US Patent No: 6,341,236

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

Vagal nerve stimulation techniques for treatment of epileptic seizures

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Importance

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Abstract

A system and method for using electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to treat epilepsy with minimized or no effect on the heart. Treatment is carried out by an implantable signal generator, one or more implantable electrodes for electrically stimulating a predetermined stimulation site of the vagus nerve, and a sensor for sensing characteristics of the heart such as a heart rate. The heart rate information from the sensor can be used to determine whether the vagus nerve stimulation is adversely affecting the heart. Once threshold parameters are met, the vagus nerve stimulation may be stopped or adjusted. In an alternative embodiment, a modified pacemaker is used to maintain the heart in desired conditions during the vagus nerve stimulation. In yet another embodiment, a modified pacemaker having circuitry that determines whether a vagus nerve is being stimulated is used. In the event that the vagus nerve is being stimulated, the modified pacemaker may control the heart to maintain it within desired conditions during the vagus nerve stimulation.

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First Claim

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddressTotal Patents
FLINT HILLS SCIENTIFIC, L.L.C.LAWRENCE, KS30

International Classification(s)

  • [Classification Symbol]
  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Frei, Mark G Lawrence, KS 54 1521
Osorio, Ivan Leawood, KS 98 2438

Cited Art

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
MEDTRONIC, INC. (4)
5,052,388 Method and apparatus for implementing activity sensing in a pulse generator 225 1989
5,330,508 Apparatus for detection and treatment of tachycardia and fibrillation 58 1993
5,562,711 Method and apparatus for rate-responsive cardiac pacing 146 1994
5,713,923 Techniques for treating epilepsy by brain stimulation and drug infusion 180 1996
 
CIT GROUP/BUSINESS CREDIT, INC. (3)
4,702,254 Neurocybernetic prosthesis 312 1985
4,867,164 Neurocybernetic prosthesis 289 1987
5,025,807 Neurocybernetic prosthesis 243 1989
 
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY (2)
4,628,942 Asymmetric shielded two electrode cuff 128 1984
4,649,936 Asymmetric single electrode cuff for generation of unidirectionally propagating action potentials for collision blocking 125 1984
 
CYBERONICS, INC. (1)
5,928,272 Automatic activation of a neurostimulator device using a detection algorithm based on cardiac activity 231 1998
 
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS (1)
5,995,868 System for the prediction, rapid detection, warning, prevention, or control of changes in activity states in the brain of a subject 258 1997

