Electrical Therapeutic Systems Patents (Class 607/2)
  • Patent number: 9326821
    Abstract: A medical device assembly includes a tunneler having a proximal end and a distal end and a carrier element fixed to the distal end of the tunneler. In various embodiments the carrier element is configured to be slidably disposed within a lead connection lumen. In various embodiments the carrier element includes a plurality of recesses configured to engage a lead extension set screw. In various embodiments the carrier element can freely rotate relative to the rest of the tunneler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Paul S. Kratoska, Robert L. Olson, Bruce A. Behymer, Alan O. Fung
  • Patent number: 9320901
    Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques that support delivering electrical stimulation current via at least two user-selected electrodes of an implantable medical device (IMD) and automatically delivering balancing current below via at least one non-selected electrode. Balancing currents delivered via the at least one non-selected electrode may be configured with an amplitude below a perception threshold of a patient. Delivery of balancing current via the at least one third electrode may allow an implantable medical device to automatically balance the total current delivered to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan A. Torgerson, Steven M. Goetz
  • Patent number: 9320912
    Abstract: A deep magnetic field generating apparatus includes a first coil unit and a second coil unit. The second coil unit is connected with the first coil unit, and disposed around the first coil unit horizontally. Accordingly, the deep magnetic field generating apparatus can generate a desired deep magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignees: National Cheng Kung University, Metal Industries Research & Development Centre
    Inventors: Cheng-Chi Tai, Shyh-Jier Huang, Xi-Zhang Lin, Chien-Chang Chen, Tsung-Chih Yu
  • Patent number: 9320894
    Abstract: Methods for treating a renal associated condition in a subject are provided. Aspects of the subject methods include paradoxically enhancing renal sympathetic bias in the subject in a manner effective to treat the renal associated condition. Also provided are compositions, kits and systems for practicing the subject methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Palo Alto Investors
    Inventor: Joonkyoo Anthony Yun
  • Patent number: 9320883
    Abstract: An implantable medical device comprises a non-volatile memory circuit including a configuration memory portion to store auto-configuration data for the IMD, a controller circuit, a reset circuit adapted to generate a reset signal and disable the controller circuit, and a startup circuit adapted to transfer the auto-configuration data from the configuration memory portion to one or more configuration registers in response to the reset signal, wherein values of the one or more configuration registers configure the IMD for a safety mode operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Huelskamp, Douglas J. Gifford, Scott A. Reedstrom
  • Patent number: 9314399
    Abstract: An Implantable ElectroAcupuncture System (IEAS) treats dyslipidemia or obesity through application of stimulation pulses applied at at least one of acupoints ST36, SP4, ST37, ST40, SP6, SP9, K16, or LR8, or underlying nerves saphenous or peroneal. The IEAS includes an hermetically-sealed implantable electroacupuncture (EA) device having at least two electrodes located outside of its housing. The housing contains a primary power source, pulse generation circuitry, and a sensor that wirelessly senses externally-generated operating commands. The pulse generation circuitry generates stimulation pulses as controlled, at least in part, by the operating commands sensed through the sensor. The stimulation pulses are applied to the specified acupoint or nerve through the electrodes in accordance with a specified stimulation regimen. Such stimulation regimen requires that the stimulation session be applied at a very low duty cycle not greater than 0.05.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Valencia Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Greiner, David K. L. Peterson, Chuladatta Thenuwara, Stacy O. Greiner
  • Patent number: 9308374
    Abstract: Some embodiments of an electrical stimulation system employ wireless electrode assemblies to provide pacing therapy, defibrillation therapy, or other stimulation therapy. In certain embodiments, the wireless electrode assemblies may include a guide wire channel so that each electrode assembly can be advanced over a guide wire instrument through the endocardium. For example, a distal tip portion of a guide wire instrument can penetrate through the endocardium and into the myocardial wall of a heart chamber, and the electrode assembly may then be advanced over the guide wire and into the heart chamber wall. In such circumstances, the guide wire instrument (and other portions of the delivery system) can be retracted from the heart chamber wall, thereby leaving the electrode assembly embedded in the heart tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Graig L. Kveen, Douglas R. Saholt, Roger Hastings, Richard C. Gunderson
  • Patent number: 9308377
