Patents by Inventor John P. Goetz
John P. Goetz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20180333192Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure can include an apparatus. The apparatus can include a balloon and a coil inside the balloon. The apparatus can also include an elongate shaft with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, where the distal end portion of the shaft is coupled with the balloon. The elongate shaft can include a lumen, wherein the lumen comprises a first lumen portion inside the shaft and a second lumen portion inside the balloon. The apparatus can include a closed loop circulation path where the elongate shaft, the lumen, and the balloon are configured to circulate a fluid through the closed loop circulation path.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2018Publication date: November 22, 2018Inventors: John W. Sliwa, Stephen A. Morse, John P. Goetz
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Publication number: 20170133994Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ultrasound transducer is provided. The ultrasound transducer is activated and the activity across the transducer is measured to determine whether the activity at any area does not meet an acceptance criteria. The transducer is then modified so that the area meets the acceptance criteria. The transducer may be modified with a laser which removes material from the area which does not meet the acceptance criteria.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2016Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: John W. Sliwa, Jonathan L. Podmore, Chris Bagley, John E. Crowe, Michael Holzbaur, Derek Hillstrom, Steve Schellenberg, John P. Goetz, Stephen A. Morse
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Publication number: 20160317842Abstract: A focused ultrasound transducer includes a first ultrasonic emitter and at least one metallic ultrasonic lens acoustically coupled thereto. The emitter generates ultrasonic energy that propagates along a beam path projecting therefrom. The at least one metallic ultrasonic lens is positioned at least partially in the beam path so that it can direct (e.g., focus, defocus, and/or collimate) in at least one direction (or along at least one plane) at least some of the ultrasonic energy propagating from the emitter. The metallic lens may be formed by extrusion, by molding (e.g., diecast molding or thermoforming), or by sintering (e.g., powder metallurgy). The metallic lens also advantageously functions as a heat sink, improving thermal performance of the ultrasound transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2016Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventors: John W. Sliwa, John P. Goetz, Zhenyi Ma
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Patent number: 9370396Abstract: A transition apparatus for use with a medical device having an elongate element is disclosed. The apparatus may include a body defining a lumen for housing at least a portion of the elongate element. The body may have a proximal end configured for releasable connection to the medical device and a distal end. The apparatus may further include a connection piece connected to the distal end of the body. The connection piece may have a first opening configured to receive the elongate element from the lumen of the body and a second opening configured to receive the elongate element from the first opening and direct the elongate element toward the body. A method of connecting a transition apparatus to an ablation device having a leash is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2007Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Andrew M. Radin, Thomas B. Eby, Vera S. Boudtchenko, Jennifer Teng, John P. Goetz
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Patent number: 9314298Abstract: A tissue ablation apparatus includes a body having at least two lumens extending therethrough and an ultrasound ablation element positioned within a distal region of the body. The ultrasound ablation element includes an ultrasound transducer and a membrane. One of the lumens is arranged so as to deliver a fluid into a cavity defined between the transducer and the membrane. A first orifice is provided in the body proximal of the ultrasound ablation element and is open to the first lumen to define a first vacuum pathway. A distal vacuum chamber, opening to a second orifice in the body, is defined by the body distal of the ultrasound ablation element and is in communication with the first lumen to define a second vacuum pathway. At least one flow control apparatus is provided to regulate flow through one of the vacuum pathways independent of flow through the other vacuum pathway.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Divisions, Inc.Inventors: Steven C. Christian, John P. Goetz, Thomas B. Eby
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Patent number: 9108037Abstract: A tissue ablation system facilitates lesioning deep tissue while preventing damage to superficial tissue and includes a probe having a distal end portion, at least one transducer carried on the distal end portion, and at least one acoustically transparent heat removal element thermally coupled to a target tissue within the beam path of the transducer. The transducer delivers acoustic energy to the tissue through the heat removal element in order to ablate the tissue; the heat removal element removes sufficient thermal energy from the tissue volume to prevent thermal necrosis in superficial tissue. The heat removal element may be a heat sink or a convective element. An optional temperature sensor provides advisory data to a practitioner and/or is coupled to a feedback control system operable to control delivery of acoustic energy to the tissue and/or a rate of thermal energy removal therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2009Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: John W. Sliwa, Stephen A. Morse, John P. Goetz
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Patent number: 8273083Abstract: A carrier for an ablation element is provided. The carrier includes a plurality of walls defining a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of an ablation element. A plurality of connection formations are disposed on an exterior surface of least one of the plurality of walls. Each of the plurality of connection formations is disposed at a different vertical position of the carrier. A device for epicardial ablation is also provided. The device includes a plurality of carriers disposed adjacent to each other. Each carrier includes a plurality of walls defining a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of an ablation element. A plurality of connection formations are disposed on an exterior surface of at least one of the plurality of walls of each carrier. Each of the plurality of connection formations is disposed at a different vertical position of a carrier.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Andrew M. Radin, Thomas B. Eby, Vera S. Boudtchenka, Jennifer Teng, John P. Goetz, John E. Crowe
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Publication number: 20110230799Abstract: A tissue ablation apparatus includes a body having at least two lumens extending therethrough and an ultrasound ablation element positioned within a distal region of the body. The ultrasound ablation element includes an ultrasound transducer and a membrane. One of the lumens is arranged so as to deliver a fluid into a cavity defined between the transducer and the membrane. A first orifice is provided in the body proximal of the ultrasound ablation element and is open to the first lumen to define a first vacuum pathway. A distal vacuum chamber, opening to a second orifice in the body, is defined by the body distal of the ultrasound ablation element and is in communication with the first lumen to define a second vacuum pathway. At least one flow control apparatus is provided to regulate flow through one of the vacuum pathways independent of flow through the other vacuum pathway.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Inventors: Steven C. Christian, John P. Goetz, Thomas B. Eby