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cites

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
MEDTRONIC, INC. (61)
8,187,181 Scoring of sensed neurological signals for use with a medical device system 0 2003
7,715,919 Control of treatment therapy during start-up and during operation of a medical device system 3 2003
7,282,030 Timed delay for redelivery of treatment therapy for a medical device system 12 2003
7,280,867 Clustering of recorded patient neurological activity to determine length of a neurological event 12 2003
7,242,983 Channel-selective blanking for a medical device system 71 2003
7,149,572 Phase shifting of neurological signals in a medical device system 13 2003
7,146,211 Signal quality monitoring and control for a medical device system 28 2003
7,079,977 Synchronization and calibration of clocks for a medical device and calibrated clock 33 2003
8,396,565 Automatic therapy adjustments 0 2003
8,041,418 System and method for regulating cardiac triggered therapy to the brain 0 2005
8,041,419 System and method for monitoring or treating nervous system disorders 0 2005
7,949,391 System and method for regulating cardiac triggered therapy to the brain 0 2005
7,949,392 System and method for monitoring or treating nervous system disorders 0 2005
7,945,316 System and method for monitoring or treating nervous system disorders 0 2005
7,865,244 System and method for regulating cardiopulmonary triggered therapy to the brain 0 2005
7,787,944 System and method for regulating cardiac triggered therapy to the brain 0 2005
7,684,855 System and method for regulating cardiac triggered therapy to the brain 0 2005
7,680,539 System and method for regulating cardiopulmonary triggered therapy to the brain 0 2005
7,624,293 Synchronization and calibration of clocks for a medical device and calibrated clock 0 2006
7,321,837 Synchronization and calibration of clocks for a medical device and calibrated clock 10 2006
7,819,909 Therapy programming guidance based on stored programming history 0 2006
8,108,038 System and method for segmenting a cardiac signal based on brain activity 2 2006
8,326,431 Implantable medical device for the concurrent treatment of a plurality of neurological disorders and method therefore 0 2006
7,853,322 Closed-loop therapy adjustment 2 2006
7,976,465 Phase shifting of neurological signals in a medical device system 1 2006
7,917,206 Signal quality monitoring and control for a medical device system 2 2006
8,190,251 Method and apparatus for the treatment of movement disorders 1 2006
7,957,797 Closed-loop therapy adjustment 0 2006
7,957,809 Closed-loop therapy adjustment 2 2006
8,165,683 Method and apparatus for detection of nervous system disorders 0 2006
7,764,989 Method and apparatus for detection of nervous system disorders 3 2006
7,761,145 Method and apparatus for detection of nervous system disorders 3 2006
7,761,146 Method and apparatus for detection of nervous system disorders 4 2006
7,979,130 Method and apparatus for detection of nervous system disorders 0 2007
8,214,035 System and method for utilizing brain state information to modulate cardiac therapy 0 2007
8,209,009 System and method for segmenting a cardiac signal based on brain stimulation 0 2007
8,209,019 System and method for utilizing brain state information to modulate cardiac therapy 1 2007
8,112,153 System and method for monitoring or treating nervous system disorders 0 2007
8,068,911 System and method for regulating cardiopulmonary triggered therapy to the brain 0 2007
8,000,788 Implantable medical device for treating neurological conditions including ECG sensing 0 2007
8,112,148 System and method for monitoring cardiac signal activity in patients with nervous system disorders 0 2007
8,108,046 System and method for using cardiac events to trigger therapy for treating nervous system disorders 0 2007
7,933,646 Clustering of recorded patient neurological activity to determine length of a neurological event 0 2007
8,437,861 Posture state redefinition based on posture data and therapy adjustments 0 2009
8,401,666 Modification profiles for posture-responsive therapy 0 2009
8,332,041 Patient interaction with posture-responsive therapy 0 2009
8,323,218 Generation of proportional posture information over multiple time intervals 0 2009
8,326,420 Associating therapy adjustments with posture states using stability timers 0 2009
8,315,710 Associating therapy adjustments with patient posture states 0 2009
8,282,580 Data rejection for posture state analysis 0 2009
8,249,718 Programming posture state-responsive therapy with nominal therapy parameters 0 2009
8,231,555 Therapy system including multiple posture sensors 0 2009
8,231,556 Obtaining baseline patient information 0 2009
8,219,206 Dwell time adjustments for posture state-responsive therapy 0 2009
8,209,028 Objectification of posture state-responsive therapy based on patient therapy adjustments 1 2009
8,200,340 Guided programming for posture-state responsive therapy 0 2009
8,175,720 Posture-responsive therapy control based on patient input 0 2009
8,150,531 Associating therapy adjustments with patient posture states 0 2009
8,280,517 Automatic validation techniques for validating operation of medical devices 0 2009
8,068,903 Method and apparatus for detection of nervous system disorders 0 2010
8,388,555 Posture state classification for a medical device 0 2010
 
CYBERONICS, INC. (44)
7,209,787 Apparatus and method for closed-loop intracranial stimulation for optimal control of neurological disease 75 2003
7,242,984 Apparatus and method for closed-loop intracranial stimulation for optimal control of neurological disease 33 2004
7,277,758 Methods and systems for predicting future symptomatology in a patient suffering from a neurological or psychiatric disorder 40 2004
7,324,851 Closed-loop feedback-driven neuromodulation 36 2004
7,231,254 Closed-loop feedback-driven neuromodulation 80 2004
7,751,891 Power supply monitoring for an implantable device 2 2004
7,366,571 Neurostimulator with activation based on changes in body temperature 11 2004
7,561,918 Autocapture in a neurostimulator 3 2005
7,454,245 Trained and adaptive response in a neurostimulator 6 2005
7,403,820 Closed-loop feedback-driven neuromodulation 38 2005
7,840,280 Cranial nerve stimulation to treat a vocal cord disorder 0 2005
7,706,874 Stimulating cranial nerve to treat disorders associated with the thyroid gland 0 2005
7,499,752 Selective nerve stimulation for the treatment of eating disorders 2 2005
7,747,325 Systems and methods for monitoring a patient's neurological disease state 3 2005
7,489,561 Implantable medical device with reconfigurable non-volatile program 1 2005
7,620,455 Cranial nerve stimulation to treat eating disorders 8 2005
8,428,731 Sequenced therapy protocols for an implantable medical device 0 2005
7,957,796 Using physiological sensor data with an implantable medical device 0 2005
7,555,344 Selective neurostimulation for treating epilepsy 0 2005
7,643,881 Neurostimulation with activation based on changes in body temperature 0 2006
7,996,079 Input response override for an implantable medical device 0 2006
7,974,697 Medical imaging feedback for an implantable medical device 0 2006
7,657,310 Treatment of reproductive endocrine disorders by vagus nerve stimulation 2 2006
7,801,601 Controlling neuromodulation using stimulus modalities 6 2006
8,180,462 Heat dissipation for a lead assembly 0 2006
7,962,220 Compensation reduction in tissue stimulation therapy 2 2006
7,869,885 Threshold optimization for tissue stimulation therapy 2 2006
7,869,867 Implantable neurostimulator with refractory stimulation 0 2006
7,853,329 Monitoring efficacy of neural modulation therapy 7 2006
7,706,875 Modulation of drug effects by vagus nerve stimulation 1 2007
7,974,707 Electrode assembly with fibers for a medical device 2 2007
7,904,175 Trans-esophageal vagus nerve stimulation 2 2007
7,869,884 Non-surgical device and methods for trans-esophageal vagus nerve stimulation 0 2007
7,974,701 Dosing limitation for an implantable medical device 2 2007
7,930,035 Providing output indicative of subject's disease state 2 2007
7,623,928 Controlling a subject's susceptibility to a seizure 1 2007
7,676,263 Minimally invasive system for selecting patient-specific therapy parameters 8 2007
7,962,214 Non-surgical device and methods for trans-esophageal vagus nerve stimulation 1 2007
8,260,426 Method, apparatus and system for bipolar charge utilization during stimulation by an implantable medical device 0 2008
8,036,736 Implantable systems and methods for identifying a contra-ictal condition in a subject 4 2008
8,204,603 Blocking exogenous action potentials by an implantable medical device 0 2008
8,239,028 Use of cardiac parameters in methods and systems for treating a chronic medical condition 0 2009
8,306,627 Dosing limitation for an implantable medical device 0 2011
8,295,946 Electrode assembly with fibers for a medical device 0 2011
 
