Applicator Placed Around Stimulated Nerve Patents (Class 607/118)
  • Patent number: 11628299
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to subcutaneous direct current (DC) nerve conduction block. A subcutaneous electrode can be implanted under a subject's skin between the subject's skin and a neural structure within the subject's body. The subcutaneous electrode can be coupled to a current generator. A DC can be configured by the current generator and delivered through the subcutaneous electrode to block conduction in the neural structure. The subcutaneous electrode eliminates an effect of an impedance of the subject's skin on the DC. The DC can be returned to the current generator by a return electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tina Vrabec, Niloy Bhadra, Narendra Bhadra, Kevin L. Kilgore
  • Patent number: 11623098
    Abstract: There is provided a neural interface device for unidirectional stimulation of a nerve including at least one A-type nerve fiber or at least one at least partially myelinated nerve fiber. The device includes an electrode arrangement for placing on or around the nerve. The electrode arrangement includes a first electrode configured to be positively charged and a second electrode configured to be negatively charged, where the surface area of the second electrode is larger than the surface area of first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Galvani Bioelectronics Limited
    Inventor: Gerald Edwin Hunsberger
  • Patent number: 11596787
    Abstract: A bioelectric interface is provided. The bioelectric interface comprises a case having a channel configured to hold a nerve. An electrode array is slidably coupled to the case, wherein the electrode array comprises a number of electrode shanks. The case restricts movement of the electrode array to one degree of freedom toward or away from the nerve held in the channel for insertion of the electrode shanks into the nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Stuart F. Cogan, Atefeh Ghazavi, Alexandra Joshi-Imri
  • Patent number: 11491328
    Abstract: Methods and devices are described for preventing diastolic flow reversal and/or reducing peripheral vascular resistance in a patient. Also described are methods of cosmetic treatment, and methods of promoting delivery of therapeutic agents or contrast agents to bones and related tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Sky Medical Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Duncan Bain, Arthur Tucker, Bernard Ross
  • Patent number: 11484327
    Abstract: A medical device may include an elongated body, a balloon positioned at a distal portion of the elongated body, and one or more pressure-wave emitters positioned along a central longitudinal axis of the elongated body within the balloon. The one or more pressure-wave emitters may be configured to propagate pressure waves radially outward through the fluid to fragment a calcified lesion at the target treatment site. The at least one of the one or more pressure-wave emitters may include an electronic emitter comprising a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode may be arranged to define a spark gap between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the second electrode may comprise a portion of a hypotube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: FASTWAVE MEDICAL INC.
    Inventors: Edward Anderson, Randy Beyreis, Scott Nelson, JiChao Sun, Brady Hatcher, Laura Ortega, Joe Duerr, Ae-Suk Pauling, Daryl Kiefer, Bryan Goh, Dannah Dean, Marc Simmon, Curtis Goreham-Voss, Parker Hagen, Tristan Tieso, Lauren Eno
  • Patent number: 11420065
    Abstract: A method, electrical tissue stimulation system, and programmer for providing therapy to a patient are provided. Electrodes are placed adjacent tissue (e.g., spinal cord tissue) of the patient, electrical stimulation energy is delivered from the electrodes to the tissue in accordance with a defined waveform, and a pulse shape of the defined waveform is modified, thereby changing the characteristics of the electrical stimulation energy delivered from the electrode(s) to the tissue. The pulse shape may be modified by selecting one of a plurality of different pulse shape types or by adjusting a time constant of the pulse shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Dongchul Lee, Michael A. Moffitt, Christopher Ewan Gillespie, Kerry Bradley
  • Patent number: 11420045
    Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to spinal cord modulation leads having one or more sidewall openings configured for inserting stylets to steer and/or position the leads within a patient and/or with respect to a pulse generator, and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, sidewall opening is generally positioned in an intermediate portion of the lead and is operatively coupled to a lumen extending distally to a distal end of the lead, and/or proximally to a proximal end of the lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Nevro Corp.
