James Wayne 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:

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:

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:

7321794, Jan 22, 2008

Filed:

Nov 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/713511

Inventors:

James R Thacker - Eureka MO, US
Kelly H McClure - Simi Valley CA, US
Todd K Whitehurst - Santa Clarita CA, US
Philip H Lee - Santa Clarita CA, US

Assignee:

Advanced Bionics Corporation - Valencia CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/368

US Classification:

607 50, 607 9

Abstract:

An atrial, anti-arrhythmia system and method are provided. The system comprises: at least two electrodes attached to the atrium for providing independently controlled stimulus through each electrode; detection circuitry that can sense atrial fibrillation or the cardiac cycle; and stimulus generator that can deliver stimulation through at least two electrodes to stop atrial fibrillation. The method for treating atrial fibrillation has three possible modes: a first mode for detecting ongoing atrial fibrillation and stopping it; a second mode for detecting the cardiac cycle and delivering stimuli to the atrium after it has already begun to contract in order to suppress the onset of atrial fibrillation; and a third mode which applies pacing pulses to the atrium in a timed sequence to pace and contract the atrium faster than the native rate to preempt the initiation of atrial fibrillation.

US Patent:

7571001, Aug 4, 2009

Filed:

Jul 27, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/829742

Inventors:

James R. Thacker - Eureka MO, US
John D.H. King - Los Angeles CA, US
Kerry Bradley - Glendale CA, US

Assignee:

Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation - Valenica CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/18

US Classification:

607 46, 607117

Abstract:

A system and method for rapidly switching stimulation parameters of a Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system increases the number of stimulation parameter sets that may be tested during a fitting procedure, or alternatively, reduces the time required for the fitting procedure. The switching method comprises selecting a new stimulation parameter set, and setting the initial stimulation levels to levels at or just below an estimated perception threshold of the patient. The estimated perception level is based on previous stimulation results. The stimulation level is then increased to determine a minimum stimulation level for effective stimulation, and/or an optimal stimulation level, and/or a maximum stimulation level, based on patient perception.

US Patent:

7657317, Feb 2, 2010

Filed:

Apr 26, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/115789

Inventors:

James R. Thacker - Eureka MO, US
Carla M. Woods - Beverly Hills CA, US
Sridhar Kothandaraman - Valencia CA, US
John D. H. King - Los Angeles CA, US
Kerry Bradley - Glendale CA, US

Assignee:

Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation - Valencia CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/36

US Classification:

607 46

Abstract:

A tissue stimulation system is provided that evaluates and/or scores stimulation sets based on both patient feedback and frequency of use. Stimulation sets and any associated scores and/or usage may be stored in a retrievable database. Upon subsequent stimulation sessions, a patient may select stimulation sets that have a high score and/or usage in order to effectively meet therapeutic objectives. Methods of determining patient satisfaction, which involve evaluating patient pain before and after stimulation pulses are applied, are also provided herein.

US Patent:

7801621, Sep 21, 2010

Filed:

Apr 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/742543

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation - Valencia CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/00

US Classification:

607 62, 607 2, 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:

7856277, Dec 21, 2010

Filed:

Aug 11, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/464137

Inventors:

James R. Thacker - Eureka MO, US
Michael S Colvin - Newbury Park CA, US
David K. L. Peterson - Saugus CA, US
James P. McGivern - Wake Forest NC, US

Assignee:

Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation - Valencia CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/372

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 first injectable material is injected into the dura space to mechanically position the electrode array with respect to the spinal cord. Conjunctively for use with adhesives, or alternatively for use instead of the adhesives, 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. 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.