David C Canfield

US Patent:

6829508, Dec 7, 2004

Filed:

Apr 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/116619

Inventors:

Joseph H. Schulman - Santa Clarita CA
Ralph M. Weisner - Woodland Hills CA
David L. Canfield - Lake Hughes CA
Kate E. Fey - Santa Clarita CA
Charles L. Byers - Canyon Country CA

Assignee:

Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research - Valencia CA

International Classification:

A61N 105

US Classification:

607116

Abstract:

An electrically sensing and stimulating outer sheath for ensuring accurate surgical placement of a microsensor or a microstimulator near a nerve in living tissue is disclosed. The electrically sensing outer sheath may also be used to verify the function of the microstimulator or microsensor during surgical placement but before the outer sheath is removed. In the event that the microstimulator is not optimally placed near the nerve, or if the microstimulator is malfunctioning, this can be determined prior to removal of the outer sheath, thus reducing the possibility of nerve or tissue damage that might be incurred during a separate operation to remove the microstimulator.

US Patent:

7024249, Apr 4, 2006

Filed:

Feb 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/081346

Inventors:

Ralph M. Weisner - Woodland Hills CA, US
David L. Canfield - Lake Hughes CA, US
Richard J. Nelson - Canyon Country CA, US
Joseph H. Schulman - Santa Clarita CA, US

Assignee:

Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research - Santa Clarita CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/32

US Classification:

607 60, 600300

Abstract:

A magnetic control system for selectively enabling/disabling an implantable device's operation using externally applied pulsed magnetic means, e. g. , a controlled electromagnet or the like. Typically, such implantable devices stimulate a neural pathway or muscle and/or block pain or muscle stimulation according to programmable settings. Preferably, once programmed from an external programmer, such implantable devices can operate “independently” using the externally provided programmed information. However, in certain circumstances, it may be desired to stop/pause the operation of such selected implanted device while not affecting other such devices. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention include a magnetic sensor, preferably a magnetoresistive, Hall effect, saturated core reactors, or the like, to sense an externally provided magnetic field. By externally applying pulsed magnetic fields in sequences of controlled polarities, durations, intensities, etc. , and sensing these identifiable sequences and transitions, the operation of the implantable device may be enabled/disabled.

US Patent:

20090209945, Aug 20, 2009

Filed:

Jan 19, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/355868

Inventors:

Thomas J. Lobl - Valencia CA, US
Jacob E. Pananen - Los Angeles CA, US
David L. Canfield - Lake Hughes CA, US
Anna I. Nagy - Saugus CA, US
Adrian L. Krag - Santa Clarita CA, US

Assignee:

NEUROSYSTEC CORPORATION - Valencia CA

International Classification:

A61M 5/168
A61M 5/142
G06F 15/16

US Classification:

6048911, 604151, 709201

Abstract:

A drug-delivery unit suitable for implantation into a patient body may include a valveless impedance pump. In some implementations the unit may include an actuator, control electronics and a battery, and may communicate with an external patient interface unit. The patient interface unit can be used to control operation of the implant and to download data from the implant. The patient interface unit can also be used to charge the implant and/or a separate charger can be used. In other implementations, a drug-delivery implant unit may lack internal electronics and instead rely on an externally-supplied magnetic field to actuate the pump.

US Patent:

20100305551, Dec 2, 2010

Filed:

Jun 4, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/793731

Inventors:

Thomas J. Lobl - Valencia CA, US
Jacob E. Pananen - Pasadena CA, US
David L. Canfield - Lake Hughes CA, US
Anna I. Nagy - Saugus CA, US
Adrian L. Krag - Santa Clarit CA, US

Assignee:

NEUROSYSTEC CORP. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

A61M 5/142

US Classification:

6048911

Abstract:

A drug-delivery unit suitable for implantation into a patient body may include a valveless impedance pump. In some implementations the unit may include an actuator, control electronics and a battery, and may communicate with an external patient interface unit. The patient interface unit can be used to control operation of the implant and to download data from the implant. The patient interface unit can also be used to charge the implant and/or a separate charger can be used. In other implementations, a drug-delivery implant unit may lack internal electronics and instead rely on an externally-supplied magnetic field to actuate the pump.