response to detecting the noise signals via the noise detection module. In instances in which the amplitude of the noise-induced signal on the lead is too large, the IMD may transition to a noise operating mode specifically designed to accommodate noisy environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Ellingson, Patrick L. Parish, Hyun J. Yoon
  • Patent number: 10004414
    Abstract: A method for detecting a stimulus pulse by using two or more electrical signals derived from a living body, the method comprising the following steps: (a) for each electrical signal, digitizing the signal with an analog-to-digital converter to produce a sampled signal Sk; (b) for each signal Sk at a sample time ti, computing a primary difference ?kp(ti)=abs[Sk(ti)?Sk(ti?p)]; (c) determining the minimum value of all of the computed differences, such minimum being a detector output D(ti); (d) comparing the detector output D(ti) with a detection threshold; and (e) indicating that a stimulus pulse has been detected when the detector output D(ti) is above the detection threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: APN Health, LLC
    Inventor: Donald Brodnick
  • Patent number: 9993205
    Abstract: Methods and devices for classifying a cardiac response to pacing involve establishing a retriggerable cardiac response classification window. A first cardiac response classification window is established subsequent to delivery of a pacing pulse. A cardiac signal following the pacing stimulation is sensed in the first classification window. A second cardiac response classification may be triggered if a trigger characteristic is detected in the first classification window. The cardiac signal is sensed in the second classification window if the second classification window is established. The cardiac response to the pacing stimulation is determined based on characteristics of the cardiac signal. The cardiac response may be determined to be one of a captured response, a non-captured response, a non-captured response added to an intrinsic beat, and a fusion/pseudofusion beat, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Meyer, Yanting Dong, Jeremy Maniak, Doug Birholz, John Voegele
  • Patent number: 9968267
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a computing device that includes a memory configured to store instructions. The computing device also includes a processor to execute the instructions to perform operations that include receiving a signal representative of electrical impedance in a chest of a patient, and, receiving a signal representative of the motion of chest compressions performed on the patient during a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) treatment. The operations also include processing the received signal representative of the motion of chest compressions to determine one or more characteristics of the motion, and, processing the received signal representative of the electrical impedance to determine parameters relevant to a production of a signal representative of airflow activities of the patient. Operations also include modifying the one or more determined parameters based on the one or more determined characteristics of the motion to produce the signal representative of airflow activities of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: ZOLL Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick J. Geheb, Gary A. Freeman, Ulrich Herken
  • Patent number: 9937347
    Abstract: Example apparatus and methods plan and control neuro-modulation of a distributed multi-region network in a brain. A location for a deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrode that participates in activating a combination of white matter pathways associated with the network is selected. The location is selected based on a pre-implantation image of the brain and a probabilistic activation model of the network. An initial stimulation parameter for DBS to be applied through the DBS electrode is selected based on a post-implantation image of the brain and the probabilistic activation model of the network. A modified stimulation parameter for DBS being applied through the DBS electrode is selected based on the initial stimulation parameter, a local field potential measured in the distributed multi-region network in response to DBS applied using the initial stimulation parameter, the probabilistic activation model of the distributed multi-region network, and the post-implantation image of the brain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
    Inventors: Cameron McIntyre, Patricio Riva-Posse, Ki Sueng Choi, Ashutosh Chaturvedi, Helen Mayberg, Michele Tagliati, Tyler Cheung
  • Patent number: 9901267
    Abstract: A cardiopulmonary function evaluating apparatus includes: an electrocardiogram measuring unit which is configured to measure an electrocardiogram of a subject; a photoplethysmogram detecting unit which is configured to detect a photoplethysmogram of the subject; a heart rate calculating unit which is configured to calculate a heart rate (HR) of the subject based on the electrocardiogram; a PWTT calculating unit which is configured to calculate a pulse wave transmission time (PWTT) of the subject based on the electrocardiogram and the photoplethysmogram; an SV calculating unit which is configured to calculate a stroke volume (SV) of the subject based on the heart rate and the pulse wave transmission time; and an outputting unit which is configured to output a state related to the stroke volume of the subject based on the stroke volume that is calculated by the SV calculating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihito Konno, Makoto Hajiri
  • Patent number: 9820667
    Abstract: There is a method and system for detecting heartbeat irregularities comprising the steps of receiving a dataset representative of at least one waveform, the at least one waveform indicative of a subject's heart activity over a predetermined period of time; identifying from the data representative of at least one waveform, a plurality of peaks, each peak corresponding to a heartbeat; identifying from the predetermined period of time the time occurrence of each peak; calculating the difference (duration) between the time occurrence of each peak with its adjacent peak; determining the difference between each duration; classifying the absolute value of the difference into one of at least three intermediate categories; wherein each intermediate category comprises a specified range such that the absolute value is categorized into the intermediate category if it falls between the range; the intermediate categories further providing an indication of whether the subject has heartbeat irregularity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HEALTHSTATS INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD
