Physio-control, Inc.

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Other

West Affum Holdings Corp.

West Affum Holdings Dac

Medtronic Physio-control Corp.

James M Owen

Cynthia P Jayne

William Edward Crone

Richard C Nova

Gregory T Kavounas

Fred William Chapman

John C Daynes

Mark P Bendett

Ronald Eugene Stickney

David R Hampton

Robert A Niskanen

Matthias P Savage-Leuchs

Jonathon D Wells

Matthew D Keller

Shuming Yuan

Rene Ann Young Mitchell

Joseph Leo Sullivan

Charles A Lemaire

Robert G Walker

Andrew Xing

Bryan Joseph Norton

Robert W Royse

Jonathan D Wells

René Ann Young Mitchell

J Ben Owen

The presence of a cardiac pulse in a patient is determined by evaluating physiological signals in the patient. In one embodiment, a medical device evaluates optical characteristics of light transmitted into a patient to ascertain physiological signals, such as pulsatile changes in general blood volume proximate a light detector module. Using these features, the medical device determines whether a cardiac pulse is present in the patient. The medical device may also be configured to report whether the patient is in a VF, VT, asystole, or PEA condition, in addition to being in a pulseless condition, and prompt different therapies, such as chest compressions, rescue breathing, defibrillation, and PEA-specific electrotherapy, depending on the analysis of the physiological signals. Auto-capture of a cardiac pulse using pacing stimuli is further provided.

Pulse detection using patient physiological signals

The presence of a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in a patient is determined by evaluating physiological signals in the patient. In one embodiment, methods and devices device evaluate optical characteristics of light transmitted into a patient to ascertain physiological signals, such as pulsatile changes in general blood volume proximate a light detector module. Using these features, the methods and devices determine whether pulsatile blood flow is present in the patient and also whether the patient has ROSC based on whether the pulsatile blood flow is present. Some examples of the methods and devices indicate that the patient has ROSC if the patient's pulsatile blood flow is detected after defibrillation therapy has been delivered to the patient. Other example methods and devices either prompt a user to deliver additional defibrillation therapy to a patient or automatically deliver additional defibrillation therapy to a patient if the patient does not have ROSC.

Method and apparatus for infrared-light nerve stimulation plus low-level light therapy (INS-plus-LLLT) that includes providing an infrared-light nerve stimulation plus low-level light therapy (INS-plus-LLLT) device; implanting the INS-plus-LLLT device in the animal; emitting a plurality of infrared laser-light nerve-stimulation signals from the INS-plus-LLLT device and directing the plurality of infrared laser-light nerve stimulation signals toward a neural tissue of the animal in order to trigger an action potential response in the neural tissue; and generating a plurality of low-level light therapy signals using the INS-plus-LLLT device and directing the low-level light therapy signals toward the neural tissue of the animal, wherein the low-level light therapy signals are configured to be efficacious for pain management in order to reduce an acute pain of the animal.

Apparatus and method for managing chronic pain with infrared and low-level light sources

Method and apparatus for infrared-light nerve stimulation-plus-therapeutic-heat (INS-plus-TH) that includes providing a plurality of light sources; providing a plurality of thermally conductive extensions configured to transfer heat generated by the plurality of light sources away from the plurality of light sources; emitting a plurality of infrared-light nerve-stimulation signals toward neural tissue of an animal from the plurality of light sources, wherein the emitted infrared-light nerve-stimulation signals are configured to generate action potentials in the neural tissue, and wherein the emitting of the plurality of infrared-light nerve-stimulation signals includes generating heat; controlling the emitting of the plurality of infrared-light nerve-stimulation signals to generate action potentials in the neural tissue; and transferring the heat generated by the plurality of light sources during the emitting of the plurality of infrared-light nerve-stimulation signals away from the plurality of light sources and into surrounding tissue of the animal using the plurality of thermally conductive extensions.

Apparatus and method for managing chronic pain with infrared light sources and heat

Apparatus and method for optical- or optical-and-electrical stimulation of e.g., auditory nerve pathways, for example spiral ganglion in the cochlea or neurons in the cochlear nerve. Several configurations for guiding and directing the optical stimulation are disclosed. Several configurations for guiding and directing the electrical field (used in some embodiments, for sensitization) in and through the destination tissue to which the optical stimulation is directed are disclosed. In some embodiments, and array of IR VCSELs emit stimulation light, in particular to tissue in the cochlea for restoring hearing. In some embodiments, an electrical signal is also applied in a manner that reduces the amount of light in a pulse that is otherwise needed to elicit a NAP. In some embodiments, a heat dissipater is used to spread the heat generated by operation of the lasers and their circuits, to avoid heat damage to the tissue.

Laser-based nerve stimulators for, E.G., hearing restoration in cochlear prostheses and method

An apparatus and process using a high-power, short-pulsed thulium laser to output infrared laser pulses delivered through an optical fiber, for cutting and ablating biological tissue. In some embodiments, the pulse length is shortened sufficiently to keep inside the stress-confined ablation region of operation. In some embodiments, the pulse is shortened to near the stress-confined ablation region of operation, while being slightly in the thermal-constrained region of operation. In some embodiments, the laser is coupled to a small low-OH optical fiber (&#x2dc;100 &#x3bc;m diameter). In some embodiments, the device has a pulse duration of about 100 ns for efficient ablation; however in some embodiments, this parameter is adjustable.

Multiple-mode device for high-power short-pulse laser ablation and CW cauterization of bodily tissues

An apparatus and process using a high-power, short-pulsed thulium laser to output infrared laser pulses delivered through an optical fiber, for cutting and ablating biological tissue. In some embodiments, the pulse length is shortened sufficiently to keep inside the stress-confined ablation region of operation. In some embodiments, the pulse is shortened to near the stress-confined ablation region of operation, while being slightly in the thermal-constrained region of operation. In some embodiments, the laser is coupled to a small low &#x2014;OH optical fiber (&#x2dc;100 &#x3bc;m diameter). In some embodiments, the device has a pulse duration of about 100 ns for efficient ablation; however in some embodiments, this parameter is adjustable.

Method and multiple-mode device for high-power short-pulse laser ablation and CW cauterization of bodily tissues

An external defibrillator is customized for at least one person, i.e., an anticipated patient, through creation of a profile for the anticipated patient that allows the defibrillator and users of the defibrillator to provide customized treatment to the patient. The profile may include treatment parameters for the anticipated patient, such as defibrillation therapy parameters selected for the patient. The profile may also include a baseline recording of a physiological parameter of the patient, and medical history and personal information regarding the patient. In some embodiments, the external defibrillator stores a profile for each of one or more anticipated patients within a memory. In other embodiments, a profile for an anticipated patient is stored within a medium associated with that anticipated patient. The medium may, for example, be a removable medium for external defibrillators.

Defibrillators customized for anticipated patients

Growing community of inventors

Redmond, WA, United States of America

James M Owen