    Abstract: A system for transmitting a signal through an imperfectly-conducting medium includes a transmitter station and a receiver station. The transmitter station has a transmitter and at least one conductor (electrode). The receiving station has at least one conductor (electrode) and a receiver. The transmitter causes a current to flow from the transmitter conductor to the receiver conductor through the imperfectly-conducting medium. Associated with the current flow is an electric field. Because the current flow varies with the signal, the electric field varies with the signal. The receiving conductor senses the electric field and provides a signal to the receiver which detects the signal to be transmitted. The receiving station then passes the signal to an output device to be output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Vortant Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Philip R. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 9308044
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for treating hypertension, e.g., via a pulsed electric field, via a stimulation electric field, via localized drug delivery, via high frequency ultrasound, via thermal techniques, etc. Such neuromodulation may effectuate irreversible electroporation or electrofusion, necrosis and/or inducement of apoptosis, alteration of gene expression, action potential attenuation or blockade, changes in cytokine up-regulation and other conditions in target neural fibers. In some embodiments, neuromodulation is applied to neural fibers that contribute to renal function. In some embodiments, such neuromodulation is performed in a bilateral fashion. Bilateral renal neuromodulation may provide enhanced therapeutic effect in some patients as compared to renal neuromodulation performed unilaterally, i.e., as compared to renal neuromodulation performed on neural tissue innervating a single kidney.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic Ardian Luxembourg S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Denise Zarins, Hanson Gifford, III, Mark Deem, Douglas Sutton, Howard R. Levin, Mark Gelfand
  • Patent number: 9302112
    Abstract: A system of non-linear feedback control for spinal cord stimulation is provided. The system comprises a lead adapted to be implanted within an epidural space of a dorsal column of a patients spine, and a pulse generator (PG) electrically coupled to the lead. The PG is configured to deliver spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy. The system also comprises a sensing circuitry configured to sense an evoked compound action potential (ECAP) response that propagates along the neural pathway. The system also comprises a processor programmed to operation, in response to instructions stored on a non-transient computer-readable medium, to obtain a baseline ECAP response when the lead and spinal cord tissue properties are in baseline states; analyze ECAP responses relative to the baseline ECAP response to obtain an ECAP feedback difference indicative of a change in at least one of the baseline state of the lead and the baseline state of the spinal cord tissue properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene A. Bornzin, Edward Karst, Alexander Kent
  • Patent number: 9302096
    Abstract: Methods, kits, apparatus, and compositions for inhibiting a cerebral neurovascular disorder, a muscular headache, or cerebral inflammation in a human patient are provided. The apparatus includes an electronic neural stimulator capable of stimulating a dorsonasal nerve structure associated with pain in a subject, thereby inhibiting the pain, and includes a power supply for providing the neural stimulation; and at least one electrical conduit coupled between the power supply and a dorsonasal nerve structure associated with the cerebral neurovascular disorder in a manner to transmit the neural stimulation to the dorsonasal nerve structure associated with the pain to thereby inhibit the pain. Cerebral neurovascular disorders include migraine and cluster headache. Muscular headaches include tension headaches and muscle contraction headaches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Bruce H. Levin
  • Patent number: 9295835
    Abstract: A bioelectronic medical method and system for rapidly destroying living cancer cells and the tumors they create including metastatic off-spring of such tumor(s) regardless of their location within a human or animal body. Calcium ions can be inserted into a nucleus of a cancer cell(s). The nucleus of the cancer cell(s) is then fragmented among many cancer cells (e.g., in a tumor) simultaneously with the transmission of a destructive analog electrically encoded signals to provide a medical cancer treatment thereof. A first target of medical cancer treatment is aimed principally into the nucleus and mitochondrion bodies of a malignancy associated with the cancer cell(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Neuro Code Tech Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Eleanor L. Schuler
  • Patent number: 9289603
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for remotely tuning treatment parameters in movement disorder therapy systems where the subject and clinician are located remotely from each other. The present invention still further provides methods of quantifying movement disorders for the treatment of patients who exhibit symptoms of such movement disorders including, but not limited to, Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonism, Dystonia, Chorea, and Huntington's disease, Ataxia, Tremor and Essential Tremor, Tourette syndrome, stroke, and the like. The present invention yet further relates to methods of remotely tuning a therapy device using objective quantified movement disorder symptom data to determine the therapy setting or parameters to be transmitted and provided to the subject via his or her therapy device. The present invention also provides treatment and tuning remotely, allowing for home monitoring of subjects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Great Lakes Neuro Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P Giuffrida, Dustin A Heldman, Thomas O Mera
