Patents Assigned to CardioFocus, Inc.
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Patent number: 9033961Abstract: Methods and instruments are disclosed for creating lesions in tissue, especially cardiac tissue, for treatment of arrhythmias and the like, by employing an elastic balloon and an energy emitter, which is independently positionable within the lumen of the instrument and adapted to project a series of spots of ablative energy through a transmissive region of the balloon to a target tissue site. The energy emitter preferably is configured such the spots of energy result in a series of lesions formed in the target tissue region when the emitter is activated, the lesions having an average area ranging from about 5 mm2 to about 100 mm2.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2009Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: CARDIOFOCUS, INC.Inventors: Gerald Melsky, Stephen W. Sagon, Alfred Stancampiano, Jeffrey M. Arnold, Lincoln S. Baxter
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Patent number: 8900219Abstract: Systems for visualizing cardiac tissue during an ablation procedure are provided. In general, the systems include an imaging module configured to measure absorbance data at first and second wavelengths wherein the ratio of these absorbance values identifies the nature of the tissue (e.g., lesion, de novo tissue, etc.). The imaging module can also include a video system having at least two chips with corresponding bandpass filters centered at the first and second target wavelengths. The system can also include a processor and/or video monitor for combining the images produced by the various chips, determining treated and non-treated tissue based on the ratio of absorbance values at the target wavelengths, and displaying images of the treatment area. Methods of visualizing cardiac treatment areas during ablation procedures are also provided herein.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2009Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Cardiofocus, Inc.Inventors: Edward L. Sinofsky, Gerald Melsky, Stephen W. Sagon, Norman E. Farr
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Patent number: 8702688Abstract: A system is provided for identifying the sufficiency of lesions formed during a tissue ablation procedure. The system captures live and still images from the surgical site and provides composite imaging to the operator. Through the use of the system, the aiming light used to direct ablative energy is captured on the still images and used to indicate locations in a surgical site where energy has been directed. Through the use of processing modules, the system can analyze the lesions and determine the sufficiency thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: CardioFocus, Inc.Inventor: Gerald Melsky
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Patent number: 8696653Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a cardiac condition with visual inspection of a tissue treatment site includes the step of delivering an expanding member formed on a distal end of a catheter to a position adjacent a tissue treatment area within a patient's heart. The expandable member has an elastic portion configured to conform to the tissue treatment area. The method further includes the steps of expanding the expandable member thereby allowing the elastic portion of the expandable member to conform to the tissue treatment area and positioning an energy emitter at a first location within an inner lumen of the catheter. A visible aiming beam is projected during positioning of the energy emitter and ablative energy is delivered from the energy emitter to the tissue treatment area thereby resulting in a first spot lesion.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: CardioFocus, Inc.Inventors: Gerald Melsky, Susan Ostrowski
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Publication number: 20140031802Abstract: Guided ablation instruments are disclosed for creating lesions in tissue, especially cardiac tissue for treatment of arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. In one aspect of the invention, a percutaneous catheter is disclosed with an endoscope positionable in the instrument's distal end region to obtain an image. The image allows the clinician to determine whether contact has been achieved (or blood has been cleared from an ablative energy transmission path) before ablation begins or while ablation is occurring. In one embodiment, percutaneous ablation catheters are disclosed having at least one central lumen and one or more balloon structures at the distal end region of the instrument. Also disposed in the distal end region are an illuminating light source and an endoscope capable of collecting sufficient light to relay an image to the user. The instruments can further include an ablation element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: CardioFocus, Inc.Inventors: Gerald Melsky, Jeffrey M. Arnold, Edward L. Sinofsky, Norman E. Farr
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Publication number: 20130289358Abstract: A cardiac tissue ablation system according to one embodiment includes an elongate catheter configured to deliver a distal end thereof to a patient's heart and an expandable member formed at the distal portion of the catheter. The expandable member has an elastic portion configured to conform to the shape of a target tissue region upon expansion. The system further includes an energy emitter movably disposed within a lumen of the catheter. The energy emitter is configured to deliver radiant ablative energy to the target tissue region. The system further includes a controller that includes a safety shut-off feature for automatically shutting off power to the energy emitter when a prescribed event occurs resulting in power to the energy emitter being stopped.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: CARDIOFOCUS, INC.Inventor: CARDIOFOCUS, INC.
