Output Controlled By Sensor Responsive To Body Or Interface Condition Patents (Class 607/62)
  • Patent number: 11911609
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methods for noninvasively providing therapy for movement disorder symptoms. The present invention provides such a therapy system which provides trans-cranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in order to treat those symptoms and the disorders. The present invention further provides such tDCS therapy while the subject sleeps in order to minimize the time required and impact of the therapy on the subject's waking life. The system, methods, and devices of the present invention are intended to provide a low-dose electrical current, trans-cranially, to a specific area of the subject's brain while he or she sleeps in order to decrease the occurrence, severity, and duration of the symptoms of movement disorders. The present invention aims to reduce the amount of medication necessary, counteract the effects of medication wearing off during sleep, and to overall improve the quality of life of subjects suffering from movement disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Great Lakes NeuroTechnologies Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin A Heldman, Joseph P Giuffrida
  • Patent number: 11857793
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to devices, systems, and techniques for managing storing sensed information. In some examples, a system includes a memory and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to receive evoked compound action potential (ECAP) information, wherein the ECAP information comprises information from a plurality of evoked compound action potential (ECAP) signals, receive a trigger signal requesting long-term storage of at least a portion of the ECAP information in the memory, and responsive to receiving the trigger signal, store the at least portion of the ECAP information in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Kelly, Henrique Weh
  • Patent number: 11813448
    Abstract: A method for treating pain or discomfort in a patient is disclosed. The method comprises stimulating a cranial nerve with an electrical signal. The pain or discomfort may be a withdrawal symptom. The cranial nerve may be in an auricular area of the patient. The cranial nerve may be cranial nerve V, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, cranial nerve X, or branches of greater and lesser occipital nerves thereof and their associated neurovascular bundles. The withdrawal symptom may result from cessation of an opioid. The method may further comprise administering a secondary drug treats one or more of the withdrawal symptoms and addiction. The secondary drug may be administered about one day to about one week after initiating the stimulating step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Neuraxis, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Brown, Gary M. Peterson
  • Patent number: 11806159
    Abstract: A device includes a handle, an expandable structure including a plurality of splines extending from a proximal hub to a distal hub, a first electrode on a first spline of the plurality of splines, an outer tube extending from the handle to the proximal hub, and a shaft extending through the outer tube from the handle to the distal hub. The expandable structure has a collapsed state and a self-expanded state. The handle is configured to retract the shaft. Retracting the shaft may expand the expandable structure outward of the self-expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Cardionomic, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven D. Goedeke
  • Patent number: 11794017
    Abstract: A field measurement algorithm and measuring circuitry in an implantable stimulator, and an field modelling algorithm operable in an external device, are used to determine an electric field in a patient's tissue. The field measuring algorithm provides at least one test current between two electrodes, and a plurality of voltage differentials are measured at different combinations of the electrodes. The voltage differential data is telemetered to the field modelling algorithm which determines directional resistance at different locations in the patient's tissue. The field modelling algorithm can then use a stimulation program selected for the patient and the determined directional resistances to determine voltages in the patient's tissue at various locations, which in turn can be used to model a more-accurate electric field in the tissue, and preferably to render an electric field image for display in a graphical user interface of the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Goran N. Marnfeldt
  • Patent number: 11771899