  • Patent number: 9289608
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a device for controlling delivery of stimulation signals, comprising: a stimulation delivery circuit; a monitoring component to monitor voltage supplied in at least one current-driven charge pulse via the stimulation delivery circuit; and a stimulation control component to control voltage supplied in at least one subsequent charge pulse based on the charge of the at least one charge pulse delivered by the stimulation delivery circuit. The device may further comprise a model generation component to generate an impedance model of stimulation electrodes in the stimulation delivery circuit, wherein the stimulation control component is configured to control the stimulation delivery circuit to deliver charge according to the impedance model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: The Bionics Institute of Australia
    Inventor: Hugh Joseph McDermott
  • Patent number: 9283383
    Abstract: An implantable epicardial electrode assembly comprises electrode poles fixed on the heart having a large surface area and being multipolar and can at the same time be used as sensing and stimulating electrodes, wherein the electrode assembly has the shape of a tennis racket or is circular, elliptical, hexagonal, rectangular, oakleaf-shaped, star-shaped or cloverleaf-shaped and comprises at least two electrode poles which are arranged over a large surface area, and a further electrode arrangement which comprises at least one electrode pole and which is arranged between the large surface area electrode poles and further comprises a fixing element, wherein the defibrillation can take place between the mutually insulated poles of the electrodes, and wherein the stimulation of the heart can take place between one of the electrode poles and a pole of the electrode arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Peter Osypka
  • Patent number: 9265944
    Abstract: An arrangement for operating a cochlear implant system is described. Stimulation signals are applied to stimulation electrodes in a cochlear implant electrode with an initial signal format using biphasic electrical stimulation pulses. One or more undesired somatic responses to the stimulation pulses are identified. The one or more undesired somatic responses are reduced by selecting an adapted signal format using charge-balanced triphasic electrical stimulation pulses to apply stimulation signals to one or more of the stimulation electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Sürth, Reinhold Schatzer
  • Patent number: 9265663
    Abstract: A method of treating tinnitus comprising measuring a patient's hearing, determining the patient's hearing loss and the patient's tinnitus frequency using the measurements of the patient's hearing, programming a clinical controller with the measurements of the patient's hearing, selecting a plurality of therapeutic tones, where the therapeutic tones are selected to be at least a half-octave above or below of the patient's tinnitus frequency, setting an appropriate volume for each of the plurality of tones, repetitively playing each of the plurality of therapeutic tones, and pairing a vagus nerve stimulation pulse train with each playing of a therapeutic tone, thereby reducing the patient's perception of tinnitus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignees: MICROTRANSPONDER, INC., THE BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Michael P. Kilgard, Navzer Engineer, David Michael Pierce
  • Patent number: 9265955
    Abstract: A method and system of cardiac pacing is disclosed. A baseline rhythm is determined. The baseline rhythm includes a baseline atrial event and a baseline right ventricular RV event from an implanted cardiac lead or a leadless device, a pre-excitation interval determined from the baseline atrial event and the baseline RV event, and a plurality of activation times determined from a plurality of body-surface electrodes. A determination is made as to whether a time interval measured from an atrial event to a RV event is disparate from another time interval measured from the atrial event to an earliest RV activation time of the plurality of activation times. A correction factor is applied to the pre-excitation interval to obtain a corrected pre-excitation interval in response to determining the RV event is disparate from the earliest RV activation time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Subham Ghosh
  • Patent number: 9254394
    Abstract: A transcranial magnetic stimulation coil which is location-specific for medial brain regions or lateral brain regions is designed with multiple spaced apart stimulating elements having current flow in a first direction, and multiple return elements having current flow in a second direction which is opposite the first direction. The multiple stimulating elements are distributed around a central axis of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: BRAINSWAY, LTD.