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Patent number: 8540704Abstract: Guided ablation instruments are disclosed for creating lesions in tissue, especially cardiac tissue for treatment of arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. In one aspect of the invention, a percutaneous catheter is disclosed with an endoscope positionable in the instrument's distal end region to obtain an image. The image allows the clinician to determine whether contact has been achieved (or blood has been cleared from an ablative energy transmission path) before ablation begins or while ablation is occurring. In one embodiment, percutaneous ablation catheters are disclosed having at least one central lumen and one or more balloon structures at the distal end region of the instrument. Also disposed in the distal end region are an illuminating light source and an endoscope capable of collecting sufficient light to relay an image to the user. The instruments can further include an ablation element.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2004Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: CardioFocus, Inc.Inventors: Gerald Melsky, Jeffrey M. Arnold, Edward L. Sinofsky, Norman E. Farr
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Patent number: 8444639Abstract: A cardiac ablation instrument capable of removing blood from a treatment area is provided. The instrument includes a catheter configured to deliver a distal end thereof to a patient's heart. The instrument can also include an expandable element coupled to the distal end of the catheter wherein the expandable member is configured to be positioned adjacent a target area thereby defining a treatment area between the expandable member and the target area. Further, the instrument can include an irrigation mechanism configured to dispense an irrigation fluid from the catheter thereby displacing blood from the treatment area. Additionally, the instrument includes an energy emitter configured to deliver energy to tissue within the treatment area. The instrument can also include a contact sensor configured to determine the presence of such blood within the treatment area. Methods for ablating tissue are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2012Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Cardiofocus, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey M. Arnold, Edward L. Sinofsky, Lincoln S. Baxter, Norman E. Farr
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Patent number: 8366705Abstract: A cardiac ablation instrument capable of removing blood from a treatment area is provided. The instrument includes a catheter configured to deliver a distal end thereof to a patient's heart. The instrument can also include an expandable element coupled to the distal end of the catheter wherein the expandable member is configured to be positioned adjacent a target area thereby defining a treatment area between the expandable member and the target area. Further, the instrument can include an irrigation mechanism configured to dispense an irrigation fluid from the catheter thereby displacing blood from the treatment area. Additionally, the instrument includes an energy emitter configured to deliver energy to tissue within the treatment area. The instrument can also include a contact sensor configured to determine the presence of such blood within the treatment area. Methods for ablating tissue are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2009Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Cardiofocus, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey M. Arnold, Edward L. Sinofsky, Lincoln S. Baxter, Norman E. Farr
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Publication number: 20130012923Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In one embodiment a deflectable sheath catheter includes an elongate catheter body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end having a distal tip region that includes a plurality of flexible segments with varying degrees of stiffness. A handle portion can be located at the proximal end of the catheter body to provide a steering mechanism that causes the distal tip region to deflect according to a compound curve.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: CARDIOFOCUS, INC.Inventors: Lincoln Baxter, Jeffrey M. Arnold, Gerald Melsky
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Patent number: 8277444Abstract: Ablation methods and instruments are disclosed for creating lesions in tissue, especially cardiac tissue for treatment of arrhythmias and the like. Percutaneous ablation instruments in the form of coaxial catheter bodies are disclosed having at least one central lumen therein and having one or more balloon structures at the distal end region of the instrument. The instruments include an energy emitting element which is independently positionable within the lumen of the instrument and adapted to project radiant energy through a transmissive region of a projection balloon to a target tissue site to form a series of lesions on the target tissue.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: CardioFocus, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey M. Arnold, Edward L. Sinofsky, Lincoln S. Baxter, Norman E. Farr
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Patent number: 8267932Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In one embodiment a deflectable sheath catheter includes an elongate catheter body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end having a distal tip region that includes a plurality of flexible segments with varying degrees of stiffness. A handle portion can be located at the proximal end of the catheter body to provide a steering mechanism that causes the distal tip region to deflect according to a compound curve.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2011Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: CardioFocus, Inc.Inventors: Lincoln S. Baxter, Jeffrey M. Arnold, Gerald Melsky