    Inventors: Choon Meng Ting, Wei Nee Serene Chang
  • Patent number: 9782101
    Abstract: There is a method and system for detecting heartbeat irregularities comprising the steps of receiving a dataset representative of at least one waveform, the at least one waveform indicative of a subject's heart activity over a predetermined period of time; identifying from the data representative of at least one waveform, a plurality of peaks, each peak corresponding to a heartbeat; identifying from the predetermined period of time the time occurrence of each peak; calculating the difference (duration) between the time occurrence of each peak with its adjacent peak; determining the difference between each duration; classifying the absolute value of the difference into one of at least three intermediate categories; wherein each intermediate category comprises a specified range such that the absolute value is categorized into the intermediate category if it falls between the range; the intermediate categories further providing an indication of whether the subject has heartbeat irregularity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: HEALTHSTATS INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD
    Inventors: Choon Meng Ting, Wei Nee Serene Chang
  • Patent number: 9750416
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide for ambulatorily sensing pulmonary artery pressure from within a patient, and producing a pulmonary artery pressure measurement from the sensed pulmonary artery pressure. Power is ambulatorily provided within the patient to facilitate sensing of the pulmonary artery pressure and producing of the pulmonary artery pressure measurement. Acute pulmonary embolism is detected based on a change or rate of change in the pulmonary artery pressure measurement. An alert is preferably generated in response to detecting pulmonary embolism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Wangcai Liao, Jeffrey Stahmann, Bin Mi, Yunlong Zhang
  • Patent number: 9731137
    Abstract: The current technology is relevant to a system having a programming device capable of communication with an implantable medical device, where the programming device is configured to identify a patient condition comprising the patient's inability to exercise to a desired capacity, configured to notify a clinical user of the identified condition and configured to identify a therapy appropriate for the identified condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Gilkerson, Kenneth P. Hoyme, James R. Kalgren, David L. Perschbacher, Les N. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9724000
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an exercise guiding system including a sensing module, a calculating module, a converting module and an output module. The sensing module keeps recording an R-R interval of a user doing exercise. The computing module receives the R-R interval from the sensing module and performs heart rate variability analysis on the R-R interval to generate a first output. The converting module receives the first output from the calculating module, recognizes a threshold output of the first output according to a threshold and acquires an anaerobic threshold corresponding to the user according to the threshold output, wherein the anaerobic threshold corresponding to the user is a first heart rate corresponding to the threshold output in the R-R interval. The output module receives the anaerobic threshold from the converting module and outputs an exercise guidance of the user according to the anaerobic threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Rong-Rong Chen, Yueh-Hsuan Lee, Tung-Hung Lu, Jong-Shyan Wang, Hsing-Hua Tsai
  • Patent number: 9717428
    Abstract: Devices and methods provide for the sensing of physiological signals during stimulation therapy by preventing stimulation waveform artifacts from being passed through to the amplification of the sensed physiological signal. Thus, the sensing amplifier is not adversely affected by the stimulation waveform and can provide for successful sensing of physiological signals. A common mode voltage is applied to the stimulation electrodes while sensing during a recharge period where the common mode voltage approximates the stimulation pulse being received at the sensing electrodes. This common mode voltage is determined based on measuring a common mode signal for at least one of the inputs of the amplifier or by deriving the proper common mode from monitoring the output signal of the amplifier to observe the elimination of artifacts during stimulation. Blanking switches may be used to blank the sensing of the peak of the recharge period should that peak be relatively large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Peng Cong, Timothy J. Denison, Forrest C. M. Pape, Wesley A. Santa, Jalpa S. Shah, Scott R. Stanslaski
  • Patent number: 9687667
    Abstract: A magnetic switching device includes an electromagnet adapted to be arranged proximate to an exterior surface of an object having a magnetically-switchable device therein and a control circuit electrically connected to the electromagnet. The electromagnet is constructed to generate a magnetic field of sufficient strength and orientation to engage a switch in the magnetically-switchable device. The invention further includes an electrocautery system, including an electrocautery device, a control circuit electrically connected to the electrocautery device, and an electromagnet electrically connected to the control circuit. The electromagnet is adapted to be arranged proximate to an exterior surface of an object having a magnetically-switchable device therein. Operation of the electrocautery device causes the electromagnet to generate a magnetic field of sufficient strength to engage a switch in the magnetically-switchable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: CARDIAC LEAD TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William Choe, Sang Won Yoon
  • Patent number: 9681815
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an active medical device that uses non-linear filtering for reconstructing a surface electrocardiogram from an endocardial electrogram. At least one endocardial EGM electrogram signal is collected from of samples collected from at least one endocardial or epicardial derivation (71?, 72?, 73?), and at least one of a reconstructed surface electrocardiogram (ECG) signal through the processing of collected EGM samples by a transfer function (TF) of a neural network (60?). The neural network (60?) is a time-delay-type network that simultaneously processes said at least one endocardial EGM electrogram signal, formed by a first sequence of collected samples, and at least one delayed version of this EGM signal, formed by a second sequence of collected samples distinct from the first sequence collected samples. The neural network (60?) provides said reconstructed ECG signal from the EGM signal and its delayed version.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: SORIN CRM SAS
