Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application inventions 07/08

20080183224 - Electrode paddle for neurostimulation: An implantable electrode paddle for use in a neurostimulation system may include a dorsally-projecting lead that allows all of the edges of the electrode paddle to be situated near a vertebral body for stimulation of neural structures. Embodiments may include one or more flanges for cooperating with a vertebral body... Agent: Sheridan Ross PC

20080183225 - Orientation-independent implantable electrode arrays: Apparatus and method according to the disclosure relate to a mechanically and electrically coupling a plurality of electrodes to major opposing surface portions of an implantable medical device (IMD). The surface portions can comprise major opposing surfaces of a connector module of the IMD and/or substantially planar metallic surfaces of... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080183226 - Modulation of drug effects by vagus nerve stimulation: A method of treating a patient undergoing pharmacotherapy with a selected drug for treatment of a medical disorder is provided which comprises: (a) administering the selected drug to said patient at a first time point, to treat the medical disorder; and (b) applying an electrical signal to a vagus nerve... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20080183228 - Method and apparatus for atrial pacing during tachyarrhythmia: An implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) delivers atrial pacing under several scenarios during a tachyarrhythmia episode that is detected using a ventricular rate. In various embodiments, the atrial pacing terminates the detected tachyarrhythmia and/or enhances the classification of the detected tachyarrhythmia, thus avoiding ineffective and/or unnecessary delivery of a ventricular anti-tachyarrhythmia therapy... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080183227 - Transceiver for implantable medical devices: The invention relates to an implantable medical device having a telemetry circuit for bidirectional data communication between the implantable medical device and an external device, wherein said telemetry circuit comprises a transceiver unit that is electronically switchable between a fully-synthesized frequency agile transceiver configuration and a low power single channel... Agent: Dalina Law Group, P.C.

20080183230 - Methods and apparatus for selectively shunting energy in an implantable extra-cardiac defibrillation device: The disclosure provides methods and apparatus for simultaneously providing protection to an implantable medical device, such as an extra-cardiac implantable defibrillator (EID), while allowing efficacious therapy delivery via an external defibrillator (e.g., an automated external defibrillator, or AED). Due to the orientation of the electrodes upon application of therapy via,... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080183231 - Systems, devices and methods to alter autonomic tone: Various device embodiments include a pulse output circuit and a control circuit coupled to the pulse output circuit. The pulse output circuit is adapted to deliver electrical pacing pulses. The control circuit is adapted to receive an input signal indicative of a request to adjust autonomic tone, and is adapted... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080183232 - Method and system for determining cardiac function: A method for determining a physiologic characteristic associated with cardiac function in a subject comprising the steps of providing at least one electromagnetic radiation absorption measurement, providing demographic information reflecting the subject's physical condition, determining a temporal plethysmographic value from the electromagnetic radiation absorption measurement, and determining at least one... Agent: Francis Law Group

20080183233 - Insert molded shroud for implantable plate-type electrodes: Apparatus and method according to the disclosure relate to an apparatus and methods for fabricating a shroud member having extra-cardiac sensing electrode coupled thereto and adapted to mechanically and electrically couple to an implantable medical device (IMD). The assembly is used to provide a subcutaneous cardiac activity sensing device via... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080183235 - Insulative shroud for plate-type electrodes adapted for chronic implantation: The invention provides diverse ways to reduce if not eliminate the possibility of an errant electrical path from one or more conductors of the shroud to a portion of the conductive housing of its corresponding IMD. That is—as described hereinbelow prior to backfilling the shroud with medical adhesive as a... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080183234 - Shroud for plate-type electrodes adapted for chronic implantation surrounding implantable medical devices: Apparatus and method according to the disclosure relate to a substantially transparent shroud member and a substantially clear header portion adapted to mechanically and electrically couple to an implantable medical device (IMD). The assembly is used to provide a subcutaneous cardiac activity sensing device via at least a pair of... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080183236 - Method, system and device for treating disorders of the pelvic floor by electrical stimulation of the sacral and/or pudendal nerves: Described are implantable devices and methods for treating various disorders of the pelvic floor by means of electrical stimulation of tissue volumes at two or more locations adjacent sacral nerves or portions thereof, and/or pudendal nerves or portions thereof. Two or more electrical stimulation regimes are applied on a continuous,... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert , P.a

20080183237 - Methods and apparatus for treating ileus condition using electrical signals: A method of treating a temporary arrest of intestinal peristalsis includes inducing at least one of an electric current, an electric field and an electromagnetic field in a sympathetic nerve chain of a mammal to block and/or modulate inhibitory nerve signals thereof such that intestinal peristalsis function is at least... Agent: Kaplan Gilman Gibson & Dernier L.L.P.

20080183238 - Process for electrostimulation treatment of morbid obesity: An improved process using electrostimulation for treating obesity, especially morbid obesity, is provided. The improved method of this invention provides electrostimulation on or along the small intestines, preferably on or along the duodenum and/or jejunum, which provides improved control of obesity. In one embodiment, the process employs stimulation of the... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert , P.a

20080183239 - Breathing therapy device and method: A device and method is provided for electrically stimulating the diaphragm to control breathing while inhibiting respiratory drive. A stimulation phase is identified. The stimulation phase is a period of time within the breathing cycle in which stimulation will inhibit respiratory drive. The respiratory drive inhibition may be used in... Agent: Rmx, L.L.C.

20080183240 - Device and method for manipulating minute ventilation: A stimulation device is provided that stimulates breathing to manipulate blood gas concentrations such as SaO2 or PCO2 and thereby treat underlying causes of breathing disorders and heart failure progression. A programmable device is provided for setting diaphragm stimulation waveforms that adjust minute ventilation about a predetermined baseline value. Normal... Agent: Rmx, L.L.C.