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Patent number: 7877854Abstract: A focused ultrasound transducer includes a first ultrasonic emitter and at least one metallic ultrasonic lens acoustically coupled thereto. The emitter generates ultrasonic energy that propagates along a beam path projecting therefrom. The at least one metallic ultrasonic lens is positioned at least partially in the beam path so that it can direct (e.g., focus, defocus, and/or collimate) in at least one direction (or along at least one plane) at least some of the ultrasonic energy propagating from the emitter. The metallic lens may be formed by extrusion, by molding (e.g., diecast molding or thermoforming), or by sintering (e.g., powder metallurgy). The metallic lens also advantageously functions as a heat sink, improving thermal performance of the ultrasound transducer.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: John W. Sliwa, John P. Goetz, Zhenyi Ma
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Publication number: 20100228162Abstract: A tissue ablation system facilitates lesioning deep tissue while preventing damage to superficial tissue and includes a probe having a distal end portion, at least one transducer carried on the distal end portion, and at least one acoustically transparent heat removal element thermally coupled to a target tissue within the beam path of the transducer. The transducer delivers acoustic energy to the tissue through the heat removal element in order to ablate the tissue; the heat removal element removes sufficient thermal energy from the tissue volume to prevent thermal necrosis in superficial tissue. The heat removal element may be a heat sink or a convective element. An optional temperature sensor provides advisory data to a practitioner and/or is coupled to a feedback control system operable to control delivery of acoustic energy to the tissue and/or a rate of thermal energy removal therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2009Publication date: September 9, 2010Inventors: John W. Sliwa, Stephen A. Morse, John P. Goetz
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Publication number: 20100168572Abstract: A system for ablating tissue includes a catheter having an elongate body, with at least one ablation element (e.g., RF electrode) and at least one acoustic transducer located within the body's tip region. The transducer receives acoustic signals from proximate the tip region. The system also includes a monitoring unit coupled to the transducer to interpret the received acoustic signals as data regarding at least one therapeutic parameter (e.g., pre-pop detection, lesion making progress, tissue interface detection, tissue contact force, tissue contact establishment, bubble spatial distribution, bubble depth, bubble size, bubble size distribution, tissue interface distance, tissue interface position, tissue attenuation, tissue thickness, lesion spectral fingerprint). The monitoring unit is operable to provide feedback to a practitioner, such as graphical, audible, and/or haptic output of sensed data, and may also be operable to control operation of the at least one ablation element in response thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2009Publication date: July 1, 2010Inventors: John W. Sliwa, Zhenyi Ma, John P. Goetz, Stephen A. Morse
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Publication number: 20090171347Abstract: A transition apparatus for use with a medical device having an elongate element is disclosed. The apparatus may include a body defining a lumen for housing at least a portion of the elongate element. The body may have a proximal end configured for releasable connection to the medical device and a distal end. The apparatus may further include a connection piece connected to the distal end of the body. The connection piece may have a first opening configured to receive the elongate element from the lumen of the body and a second opening configured to receive the elongate element from the first opening and direct the elongate element toward the body. A method of connecting a transition apparatus to an ablation device having a leash is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2007Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Andrew M. Radin, Thomas B. Eby, Vera S. Boudtchenko, Jennifer Teng, John P. Goetz
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Publication number: 20090163914Abstract: A carrier for an ablation element is provided. The carrier includes a plurality of walls defining a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of an ablation element. A plurality of connection formations are disposed on an exterior surface of least one of the plurality of walls. Each of the plurality of connection formations is disposed at a different vertical position of the carrier. A device for epicardial ablation is also provided. The device includes a plurality of carriers disposed adjacent to each other. Each carrier includes a plurality of walls defining a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of an ablation element. A plurality of connection formations are disposed on an exterior surface of at least one of the plurality of walls of each carrier. Each of the plurality of connection formations is disposed at a different vertical position of a carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2007Publication date: June 25, 2009Inventors: Andrew M. Radin, Thamas B. Eby, Vera S. Boudtchenko, Jennifer Teng, John P. Goetz, John E. Crowe
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Publication number: 20080195003Abstract: A focused ultrasound transducer includes a first ultrasonic emitter and at least one metallic ultrasonic lens acoustically coupled thereto. The emitter generates ultrasonic energy that propagates along a beam path projecting therefrom. The at least one metallic ultrasonic lens is positioned at least partially in the beam path so that it can direct (e.g., focus, defocus, and/or collimate) in at least one direction (or along at least one plane) at least some of the ultrasonic energy propagating from the emitter. The metallic lens may be formed by extrusion, by molding (e.g., diecast molding or thermoforming), or by sintering (e.g., powder metallurgy). The metallic lens also advantageously functions as a heat sink, improving thermal performance of the ultrasound transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2007Publication date: August 14, 2008Inventors: John W. Sliwa, John P. Goetz, Zhenyi Ma
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Publication number: 20080189932Abstract: A focused ultrasound transducer includes a first ultrasonic emitter and at least one metallic ultrasonic lens acoustically coupled thereto. The emitter generates ultrasonic energy that propagates along a beam path projecting therefrom. The at least one metallic ultrasonic lens is positioned at least partially in the beam path so that it can direct (e.g., focus, defocus, and/or collimate) in at least one direction (or along at least one plane) at least some of the ultrasonic energy propagating from the emitter. The metallic lens may be formed by extrusion, by molding (e.g., diecast molding or thermoforming), or by sintering (e.g., powder metallurgy). The metallic lens also advantageously functions as a heat sink, improving thermal performance of the ultrasound transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2007Publication date: August 14, 2008Inventors: JOHN W. SLIWA, John P. Goetz, Zhenyi Ma