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for treating obstructive sleep apnea in a subject. The system can include a power source and a neuromuscular stimulator in electrical communications with the power source. The neuromuscular stimulator can include a controller and at least one electrode. The controller can be configured to receive certain power and stimulation parameters associated with a therapy signal from the power source. The at least one electrode can be configured to deliver the therapy signal to a target tissue associated with control of a posterior base of the tongue of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Inventors: Francis A. Papay, Anthony V. Caparso
  • Patent number: 11730957
    Abstract: A nerve stimulator according to one embodiment comprises: a pad member including a first pad portion arranged so as to come into contact with the auricle, and a second pad portion arranged so as to come in contact with the external auditory meatus; and a plurality of electrode members provided in the pad member so as to output electro-stimulation, wherein the plurality of electrode members can comprise: a first electrode member provided in the first pad portion so as to come into contact with the auricle; and a second electrode member provided in the second pad portion so as to come into contact with the external auditory meatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: KOREA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND BUSINESS FOUNDATION
    Inventor: Jae Jun Song
  • Patent number: 11660458
    Abstract: A method and apparatus related to detecting the presence of a power transfer coil implanted in a patient are disclosed. According to the aspect, an external device of a medical implant system is provided, the external device having an external coil and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to monitor a resonance frequency associated with the external coil. When the resonance frequency changes as a distance between the external coil and an expected location of an internal coil, then the processing circuitry is configured to conclude that the internal coil has been detected. When the resonance frequency ramps up to a steady state value at a rate that falls below a rate threshold, then the processing circuitry is configured to conclude that the internal coil is connected to an internal load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Peichel, Jonathan P. Roberts, Jacob A. Roe
  • Patent number: 11633602
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a device for applying a neural stimulus. A battery supplies electrical energy at a battery voltage and an electrode applies the electrical energy to neural tissue. A circuit measures the nervous response of the tissue and a voltage converter receives the electrical energy from the battery and controls a voltage applied to the electrode based on the measured nervous response of the tissue. This direct voltage control is energy efficient because losses across a typical current mirror are avoided. Further, the control based on the measured nervous response leads to automatic compensation of impedance variation due to in-growth or change in posture. As a result, the stimulation results in a desired neural response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Single, James Laird
  • Patent number: 11623090
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a method for the treatment of cervical dystonia, comprising inserting a stimulation device into the brain of a patient, the stimulation device being configured to provide electrical stimulation to affect first and second stimulation targets within the brain. The first stimulation target is the subthalamic nucleus (STN); and the second stimulation target is the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM), or the ventralis oralis posterior thalamus (VOP), or both the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) and the ventralis oralis posterior thalamus (VOP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: ST GEORGE'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL SCHOOL
    Inventors: Erlick Pereira, Francesca Morgante
  • Patent number: 11617885
    Abstract: Provided is a monopolar skin treatment apparatus using electrical energy in a high frequency wavelength band in which a retaining ligament, a blood vessel, and a fibrous tissue of a deep part is utilized as an electricity passage to actively prevent the skin from sagging due to the aging. The mouthpiece for skin treatment includes a frame, and a ground electrode unit on the frame. The frame includes a first frame disposed in front, a second frame extending rearward from one end portion of the first frame, and a third frame extending rearward from an opposite end portion of the first frame. The ground electrode unit is integrally formed with the first frame, the second frame, and the third frame while continuously extending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: JEISYS MEDICAL INC.