BIOCONTROL MEDICAL LTD. (22)
7,734,355 Treatment of disorders by unidirectional nerve stimulation 3 2002
7,778,703 Selective nerve fiber stimulation for treating heart conditions 4 2002
6,907,295 Electrode assembly for nerve control 84 2002
7,321,793 Vagal stimulation for atrial fibrillation therapy 36 2003
7,778,711 Reduction of heart rate variability by parasympathetic stimulation 2 2003
7,890,185 Treatment of disorders by unidirectional nerve stimulation 0 2003
7,885,711 Vagal stimulation for anti-embolic therapy 0 2004
7,346,398 Electrode assembly for nerve control 21 2004
7,324,853 Nerve stimulation for treating spasticity, tremor, muscle weakness, and other motor disorders 3 2004
7,561,922 Construction of electrode assembly for nerve control 4 2004
7,634,317 Techniques for applying, calibrating, and controlling nerve fiber stimulation 4 2005
7,974,693 Techniques for applying, configuring, and coordinating nerve fiber stimulation 0 2005
8,386,056 Parasympathetic stimulation for treating atrial arrhythmia and heart failure 0 2005
7,885,709 Nerve stimulation for treating disorders 0 2005
7,627,384 Techniques for nerve stimulation 0 2005
7,844,346 Electrode assembly for nerve control 0 2006
7,904,176 Techniques for reducing pain associated with nerve stimulation 0 2006
8,204,591 Techniques for prevention of atrial fibrillation 0 2007
8,060,197 Parasympathetic stimulation for termination of non-sinus atrial tachycardia 0 2007
8,116,881 Electrode assembly for nerve control 0 2007
8,005,542 Therapeutic maintenance of atrial fibrillation by electrical stimulation 1 2007
8,326,438 Techniques for nerve stimulation 0 2009
 
ENTEROMEDICS INC. (18)
7,489,969 Vagal down-regulation obesity treatment 15 2003
7,444,183 Intraluminal electrode apparatus and method 22 2004
7,167,750 Obesity treatment with electrically induced vagal down regulation 73 2004
7,844,338 High frequency obesity treatment 4 2004
7,833,279 Pancreatic exocrine secretion diversion apparatus and method 1 2004
7,613,515 High frequency vagal blockage therapy 18 2005
7,822,486 Custom sized neural electrodes 9 2005
7,672,727 Neural electrode treatment 5 2005
7,986,995 Bulimia treatment 2 2007
7,720,540 Pancreatitis treatment 6 2007
7,693,577 Irritable bowel syndrome treatment 6 2007
7,630,769 GI inflammatory disease treatment 8 2007
7,729,771 Nerve stimulation and blocking for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders 6 2007
8,103,349 Neural electrode treatment 2 2009
8,010,204 Nerve blocking for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders 1 2010
8,372,158 Obesity treatment and device 0 2010
8,046,085 Controlled vagal blockage therapy 1 2010
8,369,952 Bulimia treatment 0 2011
 