    Inventors: Pankaj Sunkeri, Apratim N. Dixit
  • Patent number: 11413084
    Abstract: Methods for treating eating disorders and for reducing a risk associated with developing an eating disorder in patients via therapeutic renal neuromodulation and associated systems. Renal sympathetic nerve activity can be attenuated to improve a patient's eating disorder status or risk of developing an eating disorder. The attenuation can be achieved, for example, using an intravascularly positioned catheter carrying a therapeutic assembly configured to modulate the renal sympathetic nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC ARDIAN LUXEMBOURG S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Gabriel Lazarus, Douglas Hettrick
  • Patent number: 11395921
    Abstract: A neuromodulation catheter is positionable in a blood vessel having a wall for use in delivering therapeutic energy to targets external to the blood vessel. An electrically insulative substrate such as an elongate finger is carried at a distal end of the catheter body. The substrate has a first face carrying a plurality of electrodes, and a second face on an opposite side of the substrate from the first face. The finger is biased such that when expanded within the blood vessel, it forms a spiral configuration with the first face facing outwardly to bias the electrodes in contact with the blood vessel wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: NuXcel2 LLC
    Inventors: Stephen C. Masson, Jeffrey A Smith
  • Patent number: 11395915
    Abstract: An extravascular or intravascular neural interface is disclosed containing electrodes for neurostimulation of the vessel. The devices are housed in flexible substrates formed from a multilumen tubing housing conductors for electrodes positioned in a distal serpentine shaped end of the device. The distal serpentine shaped end includes rows or strips of electrodes or coil electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Galvani Bioelectronics Limited
    Inventors: Faisal Zaidi, Sebastien Ouchouche
  • Patent number: 11389648
    Abstract: A medical electrical lead and methods of implanting medical electrical leads in lumens. Leads in accordance with the invention employ preformed biases to stabilize the lead within a lumen or lumen and to provide feedback to lead implanters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: ZOLL RESPICARDIA, INC.
    Inventor: Randy W. Westlund
  • Patent number: 11318301
    Abstract: An implantable cuff electrode and/or optrode (40) adapted to encircle a substantially cylindrical tissue (70), is provided that includes a support sheet (43) rolled about a longitudinal axis, forming a cuff of inner diameter, Dc, and extending over a length, L a central portion, extending over a length, lc, of at least 50% of the length, L, and having a mean central thickness, tc, and wherein the central portion is flanked on either side by, a first edge portion (43e) of mean edge thickness, te1, and a second edge portion (43e) of mean edge thickness, te2, at least a first electrode contact or a first optrode exposed at an inner surface of the cuff, and remote from an outer surface forming the exterior of the cuff, Characterized in that, the mean edge thicknesses, te1, te2, of the first and second edge portions are each lower than tc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Synergia Medical
    Inventors: Pascal Doguet, Marie Dautrebande, Benoit Olbrechts, Gregory Thiebaut
  • Patent number: 11311723
    Abstract: A motor device for stimulating muscle, including at least one electrode for generating electric current operatively attached to an electrode array and exposed on an inner surface of an array body, and a programming mechanism of a computer that executes an algorithm stored on non-transitory computer readable medium and includes an information storage mechanism and a user-operated interface in electrical connection with said at least one electrode for programming operation of said at least one electrode, said motor device being implanted in an individual and applying electric current to nerves at an area above an area of neurological damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventor: Jawad A. Shah
  • Patent number: 11278718
    Abstract: A nerve cuff for establishing a nerve block on a nerve can have a cuff body with a channel for receiving a nerve, a reservoir for holding a drug, and an elongate opening slit extending the length of the cuff body that can be opened to provide access to the channel and can be closed to enclose the cuff body around the nerve. The nerve cuff can also include an electrode for detecting and measuring electrical signals generated by the nerve. A controller can be used to control delivery of the drug based on the electrical signals generated by the nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: SetPoint Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Faltys, Jacob A. Levine, Jesse M. Simon
  • Patent number: 11167131
    Abstract: An example device for repairing a tissue is described herein. The device can include a flexible carrier layer, and a support member including a plurality of micro-protrusions extending therefrom. The support member can be at least partially integrated with the flexible carrier layer. Additionally, the flexible carrier layer can be configured to cover at least a portion of the tissue, and the micro-protrusions can be configured to mechanically interface with the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignees: BioCircuit Technologies, Inc., Virginia Commonwealth University
    Inventors: Jonathan Isaacs, Isaac Perry Clements, Andrew Willsie, James David Ross, Alex Weidenbach
  • Patent number: 11154714