    Inventors: Suk Bae Seo, Ja Young Kim, Ho Joon Seo
  • Patent number: 11589827
    Abstract: There is provided a nerve activity monitoring method that includes receiving an input signal indicative of activity in a nerve of a subject; receiving physiological data indicative of physiological activity in the subject; establishing a relationship between the physiological data and the input signal; identifying a plurality of periodic portions in the input signal based on the relationship between the physiological data and the input signal; and outputting the periodic portions identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignees: UCL Business PLC, Galvani Bioelectronics Limited
    Inventors: Kirill Aristovich, David Holder, Daniel Chew, Matteo Donega
  • Patent number: 11577081
    Abstract: This application is generally related to systems and methods for providing a medical therapy to a patient by tracking patient activity and adjusting medical therapy based on occurrence of different types of activities performed by the patient including user indicated activities inputted from an icon driven user interface of an external patient controller device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher S. L. Crawford
  • Patent number: 11547360
    Abstract: Systems and methods include differential diagnosis for acute heart failure to provide treatment to a patient including determining whether the patient has cardiac volume overload, determining whether the patient has decreased abdominal venous system volume, and providing the appropriate treatment in response to the determinations. A multi-sensor system may be used to determine cardiac volume and abdominal venous system volume. Fluid redistribution treatment may be provided when cardiac volume overload is accompanied by a decrease in abdominal venous system volume. Fluid accumulation treatment may be provided when cardiac volume overload is not accompanied by a decrease in abdominal venous system volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Yong K. Cho, Tom D. Bennett, Douglas A. Hettrick, Charles P. Sperling, Paul A. Sobotka, Vinod Sharma, Eduardo N. Warman, Todd M. Zielinski
  • Patent number: 11534359
    Abstract: The present invention provides an actuator-equipped knee ankle foot orthosis in which a control device calculates a thigh phase angle based on an angle-related signal detected by a thigh orientation detecting means at one sampling point, applies the thigh phase angle at that sampling point to an assisting force control data, which is stored in the control device in advance and indicates the relationship between the thigh phase angle and a size of the assisting force to be imparted to a lower leg-side brace, to obtain the size of the assisting force to be imparted to the lower leg-side brace at that sampling point, and executes operational control for an actuator unit such that the assisting force having the size is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignees: Suncall Corporation, National University Corporation Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto University
    Inventors: Rei Takahashi, Yuichi Sawada, Yoshiyuki Higashi, Tadao Tsuboyama, Noriaki Ichihashi, Koji Ohata, Toshikazu Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 11490851
    Abstract: Embodiments may provide multimodal diagnostic systems and methods for detecting neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), depression, PTSD, schizophrenia, dementia and many others. For example, a system for monitoring brain activity may comprise a plurality of sensors, each adapted to monitor a physical or physiological parameter and output a signal representing the monitored physical or physiological parameter, wherein the plurality of sensors includes at least one sensor configured to monitor a brain activity parameter, a data collection device adapted to receive the plurality of signals from the plurality of sensors and to process the signals to form digital data representing the monitored physical or physiological parameters, and a data processing device adapted to process digital data representing the monitored physical or physiological parameters to determine presence of a neurological disorder or condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Inventor: Newton Howard
  • Patent number: 11484712
    Abstract: The present invention provides in part wearable devices for balance control. The wearable devices are capable of non-invasively monitoring and stimulating the wearer's vestibular system such that it produces postural responses. The wearable devices deliver low levels of electrical current to the vestibular system of a user to maintain balance. In one example, the wearable device is in the form of a pair of glasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Temple University-Of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Peter Igoche Agada, John Jeka
  • Patent number: 11439827
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for managing pain of a subject. A system includes a first sensor circuit to sense a first signal indicative of a functional state of the subject, a second sensor circuit to sense a second signal different from the first signal, and a controller circuit. The controller circuit may determine an operating mode of the second sensor circuit according to the sensed first signal, trigger the second senor circuit to sense the second signal under the determined operating mode, and generate a pain score using at least the second signal sensed under the determined operating mode. The pain score may be output to a patient or used for closed-loop control of a pain therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle Harish Srivastava, Pramodsingh Hirasingh Thakur, Dat Thanh Huynh, Bryan Allen Clark, Jianwen Gu
  • Patent number: 11420066
