Search Patents
  • Publication number: 20090287035
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for modulation, augmentation and/or stimulation of neural tissue and/or neural tissue related functionality with stimulating neural tissue and/or neural tissue related functionality with stimuli by which neural activity related local perfusion changes, electro-neuro-chemical, biochemical, neural modulative or neuroplastical responses and/or alterations in ‘metabolism supply lines-neural tissue’ interaction processes in vertebrates can be triggered and/or influenced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: CERBOMED GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan DIETRICH, Christoph BECK
  • Patent number: 7616990
    Abstract: One aspect of the present subject matter relates to an implantable medical device. An embodiment of the device comprises a rechargeable power supply adapted to be recharged through an ultrasound signal, a neural stimulator connected to the rechargeable power supply, and a controller connected to the rechargeable power supply. The neural stimulator is adapted to generate a neural stimulation signal for delivery to a neural stimulation target through an electrode. The controller is further connected to the neural stimulator to control the neural stimulator according to a neural stimulation protocol. Other aspects are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhi Chavan, Anthony Caparso, Avram Scheiner
  • Patent number: 8024034
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) comprising a controller adapted to execute instructions included in firmware, a programmable neural therapy source adapted to provide programmable electrical neural stimulation therapy to at least one neural stimulation electrode, and a state machine included in hardware circuitry coupled to the programmable neural therapy source. When neural therapy is initiated by a firmware instruction, the state machine is configured to automatically apply power to the neural therapy source when neural therapy is initiated by a firmware instruction and automatically remove power from the neural therapy source when neural therapy is terminated by a firmware instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ternes, Paul A. Haefner
  • Publication number: 20080243196
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to a method for delivering a unidirectional afferent nerve stimulation treatment. A test neural stimulation is delivered, and a physiologic response to the test neural stimulation is monitored. At least one neural stimulation parameter for the test neural stimulation is adjusted if the test neural stimulation does not elicit a desired physiologic response. If the test neural stimulation does elicit the desired physiologic response, at least one treatment parameter for a unidirectional afferent nerve stimulation is determined using the at least one neural stimulation parameter for the test neural stimulation that provided the desired physiologic response. The unidirectional afferent nerve stimulation is delivered using the at least one treatment parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Avram Scheiner
  • Publication number: 20120109020
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for modifying neural transmission patterns. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve noninvasively applying a first type of energy to a region of neural tissue, noninvasively applying a second type of energy to the region of tissue, such that the combined effect modifies a neural transmission pattern between cells of the neural tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: HIGHLAND INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Andrew Wagner, Uri Tzvi Eden
  • Publication number: 20080161867
    Abstract: The neural bridge devices may be implanted between the endings of severed or damaged nerve cells. The operation of these devices may facilitate restoring conductivity of neural signals or responses within severed or damaged nerve cells. The neural bridge device may also facilitate restoring the movement of cell material between the endings of severed or damaged nerve cells. Some neural bridge devices may carry MEMS devices and may be employed for modifying various neural signals or responses, wherein the devices adjust neural responses in accordance with the desired signals received from other similar devices or communicated to them by other types of devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Bojan Zdravkovic
  • Publication number: 20080161866
    Abstract: The neural bridge devices may be implanted between the endings of severed or damaged nerve cells. The operation of these devices may facilitate restoring conductivity of neural signals or responses within severed or damaged nerve cells. The neural bridge device may also facilitate restoring the movement of cell material between the endings of severed or damaged nerve cells. Some neural bridge devices may carry MEMS devices and may be employed for modifying various neural signals or responses, wherein the devices adjust neural responses in accordance with the desired signals received from other similar devices or communicated to them by other types of devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Bojan Zdravkovic
  • Publication number: 20080161868
    Abstract: The neural bridge devices may be implanted between the endings of severed or damaged nerve cells. The operation of these devices may facilitate restoring conductivity of neural signals or responses within severed or damaged nerve cells. The neural bridge device may also facilitate restoring the movement of cell material between the endings of severed or damaged nerve cells. Some neural bridge devices may carry MEMS devices and may be employed for modifying various neural signals or responses, wherein the devices adjust neural responses in accordance with the desired signals received from other similar devices or communicated to them by other types of devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Bojan Zdravkovic
  • Patent number: 11550391
    Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling a device using detected changes in a neural-related signal of a subject are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of controlling a device or software application comprises detecting a first change in a neural-related signal of a subject, detecting a second change in the neural-related signal, and transmitting an input command to the device upon or following the detection of the second change in the neural-related signal. The neural-related signal can be detected using a neural interface implanted within a brain of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Synchron Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Peter Eli Yoo, Thomas James Oxley
  • Patent number: 8682430
    Abstract: A neural stimulation system senses autonomic activities and applies neural stimulation to sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves to control autonomic balance. The neural stimulation system is capable of delivering neural stimulation pulses for sympathetic excitation, sympathetic inhibition, parasympathetic excitation, and parasympathetic inhibition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Andrew P. Kramer, Julio C. Spinelli
  • Patent number: 7640057