    Inventors: Abraham Zangen, Yiftach Roth
  • Patent number: 9248292
    Abstract: A method, device and/or system for generating arbitrary scalable waveforms of a desired shape that can be used for generating a stimulation pulse for medical purposes such as for spinal cord stimulation therapy, where scaling function(s) can be used to scale arbitrary waveforms for increased flexibility and which can also be used for charge balancing purposes as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Trier, Jeffrey A. Weisgarber, Richard J. Polefko
  • Patent number: 9248278
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating back pain are provided, in which an implantable stimulator is configured to communicate with an external control system, the implantable stimulator providing a neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy designed to cause muscle contraction to rehabilitate the muscle, restore neural drive and restore spinal stability; the implantable stimulator further including one or more of a number of additional therapeutic modalities, including a module that provides analgesic stimulation; a module that monitors muscle performance and adjusts the muscle stimulation regime; and/or a module that provides longer term pain relief by selectively and repeatedly ablating nerve fibers. In an alternative embodiment, a standalone implantable RF ablation system is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Mainstay Medical Limited
    Inventors: Peter Andrew Crosby, Dan Sachs, Prashant Brijmohansingh Rawat, Jason Alan Shiroff, Johannes Petrus Heemels
  • Patent number: 9242091
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the invention disclosed herein provides systems, devices and methods for providing electrical stimulation to a patient. An electrical mechanical interconnection is provided to facilitate user friendly systems and devices. Exemplary therapeutic electrical stimulation devices include a shoe connected mechanically and electrically to a conductor that provides signals for electrical stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: EMPI Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Jerome Bachinski, Richard Paul Shindley, Dennis Lutz
  • Patent number: 9242107
    Abstract: An implantable pulse generator includes a core assembly, a seal plug, and an outer layer overmolded over the core assembly adjacent the seal plug. The core assembly defines a core hole extending through the core assembly from a core interior to a core outer surface. The core hole has a hole outer portion and a hole inner portion. A first diameter of the hole outer portion is less than a second diameter of the hole inner portion. The seal plug is positioned in the core hole and has a plug outer portion aligned with the hole outer portion and a plug inner portion aligned with the hole inner portion. A third diameter of the plug outer portion is less than a fourth diameter of the plug inner portion. The outer layer leaves a top of the seal plug exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemarkers, Inc.
    Inventors: Daragh Nolan, James M. English, John O'Rourke, Sean Walsh
  • Patent number: 9242096
    Abstract: An electrical stimulation device and method are provided for treating cardiovascular disease in a human or an animal, the device including at least one electrode configured for placement on a nerve site inside the human or the animal, the at least one electrode having a spherical shape, and an electrical stimulation application unit coupled to the at least one electrode and configured to apply electrical stimulation to a vagus nerve in a neck region of the human or the animal by the at least one electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: KYUSHU UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Sunagawa, Tomomi Ide
  • Patent number: 9227071
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are related to systems and methods for setting parameters of implantable medical devices, amongst other things. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for programming an implantable medical device including sensing concentrations of a predictive marker such as ET-1 in a patient, selecting programming parameter values based on the sensed concentrations of the predictive marker, and implementing the selected programming parameter values. In an embodiment the invention includes a method for detecting arrhythmia in a patient including sensing concentrations of the predictive marker in a patient, selecting a level of stringency to be used in an arrhythmia detection module based on the sensed concentrations of the predictive marker, sensing electrical signals in the patient, and evaluating the sensed electrical signals for indicia of an arrhythmia using the arrhythmia detection module. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Stolen, Harlan Bos, Timothy E. Meyer, Arjun Sharma
  • Patent number: 9230476
    Abstract: A method for reducing power consumption of an electronic device. The method includes setting a luminance of a display to a minimum, and reducing a data amount sent to the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-Min Park, Dong-Hwa Lee
  • Patent number: 9220561
