James Ross Thacker

US Patent:

6622042, Sep 16, 2003

Filed:

May 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/852884

Inventors:

James R. Thacker - Eureka MO

Assignee:

Pacesetter, Inc. - Sylmar CA

International Classification:

A61N 1365

US Classification:

607 14, 600518

Abstract:

An implantable cardiac stimulation device and method utilizes electrogram spectral analysis to administer electrical stimulation therapy to a heart to treat accelerated arrhythmias of the heart. The device includes an arrhythmia detector that initially detects an accelerated arrhythmia of the heart. An acquisition system then acquires an electrogram of the heart having both atrial and ventricular depolarization components. A processor then spectral analyzes the electrogram to provide spectral data related to the accelerated arrhythmia. The spectral data may be used for arrhythmia discrimination, arrhythmia tolerance discernment, and/or by a pulse generator to control stimulation therapy delivery timing.

US Patent:

6970741, Nov 29, 2005

Filed:

Sep 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/246554

Inventors:

Todd K. Whitehurst - Frazier Park CA, US
James P. McGivern - Stevenson Ranch CA, US
Kelly H. McClure - Simi Valley CA, US
Goran N. Marnfeldt - Valencia CA, US
James R. Thacker - Eureka MO, US

Assignee:

Advanced Bionics Corporation - Valencia CA

International Classification:

A61N001/00
A61M005/00

US Classification:

607 3, 607 63, 128899

Abstract:

An implantable system control unit (SCU) includes means for measuring tissue impedance or other condition to determine allograft health, in order to predict or detect allograft rejection. The SCU also includes at least two electrodes coupled to means for delivering electrical stimulation to a patient within whom the device is implanted, and may also include a reservoir for holding one or more drugs and a driver means for delivering the drug(s) to the patient. In certain embodiments, the system is capable of open- and closed-loop operation. In closed-loop operation, at least one SCU includes a sensor, and the sensed condition is used to adjust stimulation parameters. Alternatively, this sensory “SCU” sounds an alarm, communicates an alarm to an external device, and/or is responsive to queries regarding sensed information, such as tissue impedance.

US Patent:

6993384, Jan 31, 2006

Filed:

Dec 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/310202

Inventors:

Kerry Bradley - Glendale CA, US
James R. Thacker - Eureka MO, US

Assignee:

Advanced Bionics Corporation - Valencia CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/00

US Classification:

607 2

Abstract:

Interelectrode impedance or electric field potential measurements are used to determine the relative orientation of one lead to other leads in the spinal column or other body/tissue location. Interelectrode impedance is determined by measuring impedance vectors. The value of the impedance vector is due primarily to the electrode-electrolyte interface, and the bulk impedance between the electrodes. The bulk impedance between the electrodes is, in turn, made up of (1) the impedance of the tissue adjacent to the electrodes, and (2) the impedance of the tissue between the electrodes. In one embodiment, the present invention makes both monopolar and bipolar impedance measurements, and then corrects the bipolar impedance measurements using the monopolar measurements to eliminate the effect of the impedance of the tissue adjacent the electrodes. The orientation and position of the leads may be inferred from the relative minima of the corrected bipolar impedance values. These corrected impedance values may also be mapped and stored to facilitate a comparison with subsequent corrected impedance measurement values.

US Patent:

7099718, Aug 29, 2006

Filed:

May 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/155146

Inventors:

James R. Thacker - Eureka MO, US
David K. L. Peterson - Saugus CA, US
James P. McGivern - Stevenson Ranch CA, US
Michael S. Colvin - Malibu CA, US

Assignee:

Advanced Bionics Corporation - Valencia CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/05

US Classification:

607117

Abstract:

An implantable lead having at least one electrode contact at or near its distal end prevents undesirable movement of the electrode contact from its initial implant location. One embodiment relates to a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) lead. A balloon may be positioned on the electrode lead array. The balloon is filled with air, liquid or a compliant material. When inflated, the balloon stabilizes the lead with respect to the spinal cord and holds the lead in place. The pressure of the balloon is monitored or otherwise controlled during the filling process in order to determine at what point the filling process should be discontinued. An elastic aspect of the balloon serves as a contained relief valve to limit the pressure the balloon may place on the surrounding tissues when the epidural space is constrained.

