Telemetry Or Communications Circuits Patents (Class 607/60)
  • Patent number: 9635147
    Abstract: A protocol for transmitting data from an external device to an electronic device is provided in which the external device transmits a data stream which includes the same data packet repeated multiple times. The data packet has a predetermined length and has a header portion at a predetermined position. A receiver at the electronic device captures a block of data having the predetermined length from the transmitted data stream, and a decoder rotates the captured block of data to place the header portion at the predetermined position within the data packet. This eliminates the need for an accurate jitter-free clock reference at the electronic device. By shifting power consumption and system complexity to the external unit where power is typically not constrained, the energy efficiency of the electronic device can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Mohammad Hassan Ghaed, Skylar Skrzyniarz, David Theodore Blaauw, Dennis Michael Sylvester
  • Patent number: 9597521
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including a medical implant that includes a receiving coil. A transmitting device includes a first transmitting coil, and a second transmitting coil disposed with respect to the first transmitting coil such that a shortest distance from an edge of the second transmitting coil to an edge of the first transmitting coil is within 20% of a length of the receiving coil. A control unit is configured to transmit power to the medical implant by driving a current source to drive a current in a clockwise direction through one of the transmitting coils, and drive a current in a counterclockwise direction through the other one of the transmitting coils. Other applications are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: BLUEWIND MEDICAL LTD.
    Inventors: Anton Plotkin, Guri Oron
  • Patent number: 9589730
    Abstract: A feed-through assembly is presented. The feed-through assembly includes a first end and a second end with a body therebetween. The first end comprises a substantially L-shaped end and a block. The substantially L-shaped end includes a first contact surface. The block includes a second contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott B. Sleeper
  • Patent number: 9586043
    Abstract: A system including an implantable medical device (IMD) configured to be programmed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) settings for use during an MRI scan, a server configured to receive MRI settings associated with the IMD, and configured to store the MRI settings associated with the IMD, and a portable retrieval programmer. The portable retrieval programmer includes a housing configured for portability by a user, a first communication module in the housing configured to communicate with the server to retrieve the MRI settings associated with the IMD, and a device communication module connectible to and disconnectible from the housing and configured to communicate with the IMD to retrieve the identity data and program the IMD with the MRI settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: John LaLonde, James R. Kalgren, Kenneth P. Hoyme
  • Patent number: 9572992
    Abstract: A method is provided for establishing a communication session with an implantable medical device (“IMD”). The method includes configuring an IMD and an external device to communicate with one another through a protocol that utilizes a dedicated advertisement channel. The advertisement period and the scan period of the protocol are independent of one another such that the advertisement and scan periods at least partially overlap intermittently after a number of cycles. When the external device detects one of the advertisement notices, the method includes establishing a communications link between the external device and the IMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Pacesetter Inc.