    Abstract: A first catheter is dimensioned for deployment within a renal artery. A second catheter has a shaft with an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first catheter's open lumen. A gap is formed between the shaft and the first catheter when the second catheter is situated within the first catheter. The gap facilitates transport of a fluid, such as imaging contrast media, along the first catheter. An electrode arrangement at the distal end of the shaft is configured to deliver ablative energy to perivascular renal nerves, and has an outer diameter about the same size as the inner diameter of the first catheter such that a fit therebetween substantially blocks fluid flow within the gap yet provides for relative movement between the electrode arrangement and the luminal wall. A conductor extends between the proximal and distal ends of the shaft and is coupled to electrode arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren M. Crow, Mark L. Jenson
  • Patent number: 9220924
    Abstract: Systems and methods for ablating tissue include an ablation device having an energy source and a sensor. The energy source provides a beam of energy directable to target tissue, and the sensor senses energy reflected back from the target tissue. The sensor collects various information from the target tissue in order to facilitate adjustment of ablation operating parameters, such as changing power or position of the energy beam. Gap distance between the energy source and target tissue, energy beam incident angle, tissue motion, tissue type, lesion depth, etc. are examples of some of the information that may be collected during the ablation process and used to help control ablation of the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: VYTRONUS, INC.
    Inventors: Hira V. Thapliyal, David A. Gallup, James W. Arenson
  • Patent number: 9220896
    Abstract: A patch for a therapeutic electrical stimulation device includes a shoe connected to the first side of the patch, the shoe including a body extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end, and having first and second surfaces, the first end of the shoe defining at least two ports, and the first surface of the shoe defining a connection member. The patch also includes at least one conductor positioned in the ports of the first end of the shoe. The shoe is configured for sliding insertion into a receptacle defined by a controller so that the conductor is connected to the controller to deliver electrical current from the controller, through the conductor, and to the electrodes, and the connection member is at least partially captured by a detent defined by the controller in the receptacle to retain the shoe within the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: EMPI Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Jerome Bachinski, Richard Paul Shindley, Dennis Lutz
  • Patent number: 9224664
    Abstract: An implantable bio-compatible integrated circuit device and methods for manufacture thereof are disclosed herein. The device includes a substrate having a recess. An input/output device including at least one bio-compatible electrical contact is coupled to the substrate in the recess. A layer of hermetic bio-compatible, hermetic insulator material is deposited on a portion of the input/output device. An encapsulating layer of bio-compatible material encapsulates at least a portion of the implantable device, including the input/output device. At least one bio-compatible electrical contact of the input/output device is then exposed. The encapsulating layer and the layer of bio-compatible, hermetic insulator material form a hermetic seal around the at least one exposed bio-compatible electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Smith, Tirunelveli S. Sriram, Bryan L. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 9220891
    Abstract: A cardiac electrode arrangement has one or several heart electrodes arranged on the exterior surface of a heart or attached to the heart from the outside and/or arranged with a pole in the cardiac tissue. The electrodes, which can be fixed in the operating position by an anchor, run to an implanted heart pacemaker. For positioning and affixing the anchor, a tool is used that is designed as a rod or stylet and acts on an attachment site of the anchor, whereby the anchor can be pushed into or through the myocardium. The anchor is, at the same time, attached to a tension element or thread, over which the electrode, which has an inner guide channel that accommodates the tension element or thread, can be moved in a fitted and controlled manner. In the operating position, the electrode can be connected to the tension element or thread located in the guide channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Osypka
  • Patent number: 9211407
    Abstract: An implantable nerve stimulation device has a sensor system, a data processor in communication with the sensor system, and a nerve stimulation system in communication with the data processor and constructed to provide electrical stimulation to at least one branch of at least one vestibulocochlear nerve. The nerve stimulation system includes an electrode array that has a first plurality of electrodes structured to be surgically implanted in electrical communication with a superior branch of the vestibular nerve, a second plurality of electrodes structured to be surgically implanted in electrical communication with a horizontal branch of the vestibular nerve, a third plurality of electrodes structured to be surgically implanted in electrical communication with a posterior branch of the vestibular nerve, and a common crus reference electrode structured to be surgically implanted into a common crus of the vestibular labyrinth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Charles C. Della Santina, Gene Yevgeny Fridman, Bryce Chiang
