James O Gilkerson

US Patent:

6370432, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Aug 20, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/378315

Inventors:

Vickie L. Conley - Woodbury MN
James O. Gilkerson - Stillwater MN
David L. Perschbacher - Coon Rapids MN

Assignee:

Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61N 137

US Classification:

607 27, 607 28

Abstract:

A system and method for passively testing a cardiac pacemaker in which sensing signal amplitudes and lead impedance values are measured and stored while the pacemaker is functioning in its programmed mode. The amplitude and impedance data may be gotten and stored periodically at regular intervals to generate a historical record for diagnostic purposes. Sensing signal amplitudes may also be measured and stored from a sensing channel which is currently not programmed to be active as long as the pacemaker is physically configured to support the sensing channel. Such data can be useful in evaluating whether a switch in the pacemakers operating mode is desirable.

US Patent:

6370434, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Feb 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/514544

Inventors:

Yongxing Zhang - Little Canada MN
James O. Gilkerson - Stillwater MN

Assignee:

Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61N 105

US Classification:

607122

Abstract:

A pacing lead and method for implanting the lead are provided. The lead includes a reduced diameter lead body and an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly is provided with a stylet guide, a cavity or a flange to facilitate the leads implantation with the reduced diameter lead body. The method for implanting further includes providing a guide catheter and a stylet to locate the electrode assembly at a target position in the heart.

US Patent:

6381494, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Aug 20, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/378321

Inventors:

James O. Gilkerson - Stillwater MN
David L. Perschbacher - Coon Rapids MN
Doug M. Birkholz - Shoreview MN
Thomas J. Harris - Shoreview MN

Assignee:

Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61N 136

US Classification:

607 27, 607 9

Abstract:

A method and system for response to ambient noise in implantable pulse generator. At least one cardiac signal is sensed with an implantable pulse generator. Cardiac depolarizations are identified in the at least one cardiac signal and cardiac depolarization markers are generated. The at least one cardiac signals are then analyzed for a noise event during a refractory period following the detected cardiac depolarization. The refractory period includes a noise window interval during which noise events are recognized. When a noise event, or events, occur during the noise window interval a first noise marker is generated. The noise window interval is then repeated as long as noise is detected in the noise window intervals. When the noise persists for a predetermined time interval a second noise marker is generated.

US Patent:

6493579, Dec 10, 2002

Filed:

Aug 20, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/378029

Inventors:

James O. Gilkerson - Stillwater MN
Vickie L. Conley - Woodbury MN
Scott Stubbs - Maple Grove MN
Douglas J. Lang - Arden Hills MN

Assignee:

Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61N 139

US Classification:

607 5, 607 31

Abstract:

A system and method of enabling detection enhancements selected from a plurality of detection enhancements. In a system having a plurality of clinical rhythms, including a first clinical rhythm, where each of the detection enhancements is associated with the clinical rhythms, the first clinical rhythm is selected. The first clinical rhythm is associated with first and second detection enhancements. When the first clinical rhythm is selected, parameters of the first and second detection enhancements are set automatically. A determination is made as to whether changes are to be made to the parameters. If so, one or more of the parameters are modified under user control.

US Patent:

6522922, Feb 18, 2003

Filed:

Jul 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/615546

Inventors:

David L. Perschbacher - Coon Rapids MN
Ankur Garg - St. Paul MN
James O. Gilkerson - Stillwater MN

Assignee:

Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61N 136

US Classification:

607 14, 607 9

Abstract:

A cardiac pacemaker programmed to pace in a demand mode with hysteresis is further programmed to recognize and correct a pacemaker mediated bradycardia. Such a pacemaker mediated bradycardia is the result of an idioventricular rhythm that occurs while hysteresis is operative and which inhibits the pacemaker from further pacing.

US Patent:

6522925, Feb 18, 2003

Filed:

May 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/569928

Inventors:

James O. Gilkerson - Stillwater MN
Vickie L. Conley - Woodbury MN
Scott Stubbs - Maple Grove MN
Douglas J. Lang - Arden Hills MN

Assignee:

Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61N 137

US Classification:

607 30

Abstract:

A system and method of enabling detection enhancements selected from a plurality of detection enhancements. In a system having a plurality of clinical rhythms, including a first clinical rhythm, where each of the detection enhancements is associated with the clinical rhythms, the first clinical rhythm is selected. The first clinical rhythm is associated with first and second detection enhancements. When the first clinical rhythm is selected, parameters of the first and second detection enhancements are set automatically. A determination is made as to whether changes are to be made to the parameters. If so, one or more of the parameters are modified under user control.

US Patent:

6526314, Feb 25, 2003

Filed:

Aug 24, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/382034

Inventors:

Jason W. Eberle - St. Louis Park MN
Hiten J. Doshi - Plymouth MN
LeAnne Marie Mackey - St. Louis Park MN
James O. Gilkerson - Stillwater MN
Vickie L. Conley - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61B 500

US Classification:

600523, 600509, 607 9, 607 59

Abstract:

A system and method for storing episodic data collected by an implantable medical device. If there are no unallocated storage locations, collected data associated with an episode is stored in locations that are freed from allocations to previous episodes. The least recently allocated of the storage locations allocated to episodes of a lower priority type may be freed first in order to maintain storage of higher priority episodic data. The method and system also allows a specified ratio of stored data allocated to episodes of one priority type to that of another priority type to be maintained.

US Patent:

6553258, Apr 22, 2003

Filed:

Dec 26, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/748733

Inventors:

Jeffrey E. Stahmann - Ramsey MN
Andrew P. Kramer - Stillwater MN
James O. Gilkerson - Stillwater MN
Lorenzo DiCarlo - Minneapolis MN
Rene H. Wentkowski - White Bear Lake MN

Assignee:

Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61N 1368

US Classification:

607 9, 607 15

Abstract:

A method and system for managing refractory periods in a cardiac rhythm management device configured for biventricular or biatrial sensing. Refractory periods for each channel of the pacemaker are provided by interval timers that are triggered by sensed or paced events in order to prevent misinterpretation of sensing signals.