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) includes an adjustable capacitive voltage multiplier (CVM) that is responsive to diagnostic circuitry configured to provide control signals within a single stimulation current pulse for adjusting the voltage output applied to an electrode of the IMD's lead system. A control counter is coupled to the diagnostic circuitry for incrementing or decrementing an N-bit counter output signal operative to reconfigure a charge pump arrangement of the CVM so as to facilitate an adjusted voltage output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daran DeShazo, Steven Boor, Gavin L. Rade
  • Patent number: 10981000
    Abstract: An electrode lead comprises an elongated lead body, at least one lead connector terminal affixed to the proximal end of the lead body, and an electrically insulative cuff body affixed to the distal end of the lead body. The cuff body is configured for being circumferentially disposed around a nerve. The cuff body comprises cutouts, slits, a wrinkled portion, a thin stretchable portion, and/or a serpentine strap, which increases that increase the expandability of the cuff body when disposed around the nerve. The electrode lead further comprises at least one electrode contact affixed to the cuff body, and at least one electrical conductor extending through the lead body between the at least one lead connector terminal and the electrode contact(s). If the cuff body comprises cutouts or slits, the electrode lead can further comprise a thin stretchable film affixed to the cuff body over cutouts or slits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: THE ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
    Inventors: Boon Khai Ng, William Dai
  • Patent number: 10981007
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for neuromodulation are described herein. For example, a method for modulating inflammatory processes of a subject is described. The method can include stimulating the subject's vagus nerve to activate an efferent pathway, and stimulating the subject's vagus nerve to inhibit neural activity. Pairing activation of the efferent pathway and inhibition of neural activity can enhance an anti-inflammatory response of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Yogi Anil Patel, Ravi V. Bellamkonda, Robert Butera, Tarun Saxena
  • Patent number: 10952806
    Abstract: The subject invention provides devices and methods for alleviating discomfort associated with neuroma formation. The devices and methods of the invention effectively use the body's natural response of reconstructing implanted biomaterials to minimize the size of, isolate, and protect a neuroma. In preferred embodiments, the subject device is a cylindrical cap, wherein the internal chamber of the cylindrical cap physically partitions the nerve to enable an arrangement of nerve fibers (as opposed to haphazardly arranged nerve fibers often produced in neuromas). Tabs arranged on the outside of the cap can be used to manipulate the cap into place on a nerve. The open end can also be configured with flaps that can be used to widen the open end for easier insertion of the nerve into the cap. In addition, the cap's material remodels into a tissue cushion after implantation, which protects the neuroma from being stimulated and inducing pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: AXOGEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Curt Deister, Crystal Simon, Jennifer Faleris
  • Patent number: 10946189
    Abstract: An extravascular or intravascular neural interface is disclosed and can include three C-ring portions, with at least two including an electrode, an electrode pair or an electrode array. The portions are formed of a flexible material that is configured to enable the portions to self-size to fit around or against a surface of a target vessel when the neural interface is released at a position along the target vessel. A spinal portion configured to house electrical conductors for the electrodes is connected to one or more portions. The portions may be spaced sufficient apart to permit radial expansion and contraction of a target vessel around or within which the neural interface is placed, to reduce nerve compression, open trench low-pressure unrestricted blood-flow, and to enhance fluid exchange with the target vessel. The portions may be arranged in a low helix angle forming at least two full turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Galvani Bioelectronics Limited
    Inventors: Faisal Zaidi, Sabastien Ouchouche, Paul Matteucci, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10945805
    Abstract: The subject invention provides devices and methods for alleviating discomfort associated with neuroma formation. The devices and methods of the invention effectively use the body's natural response of reconstructing implanted biomaterials to minimize the size of isolate, and protect a neuroma. In preferred embodiments, the subject device is a cylindrical cap, wherein the internal chamber of the cylindrical cap physically partitions the nerve to enable an arrangement of nerve fibers (as opposed to haphazardly arranged nerve fibers often produced in neuromas). Tabs arranged on the outside of the cap can be used to manipulate the cap into place on a nerve. The open end can also be configured with flaps that can be used to widen the open end for easier insertion of the nerve into the cap. In addition, the cap's material remodels into a tissue cushion after implantation, which protects the neuroma from being stimulated and inducing pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: AXOGEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Curt Deister, Crystal Simon, Jennifer Faleris
  • Patent number: 10926084
