Marc Theodore Stein

US Patent:

6901292, May 31, 2005

Filed:

Dec 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/034945

Inventors:

Gregory Anthony Hrdlicka - Plymouth MN, US
Scott Grabinger - Maple Grove MN, US
Marc Stein - Chandler AZ, US
Dave Mueller - Roseville MN, US
Wilbert Wesselink - Viatron, NL

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61N001/375

US Classification:

607 27, 607 9, 607 36, 607 63

Abstract:

The present invention takes the form of a current limiting apparatus and method for limiting current flow, induced when the level of an external signal is greater than an external signal threshold signal level, in a conductive loop formed by a medical device implanted within a living organism having electrically excitable tissue. The system includes an implantable pulse generator (IPG) system having a housing, a signal generator disposed in the housing that generates an electrical signal, and at least one lead extending from the housing to convey electrical signal to the patient. To limit the induced current flow, the IPG includes current limiting componentry, an impedance increasing element, and/or alternating current blocking elements. These components provide an alternating current impedance path to the electrical ground from a lead coupled to the capacitive element. Also disclosed are techniques for reducing the effective surface area of the current inducing loop caused by the IPG system.

US Patent:

6923784, Aug 2, 2005

Filed:

Oct 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/000638

Inventors:

Marc T. Stein - Chandler AZ, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61M031/00

US Classification:

604 67, 604 65

Abstract:

Disclosed are techniques for operation of neurostimulation or drug delivery devices to stop treatment therapy during times when the patient does not need to be treated. Advantageously, the present invention reduces battery usage and/or drug dosage during periods when treatment therapy need not be provided. Further, the present invention slows or reduces the tolerance the patient may develop from the electrical stimulation or treatment therapy. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a timer or a real time clock for shutting off the device during periods when the patient is sleeping in accordance with a preset schedule. The present invention preferably turns off after the patient has fallen asleep and right before the patient has awakened. Alternatively, the invention may include a sensor for sensing conditions indicative of whether the patient is awake or asleep. This sensed information may also be used to determine whether the treatment therapy should be delivered or stopped.

US Patent:

6937891, Aug 30, 2005

Filed:

Apr 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/133884

Inventors:

Robert Leinders - Limbricht, NL
Nathan A. Torgerson - Andover MN, US
Marc Stein - Chandler AZ, US
Todd P. Goblish - Maple Grove MN, US
Todd D. Heathershaw - Phoenix AZ, US
John Delfin Rodriguez - Scottsdale AZ, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61N001/18

US Classification:

607 2, 607 40, 607 46, 607 48

Abstract:

Apparatus and method for independently delivering a plurality of therapy programs in an implantable medical device. A therapy controller configures the device to generate independent pulse trains associated with a plurality of therapy programs and dynamically configures the electrodes to deliver the independent pulse trains to the patient. Once configured, the implantable medical device delivers the plurality of therapy programs to the patient wherein the therapy programs may overlap in time.

US Patent:

6950706, Sep 27, 2005

Filed:

Apr 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/133513

Inventors:

John Delfin Rodriguez - Scottsdale AZ, US
Nathan A. Torgerson - Andover MN, US
Marc Stein - Chandler AZ, US
Steven L. Jensen - Andover MN, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61N001/00

US Classification:

607 46, 607 68

Abstract:

In the embodiment of the invention, apparatus and method provide flexibility in generating a stimulation waveform (that comprises at least a stimulation pulse) to an electrode of an Implantable Neuro Stimulator (INS). The waveform is synthesized for each rate period interval. A portion of the rate period interval is identified, in which the portion comprises at least one phase. During each phase, the stimulation waveform is synthesized by a waveform controller and a waveform generator. The waveform controller utilizes waveform parameters, e. g. the initial value, final value, and step time duration, to form a digital signal to the waveform generator. The waveform generator utilizes the digital signal to form the synthesized waveform.

