Patents by Inventor Kurt D. Sparks

Kurt D. Sparks 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).

  • Patent number: 11213338
    Abstract: A method and system of providing therapy to a patient's uterus. The system has an access tool with a lumen, the access tool being adapted to be inserted through a human cervical canal to place an opening of the lumen within a uterus when the access tool is inserted through the cervical canal; a seal disposed at a distal region of the access tool and adapted to seal the access tool against an interior cervical os; a sealing indicator adapted to provide a user with an indication that the seal has sealed the access tool with the interior cervical os; and a vapor delivery mechanism adapted to deliver condensable vapor through the access tool to the uterus, the condensable vapor being adapted to condense within the uterus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Aegea Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh R. Sharkey, Ramiro Reyes, Kurt D. Sparks
  • Patent number: 10758292
    Abstract: A method and system of providing therapy to a patient's uterus. The system has an access tool with a lumen, the access tool being adapted to be inserted through a human cervical canal to place an opening of the lumen within a uterus when the access tool is inserted through the cervical canal; a seal disposed at a distal region of the access tool and adapted to seal the access tool against an interior cervical os; a sealing indicator adapted to provide a user with an indication that the seal has sealed the access tool with the interior cervical os; and a vapor delivery mechanism adapted to deliver condensable vapor through the access tool to the uterus, the condensable vapor being adapted to condense within the uterus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: AEGEA MEDICAL INC.
    Inventors: Hugh R. Sharkey, Ramiro Reyes, Kurt D. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20190117289
    Abstract: A method and system of providing therapy to a patient's uterus. The system has an access tool with a lumen, the access tool being adapted to be inserted through a human cervical canal to place an opening of the lumen within a uterus when the access tool is inserted through the cervical canal; a seal disposed at a distal region of the access tool and adapted to seal the access tool against an interior cervical os; a sealing indicator adapted to provide a user with an indication that the seal has sealed the access tool with the interior cervical os; and a vapor delivery mechanism adapted to deliver condensable vapor through the access tool to the uterus, the condensable vapor being adapted to condense within the uterus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Hugh R. Sharkey, Ramiro Reyes, Kurt D. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20190117290
    Abstract: A method and system of providing therapy to a patient's uterus. The system has an access tool with a lumen, the access tool being adapted to be inserted through a human cervical canal to place an opening of the lumen within a uterus when the access tool is inserted through the cervical canal; a seal disposed at a distal region of the access tool and adapted to seal the access tool against an interior cervical os; a sealing indicator adapted to provide a user with an indication that the seal has sealed the access tool with the interior cervical os; and a vapor delivery mechanism adapted to deliver condensable vapor through the access tool to the uterus, the condensable vapor being adapted to condense within the uterus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Hugh R. SHARKEY, Ramiro REYES, Kurt D. SPARKS
  • Patent number: 10154871
    Abstract: A method and system of providing therapy to a patient's uterus. The system has an access tool with a lumen, the access tool being adapted to be inserted through a human cervical canal to place an opening of the lumen within a uterus when the access tool is inserted through the cervical canal; a seal disposed at a distal region of the access tool and adapted to seal the access tool against an interior cervical os; a sealing indicator adapted to provide a user with an indication that the seal has sealed the access tool with the interior cervical os; and a vapor delivery mechanism adapted to deliver condensable vapor through the access tool to the uterus, the condensable vapor being adapted to condense within the uterus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: AEGEA MEDICAL INC.
    Inventors: Hugh R. Sharkey, Ramiro Reyes, Kurt D. Sparks
  • Patent number: 9603659
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing ablation therapy on body tissue are disclosed. An example ablation device for treating body tissue includes an ionically conductive balloon and a radio-frequency electrode that delivers RF energy into a distal section of the balloon. The balloon can have a composite structure with a non-conductive section and a conductive section. A method for fabricating a semi-permeable ablation balloon using ionizing radiation and an etching process is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc.
    Inventors: Raj Subramaniam, Josef V. Koblish, Zaya Tun, Guy R. Harvey, Minhchau N. Cao, Kurt D. Sparks
  • Patent number: 9463064
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing ablation therapy on body tissue are disclosed. An example ablation device for treating body tissue includes an ionically conductive balloon and a radio-frequency electrode that delivers RF energy into a distal section of the balloon. The balloon is configured to transmit the RF energy in a direction distally towards a leading end of the ablation device. Multiple ablation electrodes on the device can be used for providing lesions of different size or shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc.