    Abstract: Some implementations provide a method for modulating excitable tissue in a body of a patient, the method including: placing a wireless implantable stimulator device at a target site in the patient's body, the stimulator device including one or more electrodes; reconfiguring the wireless implantable stimulator device to form an enclosure that substantially surrounds the excitable tissue at the target site with the electrodes on the inside of the enclosure and facing the nerve; and causing electrical impulses to be delivered to the electrodes on the wireless implantable stimulator device such that neural modulation is applied to the excitable tissue substantially surrounded by the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Stimwave Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Laura Tyler Perryman, Patrick Larson, Chad Andresen
  • Patent number: 10898718
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for managing pain of a subject. A system includes a first sensor circuit to sense a first signal indicative of a functional state of the subject, a second sensor circuit to sense a second signal different from the first signal, and a controller circuit. The controller circuit may determine an operating mode of the second sensor circuit according to the sensed first signal, trigger the second sensor circuit to sense the second signal under the determined operating mode, and generate a pain score using at least the second signal sensed under the determined operating mode. The pain score may be output to a patient or used for closed-loop control of a pain therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromoduiation Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle Harish Srivastava, Pramodsingh Hirasingh Thakur, Dat Thanh Huynh, Bryan Allen Clark, Jianwen Gu
  • Patent number: 10898092
    Abstract: An implantable cuff electrode having a flexible cuff in form of a tube having a longitudinal slot, wherein the longitudinal slot defines a first edge and a second edge on the cuff, wherein a first lip is arranged at the first edge of the longitudinal slot, and a second lip is arranged at the second edge of the longitudinal slot, and wherein the longitudinal slot can be sealed by the first lip and the second lip in that the first lip and the second lip extend at least partially on the cuff jacket of the cuff one lying on top of the other, and the second lip holds the first lip in position by means of a surface pressure onto the cuff jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: CorTec GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Schüttler, Juan Sebastian Ordonez, Jörn Rickert, Thomas Stieglitz
  • Patent number: 10864369
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to implantable probes. An implantable probe includes a sleeve capable of being wound around an elongate organ of cylindrical shape, and includes a sheet of elastically deformable material that supports at least one electrode. The sheet is prestressed in such a way as to allow it to self-wind from an initial position, in which the sheet is kept stressed in the deployed state, to a final position, in which the sheet is wound freely in a spiral to form a sleeve around the organ, with the first face, which supports the electrodes, being directed towards the inside. The sheet is delimited by an outer lateral edge of the sleeve after winding, an inner lateral edge of the sleeve after winding, and a first transverse edge and a second, opposite transverse edge. The sheet includes perforations located in proximity to the first and/or second transverse edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Sorin CRM SAS
    Inventors: Hervé Mevel, Stéphane Befahy, Vincent Callegari
  • Patent number: 10842996
    Abstract: A device for neurostimulation including an electrode structure for delivering stimulation pulses to a nerve as well as for processing and extracting evoked compound action potentials, wherein the electrode structure comprises at least a first anode, at least a second anode opposing the first anode and a plurality of cathodes arranged between said anodes, wherein said cathodes are asymmetrically arranged with respect to said at least first and second anode to permit evoked compound action potential sensing via the anode electrodes simultaneously with stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marcelo Baru, Andrew B. Kibler
  • Patent number: 10758723
    Abstract: A durable nerve cuff electrode for achieving block of an action potential in a large diameter nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Neuros Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Zi-Ping Fang, Nemath Syed Shah
  • Patent number: 10751525
    Abstract: Conductors within an implantable medical lead that carry stimulation signal signals are at least partially embedded within a lead body of the medical lead over at least a portion of the length of the conductors while being surrounded by a radio frequency (RF) shield. A space between the shield and the conductors is filled by the presence of the lead body material such that body fluids that infiltrate the lead over time cannot pool in the space between the shield and the conductors. The dielectric properties of the lead body are retained and the capacitive coupling between the shield and the conductors continues to be inhibited such that current induced on the shield is inhibited from being channeled onto the conductors. Heating at the electrodes of the medical lead is prevented from becoming excessive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Jamu K. Alford, Spencer Fodness Bondhus, Michael Kalm, James M. Olsen, Brian T. Stolz, Richard T. Stone, Bryan D. Stem, John D. Welter
  • Patent number: 10744326