    Inventors: Reza Shahandeh, Richard Williamson, Gabriel A. Mouchawar, Brent Croft, William Winstrom, Robert McCormick, Jorge N. Amely-Velez, Thanh Tieu, Ali Dianaty, Samir Shah, Yongjian Wu
  • Patent number: 9566411
    Abstract: Computer implemented method and system for achieving a preferred state of mind of a user are disclosed. In a first aspect, the method comprises detecting a biological marker (biomarker) of a user utilizing one or more sensors; and inferring a state of mind of the user based upon data received from the one or more sensors that are provided to computational hardware. Finally the method includes providing an antidote to the user if the inferred state of mind is different than the preferred state of mind utilizing an actuator. In a second aspect, the system comprises one or more sensors for detecting a biological marker (biomarker) of the user and computational hardware for inferring a state of mind of the user based upon data received from the one or more sensors. Finally the system includes an actuator for providing an antidote to the user if the inferred state of mind is different than a preferred state of mind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventors: Trungram Gyaltrul R. Sherpa, David H. C. Chen
  • Patent number: 9545208
    Abstract: A method of monitoring relative nerve health and the presence of neuropraxia is described. The methods utilize the integration of a waveform function of an elicited or monitored nerve response to provide an indication of the strength of a detected signal from a nerve and thus the relative health and integrity of the nerve. In some embodiments motor nerve stimulation innervates muscle and an EMG waveform is obtained in response thereto. The integration under the waveform is expressed and an indexed value indicating a percentage of a certain threshold value. Methods set forth provide a more reliable status of a nerve in real-time and allow action to be taken to reduce neuropraxia or prevent permanent nerve damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Neurovision Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James Lee Rea
  • Patent number: 9537671
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling transmissions of a batteryless device (1) operating in a wireless network, the method comprising the following steps: the batteryless device (1) transmitting a frame including elements for controlling operation of a remote device (2a), or controlled device, the batteryless device being configured with a predetermined number of planned retransmissions of the control frame, the batteryless device sensing a change in the physical phenomenon induced by operation of the controlled device (2a), the batteryless device determining, based on the sensing step, the success or failure of the frame transmission, in case the transmission has succeeded, the batteryless device omitting further retransmissions of the control frame. The present invention also relates to a batteryless device carrying out such method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Bozena Erdmann, Lelkens Michel Marie Lelkens, Ludovicus Marinus Gerardus Maria Tolhuizen, Wei Yuan
  • Patent number: 9526895
    Abstract: A visual prosthesis configured to convert a video image to stimulation patterns for stimulating visual neural tissue including a camera configured to obtain a video image, a video processing unit configured to receive the image from the camera and create stimulation patterns based upon the image, an implantable stimulation system suitable to stimulate visual neural tissue according to the stimulation patterns, a wireless communication system configured to send a stimulation signal from the video processing unit to the implantable stimulation system, and a voltage and current monitoring circuit in the video processing unit monitoring the stimulation signal sent by the video processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly H McClure, Richard A Castro, Arup Roy, Scott Loftin, Rongqing Dai, Robert J Greenberg, Sumit Yadav
  • Patent number: 9526904
    Abstract: Stimulation of the central nervous system can be useful for treating neurological disorders. Wireless neurostimulating devices have the benefit that they can float in tissue and do not experience the sheering caused by tethering tension that connecting wires impose on the stimulators. An optically powered, logic controlled, CMOS microdevice that can decode telemetry data from an optical packet is a way of implementing wireless, addressable, microstimulators. Through the use of an optical packet, different devices can be addressed for stimulation, allowing spatially selective activation of neural tissue. The present invention, involves such a neural stimulation device, specifically an optically powered CMOS circuit that decodes telemetry data and determines whether it has been addressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: New Jersey Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Mesut Sahin, Selim Unlu, David S Freedman, Ammar R Abdo
  • Patent number: 9504842
    Abstract: An electronic medical system is described. The system comprises an external RF power transmitter configured to emit a first power signal via an electromagnetic coupling, said RF power transmitter being configured to emit said first energy signal with a power no greater than 1 W. The system further comprises an implantable medical device comprising: at least one receiver antenna configured to receive said first energy signal via an electromagnetic coupling; an RF power receiver module configured to extract a second energy signal having a power of at least 1 milliwatts and to be powered by said second energy signal; a power actuator module, operatively connected to the RF power receiver module, powered by said second energy signal. The power actuator module is configured to deliver a medical treatment to at least a target tissue of a patient on the basis of a control signal generated by the RF power receiver module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: ADO HOLDING SA