    Abstract: The techniques of the disclosure describe example medical devices, systems, and methods for interleaving a plurality of low-frequency electrical stimulation pulse trains delivered by a plurality of sets of electrodes of an implantable medical device (IMD) to effectively deliver a combined high-frequency electrical pulse train to a target tissue area. In one example, each set of the plurality of sets of electrodes has a unique anode and cathode. In another example, a clinician adjusts the size or shape of the target tissue area receiving the combined high-frequency electrical pulse train by selecting different combinations of the plurality of sets of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan A. Torgerson
  • Patent number: 11389076
    Abstract: A biomagnetic measurement system includes a magnetism measurement apparatus configured to measure a magnetism of a target; and an electrical stimulation apparatus configured to apply a stimulation current to the target. The magnetism measurement apparatus includes a confirming unit configured to confirm a magnitude of an artifact caused by the stimulation current. The electrical stimulation apparatus is configured to output a compensation current for reducing the artifact after the stimulation current is output, based on information from the confirming unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoh Maeda, Yuki Miyano
  • Patent number: 11372479
    Abstract: A head-mounted video camera, a processor, and a display are integrated within the head-mounted device worn by the user. The head-mounted device is configured to capture images of the environment and subject those images to specialized processing in order to diagnose and/or make up for deficiencies in the user's eyesight. Different modes of operating the device are provided that enable the user to configure the device for a specific application. The modes of operation include at least an assistive mode, a diagnostic mode, and a therapeutic mode. Each mode of operation may include further options, where each option is dedicated to a specific processing approach specific to a condition that may afflict the user, ranging from contrast sensitivity issues to strabismus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventors: Chris Bradley, Bob Massof, Frank Werblin
  • Patent number: 11338141
    Abstract: Methods and systems for testing and treating spinal cord stimulation (SCS) patients are disclosed. Patients are eventually treated with sub-perception (paresthesia free) therapy. However, supra-perception stimulation is used during “sweet spot searching” during which active electrodes are selected for the patient. This allows sweet spot searching to occur much more quickly and without the need to wash in the various electrode combinations that are tried. After selecting electrodes using supra-perception therapy, therapy is titrated to sub-perception levels using the selected electrodes. Such sub-perception therapy has been investigated using pulses at or below 10 kHz, and it has been determined that a statistically significant correlation exists between pulse width (PW) and frequency (F) in this frequency range at which SCS patients experience significant reduction in symptoms such as back pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Que T. Doan, Jianwen Gu, Ismael Huertas Fernandez, Rosana Esteller, Michael A. Moffitt
  • Patent number: 11298553
    Abstract: Methods and systems can facilitate identifying effective electrodes and other stimulation parameters, as well as determining whether to use cathodic and anodic stimulation. Alternately, the methods and systems may identify effective electrodes and other stimulation parameters based on preferential stimulation of different types of neural elements. These methods and systems can further facilitate programming an electrical stimulation system for stimulating patient tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Moffitt, Stephen Carcieri
  • Patent number: 11141592
    Abstract: A removable oral device is disclosed. The removable oral device comprises a mounting retainer configured to align with a set of teeth. An electrical stimulator is coupled to the mounting retainer. A single lead is employed that has a first and a second end and lacking a mechanical connection to the mounting retainer. A first and a second electrode are positioned along the single lead. The lead is disposed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a patient's tongue such that the first electrode is proximate a first hypoglossal nerve and the second electrode is proximate a second hypoglossal nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Avram Scheiner
  • Patent number: 11116977
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for controlling levels of perceived intensity of a sensory stimulus. The method includes configuring a stimulation signal with an activation charge rate (ACR) based on a predefined level of intensity by a subject during an action. The ACR is based on a strength of pulses in the stimulation signal parameter and a frequency of pulses in the stimulation signal parameter. The stimulation signal can be applied to neural tissue of a subject during the action. Based on the stimulation signal, the subject can be induced to perceive the predefined level of intensity during the action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignees: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
    Inventors: Dustin James Tyler, Emily Lauren Graczyk, Sliman Julien Bensmaia, Benoit Pierre Delhaye, Hannes Philipp Saal
  • Patent number: 11065439
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, devices, and methods for better conforming to biological tissue, reducing the temperature and irritation of tissue, modulating tissue, and/or wirelessly sending and receiving power through tissue. Devices can include panels movable with respect to each other to allow the body to move between a flattened and non-flattened state. Devices can include movable parts or structures that enable improved conformance to three-dimensional surfaces of tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Modular Bionics Inc.