    Inventors: Fabienne Porée, Guy Carrault, Amar Kachenoura, Alfredo Hernandez
  • Patent number: 9675799
    Abstract: The present invention relates, generally, to scientific and medical system methods for diagnosis of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) lead conductor anomalies, in particular conductor migration and externalization within an ICD implantable cardiac lead. The method uses an “imaginary” component of the high frequency transmission line impedance having certain spectral changes that correspond to movements of the conductor or an “imaginary impedance”. This allows the detection of conductor migration and small insulation failures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Lambda Nu Technology LLC
    Inventors: Mark William Kroll, Charles Dennis Swerdlow
  • Patent number: 9669217
    Abstract: A pulse generator is configured to generate electrical pulses of an electrical stimulation therapy. The pulse generator includes an N number of output channels and a microcontroller configured to generate instructions. The pulse generator is configured to generate different stimulation waveforms simultaneously for the output channels. The different waveforms have different waveform characteristics. A mesh electrode array includes an M number of electrodes. Each of the electrodes is configured to deliver the electrical pulses of the electrical stimulation therapy. M is at least several times greater than N. A solid state relay contains a plurality of controllable switches that is each configured to be turned on or off in response to the instructions received from the microcontroller, such that the solid state relay routes the output channels of the pulse generator to different subset of the electrodes of the mesh electrode array at different points in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: NUVECTRA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu, Michael Labbe
  • Patent number: 9668659
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and processor-readable storage media are provided for the diagnosis of heart failure. One method includes collecting, using an implantable device, reference episodes; generating an in-suspicion model-cycle and an off-suspicion model-cycle based on the reference episodes; and determining whether to generate a heart failure alert, based on a difference between the in-suspicion model-cycle and the off-suspicion model-cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: SORIN CRM SAS
    Inventors: Jérôme Dumont, Lionel Giorgis
  • Patent number: 9662499
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing CRT are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes receiving, during at least two time periods of a cardiac cycle, electrical signals communicated by two or more electrodes of a CRT device positioned one or more of on a surface of a body, within a thorax of the body, a heart of the body, a surrounding venous structure of the body, and a surrounding subcutaneous structure of the body. The method also includes calculating, based on the received electrical signals, spacing between the two or more electrodes during the at least two time periods of the cardiac cycle. Further, the method includes controlling output of the CRT device to the electrodes based on the calculated spacing between the two or more electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignees: U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Duke University
    Inventor: Brett D. Atwater
  • Patent number: 9615757
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine the presence of and track functional chronotropic incompetence (hereinafter “CI”) in an in-home setting under conditions of daily living. The functional CI of the patient may be determined with one or more of a profile of measured patient heart rates, a measured maximum patient heart rate, or a peak of the heart rate profile. The functional CI of the patient may be determined with the measured heart rate profile, in which the measured heart rate profile may correspond to heart rates substantially less than the maximum heart rate of the patient, such that the heart rate can be safely measured when the patient is remote from a health care provider. The functional CI of the patient may be determined based a peak of the remotely measured heart rate profile, for example a peak corresponding to the mode of the heart rate distribution profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic Monitoring, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodolphe Katra, Niranjan Chakravarthy, Imad Libbus
  • Patent number: 9597003
    Abstract: A cardiac signal generator includes a first circuit, a user input device, an output display, and a processing circuit. The first circuit provides, according to any of predetermined plurality of settings, cardiac signals comprising a repeating cardiac waveform, and respiratory signals comprising a repeated respiratory waveform. The output display includes a plurality of indicators, each indicator corresponding to one of the plurality of settings. Each setting includes a combination of a frequency of repetition of the cardiac waveform and a frequency of repetition of the respiratory waveform. The processing circuit causes the first circuit to provide cardiac and respiratory signals according to a selected one of the plurality of settings. The processing circuit is further configured to receive a signal from the user input device, and change the selected setting from a first setting of the plurality of settings to a second setting of the plurality of settings responsive thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: MEDXCEL, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Cadick, Dax Hafer
  • Patent number: 9597513
    Abstract: An intracardiac pacemaker is configured to filter a raw cardiac electrical signal received by the pacemaker to produce a filtered cardiac electrical signal, analyzes the filtered cardiac electrical signal to establish cardiac event sensing criteria that discriminate P-waves from T-waves and R-waves all present in the raw cardiac electrical signal, and sense the P-waves from the filtered cardiac electrical signal when the established cardiac event sensing criteria are met. Sensed P-waves may be used for controlling atrial-synchronized ventricular pacing delivered by the pacemaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd J Sheldon, Wade M Demmer, Margaret G Guo
  • Patent number: 9592392