20080183241 - Multi-channel connector for brain stimulation system: An implantable connector for use with a neurological device and a lead extension includes a male connector having a plurality of electrical contacts axially arranged along the connector, insulated from each other. The connector also includes a female connector having one or more channels axially disposed therein and a plurality... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080183242 - Electrical stimulation method for vision improvement: A method for improving visual ability of even a patient's non-operative eye is provided. The electrical stimulation method for improving vision of patient's eyes comprises placing an electrode in one of patient's right and left eyes, and outputting an electrical stimulation pulse signal from the electrode placed in the patient's... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20080183244 - Field of view matching in a visual prosthesis: A visual prosthesis apparatus including a video capture device for capturing a video image, a video processing unit associated with the video capture device, the video processing unit configured to convert the video image to stimulation patterns, and a stimulation system configured to stimulate subject's neural tissue based on the... Agent: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20080183243 - Vision regeneration assisting apparatus: A vision regeneration assisting apparatus for regenerating vision of a patient includes an extracorporeal device and an intracorporeal device. The extracorporeal device includes a transmitting unit that converts an electrical stimulation pulse signal data of image data and power into a predetermined signal and transmitting the signal. The intracorporeal device... Agent: Sughrue-265550

20080183246 - Method, apparatus and system for guiding a procedure relating to an implantable medical device: A method, apparatus, and system, are provided for guiding a medical procedure relating to an implantable medical device operatively coupled to a cranial nerve. Communications between the implantable medical device and an external device are established. An implant procedure is performed for implanting the implantable medical device. A first diagnostic... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20080183247 - Radio frequency transponder based implantable medical system: An implantable medical device (IMD) system includes an IMD, a transceiver antenna lead for the IMD, and a wireless therapy delivery transponder or probe that is remotely activated by the IMD via the transceiver antenna lead. The IMD and the wireless probe communicate using wireless RF-based transponder techniques. The wireless... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080183245 - Telemetry of external physiological sensor data and implantable medical device data to a central processing system: An implantable medical device (IMD) system as disclosed herein includes a telemetry transceiver device that can receive wireless IMD data from an IMD, along with wireless physiological sensor data from an external physiological sensor device. Wireless communication between the IMD and the telemetry transceiver device is performed in accordance with... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080183248 - Apparatus and methods for treating pulmonary conditions: An endotracheal apparatus includes a stent member including first and second ends and a lumen extending between the ends. The lumen defines an inner surface opposite an outer surface. The apparatus also includes an electrode assembly operably coupled to the stent member. The electrode assembly includes a flexible member having... Agent: Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino L.L.P.

20080183249 - Oral care device: An oral care device has a handle with a touch electrode and a brush handle with a brush electrode for flowing a minute current into an oral cavity of a user by way of the user's body for removing plaque. The touch electrode is made of a non-metal material filled... Agent: Cheng Law Group, PLLC

20080183250 - Compositions and methods for treating or preventing skin inflammation via restoration of skin barrier function: Compositions, kits and methods are provided for restoring skin barrier function to skin of a subject after a medical or a cosmetic procedure. In general, a composition containing divalent cations such as calcium ions and/or magnesium ions in a physiologically acceptable medium can be used to treat, inhibit or prevent... Agent: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

20080183229 - External defibrillator with power and battery sharing capabilities with a pod: A modular external defibrillator system in embodiments of the teachings may include one or more of the following features: (a) a base containing a defibrillator module to deliver a defibrillation shock to a patient, (b) a patient parameter monitoring pod connectable to a patient via patient lead cables to collect... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

20080183251 - Apparatus and method for non-invasive treatment of skin tissue: Skin treating devices and systems for delivering RF electromagnetic energy to the skin. The devices include one or more electromagnetic RF generating units, multiple RF electrode groups and a controller for controllably applying RF energy to the skin through any selected RF electrode group or any selected RF electrode group... Agent: Daniel J Swirsky

20080183252 - Apparatus and method for treating cellulite: The present invention is directed to medical or aesthetic devices for treating cellulite by combining mechanical and electrical energy. The device according to embodiments of the present invention enables reducing the cellulite in the treated tissue, by using pressure on the tissue and/or by inducing heat into the treated tissue.... Agent: Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP

20080183254 - Dual spiral lead configurations: A medical electrical lead for transvascularly stimulating a nerve, muscle or other tissue from an adjacent vessel is described. The lead includes a bifurcated distal portion including a first elongate member forming a first spiral and a second elongate member forming a second spiral. The spirals can be in parallel... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP 32469

20080183256 - Graphical configuration of electrodes for electrical stimulation: A device that programs a medical device includes a display and a user input device. The device displays a graphical representation of a plurality of electrodes on a medical lead implanted in the patient, and displays an active electrode template at a first position relative to the graphical representation of... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080183253 - Neurostimulating lead having a stent-like anchor: A neuron stimulating lead having a stent-like anchor is described. A distal portion of the lead is mounted to an exterior of the lead anchor. The stent-like lead anchor is formed from a superelastic material and is adapted to transition from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration upon deployment... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP 32469

20080183255 - Side port lead delivery system: A lead delivery system for implanting a lead in a patient's internal jugular vein (IJV) through a subclavian vein. The system comprises an outer catheter having a distal portion, an intermediate portion, and a proximal portion. The outer catheter defines a lumen extending through the proximal portion to a side... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP 32469