    Inventor: Ian Loren Halpern
  • Patent number: 11045652
    Abstract: Techniques are described determining electrodes that are proximate or distal to location of an oscillatory signal source in a patient based on current source densities (CSDs). Processing circuitry may determine, for one or more electrodes of a plurality of electrodes, respective time-varying measurements of CSDs, aggregate, for the one or more electrodes of the plurality electrodes, the respective time-varying measurements of the CSDs to generate respective average level values for the one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes, determine, for one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes, respective phase-magnitude representations of the time-varying measurements of the CSDs. The respective phase-magnitude representations are indicative of respective magnitudes and phases of a particular frequency component of respective time-varying measurements of the CSDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jadin C. Jackson, Yizi Xiao, Paula Andrea Elma Dassbach Green, Jianping Wu, Christopher L. Pulliam, Eric J. Panken, Robert S. Raike, Scott R. Stanslaski
  • Patent number: 11040192
    Abstract: An implantable pulse generator (IPG) is disclosed having a plurality of electrode nodes, each electrode node configured to be coupled to an electrode to provide stimulation pulses to a patient's tissue. The IPG includes a digital-to-analog converter configured to amplify a reference current to a first current specified by first control signals; a first resistance configured to receive the first current, wherein a voltage across the first resistance is held to a reference voltage at a first node; a plurality of branches each comprising a second resistance and configured to produce a branch current, wherein a voltage across each second resistance is held to the reference voltage at second nodes; and a switch matrix configurable to selectively couple any branch current to any of the electrode nodes via the second nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Pujitha Weerakoon, Goran N. Marnfeldt, Philip L. Weiss
  • Patent number: 11040146
    Abstract: The dosing apparatus comprises a conveying device (5), which is driven by at least one conveying drive (4), for conveying fluid from the interior (3) of a container (2). The fluid by means of the conveying device (5) is conveyable from the container to a dispensing opening (6). The conveying device (5) comprises a cylinder (7) having at least one intake opening (11) and at least one outlet opening (12) on an inner cylinder wall (8), and a first piston (9) and a second piston (10). The first piston (9) and the second piston (10) are mounted within the cylinder (7) so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the first piston (9) and the second piston (10) between the end sides thereof and together with a portion of the inner cylinder wall (8) delimit a variable fluid volume (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: SHL MEDICAL AG
    Inventors: Ludwig Daniel Weibel, Samuel Wyler
  • Patent number: 11004556
    Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques for associating therapy adjustments with posture states using a timer. The techniques may include detecting a patient adjustment to electrical stimulation therapy delivered to the patient, sensing a posture state of the patient, and associating the detected adjustment with the sensed posture state if the sensed posture state is sensed within a first period following the detection of the adjustment and if the sensed posture state does not change during a second period following the sensing of the sensed posture state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis M. Skelton
  • Patent number: 10994132
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methods for noninvasively providing therapy for movement disorder symptoms. The present invention provides such a therapy system which provides trans-cranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in order to treat those symptoms and the disorders. The present invention further provides such tDCS therapy while the subject sleeps in order to minimize the time required and impact of the therapy on the subject's waking life. The system, methods, and devices of the present invention are intended to provide a low-dose electrical current, trans-cranially, to a specific area of the subject's brain while he or she sleeps in order to decrease the occurrence, severity, and duration of the symptoms of movement disorders. The present invention aims to reduce the amount of medication necessary, counteract the effects of medication wearing off during sleep, and to overall improve the quality of life of subjects suffering from movement disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Great Lakes NeuroTechnologies Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin A Heldman, Joseph P Giuffrida