    Abstract: A pacemaker implantable in a chamber of a patient's heart is configured to produce a filtered cardiac electrical signal by filtering a raw cardiac signal by an adjustable filter of a sensing module of the pacemaker. The sensing module is configured to receive the raw cardiac electrical signal comprising R-waves, T-waves and P-waves via electrodes coupled to the sensing module. The pacemaker is further configured to determine if the T-waves are distinct from the P-waves in the filtered cardiac electrical signal and adjust the filter to increase a difference between a feature of the P-waves and a feature of the T-waves in the filtered cardiac signal when the T-waves are not distinct from the P-waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Wade M Demmer, Todd J Sheldon, Margaret G Guo
  • Patent number: 9566444
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided to stimulate multiple sites in a heart. A controller senses electrical activity associated with sinus rhythm of the heart. A signal generator is configured to generate an electrical signal for stimulating the heart. Based on the electrical signal, a distributor circuit then distributes the stimulating signals, such as pacing pulses, to a heart. The distributor circuit may vary the delay time between stimulating signals, inhibit a stimulating signal, trigger application of a stimulating signal, or vary the characteristics, such as the pulse width and amplitude, of a stimulating signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: MIROWSKI FAMILY VENTURES, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Morton M. Mower
  • Patent number: 9561005
    Abstract: Techniques are described for generating beat templates and utilizing those beat templates to detect a cardiac event, e.g., a tachyarrhythmia. In particular, example methods and devices for acquiring qualified beats for template generation are described. Additionally, techniques are described for selecting subsets of the qualified beats to actually use in generating a beat template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Xusheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 9529972
    Abstract: An indication that a patient event occurred may be used to evaluate the efficacy of at least one therapy program and/or adjust therapy delivery to the patient. In some examples, the patient event indication includes patient input that may be received via an event indication button of a programming device. In addition to or instead of the patient input, the patient event indication may be generated based on a physiological parameter of the patient. In some examples, therapy delivery may be adjusted by adjusting at least one therapy parameter value, switching therapy programs or therapy program groups or restarting a therapy cycle of a medical device. The patient input via an event indication button may also help evaluate whether a therapy system is useful for the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon E. Giftakis, Jonathan C. Werder, Nina M. Graves, David C. Ullestad
  • Patent number: 9486151
    Abstract: A method and system of cardiac pacing is disclosed. A baseline rhythm is determined using a plurality of body-surface electrodes. A set of baseline functional electrical metrics is determined in response to determining the baseline rhythm. Resynchronization pacing is delivered using a right ventricular electrode and a pacing left ventricular electrode or only with a left ventricular electrode. A set of functional electrical metrics relating to cardiac depolarization and repolarization is determined in response to resynchronization pacing. A determination is made as to whether relative reduction of at least one functional electrical metric from the set of functional electrical metrics exceeds X % of its corresponding value from the set of baseline functional electrical metrics. A determination is made as to whether an absolute value of at least one electrical metric from the set of the functional electrical metrics is less than Y ms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Subham Ghosh, Jeffrey M Gillberg
  • Patent number: 9486154
    Abstract: An apparatus for recording physiological signal is provided. The apparatus includes a storage unit, a signal analyzer, and a controller. The storage unit is configured for storing a physiological signal of a user during a time interval. The signal analyzer is configured for analyzing the physiological signal of the user to provide an analysis result. The controller is configured for changing the time interval according to the analysis result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventor: Chih-Ming Fu
  • Patent number: 9471753
    Abstract: The present disclosure involves a medical system that includes one or more implantable medical devices configured to deliver a medical therapy to a patient. The medical system also includes a portable electronic device on which a touch-sensitive user interface is implemented. The user interface is configured to provide a visual representation of the medical therapy through a hierarchy. The hierarchy includes a lower level representation of the medical therapy that corresponds to a stimulation program that includes a plurality of configurable stimulation parameters. The hierarchy includes a middle level representation of the medical therapy that corresponds to a stimulation program-set that includes a plurality of different stimulation programs. The hierarchy includes an upper level representation of the medical therapy that corresponds to a scrollable collection of stimulation program-sets that are represented by a plurality of digital cards, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Nuvectra Corporation
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu
  • Patent number: 9433792
    Abstract: Diastolic function is monitored within a patient based on dynamic cardiogenic impedance as measured by a pacemaker or other implantable medical device. In one example, the device uses ventricular cardiogenic impedance values to detect E-wave parameters representative of passive filling of the ventricles. Atrial cardiogenic impedance values are used to detect A-wave parameters representative of active filling of the ventricles. Diastolic function is then assessed or evaluated based on the E-wave and A-wave parameters. Various functions of the implantable device are then controlled based on the assessment of diastolic function, such as by adjusting atrioventricular delay parameters to improve diastolic function. In some examples, the detection of E- and A-wave parameters is achieved by aligning impedance signals to atrial activation, and separately to ventricular activation, during asynchronous VOO pacing or while artificially inducing a 2:1 block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: PACESETTER, INC.