    Inventors: Carlo Guardiani, Daniele Piazza, Paolo Menegoli, Leonardo Clementi
  • Patent number: 9492678
    Abstract: A particular implantable device may include an antenna configured to receive a far field radiative signal. The implantable device may also include a voltage rectifier configured to rectify the far field radiative signal received by the antenna to provide a rectified voltage signal. The implantable device may further include a charge storage element operative to receive the rectified voltage signal and to store charge responsive to the rectified voltage signal. The implantable device may also include a therapy delivery unit powered by the charge storage element. The therapy delivery unit is operative to deliver a therapy to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Eric Y. Chow
  • Patent number: 9496733
    Abstract: An improved medical device system is disclosed in which system devices communicate optically. An Implantable Medical Device (IMD) is disclosed having a hermetic window assembly on one side of its case, through which a photoemitter and photodetector can transmit and receive optical signals. The optical radiation in the signals is preferably visible, which permits communications from the IMD to be seen prior to implantation and even after implantation through a patient's tissue. External controllers for adjusting therapeutic operation of the IMD, external chargers for providing a magnetic charging field to charge a battery in the IMD, and combined external controllers/chargers are also disclosed that optically communicate with the IMD through the patient's tissue. The optical communication capabilities of the external charger are particularly useful in determining misalignment with the IMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffery Van Funderburk
  • Patent number: 9486153
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system having an implanted component and external component which are configured to provide a test of wireless communication in order to assess the success or failure of such communication and to store attributes related to such test in a memory log. To provide the communication test the implantable and external components can attempt wireless communication according to communication test parameters which relate to number of times to retry communication, duration of sending communication test signals, durations of waiting for communication test signals and the schedule of the communication tests. The schedule of tests may be period or may change over time in order to become more or less frequency according to a programmable schedule that may also decrease if the communication tests are successful and indicate patient compliance in keeping the external components close by.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Angel Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Keenan, Michael Sasha John
  • Patent number: 9471752
    Abstract: A programming system for an electronic medical device (EMD) is described. The programming system, as described in this disclosure, comprises a host computer, such as a general purpose computer in an in-clinic computer network, executing a software platform that provides an operating environment with which a user can interact to program an EMD. The software platform invokes monitoring software that ensures that the host computer satisfies criteria for safe operation of the operating environment, e.g., ensures that the host computer meets the minimum operating conditions required for reliable operation of the operating environment. In particular, the monitoring software may monitor system faults that occur during operation, as well as ensure that criteria for safe operation are satisfied prior to initiating the operating environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Goetz, Touby A. Drew, Andrew H. Houchins
  • Patent number: 9468763
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for modulating cranial nerves, such as the sphenopalatine ganglion, to treat a medical condition of a patient, such as cluster headache. A stimulation device comprising a dipole antenna is advanced transnasally to a target site at or adjacent to the nasopharyngeal mucosa posterior to the middle turbinate. Electrical impulses are applied through one or more electrodes in the stimulation device to the target nerve sufficient to modulate the nerve and treat the medical condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Electrocore, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico
  • Patent number: 9468765
    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 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen T. Archer
  • Patent number: 9452293
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a communication channel comprising a plurality of disparate sequential communication links configured to facilitate bi-direction communication between an implantable medical device (IMD) and a programmer. A transceiver is configured to communicate with the programmer via a first communication link of the plurality of disparate communication links. A telemetry device is configured to communicate with the IMD via a second communication link of the plurality of disparate communication links. A third communication link communicatively couples the transceiver and the telemetry device. A power source is coupled to the transceiver and to the telemetry apparatus. An operational status of at least the first and second communication links can be individually determined in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: INSPIRE MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: John Rondoni, Quan Ni