20080183257 - Sutureless lead retention features: A system includes a lead having a lead body and at least one electrode; and a retention feature disposed along the lead body proximal to the at least one electrode and configured to assist in atraumatically anchoring the lead to nearby tissue when the lead is positioned in the body.... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080183258 - Electrode assembly with fibers for a medical device: An apparatus and system are provided for employing an electrode for delivering an electrical signal to a portion of a tissue of a patient's body. The electrode includes a first surface to electrically couple to the portion of an outer layer of the tissue. The electrode also includes a plurality... Agent: Timothy L. Scott

20080183259 - Spiral configurations for intravascular lead stability: A medical electrical lead for transvascularly stimulating a nerve, muscle or other tissue from an adjacent vessel is described. The lead includes an expandable distal portion having one or more spirals for securing and stabilizing the lead within the vessel.... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP 32469

20080183261 - Fibrosis-limiting material attachment: Defibrillator lead designs and methods for improved attachment strength between a fibrosis-limiting material covering, a shocking coil electrode, and an implantable lead body are disclosed herein. In certain examples, a portion of the fibrosis-limiting material extends proximal or distal to a shocking coil end and is disposed between a first... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080183260 - Medical electrode including an iridium oxide surface and methods of fabrication: An implantable medical electrode includes a substrate and an iridium oxide surface, which is formed by an iridium oxide film applied over a roughened surface of the substrate. The film is preferably applied via direct current magnetron sputtering in a sputtering atmosphere comprising argon and oxygen. A sputtering target power... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080183262 - Elastomeric tube and method of making same: In an elastomeric tube and a method for making such a tube, two medical-grade silicone rubber compositions are coaxially coextruded to form a tube. The compositions respectively differ in at least one physical property and respectively have similar curing conditions. The two compositions are blended at an interface formed between... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20080183264 - Electrode configurations for transvascular nerve stimulation: An intravascular lead adapted to be deployed to a stimulation site within a vessel adjacent a nerve to be stimulated includes at least a first electrode adapted to deliver an electrical pulse across a vessel wall. The first electrode includes an electrically active surface having one or more surface features... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP 32469

20080183263 - Lead having reinforcing member: An implantable medical device, such as a lead or lead extension, includes a body having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion configured to be at least partially received by an apparatus. The device further includes a conductive member at the distal end portion of the body and... Agent: Campbell Nelson Whipps, LLC

20080183265 - Transvascular lead with proximal force relief: A medical electrical lead for implantation in a patient's internal jugular vein at a target location and adjacent a vagus nerve. The lead comprises a proximal region having a proximal stiffness and a distal region. The distal region has a distal stiffness and a first spiral configured to retain the... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP 32469

20080183266 - Hydraulic actuation of lead fixation member: A medical electrical lead includes a primary lumen, a hydraulic lumen, and a fixation portion including at least one expandable fixation member. The fixation member communicates with a plunger disposed in the hydraulic lumen, and is actuated from an expanded configuration to a collapsed configuration by the introduction and release... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP 32469

20080183267 - Expandable member for venous lead fixation: The present invention is directed to a cardiac lead for delivery to the left side of a patient's heart including a self-expanding fixation method positioned over the distal portion of the lead. The self-expanding fixation member is capable of automatically expanding from a collapsed state to an expanded state upon... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP 32469

20080177338 - Techniques for prevention of atrial fibrillation: A method is provided, including identifying that a subject is at risk of suffering from atrial fibrillation (AF). Responsively to the identifying, a risk of an occurrence of an episode of the AF is reduced by applying an electrical current to a site of the subject selected from the group... Agent: Cooper & Dunham, LLP

20080177339 - Electrode contact configurations for cuff leads: A stimulation system for a nerve, including a cuff configured and arranged to be placed, at least partially, around the nerve, and a plurality of electrode contacts disposed on the cuff such that distances between a first electrode contact within the plurality of electrode contacts and each electrode contact immediately... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080177340 - Post-shock recovery monitoring for tachyarrhythmia discrimination: A cardiac rhythm management device is configured to discriminate between ventricular and supraventricular tachycardias (referred to as SVT/VT discrimination) by utilizing a morphology criterion in which the morphology of electrogram waveforms during ventricular beats are analyzed to determine if the beats are normally conducted. After the delivery of a cardioversion/defibrillation... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a.

20080177341 - Automated external defibrillator (aed) system with multiple patient wireless monitoring capability for use in mass casualty incidents: An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) with wireless patient monitoring capability. The AED is used in conjunction with a monitoring chest strap that transmits the patient's ECG and other parameters over a wireless network to the AED. The AED is capable of monitoring several patients simultaneously for use in mass casualty... Agent: Mark J. Pandiscio Pandiscio & Pandiscio, P.c.

20080177342 - Defibrillator with impedance-compensated energy delivery: An external defibrillator is described which maintains the durations of phases of a multiphasic shock waveform within or below desired limits. As the duration of a waveform increases for patients of increased patient impedance, the durations of the phases of a multiphasic shock waveform also increase. Before a maximum duration... Agent: Philips Medical Systems Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080177343 - Circuit for controlled commutation of multiplexed electrodes for an active implantable medical device: A circuit for controlled commutation of multiplexed electrodes, for an active implantable medical device. This circuit is located in a lead equipped with multiplexed sensing/pacing electrodes. This circuit decodes a signal generated by a generator, commanding a series of switches, which ensures selective coupling of the various electrodes to the... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP Ip Prosecution Department

20080177344 - Pacing output configuration selection for cardiac resynchronization therapy patients: Cardiac therapy systems include multiple electrodes respectively positionable at multiple left ventricular electrode sites. A pulse generator is coupled to the electrodes and configured to deliver a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). A processor is configured to measure, for each left ventricular electrode site, a timing interval between first and second... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, Llc