    Inventors: Stuart Rosenberg, Kritika Gupta, Riddhi Shah, Rupinder Bharmi, Edward Karst, Gene A. Bornzin
  • Patent number: 9415228
    Abstract: A device for detecting cardiac ischemia is disclosed. The device includes a processor that is configured to distinguish between ventricularly paced beats and supraventricular beats. The processor applies different ischemia tests to the two different beat types, and generates alert when it detects ischemia. The processor collects and counts the ST segment deviation values for ventricularly paced beats for a pre-set time period. The processor then determines if the number of ventricularly paced beats is insufficient to perform ischemia detection. If so, then the processor collects ST deviation values for additional paced beats. When the processor determines that a sufficient number of ventricularly paced beats have been acquired, it identifies ischemic beats by the application of ischemia detection criteria to the ST deviation values of the collected ventricularly paced beats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Angel Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Fischell, Michael Sasha John, Bruce Hopenfeld
  • Patent number: 9402955
    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: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Inventor: Wolfgang Oestreich
  • Patent number: 9399138
    Abstract: A pacemaker programming apparatus for programming a pacemaker in an individual. The apparatus comprises means for determining the sensed-paced difference of the pacemaker in the individual: first testing means for determining the optimum AV delay while the pacemaker is atrially pacing at a raised at a heart rate; and calculation means for calculating the optimum AV delay determined by the first testing means minus the sensed-paced difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Imperial Innovations Limited
    Inventors: Zachary Whinnett, Darrel Francis
  • Patent number: 9392972
    Abstract: An initial set of parameters for operating one or more detection tools is automatically derived and subsequently adjusted so that each detection tool is more or less sensitive to signal characteristics in a region of interest. Detection tool(s) may be applied to physiological signals sensed from a patient (such as EEG signals) and may be configured to run in an implanted medical device that is programmable with the parameters to look for rhythmic activity, spiking, and power changes in the sensed signals, etc. A detection tool may be selected and parameter values derived in a logical sequence and/or in pairs based on a graphical representation of an activity type which may be selected by a user, for example, by clicking and dragging on the graphic via a GUI. Displayed simulations allow a user to assess what will be detected with a derived parameter set and then to adjust the sensitivity of the set or start over as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Felice Sun, Rosana Esteller, Adam Lee
  • Patent number: 9304675
    Abstract: A portable electronic device for instant messaging is disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves a graphical user interface (GUI) on a portable electronic device with a touch screen display. The GUI has a set of messages exchanged between a user of the device and another person. The set of messages are displayed in a chronological order. In response to detecting a scrolling gesture comprising a substantially vertical movement of a user contact with the touch screen display, the display of messages are scrolled in accordance with a direction of the scrolling gesture. The detecting of the scrolling gesture is substantially independent of a horizontal position of the user contact with the touch screen display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Stephen O. Lemay, Marcel Van Os, Scott Herz, Greg Christie
  • Patent number: 9299235
    Abstract: There is provided a computer-readable medium storing a program causing a processor to execute a procedure. The processor is provided in a portable electronic apparatus. The procedure includes detecting acceleration in the gravitational acceleration direction of the portable electronic apparatus, determining whether or not the acceleration in the gravitational acceleration direction is a threshold value or less, the threshold value being stored in a determination threshold value table, and raising an alarm for prediction of stumbling of a user when the acceleration in the gravitational acceleration direction is the threshold value or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Kouichirou Kasama