  • Patent number: 9452288
    Abstract: A system for performing a neurostimulation trial comprises an external trial stimulator capable of delivering stimulation energy to a plurality of electrodes carried by one or more stimulation leads. The external trial stimulator is configurable to operate in a plurality of stimulation energy delivery modes to respectively emulate one of different neurostimulator types. The system may further comprise a programmer capable of configuring the external trial stimulator to operate in one of the stimulation energy delivery modes. The programmer may be capable of generating a first programming screen capable of allowing a first set of stimulation parameters to be defined for the first neurostimulator type, and a second programming screen capable of allowing a second set of stimulation parameters to be defined for a second neurostimulator type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Todd Whitehurst, Rafael Carbunaru, Kristen Jaax, Andrew DiGiore, Brett D Schleicher
  • Patent number: 9449501
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a chopper mixer telemetry circuit for use in a wireless receiver. The receiver may be located in an implantable medical device (IMD) or external programmer. The chopper mixer telemetry circuit may include a mixer amplifier that operates as a synchronous demodulator to provide selective extraction of wireless signals received from a transmitter while suppressing out-of-band noise that can undermine the reliability of the telemetry link between an IMD or programmer and another device. The mixer amplifier may utilize parallel signal paths to convert the received telemetry signal into an in-phase (I) signal component and a quadrature (Q) signal component and recombine the I and Q signal components to reconstruct the total signal independently of the phase mismatch between the transmitter and receiver. Each signal path may include a chopper-stabilized mixer amplifier that amplifies telemetry signals within a desired band while suppressing out-of-band noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Grevious, Timothy J. Denison
  • Patent number: 9449225
    Abstract: A neuronal recording system featuring a large number of electrodes and a portable wireless front-end integrated circuit for signal processing for low-power spike detection and alignment. The system is configured as a Neuroprocessor and introduces hardware architectures for automatic spike detection and alignment algorithms. The Neuroprocessor can be placed next to the recording electrodes and provide for all stages of spike processing, stimulating neuronal tissues and wireless communications to a host computer. Some of the algorithms are based on principal component analysis (PCA). Others employ a novel Integral Transform. The algorithms execute autonomously, but require off-line training and setting of computational parameters. Pre-recorded neuronal signals evaluate the accuracy of the proposed algorithms and architectures: The recorded data are processed by a standard PCA spike sorting software algorithm, as well as by the several hardware algorithms, and the outcomes are compared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Technion Research & Development Authority
    Inventors: Ran Ginosar, Yevgeny Perelman, Alex Zviagintsev
  • Patent number: 9444511
    Abstract: A plug-and-play antenna may be used with many different types of wireless communication devices. An antenna may be coupled to an impedance tuning component and a waveform generator. A calibration control module receives radio status information, controls the waveform generator to vary a response of the antenna, and tunes the impedance tuning component to match impedances between a radio and the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignees: INTEL CORPORATION, VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Seong-Youp Suh, Harry G. Skinner, W. Dawson Kesling, Majid Manteghi
  • Patent number: 9421394
    Abstract: There is disclosed a quantum field energy generating system that emits quantum energy to the body to provide a therapeutic and quantum effect to treat human tissue for health, rejuvenation and wellness. The quantum field generating system may include a housing, a printed circuit board contained within the housing, and a plurality of antennas positioned in the housing which may provide phased signals that provide a quantum field of energy for the treatment of human tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Soliton Lasers
    Inventor: Paul Weisbart
  • Patent number: 9420061
    Abstract: This system 1 accepts content marker information including content identifier information for identifying content, and executes a process of causing a storing device to store the accepted content marker information. The system 1 accepts sharing-user identifier information for identifying a user/users who shares/share the stored content marker information. The system 1: accepts a content marker output request that includes user identifier information for identifying a user and that is a request for an output of content marker information; based on the user identifier information included in the accepted content marker output request and the accepted sharing-user identifier information, extracts content marker information corresponding to the user identifier information from the stored content marker information; and outputs the extracted content marker information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji Takahashi, Satoshi Nogaki, Toru Osuga
  • Patent number: 9415223