    Abstract: In various method embodiments, a neural activity signal is sensed, a feature from the sensed neural activity signal is extracted, and a neural marker for the extracted feature is created. The neural marker includes information regarding the extracted feature. Various device embodiments comprise a port to receive a neural activity signal, and a feature extractor adapted to receive and process the neural activity signal to produce a neural marker that includes information for the neural activity signal. Various device embodiments comprise a display, a memory adapted to store a neural marker associated with a sensed neural activity signal, and a controller adapted to communicate with the memory and the display to provide a representation of the neural marker on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Andrew P. Kramer, William J. Linder, Jeffrey E. Stahmann
  • Patent number: 7877136
    Abstract: Methods and systems of enhancing transmission of a neural signal through damaged neural tissue include providing a stimulator, programming the stimulator with one or more stimulation parameters configured to enhance transmission of a neural signal through the damaged neural tissue, and applying a hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current with the stimulator to the damaged neural tissue in accordance with the one or more stimulation parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Moffitt, Kristen N. Jaax, Rafael Carbunaru, Andrew DiGiore
  • Patent number: 8032215
    Abstract: A neural stimulation system senses autonomic activities and applies neural stimulation to sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves to control autonomic balance. The neural stimulation system is capable of delivering neural stimulation pulses for sympathetic excitation, sympathetic inhibition, parasympathetic excitation, and parasympathetic inhibition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Andrew P. Kramer, Julio C. Spinelli
  • Publication number: 20080058873
    Abstract: A neural stimulation system controls the delivery of neural stimulation using a respiratory signal as a therapy feedback input. The respiratory signal is used to increase the effectiveness of the neural stimulation, such as vagal nerve stimulation, while decreasing potentially adverse side effects in respiratory functions. In one embodiment, the neural stimulation system detects apnea and, in response, adjusts the delivery of the neural stimulation pulses and/or delivers a respiratory therapy treating the detected apnea.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Kent Lee, Imad Libbus, Anthony V. Caparso, Jonathan Kwok, Yachuan Pu, Paul A. Haefner, Kristofer J. James
  • Patent number: 7783363
    Abstract: A device for communicating data between at least one of nerve cell endings, transducers and attachments the device comprising: at least one programmable neural bridge device; at least one programmable neural bridge switch, wherein each programmable neural bridge switch is an implanted integrated circuit and is connected to at least one programmable neural bridge device; at least one programmable neural bridge gateway; at least one communication means in communication with the at least one programmable neural bridge gateway and at least one programmable neural bridge switch; and at least one external calibrator in communication with at least one neural bridge gateway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventors: Bojan Zdravkovic, Carlos Brathwaite, Walter Urbaniak
  • Patent number: 8725247
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to a method for delivering a unidirectional afferent nerve stimulation treatment. A test neural stimulation is delivered, and a physiologic response to the test neural stimulation is monitored. At least one neural stimulation parameter for the test neural stimulation is adjusted if the test neural stimulation does not elicit a desired physiologic response. If the test neural stimulation does elicit the desired physiologic response, at least one treatment parameter for a unidirectional afferent nerve stimulation is determined using the at least one neural stimulation parameter for the test neural stimulation that provided the desired physiologic response. The unidirectional afferent nerve stimulation is delivered using the at least one treatment parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Avram Scheiner
  • Patent number: 8391972
    Abstract: A neural stimulation system includes a safety control system that prevents delivery of neural stimulation pulses from causing potentially harmful effects. The neural stimulation pulses are delivered to one or more nerves to control the physiological functions regulated by the one or more nerves. Examples of such harmful effects include unintended effects in physiological functions associated with autonomic neural stimulation and nerve injuries caused by excessive delivery of the neural stimulation pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Andrew P. Kramer, William J. Linder, Jeffrey E. Stahmann
  • Patent number: 8923962
    Abstract: A neural stimulation system includes a safety control system that prevents delivery of neural stimulation pulses from causing potentially harmful effects. The neural stimulation pulses are delivered to one or more nerves to control the physiological functions regulated by the one or more nerves. Examples of such harmful effects include unintended effects in physiological functions associated with autonomic neural stimulation and nerve injuries caused by excessive delivery of the neural stimulation pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Andrew P. Kramer, William J. Linder, Jeffrey E. Stahmann
  • Patent number: 8224436
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to a method for delivering a unidirectional afferent nerve stimulation treatment. A test neural stimulation is delivered, and a physiologic response to the test neural stimulation is monitored. At least one neural stimulation parameter for the test neural stimulation is adjusted if the test neural stimulation does not elicit a desired physiologic response. If the test neural stimulation does elicit the desired physiologic response, at least one treatment parameter for a unidirectional afferent nerve stimulation is determined using the at least one neural stimulation parameter for the test neural stimulation that provided the desired physiologic response. The unidirectional afferent nerve stimulation is delivered using the at least one treatment parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Avram Scheiner
  • Publication number: 20080051839
    Abstract: Various system embodiments comprise a neural stimulation delivery system adapted to deliver a neural stimulation signal for use in delivering a neural stimulation therapy, a side effect detector, and a controller. The controller is adapted to control the neural stimulation delivery system, receive a signal indicative of detected side effect, determine whether the detected side effect is attributable to delivered neural stimulation therapy, and automatically titrate the neural stimulation therapy to abate the side effect. In various embodiments, the side effect detector includes a cough detector. In various embodiments, the controller is adapted to independently adjusting at least one stimulation parameter for at least one phase in the biphasic waveform as part of a process to titrate the neural stimulation therapy. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Julio C. Spinelli