    Abstract: Peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) may be controlled based on detected physiological effects of the PNFS, which may be an efferent response to the PNFS. In some examples, a closed-loop therapy system may include a sensing module that senses a physiological parameter of the patient, which may be indicative of the patient's response to the PNFS. Based on a signal generated by the sensing module, the PNFS may be activated, deactivated or modified. Example physiological parameters of the patient include heart rate, respiratory rate, electrodermal activity, muscle activity, blood flow rate, sweat gland activity, pilomotor reflex, or thermal activity of the patient's body. In some examples, a patient pain state may be detected based on a signal generated by the sensing module, and therapy may be controlled based on the detection of the pain state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. King, Steven M. Goetz, Andrew H. Houchins, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Jordan J. Greenberg, Kenneth T. Heruth, Mark S. Lent, Paul W. Wacnik
  • Patent number: 10660535
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for recording action potential (AP) from a nerve are provided. A device can include a cuff or a microchannel to be used to record an AP from a nerve. A recording electrode can be included within a channel of the cuff or microchannel, and the recording electrode can be offset or off-center such that it is not located mid-channel within the recording cuff or microchannel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: The Florida International University Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Iian Black, James Abbas, Ranu Jung
  • Patent number: 10632308
    Abstract: A method including chronically implanting a nerve cuff electrode on a portion of a hypoglossal nerve, chronically implanting a respiration sensing lead subcutaneously in a thorax of a patient, the respiration sensing lead having a plurality of bio-impedance electrodes defining at least one bio-impedance vector. The method may also include sensing a bio-impedance signal corresponding to respiration via a bio-impedance vector on an anterior side of the thorax, analyzing the bio-impedance signal to identify onsets of expiration, predicting an onset of a future expiratory phase, and delivering a stimulus to the portion of the hypoglossal nerve via the nerve cuff electrode, wherein the stimulus is delivered as a function of the bio-impedance signal; wherein stimulus delivery is initiated before the onset of the future expiratory phase and continued during an entire inspiratory phase, and wherein the method is performed without identifying an onset of an inspiratory phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: LivaNova USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Scott T. Mazar
  • Patent number: 10603504
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for inducing analgesia in a localized region of tissue. Inducing analgesia may be performed by identifying a nerve associated with the localized region, determining a resonant frequency for target neuronal cell membranes of the nerve, and generating a peripheral nerve blockade using the determined resonant frequency. The resonant frequency may be a frequency at which impedance of the nerve approaches a maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Alacrity, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Cory, Steven P. Woodard
  • Patent number: 10596367
    Abstract: A nerve cuff for establishing a nerve block on a nerve can have a cuff body with a channel for receiving a nerve, a reservoir for holding a drug, and an elongate opening slit extending the length of the cuff body that can be opened to provide access to the channel and can be closed to enclose the cuff body around the nerve. The nerve cuff can also include an electrode for detecting and measuring electrical signals generated by the nerve. A controller can be used to control delivery of the drug based on the electrical signals generated by the nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: SetPoint Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Faltys, Jacob A. Levine, Jesse M. Simon
  • Patent number: 10525259
    Abstract: A vestibular electrode is described that is for implantation into a vestibular semi-circular canal. An intra-labyrinthine electrode carrier with a C-shaped cross-section has an inner concave surface and an outer convex surface, and is configured to fit through an electrode opening in an outer surface of the bony labyrinth into the perilymph fluid without breaking the membranous labyrinth so as to fit the inner concave surface of the electrode carrier adjacent to the membranous labyrinth and the outer convex surface adjacent to the bony labyrinth. There are one or more electrode contacts on a surface of the electrode carrier that are configured for electrical interaction with adjacent neural tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Marx, Angelo De Marzo, Rami Saba
  • Patent number: 10493297
    Abstract: An implantable optical electrode having a thin film electrode array including a plurality of electrodes, a light source associated with the thin film electrode array, and a passive bioactive agent delivery module associated with the thin film electrode array. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing the array and a neural interface system with passive fluid delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: NeuroNexus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Seymour, KC Kong, Rio J. Vetter
  • Patent number: 10493269
    Abstract: An electrical stimulation lead includes at least one lead body having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a longitudinal length. The lead further includes a paddle body extending from the distal end portion of the at least one lead body, electrodes disposed along the paddle body, terminals disposed along the proximal end portion of the at least one lead body, and conductors electrically coupling the terminals to the electrodes. The lead further includes an anchoring device threadably disposed in at least a portion of the paddle body. The anchoring device has a head element and a tissue-engagement element fixed to the head element such that actuation of the head element urges the tissue-engagement element away from or toward the paddle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC NEUROMODULATION CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Conrad Stoffregen, Michael X. Govea, Bryan Allen Clark