    Abstract: A method and external control device for providing therapy to a patient using first and second electrodes implanted within the patient is provided. A train of electrical multi-phasic pulses is generated. A first electrical current is sourced from the second electrode and at least a portion of the first electrical current is sunk to the first electrode during a stimulation phase of each multi-phasic pulse, thereby therapeutically stimulating a first tissue region adjacent the first electrode. A second electrical current is sourced from the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrical current is sunk to the second electrode during a charge recovery phase of each multi-phasic pulse, thereby recovering at least a portion of the charge that had been injected into the patient during the stimulation phase of each multi-phasic pulse, and therapeutically stimulating a second tissue region adjacent the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Rafael Carbunaru, Kerry Bradley
  • Patent number: 9392940
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portable medical device for assistance to heart patients carrying an implanted pacemaker, which includes at least one electric energy accumulator for power supply, at least one electronic card provided with a first wireless communication unit for the reception of data sent by the pacemaker, and a processing unit suited to process the data received from the pacemaker. The device further includes an external casing suited to be grasped by the patient in order to bring it to the pacemaker's transmission field and provided with at least one light signal for communicating the data processed by the processing unit at least partially to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: MEDICO SPA
    Inventor: Eugenio Snichelotto
  • Patent number: 9393434
    Abstract: Medical device recharging systems include a controller and a separate recharge device that communicate wirelessly together to provide recharging to an implantable medical device. Either the controller or the recharge device may also communicate wirelessly with the implantable medical device to obtain recharge status and other information. There may be multiple recharge devices present within communication range of the controller, and the controller may determine which recharge device to activate depending upon proximity of each recharge device to the implantable medical device. The controller may allow the recharge device that is active at any given time to change so that the patient having the implantable medical device can move about in the area where the recharge devices are located while recharging continues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: David P. Olson, Nathan A. Torgerson
  • Patent number: 9387333
    Abstract: An identifier apparatus 10 for acquiring a signature signal frequency 12 from an implantable medical device 11 that is internally implanted in a patient. The apparatus 10 identifies the type of implantable medical device 11 and the device manufacturer by the unique signature signal frequency 12 of the manufacturer and device. The apparatus 10 aids healthcare providers with quick and exact knowledge of a patients implanted device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventor: Vassilis Dimas
  • Patent number: 9381359
    Abstract: A neuromodulation system configured for providing sub-threshold neuromodulation therapy to a patient. The neuromodulation system comprises a neuromodulation lead having at least one electrode configured for being implanted along a spinal cord of a patient, a plurality of electrical terminals configured for being respectively coupled to the at least one electrode, modulation output circuitry configured for delivering sub-threshold modulation energy to active ones of the at least one electrode, and control/processing circuitry configured for selecting a percentage from a plurality of percentages based on a known longitudinal location of the neuromodulation lead relative to the spinal cord, computing an amplitude value as a function of the selected percentage, and controlling the modulation output circuitry to deliver sub-threshold modulation energy to the patient at the computed amplitude value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignees: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Jordi Parramon, Bradley L. Hershey, Dongchul Lee
  • Patent number: 9358396
    Abstract: A method of operating an implantable neuromodulator coupled to an electrode array implanted adjacent tissue of a patient includes conveying electrical modulation energy to the tissue per a series of modulation parameter sets, thereby displacing the locus of the resulting electrical field laterally relative to the tissue, associating a plurality of different loci with the modulation parameter sets, causing the patient to perceive paresthesia, identifying a modulation parameter set as creating an electrical field having a locus disposed on a physiological midline of the patient based on the perceived paresthesia, deriving another modulation parameter set from the identified modulation parameter set, conveying electrical modulation energy to the patient per the other modulation parameter set, thereby creating an electrical field having a locus relative to the tissue that is the same as the locus of the electrical field associated with the identified modulation parameter set, without causing paresthesia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Justin Holley
  • Patent number: 9345884