20080177345 - Methods for estimating remaining battery service life in an implantable medical device: Methods for estimating a remaining service life of an implantable medical device (IMD) battery employ calculations using a characteristic discharge model of the battery; the calculations require measurements of battery voltage and time. Systems employing the methods may include an external device coupled to the IMD, for example, via a... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080177346 - Method and apparatus for integrating implantable medical device data: Methods and systems for constructing a comprehensive history for an IMD are disclosed. The method includes interrogating an implantable medical device (IMD) with an interrogating external programmer device (EPD), and comparing a unique signature associated with the interrogating EPD to a stored signature, associated with a particular programmer device that... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20080177347 - Method for treating a subject having neuromuscular impairment of the diaphragm: A method for treating a subject is provided where at least two types of electrical stimulation are provided to cause diaphragm contraction. At least one type of stimulation is configured to bias lung volume of a subject. The stimulation method may include without being limited to a method to treat... Agent: Rmx, L.l.c.

20080177349 - Apparatus and method for modulating the baroreflex system: An apparatus for insertion into a blood vessel and for modulating the baroreflex system of a mammal includes an expandable support member for engaging a wall of a blood vessel at a desired location where baroreceptors are located, and at least one electrode connected with the expandable support member. The... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080177348 - Electrode contact configurations for an implantable stimulator: An implantable stimulator, having at least one electrode contact array comprising multiple electrode contacts disposed on an external surface of said stimulator. The electrode contacts are configured to have a first polarity. At least one additional electrode contact is disposed on the external surface, the at least one additional electrode... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080177350 - Expandable stimulation electrode with integrated pressure sensor and methods related thereto: An apparatus is provided having at least one fixation electrode adapted to abut a wall of a pulmonary artery, and a pressure sensor integrally supported by the at least one fixation electrode. The pressure sensor provides a signal indicative of a blood pressure in the pulmonary artery. The apparatus also... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080177351 - Method of providing percutaneous intramuscular stimulation: A method selects a patient for therapeutic electrical stimulation of selected muscles. The patient is provided with a portable electrical pulse generator, which is coupled via an electrode cable assembly to intramuscular simulation electrodes percutaneously implanted directly into selected muscles of a patient. A clip connects the electrical pulse generator... Agent: Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20080177352 - Device for treating human vision using combined optical and electrical stimulation: An integrated device for improving the visual system of a human subject includes a computer having a timer and in data communication with a display, a current source and a housing that contains the current source in addition to at least one of the display and the computer. The computer... Agent: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP

20080177353 - Cochlear implant device, extracorporeal sound collector, and cochlear implant system having the same: An object is to provide a cochlear implant system (also known as an artificial inner ear system) which is easy to use with little interference with daily activities. A cochlear implant device (or artificial inner ear device) includes an inner ear electrode, an information processing circuit, a transmitter/receiver circuit, a... Agent: Eric Robinson

20080177354 - Pulse burst electrical stimulation of nerve or tissue fibers: A method for stimulating nerve or tissue fibers and a prosthetic hearing device implanting same. The method comprises: generating a stimulation signal comprising a plurality of pulse bursts each comprising a plurality of pulses; and distributing said plurality of pulse bursts across one or more electrodes each operatively coupled to... Agent: Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP

20080177355 - Collecting activity information to evaluate therapy: A medical device delivers a therapy to a patient. The medical device may periodically determine an activity level of the patient, and associate each determined activity level with a current therapy parameter set. A value of at least one activity metric is determined for each of a plurality of therapy... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert , P.a

20080177356 - Method and apparatus to provide safety checks for neural stimulation: The present application deals generally with the stimulation of neural tissue by electronic means and specifically with controlling the level of electrical stimulation in order to prevent damage to the neural tissue. Methods presented in the disclosure include detecting current leakage via electrode impedance measurement, electrode capacitance measurement, and testing... Agent: Tomas Lendvai, Ph.d. Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20080177357 - Uv light irradiation machine for veterinary use: Ultraviolet light is applied to an animal's blood while that blood remains in the body. The UV light is applied sublingually or directly to the blood. One of more light guides is used in connection with a bridle to help directed the ends of the light guide under the animal's... Agent: Adam K. Sacharoff Much Shelist Freed Denenberg Ament&rubenstein,pc

20080177358 - Diagnosis and treatment methods relating to application of external heat: A method for treating conditions responsive to heat therapy and monitoring such treatments to determine efficacy. The method includes the step of diagnosing a patient to determine if heat therapy is a proper treatment. If so, then the steps of applying heat therapy and monitoring at least one parameter associated... Agent: Knox Patents

20080177359 - Differential photochemical and photomechanical processing: The present invention relates to the process of selectively exposing matter to a specific wavelength of electromagnetic energy in sufficient flux density per wavelength to cause or promote a desired effect. The process includes, but is not limited to, destroying, disinfecting, denaturing, disinfesting, disrupting, or dehydration of one or more... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080177360 - Patient warming system: A method of warming a patient during a surgical procedure under operating room conditions. The patient's bladder is catheterized to allow simultaneous filling and draining of the bladder. A pump and a fluid warmer are provided. The warmed fluid and urine are drained out of the bladder under passive gravity-flow... Agent: Hodes, Pessin & Katz , P.a

20080177361 - Convective warming device with a drape: A convective warming device including a clinical garment and at least one inflatable convective apparatus supported on an inside surface of the garment is provided with a drape. When the convective warming device is used to warm a person, the drape is deployed over skin of the person not covered... Agent: Terrance A. Meador Incaplaw