US Patent:

7155284, Dec 26, 2006

Filed:

Jan 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/346538

Inventors:

Todd K Whitehurst - Santa Clarita CA, US
Kelly H. McClure - Simi Valley CA, US
James R Thacker - Eureka MO, US
James P McGivern - Stevenson Ranch CA, US

Assignee:

Advanced Bionics Corporation - Valencia CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/18

US Classification:

607 44, 6048911, 607 3

Abstract:

Treatment of hypertension includes implantation of the discharge portion(s) of a catheter and/or electrical stimulation electrode(s) adjacent the tissue(s) to be stimulated. Stimulation pulses, i. e. , drug infusion pulses and/or electrical pulses, are supplied by one or more implanted stimulators, through the catheter and possibly also a lead, tunneled subcutaneously between the stimulator and stimulation site. A microstimulator(s) may also/instead deliver electrical stimulation pulses. Stimulation sites include the carotid sinus and carotid body, among other locations. Treatments include drugs used for acute and/or chronic treatment of hypertension. In a number of embodiments, a need for or response to treatment is sensed, and the electrical and/or infusion pulses adjusted accordingly.

US Patent:

7177690, Feb 13, 2007

Filed:

Jan 31, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/356414

Inventors:

Carla Mann Woods - Los Angeles CA, US
James R Thacker - Eureka MO, US
David K. L Peterson - Saugus CA, US

Assignee:

Advanced Bionics Corporation - Sylmar CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/378

US Classification:

607 29, 607 33, 607 61

Abstract:

A system and method for detecting the status of a rechargeable battery included within an implantable medical device. The medical device can incorporate a status indicator which signals the user concerning the battery status, e. g. , low battery level. The signal may be audible or it may arise from an electrical stimulation that is perceptually distinguished from the operative, therapeutic stimulation. The external programmer may also incorporate a second battery status indicator that is visual, audible, or physically felt. Battery status data may be conveyed on visual displays on the external programmer by uploading this information from the medical device using a bi-directional telemetry link. Such battery status data are helpful to the user to indicate when the battery should be recharged and to the clinician to monitor patient compliance and to determine end-of-useful life of the rechargeable battery.

US Patent:

7239920, Jul 3, 2007

Filed:

Feb 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/364434

Inventors:

James R Thacker - Eureka MO, US
Carla Mann Woods - Los Angeles CA, US

Assignee:

Advanced Bionics Corporation - Sylmar CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/00

US Classification:

607 46

Abstract:

A neural stimulation system automatically corrects or adjusts the stimulus magnitude in order to maintain a comfortable and effective stimulation therapy. Auto correction of the stimulus magnitude is linked to the measurement of pressure in the vicinity of the electrode-tissue interface. Because the pressure near the electrode-tissue interface can provide a measure of the electrode contacts' proximity to the neural tissue, and hence quantity of electrical energy delivered to the neural tissue, a change in the measured pressure or pressure morphology indicates that the stimulation energy may need to be adjusted. Hence, changes in pressure provide a feedback mechanism that permit the system to effectively auto correct the stimulus amplitude in order to maintain a desired therapeutic effect.

US Patent:

7308303, Dec 11, 2007

Filed:

Nov 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/285803

Inventors:

Todd K Whitehurst - Frazier Park CA, US
Kelly H McClure - Simi Valley CA, US
James R Thacker - Eureka MO, US

Assignee:

Advanced Bionics Corporation - Valencia CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/00
A61M 5/00

US Classification:

607 3

Abstract:

Thrombolytic and/or anticoagulation therapy of the present invention includes implantation of the discharge portion(s) of a catheter and, optionally, one or more electrodes on a lead, adjacent tissue(s) to be stimulated. Stimulation pulses, i. e. , drug infusion pulses and optional electrical pulses, are supplied by a stimulator implanted remotely, and through the catheter or lead, which is tunneled subcutaneously between the stimulator and stimulation site. Stimulation sites include the coronary arteries, coronary veins, cerebral arteries, other blood vessels, chambers of the heart, mesenteric vessels, deep vessels of the leg, and other locations. Disclosed treatments include drugs used for chronic treatment and/or prevention of thromboembolic disease, for acute treatment of thromboembolic disease, for acute treatment of thrombosis, and combinations of these. The invention reduces or eliminates the incidence of thromboembolic disease and related morbidities, improve symptoms resulting from thromboembolic disease, and improve patient quality of life.