    Abstract: A method and system is described for ensuring a state of an active implantable medical device based on the presence and persistence of a magnetic field. The output of a magnetic field sensor is monitored. The active implantable medical device is maintained in a first state, for so long as the presence of a magnetic field is detected by the magnetic field sensor, until a first interval is surpassed. If the first interval is surpassed, then a determination is made as to whether a second interval has been surpassed. If it is determined that the second interval has not been surpassed, then the active implantable medical device is transitioned into a second state. If it is determined that the second interval has been surpassed, then it is ensured that the active implantable medical device is in a predetermined one of the first and second states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Wingeier, Barbara Gibb, Craig Baysinger, Thomas Tcheng, Suresh Gurunathan
  • Patent number: 9339190
    Abstract: Gastric apparatus (18) is provided, including one or more sensors (70, 72, 74), adapted to generate respective sensor signals responsively to a gastrointestinal (GI) tract physiological parameter of a GI tract of a subject, and an implantable control unit (90), comprising a rechargeable battery and a first set of one or more transducers. The implantable control unit (90) is adapted to receive the sensor signals, using one or more of the transducers of the first set, and transmit data responsively to the sensor signals, using one or more of the transducers of the first set. An external control unit (200), including a power source and a second set of one or more transducers, is adapted to drive the power source to inductively transfer energy via one or more transducers of the second set, so as to recharge the battery, and receive the transmitted data, using one or more transducers of the second set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: METACURE LIMITED
    Inventors: Shlomo Ben-Haim, Shai Policker, David Prutchi, Benny Rousso, Jason Sholder
  • Patent number: 9320899
    Abstract: An implantable stimulation device that includes output current sources and/or sinks configured to provide an output current for a load (i.e., tissue). The output path of the output current source or sink comprises a transistor which operates in a linear mode instead of a saturation mode. Because operation in a linear mode results in smaller drain-to-source voltage drops, power consumption in the output current source or sink (and hence in the implantable stimulator) is reduced, reducing battery or other power source requirements. Operation in the linear mode is facilitated by a load in an input path and a load in the output path (which bears the output current). The loads can be active transistors or passive resistors. A feedback circuit (e.g., an operational amplifier) receives voltages that build up across these loads, and sends a control signal to the gate of the transistor to ensure its linear operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Jordi Parramon, Yuping He, Kiran Nimmagadda
  • Patent number: 9314202
    Abstract: A method for analyzing nerve fibers distribution is provided, including inputting a stimulation signal into a nerve tissue through at least two sensing and conducting electrodes, applying a stimulation signal ratio to control the stimulation signal using an electric current steering technique to electrically stimulate a plurality of nerve fibers within a plurality of stimulations areas of the nerve tissue; receiving a plurality of evoked compound action potentials (ECAP) using at least two sensing and conducting electrodes due to the nerve fibers electrically stimulated and computing a distance between the nerve fiber and the conducting electrodes including eliminating non-ideal effect caused by an electric potential attenuation factor, wherein the electric potential attenuation factor is a function of the distance between each of the conducting electrodes and the nerve tissue; and integrating and comparing the received ECAPs and analyzing the nerve fibers distribution of the nerve tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: National Chiao Tung University
    Inventor: Charles Tak Ming Choi
  • Patent number: 9319807
    Abstract: A system includes an earhook having a connector for coupling to a behind-the-ear component of a hearing prosthesis. The earhook further includes a transducer and combined electromagnetic (EM) and magnetic induction (MI) antenna circuitry coupled to the transducer. The combined EM and MI antenna circuitry also includes an electrically conductive portion of the transducer and at least one inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Werner Meskens, Jan Frieding, Ibrahim Bouchataoui
  • Patent number: 9318916
    Abstract: Far field telemetry operations are conducted between an external device and an implantable medical device while power is being transferred to the implantable medical device for purposes of recharging a battery of the implantable medical device. The far field operations may include exchanging recharge information that has been collected by the implantable medical device which allows the external device to exercise control over the recharge process. The far field operations may include suspending far field telemetry communications for periods of time while power continues to be transferred where suspending far field telemetry communications may include powering down far field telemetry communication circuits of the implantable medical device for periods of time which may conserve energy. The far field operations may further include transferring programming instructions to the implantable medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: David P. Olson, William C. Phillips, Garrett R. Sipple, Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 9313192