  • Patent number: 10940317
    Abstract: A therapeutic neuromodulation system configured for providing therapy to a patient. The therapeutic neuromodulation system comprises a plurality of electrical terminals configured for being respectively coupled to a plurality of electrodes implanted within tissue, analog output circuitry configured for delivering therapeutic electrical energy between the plurality of electrical terminals in accordance with a set of modulation parameters that includes a defined current value, a voltage regulator configured for supplying an adjustable compliance voltage to the analog output circuitry, and control/processing circuitry configured for automatically performing a compliance voltage calibration process at a compliance voltage adjustment interval by periodically computing an adjusted compliance voltage value as a function of a compliance voltage margin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Jess Weiqian Shi, Jordi Parramon, Goran N. Marnfeldt
  • Patent number: 10912877
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the extracorporeal removal of protein-bound toxins from blood comprising at least one blood purification apparatus, in particular at least one dialysis machine, hemofilter or adsorber, as well as at least one means for generating a field in the blood purification apparatus and/or in an element in flow communication with the blood purification apparatus, in particular in a line section connected to the blood purification apparatus, wherein the means comprises at least two strip conductors which are arranged on at least two preferably oppositely disposed sides of the blood purification apparatus or of the element such that the field is preferably predominantly generated within the blood purification apparatus or preferably predominantly within the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Anselm Fabig, Ulrich Tschulena, Sonja Steppan
  • Patent number: 10850100
    Abstract: A blood glucose level decreasing system that decreases blood glucose level of a patient by blocking the sympathetic innervation to liver and pancreas and smooth muscles of the arteries reaching to liver and pancreas with noninvasive electrostimulation of the skin which have the sympathetic nerves originating from the same spinal cord segments. The blood glucose level decreasing system has at least one sensor for measuring the blood glucose level of the patient; at least two electrodes that are placed to skin dermatomal of the patient; at least one stimulator that sends electrical signals to the electrodes to block the sympathetic nerve innervation to smooth muscles of hepatic artery proper and liver, and expand liver artery of the patient; and at least one control unit, which receives the blood glucose level from the sensor, compares received level with a predetermined threshold value and controls the stimulator according to the result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Inventor: Yusuf Ozgur Cakmak
  • Patent number: 10773074
    Abstract: In certain embodiments an electrode array for epidural stimulation of the spinal cord is provided where the array comprises a plurality of electrodes disposed on a flexible polymer substrate; said electrodes being electrically connected to one or more lead wires and/or connection points on an electrical connector; where the electrodes of said array are bonded to said polymer so that the electrodes can carry an electrical stimulation signal having a voltage, frequency, and current sufficient to provide epidural stimulation of a spinal cord and/or brain in vivo or in a physiological saline solution, without separation of all or a part of an electrode from the polymer substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Wentai Liu, Victor Reggie Edgerton, Chih-Wei Chang, Parag Gad
  • Patent number: 10765863
    Abstract: The disclosed electrical stimulation system generates interventions to assist patients in complying with a diet. The wearable device includes a microprocessor, electrical stimulator and at least one electrode configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the epidermis, through a range of 0.1 mm to 10 mm or a range of 0.1 mm to 20 mm of the dermis, of a T2 dermatome to a T12 dermatome or meridian of the patient, a C5 to a T1 dermatome across the hand and/or arm, and/or the upper chest regions. The device is adapted to provide electrical stimulation as per stimulation protocols and to communicate wirelessly with a companion control device configured to monitor and record appetite patterns of the patient and deliver titrated therapy. The control device is also configured to monitor, record, and modify stimulation parameters of the stimulation protocols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Elira, Inc.
