Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Daniel W. Latham
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Patent number: 6690973Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure, such as surgery, is provided. The spinal cord is stimulated in order to control at least one physiological function. The medical procedure is performed and stimulation of the spinal cord is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. S. Hill, Scott E. Jahns, James R. Keogh
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Patent number: 6676902Abstract: A method and device for testing a sample of fresh whole blood. In particular the present invention provides a method and device for testing a sample of fresh whole blood to determine whether a patient would benefit from the administration of a blood factor (such as AT III.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2003Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Baugh, Julie S. Johnston, Colleen Lutz
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Patent number: 6676597Abstract: This invention provides an organ positioning device and method that employs suction to hold organ tissue to the device. The device allows the organ, for example, heart to be positioned in a desired orientation but otherwise allowing movement of the heart as the heart beats. The device is designed to be relatively atraumatic to heart tissue. Generally, the device comprises a resiliently flexible suction head having a plurality of legs that flex to conform to the surface of the heart. The suction head has vacuum passageways in fluid communication with the legs to apply suction between the legs and the surface of the heart.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2001Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Gary W. Guenst, Christopher Olig, Paul A. Pignato, Karen Montpetit, Thomas Daigle, Douglas H. Gubbin, Scott E. Jahns, Katherine Jolly
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Patent number: 6663627Abstract: A system and method for creating lesions and assessing their completeness or transmurality. Assessment of transmurality of a lesion is accomplished by monitoring the depolarization signal amplitude in a local electrogram taken using electrodes located adjacent the tissue to be ablated. Following onset of application of ablation energy to heart tissue, the amplitude of a local electrogram measured with electrodes located adjacent tissue to be ablated first gradually drops and then stabilizes, indicating that the tissue being monitored has ceased making any contribution to the sensed electrogram. The amplitude drop and/or the following amplitude plateau may be used alone or together as indicators of transmurality. Detection of a rapid drop in amplitude may be employed as an indicator that the ablation process is proceeding too quickly and may be employed to trigger a reduction in the power of applied ablation energy.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2002Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: David E. Francischelli, Eduardo N. Warman, Rahul Mehra, Mark T. Stewart, James R. Skarda, Harry Puryear, David Schwartzman
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Patent number: 6656175Abstract: A method and system for ablating tissue to provide a desired set of lesions. The system includes an ablation apparatus having an elongated shapeable section carrying a mechanism such as an electrode for applying ablation energy along the shapeable section. The shapeable section includes a member of shape memory material having a memorized configuration. The shapeable section is shaped manually or using fixtures to display a configuration corresponding to one of the desired lesions and is then employed to create the desired lesion. Thereafter the shapeable section is heated to cause it to resume its memorized configuration. Shaping, heating and ablating to create lesions are continued as necessary provide the desired set of lesions. In some embodiments of the invention, heating may be accomplished using heating elements built into the shapeable section.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: David E. Francischelli, Scott E. Jahns
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Patent number: 6656109Abstract: A suction retractor that provides support to and positions an organ for surgery is provided. This retractor includes a support surface, a plurality of suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface, at least one leash operatively attached to the support surface; and at least one suction tube operatively connected with the suction elements. A method for using the retractor to manipulate an organ during surgery is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: James H. DeVries, Steven R. Gundry, Brian S. Beals
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Patent number: 6645244Abstract: An improved artificial mechanical heart valve prosthesis having an improved leaflet hinge mechanism which improves washing of the hinge recess, reduces leaflet closing impact force and decreases noise and wear. A generally annular valve body having an annular interior surface extending between an inflow rim and an outflow rim thereof defines an annular orifice therethrough. A pair of leaflets are supported on said annular valve body for alternately blocking blood flow in an inflow direction when seated against the annular interior side wall in a closed position and then allowing the flow of blood through said annular orifice in a predetermined blood outflow direction when rotated into an open position.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2000Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Mark C. Shu, Jeffrey M. Gross, Hong S. Shim
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Patent number: 6638479Abstract: The efficiency of a hollow fiber wound oxygenator is improved by varying the packing density of the fiber bundle in a direction longitudinal and/or circumferential of the core.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 1999Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Roger J. Elgas, Robert F. Gremel
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Patent number: 6628987Abstract: A system of performing a medical procedure, such as surgery, is provided. The system comprises a sensor to sense a state of cardiac tissue, such as an impending contraction and an indicator to indicate the state of the cardiac tissue. Methods and devices for performing the medical procedure are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2000Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. S. Hill, Scott E. Jahns, James R. Keogh
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Patent number: 6623515Abstract: A surgical apparatus for delivering a conductive fluid to a target site for ablating bodily tissue. The apparatus includes a tube fluidly connected to a source of conductive fluid. The tube defines a proximal portion, a distal portion and a central pathway. The central pathway extends from the proximal portion to the distal portion and is configured to direct flow of conductive fluid to the distal portion. The distal portion is configured for placement at a target site of bodily tissue and forms a helical slot. The helical slot is configured to allow flow of conductive fluid from the central pathway. Following delivery of the conductive fluid, an electrical current is applied to create a virtual electrode for ablating bodily tissue at the target site.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2001Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Peter M. J. Mulier, Michael F. Hoey
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Patent number: 6613048Abstract: An electrosurgery medical device is enhanced with unique solution-assistance, and includes, in combination, co-operating device jaws including jaw portions for manipulating tissue, and a plurality of solution infusion openings defined and spaced along each of the jaw portions, for receiving electrolytic solution and infusing the solution onto and into tissue to be manipulated, along said jaw portions. As preferred, the device further includes at least one, and most preferably, many, longitudinal groove(s) along at least one and most preferably, both, of the jaw portions, with the solution infusion openings located in the groove or grooves. The solution is energized with RF energy and contributes to the functions and beneficial effects of the instrument. The solution exits the openings in the grooves at sufficient flow rates to separate substantially all the operative surfaces of the device from tissue, thereby substantially completely preventing adherence between the operative surfaces and tissue.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2002Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Peter M. J. Mulier, Michael F. Hoey