  • Patent number: 9205259
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide neurostimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia. Some other embodiments of the present invention provide neurostimulation systems adapted for selective neurostimulation of one or more nerve root ganglia as well as techniques for applying neurostimulation to the spinal cord. Still other embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia in combination with a pharmacological agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Spinal Modulation, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Mir A. Imran
  • Patent number: 9186213
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for renal neuromodulation using a pulsed electric field to effectuate electroporation or electrofusion. It is expected that renal neuromodulation (e.g., denervation) may, among other things, reduce expansion of an acute myocardial infarction, reduce or prevent the onset of morphological changes that are affiliated with congestive heart failure, and/or be efficacious in the treatment of end stage renal disease. Embodiments of the present invention are configured for extravascular delivery of pulsed electric fields to achieve such neuromodulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic Ardian Luxembourg S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Mark Deem, Denise Zarins, Douglas Sutton, Hanson Gifford, III, Howard R. Levin, Mark Gelfand, Benjamin J. Clark
  • Patent number: 9185899
    Abstract: A system for protecting user's body from the attacks of electro-sensitive animals is provided. The system includes a frequency generator, a modulator, a controller, a level shifter, plurality of electrodes and a power source to provide power to the controller. The controller generates pattern for the modulator and further the controller controls the frequency generator and the level shifter. The frequency generator generates waveforms and frequencies on the instructions programmed by the user in the controller. The modulator then mixes the pattern with waveforms or frequencies. The level shifter shifts results of the modulator to a higher voltage level and further transmits the polarized waveforms and frequencies to the plurality of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventors: Wolfgang Richter, Faranak Zadeh
  • Patent number: 9180306
    Abstract: Provided is a magnetic stimulation type medical care device including a main body for generating a magnetic stimulation and various probes electrically connected to the main body to stimulate a skin of a patient through non-contact deep penetration. The magnetic stimulation type medical care device includes a main body for generating a voltage and at least one probe in which a coil for generating a magnetic field from the voltage generated in the main body is built, the at least one probe being electrically connected to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SANGJI UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Do Guwn Hwang, Syung Hyun Cho, Byung Jae Kim, Sang Dae Choi
  • Patent number: 9173992
    Abstract: The present invention relates to secure paring of electronically controlled devices configured to communicate with each other. A medical system is provided comprising a first unit and a second unit, the system comprising a first communication link allowing a first group of data types to be transmitted between the first unit and the second unit, and a second communication link allowing a second group of data types to be transmitted between the first unit and the second unit. Different properties of the communication links may be used to ensure that certain data, e.g. during pairing of the two devices, can be transmitted in a more controlled way whereas other data can be transmitted in a less controlled way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
    Inventors: Henrik Bengtsson, Jens Aage Munk, Nils Göran Marnfeldt, Per Hvid Hansen, Per Einar Pontus Holm, Terkel Valentin Thomsen
  • Patent number: 9162068
    Abstract: A driving circuit useful in a magnetic inductive coupling wireless communication system is disclosed. The circuit includes an inductor (coil; L) and capacitor (C) in series selectively coupled to a power source such as a rechargeable battery. The LC circuit is made to resonate in accordance with a Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) or other protocol. Such resonance produces a voltage across the inductor. This voltage is used to create a first voltage either by tapping into the coil, or by providing a transformer. The first voltage is coupled to the rechargeable battery by a diode. When the circuit resonates, and when the first voltage exceeds the voltage of the power source, the diode turns on, thus shunting excess current back to recharge the rechargeable battery. By use of this circuit, energy is conserved. Additionally, oscillations can be quickly dampened so as to allow the circuit to transmit at high data rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Vasily Dronov