20080177362 - Screening device and lead delivery system: Hand-held electrical signal generator screening device include a signal generator. The hand-held devices have incorporated stylets or are capable of receiving a stylet while a stylet is inserted into the lead. The devices allow for movement of the lead and verification of suitable placement of the lead via application of... Agent: Campbell Nelson Whipps, Llc

20080177363 - Dissociating multi-channel electrode: An electrode array for insertion into soft tissue comprises a multitude of thin flexible electrodes each having a distal tip and a proximal end, wherein at least portions of the electrodes extending from their proximal ends are disposed in parallel. The electrodes are embedded in a matrix dissolvable in an... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20080177364 - Self-locking electrode assembly usable with an implantable medical device: An electrode assembly for an implantable medical device, including a spine, and a plurality of electrodes protruding from the spine. At least two electrodes protrude from the spine in opposing directions and define a nerve-receiving channel. When the electrode assembly is not coupled to a nerve and the electrodes are... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080177366 - Cuff electrode arrangement for nerve stimulation and methods of treating disorders: A stimulator arrangement for a nerve, having a cuff configured and arranged to be placed around the nerve. The cuff includes a first edge, and defines a plurality of indentations along the first edge of the cuff. A plurality of electrodes are disposed on the cuff.... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080177365 - Method and apparatus for electronically switching electrode configuration: An implantable medical device, having a neural stimulator adapted to generate neural stimulation signals, an electrode configuration tester for testing a first electrode configuration for stimulating a desired neural target, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the neural stimulator to selectively provide a first neural stimulation signal... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080172098 - Method and apparatus for reducing inappropriate detection of lead-related noise: An implantable medical device detects conditions such as a lead failure which may result in oversensing a physiologic condition. In response, the IMD automatically adjusts sensing thresholds, such as the number of intervals to detection in order to mitigate the effect of oversensing in the delivery of extraneous therapy.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080172099 - Medical implant for evoked response detection having an adaptive detection time window: A medical implant has a stimulation pulse generator and an evoked response detector that senses an IEGM signal in an evoked response detection time window following delivery of a stimulation pulse, in order to distinguish capture from loss of capture based on a parameter, from among a number of parameters,... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20080172100 - Systems and methods for sensing vector selection in an implantable medical device using a polynomial approach: Methods and devices configured for analyzing sensing vectors in an implantable cardiac stimulus system. In an illustrative example, a first sensing vector is analyzed to determine whether it is suitable, within given threshold conditions, for use in cardiac event detection and analysis. If so, the first sensing vector may be... Agent: Ari Pramudji Pramudji Wendt & Tran, LLP

20080172101 - Non-linear electrode array: A system for stimulation, including an implantable pulse generator, a lead comprising an array body disposed at a distal end of the lead and a plurality of electrodes concentrically arranged on the array body, and a plurality of conductors, wherein one of the conductors is attached to each electrode and... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080172103 - Methods and system for brain stimulation: A method for stimulating a target of interest of a living subject with reduction of power consumption. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of delivering a plurality of pulses to the target of interest in a substantially repeating pattern for a first period of time, T1, which is... Agent: Morris Manning Martin LLP

20080172102 - Transmucosal electrical stimulation: Apparatus is provided for modifying a property of a brain of a subject, including at least one electrode, configured to be positioned in a vicinity of a mucous membrane of a palate of an oral cavity of the subject. A control unit is configured to drive the electrode to apply... Agent: Ratnerprestia

20080172104 - Methods and apparatus for pulsed electrical field neuromodulation via an intra-to-extravascular approach: The present invention is an apparatus for pulsed electric field neuromodulation via an intra-to-extravascular approach. The apparatus includes a pulsed electric field generator and at least one electrode electrically coupled to the pulsed electric field generator. The electrode is configured for intravascular delivery, and extravascular placement, via an intra-to-extravascular approach.... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080172105 - Method for preventing and/or ameliorating inflammation: A method for preventing and/or ameliorating inflammation. The method comprises irradiating a biological subject with an electromagnetic wave from an emitter, wherein the electromagnetic wave has a wavelength of about 1.5 to 100 μm μm, and the biological subject can be a peripheral vascular disease patient. Additionally, the method of... Agent: Joe Mckinney Muncy

20080172106 - Osteogenic stimulus device, kit and method of using thereof: An osteogenic stimulus device having at least a pair of electrode coupled to a working circuit is presented for use in applying a therapeutic electrical signal to, in, around, and across an osseous structure to aid in the healing and bone growth process in which the therapeutic electrical signal is... Agent: Ladas & Parry LLP

20080172107 - Stand alone osteogenic stimulus device and method of using: This invention presents a standalone osteogenic stimulus device and a method of using the device. The standalone osteogenic stimulus device includes a housing in which a pair of electrodes and a power supply are attached to the housing. The pair of electrodes and the power supply are coupled together to... Agent: Ladas & Parry LLP

20080172108 - Cochlear implant stimulation with variable number of electrodes: A system and method for activating electrodes in an implanted electrode array with a stimulation signal is described. A stimulation definition stage, for each of a plurality of defined sound signal characteristics (C), assigns each electrode to one of a plurality of stimulation groups (G) each having an associated group... Agent: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP

20080172109 - Multiple telemetry and/or charging coil configurations for an implantable medical device system: Embodiments of an improved implantable medical device system for orientation-independent telemetry to and from the device are disclosed. The system includes an external controller which produces an electromagnetic field to induce a current in a coil in the implantable medical device and vise versa. In a preferred embodiment, the external... Agent: Wong, Cabello, Lutsch, Rutherfor & Brucculer L.l.p

20080172110 - Patient device for wireless data communication with an implant: A patient device (10) having a first interface (20) for the wireless transmission of data from and to an implant and having a second interface (22) for the remote data communication with a central service center and having a third interface (24) different from the first and second interfaces, the... Agent: Dalina Law Group, P.C.