    Inventors: Raul E. Perez, Peter I. Hong, Steven Diianni, Luis Jose Malave, Brad Stengel
  • Patent number: 10750996
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises plurality of physiologic sensors and a processor circuit. The sensors provide sensor signals having physiological information and include a heart sound sensor and an impedance sensor. The processor circuit includes a volume index module configured to determine a value of at least one heart sound parameter using the heart sound signal and determine a value of at least one physiological impedance parameter value using the impedance signal, calculate a volume index representative of fluid volume status of the subject using the at least one heart sound parameter value and the at least one physiological impedance parameter value, compare a determined metric of the calculated volume index to one or more high threshold metric values and one or more low threshold metric values, and generate an indication of a fluid volume status of the subject according to the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramesh Wariar
  • Patent number: 10722711
    Abstract: A device is provided for the stimulation of neurons that includes a non-invasive stimulation unit to generate stimuli in multiple stimulation channels, where the stimulation unit stimulates a neuron population in the brain and/or spinal cord of a patient in different locations for each of the stimulation channels. Moreover, the device includes a control unit that controls the stimulation unit to generate repetitive bursts in each of the stimulation channels, where each of the bursts includes multiple stimuli and is designed so that they do not reset the phase of the neuronal activity of the respective stimulated neurons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Inventor: Peter Alexander Tass
  • Patent number: 10668293
    Abstract: A method and external control device for performing a medical procedure on a patient in which at least one stimulation lead is implanted. An electrical signal is conveyed from the stimulation lead into tissue of the patient. An electrical parameter indicative of tissue impedance is measured in response to the conveyance of the electrical signal. One of a plurality of different anatomical regions in which the stimulation lead is implanted is selected and/or a depth in which the stimulation is implanted is determined based on the measured electrical parameter. A stimulation parameter is defined based on the selected one anatomical region and/or implantation depth. Electrical stimulation energy from the stimulation lead is conveyed into the one determined anatomical region in accordance with the defined stimulation parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Changfang Zhu, Kerry Bradley
  • Patent number: 10625075
    Abstract: The present invention reduces pain and improves function long-term in persons with back pain using electrical stimulation in the back. This approach involves an electrical stimulation device including at least one electrode adapted for insertion within an animal body with back pain and at least one pulse generator operatively coupled with the at least one electrode, wherein the pulse generator delivers electrical stimulation activating at least one muscle in a back of the animal body for pain relief.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: SPR THERAPEUTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Amorn Wongsarnpigoon, Maria Bennett, Joseph W. Boggs, John Chae, Michael F. Saulino
  • Patent number: 10610686
    Abstract: An electrical brain stimulation system includes at least two electrodes configured to be adhered to a subject, a power supply configured to supply electric power to the electrodes, and a control unit configured to control the electric power to be supplied to the electrodes by limiting at least one of a variation and a maximum of energy of the electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: YBRAIN INC.
    Inventor: Kiwon Lee
  • Patent number: 10598710
    Abstract: Cognitive analysis using applied analog circuits including receiving, by a circuit, a first set of data results and a second set of data results; charging a first capacitor on the circuit with a first unit of charge for each of the first set of data results that indicates a positive data point; charging a second capacitor on the circuit with a second unit of charge for each of the second set of data results that indicates a positive data point; applying a charge from the first capacitor and a charge from the second capacitor to an analog unit of the circuit; and generating a signal on a circuit output indicating that a ratio of the positive data points in the first set of data results to the positive data points in the second set of data results is greater than a statistical significance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl R. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, George F. Paulik, David P. Paulsen, Raymond A. Richetta, John E. Sheets, II, Gregory J. Uhlmann
  • Patent number: 10600417
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the field of wearable human interface devices. In one aspect, a human interface device may comprise at least one housing configured to be worn by a user, comprising a transmitter configured to generate a wireless signal and a sensor configured to detect the wireless signal generated by the transmitter, a processing unit, communicatively linked to the sensor and configured to analyze the wireless signal detected by the sensor and calculate the position of a portion of the user wearing the at least one housing based on the wireless signal and a control unit, configured to perform an operation based upon the position of the portion of the user wearing the at least one housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Acronis International GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Tormasov, Serguei Beloussov, Stanislav Protasov