    Abstract: Secured communications between patient portable communicators (PPC) and a central authority (CA) via an unsecured network are implemented using software implemented by a communications device. The communications device provides for detecting, using a multiplicity of disparate communication protocols, presence of entities requesting a network connection and determining whether or not each of the entities is a PPC, establishing, only for the entities determined to be PPCs, a connection to the CA via the unsecured network using the disparate communication protocols, authenticating only the PPCs to the CA, and facilitating communication of PPC data between the PPCs and the CA via the communications device and the unsecured network upon successful PPC authentication. The PPC data comprises at least some patient implantable medical device data acquired by the PPCs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Sievert, Eric P. Bailey, William R. Mass
  • Patent number: 9306628
    Abstract: A mechanism is described for facilitating hybrid communication between devices according to one embodiment. A method of embodiments, as described herein, includes coupling an inductive coil of a near proximity circuitry with a capacitive pad of a body area circuitry to form a hybrid circuitry, and facilitating, via the hybrid circuitry, the hybrid communication between a plurality of devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Anand S. Konanur, Ulun Karacaoglu, Kwan Ho Lee, Akihiro Takagi
  • Patent number: 9289614
    Abstract: A method for operating an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a patient may include scanning for a wakeup request signal from an external programmer over a first frequency band at a first power level, switching to communication over a second frequency band at a second power level after the IMD detects the wakeup request signal, wherein the switching operation initiates an initial data exchange session during a common connected time period between the IMD and the external programmer, and cycling between the first and second power levels during the common connected time period based on whether data is being exchanged between the external programmer and the IMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongjian Wu, Jun Yang, Chao-Wen Young, Reza Shahandeh, Thanh Tieu, Min Yang, Jorge N. Amely-Velez
  • Patent number: 9294152
    Abstract: A communication system, a communication apparatus, a communication method, and a program for acquiring the advantage of a plurality of communication protocols is provided. A random number and a first communication information including first identification information of a communication apparatus is sent to another communication apparatus by using near field communication. Second communication information is received by the communication apparatus from the other communication apparatus by using near field communication. The second communication information includes second identification information of the other communication apparatus necessary to a second communication. The second communication is performed between the communication apparatus and the other communication apparatus by using the second communication information received by using the near field communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Takayama, Susumu Kusakabe
  • Patent number: 9288614
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for initiating a bi-directional communication link with an implantable medical device. The systems and methods configure an implantable medical device (IMD) to detect activation fields from a triggering device when the triggering device is positioned proximate to the IMD, and to identify a field characterization of the activation field. The systems and methods further configure the IMD to establish a bi-directional communication link with an external device through a select communication initialization mode form a plurality of communication initialization modes defined by a wireless protocol in response to the field characterization of the activation field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Chao-Wen Young, Yongjian Wu, Mostafa Sadeghi, Erik Shreve, Andrew Rissing, Jun Yang, Heidi Hellman, Katie Hoberman, Samir Shah
  • Patent number: 9265957
    Abstract: An implantable medical device and external base station system are disclosed. The external base station can provide a passive electric field to power the implant, or to charge its battery. The base station may also power or charge using magnetic fields under certain circumstances. The Implantable medical device may comprise an implantable neurostimulator having a number of electrode leads extending from its body. One or more of the electrode leads can comprise the antenna for receiving the electric field from the base station, and resonance in that antenna can be rectified to provide the power for recharging the battery. Although the E-field provided by the base station does not provide as much power for recharging as does other traditional charging techniques, it can occur passively and over longer distances to allow the patent's implant to be recharged when in relative proximity to the base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Joey Chen, Robert Ozawa, Joonho Hyun, Vasily Dronov
  • Patent number: 9265958
    Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a case having a conductive housing defining an opening. A dielectric material is coupled to the conductive housing to hermetically seal the opening. An antenna is within the case under the dielectric material. A header block is coupled to the case over the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Himanshu Joshi, Eric Y. Chow, Clint Warren
  • Patent number: 9259585