20080172112 - Light source and fiber optic brush for light delivery: A phototherapy apparatus is disclosed including: a handpiece including a body member and a grip; a plurality of elongated light transmitting elements, each of the elements extending between a proximal end enclosed within the body member and a distal end located outside of and distal to the body member; an... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20080172111 - Method and apparatus for selective photothermolysis of veins: A system and method are provided that are capable of selectively treating a vein using photothermolysis techniques, where an electromagnetic radiation is applied to tissue containing the vein. The radiation can be selected so that it may be more effectively absorbed by veins as compared to arteries. Thus, unwanted thermal... Agent: Dorsey & Whitney LLP Intellectual Property Department

20080172113 - Fiber optic phototherapy device: A phototherapy apparatus for the treatment of skin disease is disclosed including: an at least partially hollow body element; a plurality of light emitting elements enclosed within the body element; and a plurality of elongated light transmitting elements, each of the light transmitting elements having a proximal end detachably affixed... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20080172115 - Fiber optic brush for light delivery: A phototherapy apparatus is disclosed including: a body member; a plurality of elongated light transmitting elements, each of the elements extending between a proximal end enclosed within the body member and a distal end located outside of and distal to the body member; where the tips of the proximal ends... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20080172114 - Phototherapy handpiece: A phototherapy device is disclosed including: a handpiece; and a beamshaping element housed in the handpiece. The beamshaping element is adapted to receive a beam of light from an ultraviolet light source, modify the shape of the beam, and direct the modified beam to provide illumination of a region of... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20080172116 - Devices, systems, and methods employing a molded nerve cuff electrode: Devices, systems, and methods for recording, and/or stimulation, and/or blocking of a nerve make use of a molded nerve cuff electrode. One or more electrodes are positioned in one or more frames within a casing. The exterior surface of the casing is wrapped in an insulating material, and the wrapped... Agent: Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20080172117 - Expandable systems for medical electrical stimulation: A medical system for electrical stimulation includes a first column of electrodes, a second column of electrodes, an expandable member disposed between first and second columns, and an expansion mechanism adapted to transmit an externally applied pressure to the expandable member. The pressure expands the expandable member in order to... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

20080172118 - Lead with inflatable fixation mechanism: A medical electrical lead configured for use in stimulating the left side of the heart (i.e., the left ventricle). In one embodiment, the lead includes an elongate lead body including an inner surface. An inflatable member is disposed on the outer surface of the body between its proximal and distal... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP 32469

20080167690 - Treatment of peripheral vascular disease by baroreflex activation: Peripheral vascular diseases, such as peripheral artery disease, are treated by activating a baroreflex response of a patient suffering from or at risk of these conditions. In the exemplary embodiments, the baroreflex response is activated using an implantable system comprising a controller and a device which activates the baroreceptor or... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080167691 - Mechanical defibrillator: A mechanical defibrillator comprising an impact member configured to deliver a mechanical impact of a preset force to the chest of a subject in need of a defibrillation shock.... Agent: Soroker-agmon Advocate And Patent Attorneys

20080167692 - Method and apparatus for delivering defibrillation shock therapy while reducing electrical dispersion due to ventricular conduction disorder: A method and device for delivering defibrillation shock therapy in patients having an inter-ventricular conduction disorder is presented. Ventricular resynchronization therapy is employed to reduce the dispersion of ventricular depolarization which takes place due to the conduction disorder and reduces the safety margin of shocks delivered synchronously with ventricular beats.... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080167694 - Automatic neural stimulation based on activity: A system for providing neural stimulation, including an activity monitor to sense activity and provide a signal indicative of the activity and a neural stimulator. The neural stimulator includes a pulse generator to provide a neural stimulation signal adapted to provide a neural stimulation therapy, and a modulator to receive... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080167693 - Method and apparatus for synchronizing neural stimulation to cardiac cycles: The present invention comprises a neural stimulator having an output to deliver neural stimulation pulses, a sensor to sense a reference signal indicative of cardiac cycles each including a predetermined type timing reference event, the sensor being external to the circulatory system. The neural stimulator further includes detection circuitry coupled... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080167695 - Therapeutic diaphragm stimulation device and method: A device and method for treating a variety of conditions, disorders or diseases with diaphragm/phrenic nerve stimulation is provided.... Agent: Rmx, L.L.C.

20080167696 - Stimulus waveforms for baroreflex activation: A method and apparatus for stimulation of a baroreflex system of a patient is provided. A method comprises establishing a therapy regimen including at least one pulse which includes at least two phases. Each phase has a polarity which is different than that of the other phase. The baroreflex system... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080167697 - Portable unit for treating chronic pain: A portable pain treatment unit includes: a first pulse generator configured to deliver pulses in a frequency range typical for interferential treatment; a second pulse generator configured to deliver pulses in the frequency range for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) treatment; electrodes operatively connected with the first and second pulse... Agent: Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec

20080167698 - Neurostimulation system: Some embodiments of the present invention provide neurostimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia. Some other embodiments of the present invention provide neurostimulation systems adapted for selective neurostimulation... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080167699 - Method and apparatus for providing complex tissue stimulation parameters: The present invention is a method for stimulating living tissue with an electrical neurostimulator, by maintaining a plurality of stimulation sets of stimulation parameters with each set of stimulation parameters defining at least a pulse characteristic and an electrode configuration in memory of the neurostimulator. Further, a repetition parameter for... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080167701 - Adaptive conductive lead systems: The invention describes fluid-based lead systems. The fluid-based leads may be used for sensing from, and stimulating of, human tissue. The fluid-based leads can be used to transfer signals between two locations. The fluid-based leads offer advantages when communicating signals along their length since the leads may be safely used... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20080167700 - Spg stimulation for treating complications of subarachnoid hemorrhage: A method is provided including identifying that a subject has suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and treating a complication of the SAH by stimulating at least one site of the subject in conjunction with treating the SAH, the site selected from the group consisting of: a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), a... Agent: Ratnerprestia

20080167702 - Intravascular implantable device having superior anchoring arrangement: Methods, systems and devices are provided for anchoring an intravascular implantable device within a vessel that is located superior to the heart, i.e. above the heart in a direction toward the head of a patient. Also provided is a method of providing an intravascular device and instructions for implanting the... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.