  • Patent number: 10595789
    Abstract: A meal time estimation method includes: acquiring time series data of heart rate, by a processor; calculating a feature amount obtained by indexing a degree of similarity with a feature of heart rate change that appears at end of a meal from the time series data of the heart rate, by the processor; and estimating a meal time from the feature amount, by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Tatsuya Mori, Akihiro Inomata
  • Patent number: 10562819
    Abstract: A ceramic material for a multilayer ceramic capacitor has a capacitance variation from ?17 percent to +15 percent at a temperature ranging from ?55° C. to 200° C., and has a dielectric loss less than 1% at a temperature ranging from 90° C. to 200° C. The ceramic material includes a base component consisting of a barium titanate and a sodium bismuth titanate, and a manganese dopant in an amount not greater than 0.05 mole percent based on total moles of the base component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: NATIONAL TAIPEI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Sea-Fue Wang, Yi-Xin Liu, Yen-Sheng Chen
  • Patent number: 10532204
    Abstract: A method for treating hydrocephalus is provided, including disposing midplane treatment electrodes over a superior sagittal sinus of a brain, outside and in electrical contact with a skull of a head of a subject identified as suffering from hydrocephalus, and disposing lateral treatment electrodes between 1 and 12 cm of a sagittal midplane of the skull. The subject is treated by electroosmotically driving cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) out of a ventricular system of the brain via a subarachnoid space of the brain to the superior sagittal sinus, by activating control circuitry to apply one or more treatment currents between (a) one or more of the midplane treatment electrodes and (b) one or more of the lateral treatment electrodes. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: RAINBOW MEDICAL LTD.
    Inventor: Yossi Gross
  • Patent number: 10525268
    Abstract: The techniques of the disclosure describe example medical devices, systems, and methods for interleaving a plurality of low-frequency electrical stimulation pulse trains delivered by a plurality of sets of electrodes of an implantable medical device (IMD) to effectively deliver a combined high-frequency electrical pulse train to a target tissue area. In one example, each set of the plurality of sets of electrodes has a unique anode and cathode. In another example, a clinician adjusts the size or shape of the target tissue area receiving the combined high-frequency electrical pulse train by selecting different combinations of the plurality of sets of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventor: Nathan A. Torgerson
  • Patent number: 10525252
    Abstract: An architecture is disclosed for an Implantable Pulse Generator having improved compliance voltage monitoring and adjustment software and hardware. Software specifies which stimulation pulses are to be measured as relevant to monitoring and adjusting the compliance voltage. Preferably, specifying such pulses occurs by setting a compliance monitoring instruction (e.g., a bit) in the program that defines the pulse, and the compliance monitor bit instruction may be set at a memory location defining a particular pulse phase during which the compliance voltage should be monitored. When a compliance monitor instruction issues, the active electrode node voltages are monitored and compared to desired ranges to determine whether they are high or low. Compliance logic operates on these high/low signals and processes them to decide whether to issue a compliance voltage interrupt to the microcontroller, which can then command the compliance voltage generator to increase or decrease the compliance voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Emanuel Feldman, Goran N. Marnfeldt, Kenneth Hermann
  • Patent number: 10525264
    Abstract: A stimulator and a method of controlling the stimulator are provided. The method includes determining a waveform of a stimulus signal for a target, based on biological feedback of the target responding to a first stimulus signal, calculating a bioimpedance of the target based on a voltage waveform measured by applying the stimulus signal with the determined waveform to the target, and determining an operating voltage of the stimulator based on the determined waveform and the calculated bioimpedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyungwoo Lee, JongPal Kim, Seungchul Jung
  • Patent number: 10518080
    Abstract: A motion sickness mitigation device includes a textile material having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, and a first raised portion extending from the first surface and configured for contacting a skin of a user. The textile material defines a first pocket and a second pocket therein between the first surface and the second surface, and the second pocket is spaced apart from the first pocket. The device further includes a controller disposed within the first pocket and configured for transmitting an electrical signal. The device also includes a first electrical excitation pad disposed within the second pocket, covered by the first raised portion, and disposed in electrical communication with the controller. The first electrical excitation pad is configured for receiving the electrical signal and electrically stimulating the skin of the user through the textile material to thereby mitigate motion sickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Olivia Stoneman