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC NEUROMODULATION CORPORATION (17)
7,860,570 Implantable microstimulators and methods for unidirectional propagation of action potentials 14 2002
7,292,890 Vagus nerve stimulation via unidirectional propagation of action potentials 72 2002
7,203,548 Cavernous nerve stimulation via unidirectional propagation of action potentials 43 2002
7,308,303 Thrombolysis and chronic anticoagulation therapy 16 2002
7,167,751 Method of using a fully implantable miniature neurostimulator for vagus nerve stimulation 36 2004
7,627,383 Implantable stimulator 3 2005
7,660,631 Methods and systems for electrical and/or drug stimulation as a therapy for erectile dysfunction 1 2005
7,801,600 Controlling charge flow in the electrical stimulation of tissue 2 2005
8,175,717 Ultracapacitor powered implantable pulse generator with dedicated power supply 0 2005
7,729,758 Magnetically coupled microstimulators 2 2005
7,890,177 Device and therapy for erectile dysfunction and other sexual dysfunction 0 2006
7,865,243 Device and therapy for erectile dysfunction and other sexual dysfunction 0 2006
7,801,602 Controlling stimulation parameters of implanted tissue stimulators 2 2006
7,899,539 Cavernous nerve stimulation via unidirectional propagation of action potentials 3 2006
7,877,136 Enhancement of neural signal transmission through damaged neural tissue via hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current 9 2007
7,783,362 Vagus nerve stimulation via unidirectional propagation of action potentials 0 2007
7,877,137 Thrombolysis and chronic anticoagulation therapy 0 2007
 
CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC. (14)
7,657,312 Multi-site ventricular pacing therapy with parasympathetic stimulation 18 2003
8,126,560 Stimulation lead for stimulating the baroreceptors in the pulmonary artery 1 2003
8,024,050 Lead for stimulating the baroreceptors in the pulmonary artery 6 2003
7,509,166 Automatic baroreflex modulation responsive to adverse event 35 2003
8,200,331 System and method for filtering neural stimulation 0 2004
8,126,559 Neural stimulation with avoidance of inappropriate stimulation 1 2004
7,840,266 Integrated lead for applying cardiac resynchronization therapy and neural stimulation therapy 4 2005
7,660,628 System to provide myocardial and neural stimulation 12 2005
7,881,782 Neural stimulation system to prevent simultaneous energy discharges 2 2005
7,570,999 Implantable device for treating epilepsy and cardiac rhythm disorders 21 2005
8,131,359 System and method to deliver therapy in presence of another therapy 1 2008
8,131,362 Combined neural stimulation and cardiac resynchronization therapy 0 2009
8,200,332 System and method for filtering neural stimulation 1 2009
8,406,876 Closed loop neural stimulation synchronized to cardiac cycles 0 2010
 
ELECTROCORE LLC (11)
7,747,324 Electrical stimulation treatment of bronchial constriction 3 2006
7,725,188 Electrical stimulation treatment of hypotension 1 2006
7,711,430 Methods and apparatus for treating anaphylaxis using electrical modulation 1 2006
8,209,034 Methods and apparatus for electrical stimulation treatment using esophageal balloon and electrode 0 2008
8,401,650 Methods and apparatus for electrical treatment using balloon and electrode 0 2009
7,869,879 Electrical stimulation treatment of hypotension 1 2009
8,041,428 Electrical stimulation treatment of hypotension 1 2009
8,010,197 Methods and apparatus for treating anaphylaxis using electrical modulation 1 2010
8,099,167 Methods and apparatus for treating anaphylaxis using electrical modulation 1 2011
8,233,988 Electrical stimulation treatment of hypotension 0 2011
8,204,598 Methods and apparatus for treating bronchial restriction using electrical modulation 0 2011
 
NEVRO CORPORATION (9)
8,255,057 Systems and methods for producing asynchronous neural responses to treat pain and/or other patient conditions 0 2009
8,423,147 Devices for controlling high frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain, and associated systems and methods, including simplified controllers 0 2011
8,209,021 Selective high frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects, and associated systems and methods 0 2011
8,170,675 Selective high frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects, and associated systems and methods 0 2011
8,396,559 Selective high frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects, and associated systems and methods 0 2012
8,428,748 Selective high frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects, and associated systems and methods 0 2012
8,359,102 Selective high frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects, and associated systems and methods 0 2012
8,359,103 Selective high frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects, and associated systems and methods 0 2012
8,355,792 Selective high frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects, and associated systems and methods 0 2012
 