20080161865 - Implantable vessel stimulation device coating: A device positionable on a vascular structure for stimulating the vascular structure to elicit a physiologic response. The device includes a base having generally opposed inner and outer surfaces and a hydrophilic material presented on at least a portion of the inner surface presenting a lubricious surface for selectively positioning... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080161866 - Neural bridge devices and methods for restoring and modulating neural activity: 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... Agent: Meredith & Keyhani, Pllc

20080161867 - Neural bridge devices and methods for restoring and modulating neural activity: 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... Agent: Meredith & Keyhani, Pllc

20080161868 - Neural bridge devices and methods for restoring and modulating neural activity: 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... Agent: Meredith & Keyhani, Pllc

20080161869 - Method and apparatus for electrolytic hydrotherapy: A device and method for increasing the number and type of ions in a hydrotherapy treatment to assist in removing unwanted chemicals from the body. A battery-powered array is submerged into a liquid foot bath to generate ions through electrolysis. The array has at least two electrodes, one containing copper... Agent: Etherton Law Group, Llc

20080161870 - Method and apparatus for identifying cardiac and non-cardiac oversensing using intracardiac electrograms: A method and apparatus for automatically identifying various types of cardiac and non-cardiac oversensing and automatically performing a corrective action to reduce the likelihood of oversensing is provided. EGM data, including time intervals between sensed and paced events and signal morphologies, are analyzed for patterns indicative of various types of... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080161871 - Polymer lead covering with varied material properties: This document discusses, among other things, a lead assembly including a lead body, at least one conductor extending through the lead body, and a covering having varied material properties. In an example, the covering is made by forming pieces of material having varied material properties. In another example, the covering... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.a.

20080161872 - Method and apparatus for reducing inappropriate detection of lead-related noise: An implantable medical device detects conditions such as a lead failure which may result in oversensing a physiologic condition. In response, the IMD automatically adjusts sensing thresholds, such as the number of intervals to detection in order to mitigate the effect of oversensing in the delivery of extraneous therapy.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080161873 - Method and apparatus for reducing inappropriate detection of lead-related noise: An implantable medical device detects conditions such as a lead failure which may result in oversensing a physiologic condition. In response, the IMD automatically adjusts sensing thresholds, such as the number of intervals to detection in order to mitigate the effect of oversensing in the delivery of extraneous therapy.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080161874 - Systems and methods for a trial stage and/or long-term treatment of disorders of the body using neurostimulation: Systems and methods screen and/or treat disorders of the body using neurostimulation. A trial system implants a temporary or permanent percutaneous lead and couples the lead to an external pulse generator. The external pulse generator supplies a prescribed stimulation regime through the lead to a targeted tissue region. If an... Agent: Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20080161875 - Gastric restriction method and system for treatment of eating disorders: A method for treating eating disorders comprising the steps of generating a neuro-electrical satiety signal that substantially corresponds to a neuro-electrical signal that is generated in a body and produces a satiety effect in the body, constricting the stoma of the stomach, and transmitting the neuro-electrical satiety signal to the... Agent: Ralph C. Francis

20080161876 - Electrode implantation in male external urinary sphincter: In a method of implanting an electrode of an electronic stimulator device into an external urinary sphincter of a male patient, a first incision is made in the perineum of the patient between the anus and the scrotal-perineal junction. A distal end of a stimulation lead is then fed through... Agent: Westman Champlin & Kelly, P.a.

20080161878 - Device and method to for independently stimulating hemidiaphragms: A device and method for treating a subject is provided where electrical stimulation may be separately provided to each hemidiaphragm to cause diaphragm contraction. Fatigue may be avoided among other possible benefits. Each hemidiaphragm may also be stimulated with different stimulation parameters. Stimulation may be smoothly transitioned between hemidiaphragms. Such... Agent: Rmx, L.l.c.

20080161877 - Method and apparatus for hypoglossal nerve stimulation: A method of treating sleep disordered breathing in a patient includes the steps of monitoring the patient for a pre-inspiratory drive signal indicative of the breathing cycle by sensing electroneurogram activity of a hypoglossal nerve of the patient; and electrically stimulating the hypoglossal nerve of the patient following each detection... Agent: Michael W. Haas Respironics, Inc.