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Patent number: 6610060Abstract: An electrosurgery medical device is enhanced with unique solution-assistance, and comprises, in combination, co-operating device jaws including jaw portions for manipulating tissue, and a plurality of solution infusion openings defined and spaced along each of the jaw portions, for receiving electrolytic solution and infusing the solution onto and into tissue to be manipulated, along said jaw portions. As preferred, the device further comprises at least one, and most preferably, many, longitudinal groove(s) along at least one and most preferably, both, of the jaw portions, with the solution infusion openings located in the groove or grooves. The solution is energized with RF energy and contributes to the functions and beneficial effects of the instrument. The solution exits the openings in the grooves at sufficient flow rates to separate substantially all the operative surfaces of the device from tissue, thereby substantially completely preventing adherence between the operative surfaces and tissue.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2002Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Peter M. J. Mulier, Michael F. Hoey
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Patent number: 6585732Abstract: An electrocautery device is disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the electrocautery electrode/tip is provided with a hollow, conductive tube terminating at its distal end in a ball point type tip. Fluid, preferably conductive fluid, is applied to the proximal end of the hollow electrode/tip, and expelled from the distal end thereof during electrocautery. The ball point distal tip allows the distal tip to be directly applied to the tissue and “rolled” or slid along the tissue. This allows the distal tip to be moved across the tissue without dragging or snagging on the tissue. In addition, the conductive fluid expelled from the distal tip further lubricates the distal tip as it moves across the tissue. If conductive fluid is used, the conductive fluid emanating from the electrode/tip conducts the RF electrocautery energy away from the distal tip so that it is primarily the fluid, rather than the distal tip that actually accomplishes the cauterizing of tissue.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Peter M. J. Mulier, Michael F. Hoey
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Patent number: 6584360Abstract: A device for monitoring temperature generated by an ablation apparatus on organic tissue is provided. The device comprises a temperature sensing pad; and an output device to receive and display a representation of a lesion found on the ablated organic tissue. Ablation systems incorporating the device and methods of using the device are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Medtronic Inc.Inventors: David E. Francischelli, Scott E. Jahns, James R. Keogh
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Patent number: 6558382Abstract: A suction assisted ablation device having a support surface, suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface, at least one electrode and at least one suction conduit is provided. The device may further include fluid openings, which allow fluid to irrigate target tissue and aid in ablation. A method for ablating tissue using suction is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Scott E. Jahns, Greg P. Werness, Jon M. Ocel, David Lipson, Donald N. Jensen, David E. Francischelli, James R. Keogh
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Patent number: 6547775Abstract: An automatic control system and methods of automatic control for reducing the blood/air interface for suction from the left ventricle and/or operating field are provided by the present invention. A system in accord with the present invention will have a pressure sensor or monitor, a pump, and a bubble or air sensor to detect the ratio of air-to-blood in the sucker lines. The system will also have a processing means connected to the pressure sensor, pump, and air sensor for automatically adjusting the pump speed in response to the sensed pressure and/or the sensed air-to-blood ratio, and may have a display and the appropriate manual controls to manually adjust the pump speed also connected to the processing means.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1999Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventor: Yakov A. Blyakhman
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Patent number: 6542774Abstract: An electro-stimulation device includes a pair of electrodes for connection to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat. The electro-stimulation device both electrically arrests the heartbeat and stimulates the heartbeat. A pair of electrodes are provided for connection to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat. The pair of electrodes may be connected to an intravenous catheter for transvenous stimulation of the appropriate nerve. A first switch is connected between a power supply and the electrodes for selectively supplying current from the power supply to the electrodes to augment any natural stimuli to the heart and thereby stop the heart from beating. A second switch is connected between the power supply and the electrodes for selectively supplying current from the power supply to the electrodes to provide an artificial stimulus to initiate heartbeating.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. S. Hill, Kenneth R. Jonkman
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Patent number: 6541262Abstract: A method and device for testing a sample of fresh whole blood. In particular the present invention provides a method and device for testing a sample of fresh whole blood to determine whether a patient would benefit from the administration of a blood factor (such as AT III.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Baugh, Julie S. Johnston-Eaton, Colleen Lutz
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Patent number: 6537248Abstract: A surgical apparatus for delivering a conductive fluid to a target site for subsequent formation of a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue at the target site by applying a current to the delivered conductive fluid. The surgical apparatus includes an elongated device forming a helical needle. The helical needle is configured to engage bodily tissue and is hollow for delivering conductive fluid from a fluid source. Finally, the helical needle terminates in a needle tip. In one preferred embodiment, an electrode is associated with the helical needle for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the helical needle. During use, following delivery of conductive fluid, the electrode applies a current to the delivered conductive fluid for creating a virtual electrode. The virtual electrode ablates bodily tissue contacted by the conductive fluid.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1999Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Peter M. J. Mulier, Michael F. Hoey, Richard H. Comben
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Patent number: 6532388Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure, such as surgery, is provided. A nerve is stimulated to adjust the beating of the heart to a first condition, such as a stopped or slowed condition. The medical procedure is performed on the heart or another organ. The stimulation of the nerve is stopped to adjust the beating of the heart to a second condition, such as a beating condition. The heart itself may also be stimulated to a beating condition, such as by pacing. The stimulation of the nerve may be continued to allow the medical procedure to be continued. Systems and devices for performing the medical procedure are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2000Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. S. Hill, Scott E. Jahns, James R. Keogh, David E. Euler, Michael R. Ujhelyi, Nancy J. Rakow