    Abstract: In an example, an apparatus can include an implantable medical device comprising a housing, an implantable telemetry circuit carried within the housing, a dielectric compartment mechanically coupled to the housing, the dielectric compartment including first and second substantially parallel face portions and a third face portion extending between the first and second face portions, and an implantable telemetry antenna, located at least partially within the dielectric compartment. The implantable telemetry circuit can be electrically coupled to the implantable telemetry antenna and configured to wirelessly transfer information electromagnetically using the implantable telemetry antenna. In an example the implantable telemetry antenna comprises a spiral conductor portion extending along the first, second, and third face portions. In an example the spiral conductor includes a cross section having a lateral width that can be greater than a sidewall height of the cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Sasidhar Vajha, Keith R. Maile, Dennis E. Larson, David A. Chizek, John M. Edgell
  • Patent number: 9259574
    Abstract: An improved external trial stimulator provides neurostimulation functionality for implanted medical electrodes prior to implantation of an implantable neurostimulator. The external trial stimulator is housed in a four-part housing that provides mechanical and electrostatic discharge protection for the electronics mounted in a central frame of the housing. Connectors attached to leads from the electrodes connect to contacts that are recessed in the housing through ports that are centered for easy access. Multiple indicators provide information to users of the external trial stimulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Aghassian, Robert G. Lamont, Robert J. Stinauer
  • Patent number: 9248232
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a skin adherable device for delivering therapeutic fluid into a body of a patient. In some embodiments, the device includes a monitoring apparatus, a pump, and a tip for delivering the therapeutic fluid into the body of the patient and for monitoring bodily analyte in the body of the patient. The pump may continuously deliver the therapeutic fluid to the body of the patient and the monitoring apparatus may continuously monitor bodily analytes of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Ofer Yodfat, Eli Znati, Illai Gescheit, Avraham Neta, Offer Levy
  • Patent number: 9248300
    Abstract: A relatively compact implantable cardiac medical device includes a wireless communications module, which employs a directional antenna and which is adapted to receive input concerning ventricular wall motion. When the cardiac medical device is anchored to a ventricular wall, transmitter elements of the communications modules are only activated for communication during a detected period of reduced ventricular wall motion. The period of reduced ventricular wall motion may be defined as at least one time interval during which an axis of the directional antenna does not rotate out from a baseline orientation by more than 15 degrees. The communication may be conducted with an external programmer-type device, or with another implanted device, for example, located remote from the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Rys, Michael Andrew Reinert
  • Patent number: 9241633
    Abstract: A method includes disposing multiple medical probes to acquire physiological data concurrently from a living body. The data is sent from the multiple medical probes by transmitting over wireless channels respective sequences of data packets that are marked with respective packet numbers. A synchronization signal that is broadcast to the multiple probes is received in the probes. In response to receiving the synchronization signal, the packet numbers that are to be assigned in the probes to subsequent data packets in the respective sequences are reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Nahum Kilim, Assaf Govari, Andres Claudio Altmann, Yaron Ephrath
  • Patent number: 9246971
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for segment demarcation and identification in adaptive streaming by enabling marking chunks according to multiple standards simultaneously. An encoder boundary point (EBP) structure is used to indicate a plurality of partitions corresponding to a plurality of representations for a same content. A partition is a set of continuous chunks within a media stream of a defined length according to a corresponding standard. The EBP structure includes a bit-mask that is set to indicate one or more partitions in the stream. The EBP structure can indicate a boundary point for more than two partitions allowing a stream to be partitioned in several ways according to different standards. Additionally, a program map table (PMT) descriptor is used to describe each partition, providing information to process each partition. The PMT descriptor includes a packet identifier (PID) value for packets containing EBP structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Giladi
  • Patent number: 9242103
    Abstract: An implementation provides a system that includes: a control module including a first antenna, the control module configured to generate a first radio frequency (RF) signal and transmit the first RF signal using the first antenna; an implantable lead module including a second antenna and at least one electrode configured to stimulate excitable tissue of a subject; and a relay module configured to receive the first RF signal; generate a second RF signal based on the first RF signal, the second RF signal encoding a stimulus waveform to be applied by the at least one electrodes of the implantable lead module to stimulate the excitable tissue of the subject; and transmit the second RF signal to the implantable lead module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Devices LLC
    Inventors: Laura Tyler Perryman, Chad Andresen