20080161879 - Methods and apparatus for effectuating a lasting change in a neural-function of a patient: The following disclosure describes several methods and apparatus for intracranial electrical stimulation to treat or otherwise effectuate a change in neural-functions of a patient. Several embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention are directed toward enhancing or otherwise inducing a lasting change in neural activity to effectuate a particular... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20080161880 - Methods and apparatus for effectuating a lasting change in a neural-function of a patient: The following disclosure describes several methods and apparatus for intracranial electrical stimulation to treat or otherwise effectuate a change in neural-functions of a patient. Several embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention are directed toward enhancing or otherwise inducing a lasting change in neural activity to effectuate a particular... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20080161881 - Methods and apparatus for effectuating a lasting change in a neural-function of a patient: The following disclosure describes several methods and apparatus for intracranial electrical stimulation to treat or otherwise effectuate a change in neural-functions of a patient. Several embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention are directed toward enhancing or otherwise inducing a lasting change in neural activity to effectuate a particular... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20080161882 - Methods and apparatus for effectuating a lasting change in a neural-function of a patient: Methods and apparatus for treating an impaired neural function in a brain of a patient. In one embodiment, a method for treating a neural function in a brain of a patient includes determining a therapy period during which a plurality of therapy sessions are to be performed to recover functional... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20080161883 - Nerve stimulation apparatus and method: The invention relates to nerve stimulation apparatus having a control unit, first and second electrodes which impart an electrical current on the user's body there between and first and second sensors adapted to detect an electrical signal differential detected there between. This allows electrical stimulation of the users muscles to... Agent: Drinker Biddle & Reath (dc)

20080161884 - Method and apparatus for treating or preventing a medical condition: A method of treating a wound or preventing injury to a region susceptible to injury comprising the steps of placing a pair of electrodes placed spaced apart in the region of a wound and applying a predetermined sequence of current waveforms across the electrodes. The sequence of current waveforms comprises... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20080161885 - System and method for content-based object ranking to facilitate information lifecycle management: A method to manage objects in an information lifecycle management system is provided. The method includes determining a score for each of the objects based on a score of at least one feature within respective ones of each of the objects where the score of the at least one feature... Agent: Gregory Smith

20080161886 - Tank filters adaptable for placement with a guide wire, in series with the lead wires or circuits of active medical devices to enhance mri compatibility: A tank filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The tank filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected... Agent: Kelly Lowry & Kelley, LLP

20080161887 - Noble metal electrodes with nanostructures: An electrode assembly having homogeneous noble metal or blended alloy nanostructures for enhancement of capacitive charge injection. Applications can include stimulation of the baroreflex, neural stimulation and cardiac stimulation. In one embodiment, a matrix of substantially elongate nanocylinders or nanotubes are configured to deliver electrical charge to a target tissue,... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080161888 - Treatment of skin by spatial modulation of thermal injury: A method for treating skin includes a first beam of radiation and a second beam of radiation. The first beam of radiation is delivered to a first region of skin to cause a plurality of sub-surface volumes of a first thermal injury, which can elicit a healing response from substantially... Agent: Proskauer Rose LLP

20080161889 - Pressure-sensitive conductive composite electrode and method for ablation: The present invention is directed to ablation devices and methods utilizing pressure sensitive conductive composites, such as quantum tunneling composites, or other contact-sensitive, conductive polymers. The materials provide for electrodes and methods capable of differentiating between a soft and a hard push. The present invention thus provides an electrode for... Agent: Sjm/afd-wiley

20080161890 - Methods, systems, and apparatuses for protecting esophageal tissue during ablation: The present disclosure is directed towards methods, systems, and apparatus for protecting esophageal tissue during ablation. An ablation system can include an esophageal catheter having a heat sink and an ablation catheter having at least one ablation element to deliver ablation energy, where heat generated by the ablation energy is... Agent: Brooks, Cameron & Huebsch, Pllc

20080161891 - Tube blanket: Each leg of a U tube blanket is configured to have at least one row of holes extending substantially along the length thereof. The size of the holes is incrementally increased from the proximal portion that is closest to the air inlet cross section of the blanket where heated air... Agent: Louis Woo Law Office Of Louis Woo

20080161892 - Facial cold -pack holder: A therapeutic device for use on a head of a patient is disclosed, and includes a chin portion adapted for receiving and substantially covering the chin of the patient. The device includes a pair of upper flexible straps, each terminating at a proximal end at the opposing sides of the... Agent: Quickpatents, Inc.

20080161895 - Electrode assembly for nerve control: Apparatus is provided for applying current to a nerve. A cathode is adapted to be placed in a vicinity of a cathodic longitudinal site of the nerve and to apply a cathodic current to the nerve. A primary inhibiting anode is adapted to be placed in a vicinity of a... Agent: Cooper & Dunham, LLP

20080161893 - Fabric electrode head: An electrode head is disclosed that utilizes electrically conductive or dissipative fabric to exchange electrical energy with tissue. This electrode head may be used for any appropriate application, such as a catheter electrode, a return electrode, or the like. Any appropriate function may be provided by this electrode head, such... Agent: Sjm/afd - Marsh

20080161894 - Method for surgically implanting an electrode device: Apparatus is provided including an implantable sensor, adapted to sense an electrical parameter of a heart of a subject, and a first control unit, adapted to apply pulses to the heart responsively to the sensed parameter, the pulses selected from the list consisting of: pacing pulses and anti-arrhythmic energy. The... Agent: Cooper & Dunham, LLP

20080161896 - Probe with multiple arms and system for deep electrical neurostimulation comprising such a probe: p

20080161897 - Neural bridge devices and methods for restoring and modulating neural activity: 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... Agent: Meredith & Keyhani, Pllc

20080161898 - Mapping guidelet: The medical lead delivery device more easily and quickly delivers a lead to or through the coronary vein of a patient's heart. The medical lead delivery device includes an elongated body, a controller, a first and second spring, and a sleeve. The elongated body includes a proximal end and a... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080161899 - Method of manufacturing an implantable lead: An implantable lead body for a medical device with improved conductor lumens separates and insulates conductors while permitting access to the conductors through the implantable lead outer surface. The implantable lead comprises a lead body, a stylet lumen, at least one conductor lumen, and at least one axial slit in... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.