  • Patent number: 10485969
    Abstract: An electrical stimulation lead includes a stimulation cuff having an exterior surface and an interior surface that defines a nerve channel having a nerve channel axis. A plurality of electrodes are disposed on the interior surface of the cuff. A longitudinal opening extends through the cuff and further extends along an entire length of the cuff, wherein the opening is operable to receive a target nerve from a region outside of the cuff to within the nerve channel. A mount is disposed on the exterior surface of the cuff and radially offset from the nerve channel axis. A lead body is radially offset from the nerve channel axis and a plurality of conductors extend through the lead body, mount and cuff, with the plurality of conductors electrically coupled to the electrodes. The electrical stimulation lead may include a plurality of slots to permit tissue ingrowth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC NEUROMODULATION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael X. Govea, William George Orinski, William Conrad Stoffregen
  • Patent number: 10456574
    Abstract: A medical device includes telemetry circuitry configured to receive programming instructions. The medical device also includes stimulation circuitry configured to generate a plurality of electrical pulses in response to the programming instructions to provide an electrical stimulation therapy for a patient. The stimulation circuitry includes a voltage converter, a multiplexor, and a stimulation driver. At least one of the voltage converter, the multiplexer, or the stimulation driver is selectively enabled and disabled during or between the electrical pulses to reduce power consumption of the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: GREATBATCH, LTD.
    Inventors: Joey Chen, Kerry Bradley, Leslie Halberg
  • Patent number: 10441780
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to treat or prevent disorders in a patient. The methods comprise transmitting impulses of energy to the vagus nerve according to a treatment paradigm that includes single doses of 30 seconds to 5 minutes of continuous stimulation. The treatment paradigm further comprises one or more daily treatment sessions that each include one or more doses for prophylactic or acute treatment of the patient's condition. Vagus nerve stimulation is used to modulate the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain, such as GABA, norepinephrine, and/or serotonin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Electrocore, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico
  • Patent number: 10426955
    Abstract: The present specification discloses devices and methodologies for the treatment of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (tLESRs). Individuals with tLESRs may be treated by implanting a stimulation device within the patient's lower esophageal sphincter and applying electrical stimulation to the patient's lower esophageal sphincter, in accordance with certain predefined protocols. The presently disclosed devices have a simplified design because they do not require sensing systems capable of sensing when a person is engaged in a wet swallow and have improved energy storage requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: EndoStim, Inc.
    Inventors: Virender K. Sharma, Matt Joseph Gani, Paul V. Goode, Bevil Hogg, Jay Miazga, Shai Policker, Kaila Raby
  • Patent number: 10384057
    Abstract: A multi-lead multi-electrode system and method of manufacturing the multi-lead multi-electrode system includes a multi-electrode lead that may be used to deploy multiple separable electrodes to different spaced apart contact sites, such as nerve or muscle tissues, for example, that are spatially distributed over a large area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: THE FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
    Inventors: Anil K. Thota, Ranu Jung, Sathyakumar S. Kuntaegowdanahalli
  • Patent number: 10384056
    Abstract: A system for functional electrical stimulation can include a cuff and a stimulation device. The cuff can be attachable to a nerve or a muscle filament. The cuff can include an elastic collar configured to exert a force on the nerve or the muscle filament to reshape the nerve or the muscle filament to the internal configuration of an opening in the elastic collar. The stimulation device can be coupled to the cuff and configured to provide a stimulation waveform to the cuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Dominique M. Durand, Dustin Tyler, Benjamin Cottrill
  • Patent number: 10300277
    Abstract: Variable amplitude signals for neurological therapy, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method includes activating automatic delivery of an electrical therapy signal to a patient's spinal cord region at a frequency in a frequency range between 1.5 kHz and 100 kHz, via at least one signal delivery contact carried by an implanted signal delivery device. The delivery can include repeatedly and automatically delivering the electrical therapy signal at each of multiple therapy signal amplitudes to the at least one signal delivery contact, without the therapy signal generating paresthesia in the patient. The foregoing process can be used as a screening tool to screen responders from non-responders in the context of a non-paresthesia-generating therapy, and/or can be used during long-term treatment, for example, for chronic pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Nevro Corp.
