Richard Michael Riley

US Patent:

7006864, Feb 28, 2006

Filed:

Jun 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/869776

Inventors:

Debra S. Echt - Woodside CA, US
Axel F. Brisken - Fremont CA, US
Richard E. Riley - Palo Alto CA, US

Assignee:

EBR Systems, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/39

US Classification:

607 3, 607 5

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for cardiac pacing, cardioversion, and defibrillation rely on delivering ultrasonic and other vibrational energy to the heart, usually after the onset of an arrhythmia. A vibrational transducer assembly is implanted or applied externally so that vibrational energy can be directed toward at least a portion of the heart from an anterior or posterior aspect, typically being implanted over the ribs, over the sternum, between the ribs, beneath the ribs, or on the back.

US Patent:

7050849, May 23, 2006

Filed:

Jun 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/869705

Inventors:

Debra S. Echt - Woodside CA, US
Axel F. Brisken - Fremont CA, US
Richard E. Riley - Palo Alto CA, US
Mark W. Cowan - Fremont CA, US

Assignee:

EBR Systems, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/362

US Classification:

607 3, 607 9, 601 46

Abstract:

Systems for pacing the heart include a vibrational transducer which directs energy at the heart, usually at at least a ventricle, to pace the heart and to promote synchronized contraction of the ventricles. Optionally, additional vibrational and/or electrical stimulation may be provided. The vibrational transducers are usually implantable at a location proximate the heart.

US Patent:

7184830, Feb 27, 2007

Filed:

Jun 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/869242

Inventors:

Debra S. Echt - Woodside CA, US
Axel F. Brisken - Fremont CA, US
Richard E. Riley - Palo Alto CA, US

Assignee:

EBR Systems, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/18

US Classification:

607 3, 607 2, 607 4, 607 5, 607119, 607122, 607129, 601 46

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for cardiac pacing, cardioversion and defibrillation rely on delivering ultrasonic or other vibrational energy in combination with electrical energy to the heart, usually after the onset of an arrhythmia. A vibrational transducer and suitable electrical contacts may be combined in a single housing or distributed among various housings, and will usually be implantable so that the vibrational transducer can be directed at a target portion of the heart. Alternatively, external systems comprising the vibrational transducer and electrical contacts are also described.

US Patent:

7558631, Jul 7, 2009

Filed:

Sep 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/535857

Inventors:

Mark W. Cowan - Fremont CA, US
Debra S. Echt - Woodside CA, US
Richard E. Riley - Palo Alto CA, US
Axel F. Brisken - Fremont CA, US

Assignee:

EBR Systems, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/368

US Classification:

607122, 607123, 607129, 128898

Abstract:

Systems including an implantable receiver-stimulator and an external controller-transmitter system are used for leadless acute stimulation of the heart, particularly after heart surgery. Cardiac pacing and arrhythmia control is accomplished with one or more implantable receiver-stimulators and an external system that alternatively includes the use of an external pacemaker. Receiver-stimulators are implanted in the heart during surgery or during an acute interventional procedure and then a triggered for stimulation by using the external system. In one embodiment of these systems, a controller-transmitter is activated by an external pacemaker to time the delivery of acoustic energy transmission through the body to a receiver-stimulator at a target tissue location. The receiver-stimulator converts the acoustic energy to electrical energy for electrical stimulation of the heart tissue.

US Patent:

7606621, Oct 20, 2009

Filed:

Dec 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/315524

Inventors:

Axel F. Brisken - Fremont CA, US
Mark W. Cowan - Fremont CA, US
Debra S. Echt - Woodside CA, US
Richard E. Riley - Palo Alto CA, US

Assignee:

EBR Systems, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/00

US Classification:

607 33, 607 57

Abstract:

Receiver-stimulators comprise a nearly isotropic transducer assembly, demodulator circuitry, and at least two tissue contacting electrodes. Use of near isotropic transducers allows the devices to be implanted with less concern regarding the orientation relative to an acoustic energy source. Transducers or transducer elements having relatively small sizes, typically less than the wavelength of the acoustic source, enhance isotropy. The use of single crystal piezoelectric materials enhance sensitivity.

US Patent:

7610092, Oct 27, 2009

Filed:

Dec 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/315023

Inventors:

Mark W. Cowan - Fremont CA, US
Debra S. Echt - Woodside CA, US
Richard E. Riley - Palo Alto CA, US
Axel F. Brisken - Fremont CA, US

Assignee:

EBR Systems, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/372

US Classification:

607 33, 607 9

Abstract:

Systems including an implantable receiver-stimulator and an implantable controller-transmitter are used for leadless electrical stimulation of body tissues. Cardiac pacing and arrhythmia control is accomplished with one or more implantable receiver-stimulators and an external or implantable controller-transmitter. Systems are implanted by testing external or implantable devices at different tissue sites, observing physiologic and device responses, and selecting sites with preferred performance for implanting the systems. In these systems, a controller-transmitter is activated at a remote tissue location to transmit/deliver acoustic energy through the body to a receiver-stimulator at a target tissue location. The receiver-stimulator converts the acoustic energy to electrical energy for electrical stimulation of the body tissue. The tissue locations(s) can be optimized by moving either or both of the controller-transmitter and the receiver-stimulator to determine the best patient and device responses.

US Patent:

7702392, Apr 20, 2010

Filed:

Feb 10, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/351569

Inventors:

Debra S. Echt - Woodside CA, US
Richard E. Riley - Palo Alto CA, US
Mark W. Cowan - Fremont CA, US
Axel F. Brisken - Fremont CA, US

Assignee:

EBR Systems, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/00

US Classification:

607 27

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for determining an endocardial implantation site for implanting an electrode, such as a leadless stimulation electrode. An embodiment of one method in accordance with the invention includes delivering sufficient electrical energy for initiation of cardiac activation to a plurality of different test locations at the heart of a patient, and determining hemodynamic responses in reaction to that the stimulus delivered to the different test locations. This method further includes identifying an implantation site for implanting the electrode by selecting at least one of the test locations corresponding to a favorable hemodynamic response.

US Patent:

7765001, Jul 27, 2010

Filed:

Aug 29, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/468002

Inventors:

Debra S. Echt - Woodside CA, US
Richard E. Riley - Palo Alto CA, US
Mark W. Cowan - Fremont CA, US
Axel F. Brisken - Fremont CA, US

Assignee:

EBR Systems, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/362

US Classification:

607 9

Abstract:

The present invention relies on a controller-transmitter device to deliver ultrasound energy into cardiac tissue in order to directly improve cardiac function and/or to energize one or more implanted receiver-stimulator devices that transduce the ultrasound energy to electrical energy to perform excitatory and/or non-excitatory treatments for heart failure. The acoustic energy can be applied as a single burst or as multiple bursts.