  • Patent number: 9155883
    Abstract: An implantable electrical stimulation lead includes electrodes and terminals disposed on opposing ends of the lead. A liner extends along a longitudinal length of the lead and has at least two different outer diameters. Conductors are coiled around the liner and electrically-couple the electrodes to the terminals. The conductors include a first conductor and a second conductor. The first conductor includes alternating first and second coiled regions. The first coiled regions have tighter pitches than the second coiled regions. The second conductor includes alternating third and fourth coiled regions. The third coiled regions have tighter pitches than the fourth coiled regions. The conductors are arranged into repeating adjacent winding geometries disposed along the longitudinal length of the lead. The repeating adjacent winding geometries each include one of the first coiled regions and one of the third coiled regions axially disposed adjacent to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Ross Daniel Venook, Matthew Lee McDonald
  • Patent number: 9155891
    Abstract: A current management system for use in the stimulation output stage of a neurostimulation system can be programmed to steer different amounts of current through different stimulation electrodes to vary how strongly the tissue adjacent each electrode is stimulated during a particular programmed stimulation episode. An stimulation electrode drive circuit associated with each electrode that is available for stimulation allows independent control of the flow of current through that electrode. A reference electrode is provided in the circuit to source or sink current as necessary to balance the currents going into and out of the patient, so that no stimulation electrode is required to serve that purpose. More specifically, by configuring the circuit to maintain a constant potential at the reference electrode (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen T. Archer
  • Patent number: 9150832
    Abstract: A system is provided for stimulating one or more cells, wherein the stimulation is sub-threshold and may alter a transmembrane potential of the one or more cells. For some populations of cells it may be possible to affect the transmembrane potential to gain a therapeutic benefit. Cells of the sino-atrial node spontaneously depolarize predominantly due to the slow depolarization of transmembrane potential. The present system may provide sino-atrial cells with a local field stimulation that while not eliciting an action potential may nonetheless alter local transmembrane potential. Such alteration of transmembrane potential may permit an increase or decrease in a rate of depolarization, and hence modify heart rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce KenKnight, Steven D. Girouard
  • Patent number: 9125643
    Abstract: A method of reducing bronchial constriction in a subject includes delivering energy to create one or more lesions on a main bronchus so as to transect pulmonary nerves sufficiently to reduce bronchial constriction in a lung of the patient distal to the main bronchus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Holaira, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin J. Hlavka, Lynn Elliott
  • Patent number: 9119970
    Abstract: A control module for an electrical stimulation system includes a casing defining a sealed inner compartment; an electronic subassembly disposed in the inner compartment; and a header portion coupled to the casing and having a connector to receive a proximal end of a lead or lead extension. The connector includes conductive contacts to electrically couple to terminal contacts on the lead or lead extension. The control module also includes a feedthrough assembly coupling the casing to the header portion. The feedthrough assembly includes a non-conductive ceramic block coupled to the casing, conductive feedthrough pins passing through the ceramic block and electrically coupling the conductive contacts of the connector to the electronic subassembly, a metal braze coupling the feedthrough pins to the ceramic block, and at least one glass layer disposed on at least a portion of the ceramic block and in contact with at least one of the feedthrough pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffery Van Funderburk
  • Patent number: 9108060
    Abstract: A neural prosthesis includes a centralized device that can provide power, data, and clock signals to one or more individual neural prosthesis subsystems. Each subsystem may include a number of individually addressable, programmable modules that can be dynamically allocated or shared among neural prosthetic networks to achieve complex, coordinated functions or to operate in autonomous groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kilgore, Paul Hunter Peckham, Timothy J. Crish, Brian Smith
  • Patent number: 9089350