    Inventor: Chris Dawson
  • Patent number: 10300270
    Abstract: The present invention is related to an implantable medical device for treating breathing disorders and cardiac disorders by delivering stimulation energy to the phrenic nerve, hypoglossal nerves and cardiac muscle tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Respicardia, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Gelfand, Howard R. Levin
  • Patent number: 10252063
    Abstract: A leadless intra-cardiac medical device is configured to be implanted entirely within a heart of a patient. The device includes an intra-cardiac extension and a housing. The intra-cardiac extension includes a loop body having at least one loop segment retaining at least one coil group that is configured to one or both of receive and transmit radio frequency (RF) energy, wherein the loop body is configured to extend into a first chamber of the heart. The housing is in electrical communication within the loop body, and includes a transceiver, control logic and an energy source. The housing is configured to be securely attached to an interior wall portion of a second chamber of the heart, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with an external device through the RF energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: PACESETTER, INC.
    Inventors: Xiaoyi Min, John W. Poore, Gene A. Bornzin
  • Patent number: 10226633
    Abstract: A system for controlled sympathectomy procedures is disclosed. A system for controlled micro ablation procedures is disclosed. Methods for performing a controlled surgical procedure are disclosed. A system for performing controlled surgical procedures in a minimally invasive manner is disclosed. An implantable device for monitoring and/or performing a neuromodulation procedure is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: AUTONOMIX MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Landy Toth, Robert Schwartz
  • Patent number: 10206597
    Abstract: A nerve probe array has a connector made of a flexible material; and a plurality of probes coupled to the connector, each of the plurality of probe having an electrode formed at a body thereof. The plurality of probes are arranged with intervals in a length direction of the connector, and the connector surrounds an outer circumference of a nerve, and the plurality of probes pierce the outer circumference of the nerve and are inserted into the nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jinseok Kim, Jong Woong Park, Jinwoo Jeong, Inchan Youn, Ockchul Kim, Sang Rok Oh, Keehoon Kim, Jun Uk Chu
  • Patent number: 10207110
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device, and method for treating heart failure by electrically modulating a splanchnic nerve with an implantable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Axon Therapies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Gelfand, Tamara Colette Baynham, Howard Levin
  • Patent number: 10188871
    Abstract: A flat optogenetic cuff interface (FOCI) is configured for functional optical stimulation of axons in a single fascicle of a peripheral nerve bundle in which the axons have been genetically modified to express light sensitive proteins for excitation or inhibition of the nerves. The FOCI is configured to gradually reshape the single fascicle to a final height between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm by reorganizing the individual axons within the fascicle without reshaping (and damaging) the individual axons. The FOCI facilitates stimulation of axons over the entire cross-section of the reshaped fascicle within the power limitations for pulsed laser energy. An electrical interface may be included to sense nerve activity of either the stimulated axons to provide closed-loop feedback to control the optical sources or stimulated axons of a different modality to record the response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Simons, Jiangying Zhou, Mark A. Peot, Warren Grill, Dennis Turner
  • Patent number: RE48025
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for maintaining patency of an upper airway of a patient to treat obstructive sleep apnea may include delivering an electrical stimulation to a portion of a superior laryngeal nerve via a nerve cuff when the nerve cuff is adjacent an external surface of the superior laryngeal nerve, the nerve cuff having a plurality of electrodes, wherein the nerve cuff is configured to be connected to an electrical stimulator via a stimulation lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: LivaNova USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Sidney F. Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Brian D. Kuhnley, Keith E. Jasperson, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Christopher K. Thorp