AMS RESEARCH CORPORATION (7)
6,862,480 Pelvic disorder treatment device 29 2001
7,613,516 Pelvic disorder treatment device 8 2002
8,195,296 Apparatus for treating stress and urge incontinence 0 2006
8,160,710 Systems and methods for implanting tissue stimulation electrodes in the pelvic region 0 2007
8,340,786 Incontinence treatment device 0 2008
8,083,663 Pelvic disorder treatment 1 2009
8,380,312 Multi-zone stimulation implant system and method 0 2010
 
CVRX, INC. (6)
8,086,314 Devices and methods for cardiovascular reflex control 1 2002
7,840,271 Stimulus regimens for cardiovascular reflex control 20 2005
8,290,595 Method and apparatus for stimulation of baroreceptors in pulmonary artery 0 2006
8,060,206 Baroreflex modulation to gradually decrease blood pressure 1 2006
7,813,812 Baroreflex stimulator with integrated pressure sensor 1 2006
7,949,400 Devices and methods for cardiovascular reflex control via coupled electrodes 1 2009
 
BRAINSGATE LTD. (4)
7,561,919 SPG stimulation via the greater palatine canal 2 2006
8,010,189 SPG stimulation for treating complications of subarachnoid hemorrhage 0 2007
7,908,000 Transmucosal electrical stimulation 0 2007
8,406,869 Post-acute electrical stimulation treatment of adverse cerebrovascular events 0 2011
 
FLINT HILLS SCIENTIFIC, L.L.C. (4)
7,389,144 Medical device failure detection and warning system 11 2004
8,417,344 Dynamic cranial nerve stimulation based on brain state determination from cardiac data 0 2008
8,337,404 Detecting, quantifying, and/or classifying seizures using multimodal data 0 2010
8,382,667 Detecting, quantifying, and/or classifying seizures using multimodal data 0 2011
 
PACESETTER, INC. (4)
7,123,961 Stimulation of autonomic nerves 62 2004
7,676,275 Endovascular lead for chronic nerve stimulation 6 2005
7,869,869 Subcardiac threshold vagal nerve stimulation 0 2006
7,813,805 Subcardiac threshold vagal nerve stimulation 2 2006
 
CATHOLIC HEALTHCARE WEST (3)
8,219,188 Synchronization of vagus nerve stimulation with the cardiac cycle of a patient 0 2007
8,150,508 Vagus nerve stimulation method 0 2007
8,280,505 Vagus nerve stimulation method 0 2009
 
HOLAIRA, INC. (3)
8,172,827 Apparatus for treating asthma using neurotoxin 0 2006
8,088,127 Systems, assemblies, and methods for treating a bronchial tree 2 2009
8,226,638 Systems, assemblies, and methods for treating a bronchial tree 0 2011
 
SYNECOR, LLC (3)
8,116,883 Intravascular device for neuromodulation 1 2007
7,925,352 System and method for transvascularly stimulating contents of the carotid sheath 0 2009
8,369,954 System and method for transvascularly stimulating contents of the carotid sheath 0 2011
 
MAYO FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH (2)
7,228,167 Method and apparatus for detecting vagus nerve stimulation 10 2004
7,803,195 Obesity treatment and device 6 2005
 
NEUROSYSTEC CORPORATION (2)
7,803,148 Flow-induced delivery from a drug mass 1 2007
8,298,176 Flow-induced delivery from a drug mass 0 2010
 
BIO NEURONICS CORPORATION (1)
8,295,934 Systems and methods of reducing artifact in neurological stimulation systems 0 2006
 
MARVELL INTERNATIONAL LTD. (1)
6,892,098 Nerve stimulation for treating spasticity, tremor, muscle weakness, and other motor disorders 11 2002
 
MEDTRONIC TRANSNEURONIX, INC. (1)
7,664,551 Treatment of the autonomic nervous system 1 2005
 
SETPOINT MEDICAL CORPORATION (1)
8,412,338 Devices and methods for optimizing electrode placement for anti-inflamatory stimulation 0 2009
 
THE FEINSTEIN INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH (1)
8,391,970 Devices and methods for inhibiting granulocyte activation by neural stimulation 0 2008
 
OTHER [CHECK PATENT PROFILE FOR ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION] (4)
6,587,727 Vagal nerve stimulation techniques for treatment of epileptic seizures 110 2001
6,920,357 Vagal nerve stimulation techniques for treatment of epileptic seizures 75 2003
7,499,894 Cerebral programming 8 2003
8,447,411 Patient interaction with posture-responsive therapy 0 2009

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11.5 Year Payment $7400.00 $3700.00 $1850.00 Jul 22, 2013
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