Patents Assigned to CIRCA Scientific, LLC
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Patent number: 9833149Abstract: A method for introducing an elongate medical instrument with a shaped portion into the body of a subject includes at least partially straightening the shaped portion from an exterior of the elongate medical instrument. A retention element may then be introduced into an interior of the shaped portion to maintain the shaped portion in an at least partially straightened configuration as the external force is removed from the shaped portion. With the retention element in place, the shaped portion may be introduced to a desired location within a hollow interior of an internal organ. The retention element may then be removed to enable the shaped portion to return to its desired shape. A straightening apparatus includes the retention element, as well as an external element that at least partially straightens the shaped portion of the elongate medical instrument from the outside. A system includes the elongate medical instrument and the straightening apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: CIRCA SCIENTIFIC, LLCInventors: Shawn P. Fojtik, Leroy D. Jutte
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Patent number: 9744339Abstract: An apparatus for mechanically manipulating hollow organs within the body of a subject, or an organ manipulation apparatus, includes a manipulation section. The manipulation section may include a substantially two-dimensional element, which may have a width that exceeds a distance across a portion of the interior of a hollow organ within which the manipulation section is to be positioned. The manipulation section is configured to manipulate at least a portion of a hollow organ from within, which may modify at least one of a shape, orientation, or location of at least part of the hollow organ. Methods for manipulating hollow organs are also disclosed, as are operating techniques, such as left atrial ablation, in which the shapes, orientations, and/or locations of hollow organs are manipulated to move the hollow organs away from the site of the medical procedure, reducing the potential for damage to the hollow organs.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2010Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: CIRCA Scientific, LLCInventor: Shawn P. Fojtik
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Patent number: 9668655Abstract: A temperature probe for monitoring temperatures of a surface of a tissue or organ within the body of a subject includes a section with a substantially two-dimensional arrangement and a plurality of temperature sensors positioned across an area defined by the substantially two-dimensional arrangement. Such an apparatus may be used in conjunction with procedures in which thermal techniques are used to diagnose a disease state or treat diseased tissue. Specifically, a temperature probe may be used to monitor temperatures across an area of a surface of a tissue or organ located close to the treated tissue to prevent subjection of the monitored tissue or organ to potentially damaging temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: CIRCA Scientific, LLCInventor: Shawn P. Fojtik
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Patent number: 9155476Abstract: A temperature probe for monitoring temperatures of a surface of a tissue or organ within the body of a subject includes a section with a substantially two-dimensional arrangement and a plurality of temperature sensors positioned across an area defined by the substantially two-dimensional arrangement. Such an apparatus may be used in conjunction with procedures in which thermal techniques are used to diagnose a disease state or treat diseased tissue. Specifically, a temperature probe may be used to monitor temperatures across an area of a surface of a tissue or organ located close to the treated tissue to prevent subjection of the monitored tissue or organ to potentially damaging temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2009Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: CIRCA Scientific, LLCInventor: Shawn P. Fojtik
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Publication number: 20120010524Abstract: A method for introducing an elongate medical instrument with a shaped portion into the body of a subject includes at least partially straightening the shaped portion from an exterior of the elongate medical instrument. A retention element may then be introduced into an interior of the shaped portion to maintain the shaped portion in an at least partially straightened configuration as the external force is removed from the shaped portion. With the retention element in place, the shaped portion may be introduced to a desired location within a hollow interior of an internal organ. The retention element may then be removed to enable the shaped portion to return to its desired shape. A straightening apparatus includes the retention element, as well as an external element that at least partially straightens the shaped portion of the elongate medical instrument from the outside. A system includes the elongate medical instrument and the straightening apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: CIRCA SCIENTIFIC, LLCInventors: Shawn P. Fojtik, Leroy D. Jutte
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Publication number: 20110282338Abstract: An apparatus for mechanically manipulating hollow organs within the body of a subject, or an organ manipulation apparatus, includes a manipulation section. The manipulation section may include a substantially two-dimensional element, which may have a width that exceeds a distance across a portion of the interior of a hollow organ within which the manipulation section is to be positioned. The manipulation section is configured to manipulate at least a portion of a hollow organ from within, which may modify at least one of a shape, orientation, or location of at least part of the hollow organ. Methods for manipulating hollow organs are also disclosed, as are operating techniques, such as left atrial ablation, in which the shapes, orientations, and/or locations of hollow organs are manipulated to move the hollow organs away from the site of the medical procedure, reducing the potential for damage to the hollow organs.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2010Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: CIRCA Scientific, LLCInventor: Shawn P. Fojtik
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Patent number: D758574Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2010Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: CIRCA Scientific, LLCInventor: Shawn P. Fojtik