    Abstract: A catheter includes a flexible braided shaft having a length sufficient to access a target vessel of the body, such as a renal artery. An electrode at the catheter's distal tip is configured to ablate extravascular target tissue, such as perivascular renal nerve tissue. An electrical conductor coupled to the electrode extends along a first lumen of the shaft. A second lumen of the shaft terminates at a port arrangement on an outer surface of the shaft near the electrode. The second lumen transports a contrast media from the catheter's proximal end and through the port arrangement. The catheter may include a steering arrangement and a lubricious coating on an outer surface of the shaft, allowing a clinician to navigate the catheter through vasculature and into the target vessel without use of a separate delivery sheath or guiding catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventor: Martin R. Willard
  • Patent number: 9089694
    Abstract: A method for implanting an electrical stimulation lead into a patient includes advancing a distal end of a multi-armed lead into an epidural space of the patient. The multi-armed lead includes first and second stimulation arms extending from a main body portion. The first stimulation arm is guided into and through a first intervertebral foramen. The first stimulation arm is positioned in proximity to a first dorsal root ganglion. The first stimulation arm is positioned with electrodes disposed along the first stimulation arm in operational proximity to the first dorsal root ganglion. The second stimulation arm is guided into and through a second intervertebral foramen. The second stimulation arm is positioned in proximity to a second dorsal root ganglion. The second stimulation arm is positioned with electrodes disposed along the second stimulation arm in operational proximity to the second dorsal root ganglion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Anne Margaret Pianca
  • Patent number: 9089713
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for adjusting the operation of implantable stimulation devices used to provide medical monitoring and treatment. Several hierarchical algorithms are described which operate according to conditionally obtaining a patient response to an alert signal. In one such strategy semi-automatic therapy adjustment occurs by automatically issuing patient alert messages when selected operations are to occur, and using a patient's response to the alert message that is provided within a selected time limit in order to contingently adjust therapy. Methods are also described for resolving conflicts which may occur when time information and sensed data information each indicate different patient states are occurring. Although treatment of neural and cardiac disorders is emphasized, the techniques can be applied to the monitoring and treatment of any medical disorder with an implanted device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Sasha John
  • Patent number: 9079028
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating a gastrointestinal condition. In some embodiments, the method generally includes administering a chemical or electrical stimulus to an artery of the gastrointestinal vasculature of the subject, a vein of the gastrointestinal vasculature of the subject, a nerve supplying an artery of the gastrointestinal vasculature of the subject, and/or a nerve supplying a vein of the gastrointestinal vasculature of the subject, wherein the chemical or electrical stimulus is effective for treating a gastrointestinal condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Inventor: Virender K. Sharma
  • Patent number: 9072905
    Abstract: A system and method for selection of stimulation parameters for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) may include a processor that displays in a display device and in relation to a displayed model of a leadwire including model electrodes, a current field corresponding to a first stimulation parameter set, provides a user interface for receipt of user input representing a shift of the current field, in response to the user input, moves, in the display device, the current field with respect to the displayed model, determines a second stimulation parameter set that results in the moved current field, and outputs the second stimulation parameter set and/or sets a stimulation device with the second stimulation parameter set, where the stimulation device is configured for performing a stimulation using the leadwire in accordance with the second stimulation parameter set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Intelect Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Kokones, David Arthur Blum, Keith Carlton, Troy Sparks
  • Patent number: 9072904
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are circuits and methods for a multi-electrode implantable stimulator device incorporating one decoupling capacitor in the current path established via at least one cathode electrode and at least one anode electrode. In one embodiment, the decoupling capacitor may be hard-wired to a dedicated anode on the device. The cathodes are selectively activatable via stimulation switches. In another embodiment, any of the electrodes on the devices can be selectively activatable as an anode or cathode. In this embodiment, the decoupling capacitor is placed into the current path via selectable anode and cathode stimulation switches. Regardless of the implementation, the techniques allow for the benefits of capacitive decoupling without the need to associate decoupling capacitors with every electrode on the multi-electrode device, which saves space in the body of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Jordi Parramon, Kiran Nimmagadda, Emanuel Feldman, Yuping He