John J Erickson

US Patent:

6620151, Sep 16, 2003

Filed:

Mar 1, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/796969

Inventors:

Brian Blischak - Plano TX
John H. Erickson - Plano TX
Terry Daglow - Allen TX
Sandra Marie Hooper - Allen TX
Bruce David Wigness - Minneapolis MN

Assignee:

Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc. - Plano TX

International Classification:

A61K 922

US Classification:

6048911, 6048921

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an implantable infusion pump having a refillable infusate reservoir in fluid communication with a delivery site via a flow path. This flow path includes a flow resistance. The infusion pump includes a sensing device(s), positioned relative to the flow path, to provide data regarding a flow rate along the flow path. The infusion pump effects a division of a total flow period into at least a plurality of unit dose periods, each unit dose period effecting delivery of a unit dose of infusate. The cumulative effect of delivering the total number of unit dose periods is the delivery of a desired dose over the total flow period. The present invention permits a reservoir pressure to vary over any portion of total flow period but effects a constant-pressure state over each unit dose cycle.

US Patent:

6754539, Jun 22, 2004

Filed:

Aug 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/635910

Inventors:

John H. Erickson - Plano TX
Scott F. Drees - McKinney TX

Assignee:

Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc. - Plano TX

International Classification:

A61N 118

US Classification:

607117

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an epidural stimulation lead having at least one electrode that substantially encircles another electrode. Operatively, the encircling electrode can be set as an, anode and the encircled electrode can be set as a cathode to generate an electrical field therebetween. The encircling electrode functions in this capacity as an anode guard, which among other things, concentrates the electrical field about the designated cathode and limits the lateral range of a generated electrical field.

US Patent:

6880564, Apr 19, 2005

Filed:

Dec 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/331425

Inventors:

John H. Erickson - Plano TX, US

Assignee:

Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc. - Plano TX

International Classification:

F16K031/02

US Classification:

137 1, 13761421, 13762411, 25112921, 2511291, 25112915

Abstract:

The invention is directed to a dose control apparatus. The apparatus has two armatures pressed against a valve seat by at least one spring. A coil induces a magnetic field that motivates the armatures against the force of the spring, thereby opening the valve. The armatures may move along a common axis in opposite directions. The apparatus may also include a core located between the armatures and a casing about the coil. The core and casing act to guide the magnetic field, reducing the power requirements for creating the field. Current may be periodically reversed in the coil to provide a degaussing field. In addition, a signal may be produced by the coil in the presence an externally applied magnetic field such as an MRI. An opposing magnetic field may be produced by the coil or the current provided to the coil may be adjusted.

US Patent:

6895283, May 17, 2005

Filed:

Aug 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/927225

Inventors:

John H. Erickson - Plano TX, US
Scott F. Drees - McKinney TX, US
Terry Daglow - Allen TX, US

Assignee:

Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc. - Plano TX

International Classification:

A61N001/05

US Classification:

607117

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a percutaneous insertion-capable lead, wherein insertion is made through a percutaneous insertion structure. For one embodiment of such lead, the electrode-supporting stimulation portion of the lead includes at lease one waisted region, relative to a transverse dimension of the lead, to facilitate lead steerability.

US Patent:

6957655, Oct 25, 2005

Filed:

Dec 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/334404

Inventors:

John Erickson - Plano TX, US
Terry Daglow - Allen TX, US

Assignee:

Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc. - Plano TX

International Classification:

F16K037/00

US Classification:

137 1, 13761421, 137554, 25112921, 2511291, 25112915

Abstract:

The invention is directed to a dose control apparatus for manipulating the dosage of one or more pharmaceutical solutions emanating from an implantable drug infusion pump. The dose control apparatus has a movable core that is held in a desired position by a magnet. The apparatus has at least one coil that, when activated, motivates the core to move to a new position. The core may be held in the second position by another magnet. The apparatus may have more that one coil provide various control options. In addition, the coils may be used to determine core position or the presence and strength of an externally applied magnetic field such as that produced in an MRI. The coils may also be used to produce a magnetic field counteracting the externally applied field or to produce a degaussing field.

US Patent:

6966325, Nov 22, 2005

Filed:

Dec 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/331403

Inventors:

John Erickson - Plano TX, US

Assignee:

Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc. - Plano TX

International Classification:

F16K031/06

US Classification:

137 1, 25112905, 25112915, 25112921, 6048911

Abstract:

The invention is directed to a method and circuitry for controlling dosage rates of a treatment solution. An electric pulse is directed through a coil, inducing a magnetic field and causing a valve to open. A subsequent set of pulses is directed through the coil to maintain the position of the valve. Between pulses, the coil motivates current to flow. Energy associated with the current is captured in a collection circuitry. The method and circuitry may also interpret a signal induced in the coil by an externally applied magnetic field such as that produced by an MIR. The method and circuitry may provide an electric signal to counteract the externally applied magnetic field or to produce a degaussing field.

US Patent:

6981314, Jan 3, 2006

Filed:

Jan 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/042992

Inventors:

Damon Ray Black - Dallas TX, US
Terry Daglow - Allen TX, US
John Erickson - Plano TX, US
Robert Earl Jones - Wylie TX, US
B. Reno Lauro - Murphy TX, US

Assignee:

Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc. - Plano TX

International Classification:

H01R 43/00

US Classification:

29825, 600373, 600377, 600381, 607116, 607122

Abstract:

An implantable, substantially isodiametric, low resistance implantable lead having at least one electrode positioned in a stimulation/sensing portion of the lead as well as a method of manufacturing the same. At least the stimulation/sensing portion is unitized through partially surrounding and supporting insulation and conductive element(s) of the stimulation/sensing portion with a fused matrix of material having mechanical properties consistent with a body of the lead.

US Patent:

7047079, May 16, 2006

Filed:

Jul 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/627234

Inventors:

John Erickson - Plano TX, US

Assignee:

Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc. - Plano TX

International Classification:

A61N 1/08

US Classification:

607 46, 607 2, 607 48

Abstract:

The invention relates to a stimulation device with power conservation functionality. In implantable devices, power supplies may be limited. Replenishing these power supplies may require costly surgery or periodic recharging depending on the model. A method may be implemented that skips or drops periodic pulses without apparently changing the frequency of the pulses. In this manner, the dropped pulses may be undetected by the patient. On the other hand, the dropped pulse represents power savings. Dropping one in ten pulses may lead to a 10% energy savings. The stimulation device may implement the method with one or more counters implemented in hardware or software.