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Patent number: 8241272Abstract: A method of treating atrial fibrillation includes the step of positioning a distal portion of an ablation instrument in proximity to one or more pulmonary veins. The instrument has a hollow housing and an independently axially positionable energy emitter within the distal portion The energy emitter is configured and the distal portion is shaped such that a distance a beam of ablative energy travels from the energy emitter to the portion of the distal portion in contact with target tissue changes based on the energy emitter's location along the length of the instrument while the distal portion maintains its shape The energy emitter is a light emitting element and a beam-forming optical waveguide that receives light from the light emitting element. The waveguide projects onto the distal portion a hollow cone of radiation.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2006Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: CardioFocus, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey M. Arnold, Edward L. Sinofsky, Lincoln S. Baxter, Norman E. Farr
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Patent number: 8231613Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In one embodiment a deflectable sheath catheter includes an elongate catheter body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end having a distal tip region that includes a plurality of flexible segments with varying degrees of stiffness. A handle portion can be located at the proximal end of the catheter body to provide a steering mechanism that causes the distal tip region to deflect according to a compound curve.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2011Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Cardiofocus, Inc.Inventors: Lincoln Baxter, Jeffrey M. Arnold, Gerald Melsky
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Publication number: 20120116353Abstract: A cardiac ablation instrument capable of removing blood from a treatment area is provided. The instrument includes a catheter configured to deliver a distal end thereof to a patient's heart. The instrument can also include an expandable element coupled to the distal end of the catheter wherein the expandable member is configured to be positioned adjacent a target area thereby defining a treatment area between the expandable member and the target area. Further, the instrument can include an irrigation mechanism configured to dispense an irrigation fluid from the catheter thereby displacing blood from the treatment area. Additionally, the instrument includes an energy emitter configured to deliver energy to tissue within the treatment area. The instrument can also include a contact sensor configured to determine the presence of such blood within the treatment area. Methods for ablating tissue are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2012Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: CARDIOFOCUS, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey M. Arnold, Edward L. Sinofsky, Lincoln S. Baxter, Norman E. Farr
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Patent number: 8152795Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for forming annular lesions in tissue. The methods include introduction of an optical apparatus proximate to a tissue site, via, for example, a catheter. The optical apparatus includes a pattern-forming optical wave guide in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber. Energy is transmitted through the optical fiber, such that radiation is propagated through the optical fiber and the wave guide projects an annular light pattern, e.g., a circle or a halo.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: CardioFocus, Inc.Inventors: Norman E. Farr, William E. Wieler
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Publication number: 20110245822Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In one embodiment a deflectable sheath catheter includes an elongate catheter body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end having a distal tip region that includes a plurality of flexible segments with varying degrees of stiffness. A handle portion can be located at the proximal end of the catheter body to provide a steering mechanism that causes the distal tip region to deflect according to a compound curve.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: CARDIOFOCUS, INC.Inventors: Lincoln Baxter, Jeffrey M. Arnold, Gerald Melsky
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Publication number: 20110245828Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In one embodiment a deflectable sheath catheter includes an elongate catheter body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end having a distal tip region that includes a plurality of flexible segments with varying degrees of stiffness. A handle portion can be located at the proximal end of the catheter body to provide a steering mechanism that causes the distal tip region to deflect according to a compound curve.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: CARDIOFOCUS, INC.Inventors: Lincoln S. Baxter, Jeffrey M. Arnold, Gerald Melsky
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Patent number: 8025661Abstract: A cardiac ablation instrument includes a catheter body and a tear-shaped balloon that is connected to the catheter body. The instrument further includes a radiant energy emitter that is axially movable within a central lumen of the catheter body. A radiant energy transparent body surrounds the energy emitter and includes a plurality of illumination fibers disposed circumferentially about the energy emitter. A detector communicates with a contact sensing element and is configured to determine an amount of at least one color component of the reflected light The amount of the at least one color component being indicative of contact between the balloon and a target tissue site.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2003Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: CardioFocus, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey M. Arnold, Edward L. Sinofsky, Lincoln S. Baxter, Norman E. Farr
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Patent number: 7935108Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In one embodiment a deflectable sheath catheter includes an elongate catheter body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end having a distal tip region that includes a plurality of flexible segments with varying degrees of stiffness. A handle portion can be located at the proximal end of the catheter body to provide a steering mechanism that causes the distal tip region to deflect according to a compound curve.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2005Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: CardioFocus, Inc.Inventors: Lincoln S. Baxter, Jeffrey M. Arnold, Gerald Melsky