US Patent:

7805189, Sep 28, 2010

Filed:

Jan 3, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/649329

Inventors:

Marc T. Stein - Chandler AZ, US
Nathan A Torgerson - Andover MN, US
Robert Leinders - Limbricht, NL
Todd P Goblish - Maple Grove MN, US
Todd D. Heathershaw - Chandler AZ, US
John Delfin Rodriguez - Chandler AZ, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61N 1/00

US Classification:

607 2

Abstract:

Apparatus and method provide flexibility in generating a stimulation waveform to an electrode of an implantable medical device. The stimulation waveform comprises at least one stimulation pulse. The embodiment of the invention supports a generation of a stimulation pulse in which an amplitude and an electrical polarity of the stimulation pulse can be dynamically changed. The embodiment comprises a capacitor arrangement, a regulator and a switching array. The capacitor arrangement can be reconfigured with respect to an electrical reference through the switching array in order for the regulator to deliver the stimulation pulse to a pair of electrodes. In another embodiment, a plurality of stimulation waveforms are generated in which different stimulation waveforms are associated with different electrodes. With the embodiment, a plurality of regulators are connected and reconfigured to the capacitor arrangement in order that the different stimulation waveforms are generated by different regulators.

US Patent:

8146422, Apr 3, 2012

Filed:

Jun 29, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/825852

Inventors:

Marc Stein - Chandler AZ, US

International Classification:

A61B 5/22

US Classification:

7337901, 600587

Abstract:

A measurement system for capturing a transit time, phase, or frequency of energy waves propagating through a propagation medium is disclosed. The measurement system comprises a compressible waveguide (), ultrasonic transducers (), and circuitry to sustain energy wave propagation in the waveguide (). The circuitry includes a propagation tuned oscillator (), a digital counter (), a pulse generator (), a phase detector (), a counter (), a digital timer (), and a data register (). The measurement system employs a continuous mode (CM), pulse mode, or pulse-echo mode of operation to evaluate propagation characteristics of continuous ultrasonic waves in the waveguide by way of closed-loop feedback to determine levels of applied forces on the waveguide.

US Patent:

8245583, Aug 21, 2012

Filed:

Jun 29, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/826349

Inventors:

Marc Stein - Chandler AZ, US

International Classification:

G01L 1/04

US Classification:

73862636, 73777

Abstract:

A sensing insert device () is disclosed for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing insert device () can be temporary or permanent. Used intra-operatively, the sensing insert device () comprises an insert dock () and a sensing module (). The sensing module () is a self-contained encapsulated measurement device having at least one contacting surface that couples to the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing module () comprises one or more sensing assemblages, electronic circuitry (), an antenna (), and communication circuitry (). The sensing assemblages are between a top plate () and a bottom plate () in a sensing platform (). The sensing assemblages comprise a load disc () and a piezo-resistive sensor () to measure the parameter. An elastic support structure or springs () is coupled between the top plate () and the bottom plate () to prevent cantilevering of a surface.

US Patent:

8324975, Dec 4, 2012

Filed:

Jun 29, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/825913

Inventors:

Marc Stein - Chandler AZ, US

International Classification:

G01R 27/04
A61B 5/103

US Classification:

331 96, 331187, 324636, 324639, 324644, 600587, 606 53

Abstract:

A measurement system for capturing a transit time, phase, or frequency of energy waves propagating through a propagation medium () is disclosed. The measurement system comprises two different closed-loop feedback paths. The first path includes a transducer driver (), a transducer (), a propagation structure (), a transducer (), and a zero-crossing receiver (). The series and parallel resonance of the transducer () does not overlap the series and parallel resonance of the transducer (). A second path includes a transducer driver (), a transducer (), a propagation medium (), a reflecting surface (), and an edge-detect receiver (). Each positive closed-loop path maintains the emission, propagation, and detection of energy waves in the propagation medium (). In either path, a propagation tuned oscillator maintains positive closed-loop feedback of the system that sustains detection, emission, and propagation of energy waves or pulses in a medium.