    Inventors: Raj Subramaniam, Josef V. Koblish, Zaya Tun, Guy R. Harvey, Minhchau N. Cao, Kurt D. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20150374436
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing ablation therapy on body tissue are disclosed. An example ablation device for treating body tissue includes an ionically conductive balloon and a radio-frequency electrode that delivers RF energy into a distal section of the balloon. The balloon is configured to transmit the RF energy in a direction distally towards a leading end of the ablation device. Multiple ablation electrodes on the device can be used for providing lesions of different size or shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Raj Subramaniam, Joseph V. Koblish, Zaya Tun, Guy R. Harvey, Minhchau N. Cao, Kurt D. Sparks
  • Patent number: 9125668
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing ablation therapy on body tissue are disclosed. An example ablation device for treating body tissue includes an ionically conductive balloon and a radio-frequency electrode that delivers RF energy into a distal section of the balloon. The balloon is configured to transmit the RF energy in a direction distally towards a leading end of the ablation device. Multiple ablation electrodes on the device can be used for providing lesions of different size or shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc.
    Inventors: Raj Subramaniam, Josef V. Koblish, Zaya Tun, Guy R. Harvey, Minhchau N. Cao, Kurt D. Sparks
  • Patent number: 9078981
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the prevention of air embolisms during a catheterization procedure. The device includes a bulb element configured to secure to a sheath assembly. The bulb element includes a flexible wall, including a proximal section and a distal section, and an interior chamber in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source. The proximal section of the bulb element includes a proximal hub, and the distal section of the bulb element includes a distal hub. The bulb element is collapsible, under the action of an external force, from a first, relaxed state in which the interior chamber has a first volume, to a second, collapsed state in which the interior chamber has a second volume less than the first volume, and wherein the bulb element is configured to assume its first, relaxed state in the absence of the external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc.
    Inventors: Raj Subramaniam, Kurt D. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20140148829
    Abstract: A catheter system and corresponding methods are provided for accessing a blood vessel true lumen from a sub-intimal plane of the vessel. The catheter system includes visualization elements for determining the orientation of the true lumen with respect to the sub-intimal plane at an identified entry site from a position in the sub-intimal plane. The entry site is distal to a chronic total occlusion (CTO). The catheter system also includes a system for physically securing tissue of the sub-intimal plane at the entry site to the catheter system. The attaching system reduces or eliminates catheter float within the sub-intimal space. The catheter system further includes re-entry devices to establish and maintain a path from the sub-intimal plane back into the vessel true lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: LuMend, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt D. Sparks, Jeffrey L. Emery, Brent D. Seybold, David J. Kupiecki, C. Daniel Pinson, Allen W. Madsen, Michael D. Keleher, Sergio Salinas, Benjamin J. Clark, Matthew R. Selmon
  • Patent number: 8702679
    Abstract: Interventional catheter-based systems and methods are described herein for use in generating an initial pathway through vascular occlusions. The catheter systems generally include two elements. A first element is a Blunt Dissection Catheter including a manually actuated assembly located at the distal tip of the Blunt Dissection Catheter that performs blunt dissection in the vascular occlusion to produce a dissection track, or small pathway through the occlusion. The second element is a Sheath Catheter that serves as a conduit within which the Blunt Dissection Catheter is freely advanced, retracted and rotated. The first and second elements are used in some combination to cross vascular occlusions in both the coronary and peripheral vasculature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventors: Robert K. Deckman, Erik Thai, Amiel R. Aguilar, Benjamin J. Clark, Sergio Salinas, Daniel E. Francis, Kurt D. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20140088503
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the prevention of air embolisms during a catheterization procedure. The device includes a bulb element configured to secure to a sheath assembly. The bulb element includes a flexible wall, including a proximal section and a distal section, and an interior chamber in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source. The proximal section of the bulb element includes a proximal hub, and the distal section of the bulb element includes a distal hub. The bulb element is collapsible, under the action of an external force, from a first, relaxed state in which the interior chamber has a first volume, to a second, collapsed state in which the interior chamber has a second volume less than the first volume, and wherein the bulb element is configured to assume its first, relaxed state in the absence of the external force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc.
    Inventors: Raj Subramaniam, Kurt D. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20130066315
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing ablation therapy on body tissue are disclosed. An example ablation device for treating body tissue includes an ionically conductive balloon and a radio-frequency electrode that delivers RF energy into a distal section of the balloon. The balloon can have a composite structure with a non-conductive section and a conductive section. A method for fabricating a semi-permeable ablation balloon using ionizing radiation and an etching process is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Raj Subramaniam, Josef V. Koblish, Zaya Tun, Guy R. Harvey, Minhchau N. Cao, Kurt D. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20130066312
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing ablation therapy on body tissue are disclosed. An example ablation device for treating body tissue includes an ionically conductive balloon and a radio-frequency electrode that delivers RF energy into a distal section of the balloon. The balloon is configured to transmit the RF energy in a direction distally towards a leading end of the ablation device. Multiple ablation electrodes on the device can be used for providing lesions of different size or shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Raj Subramaniam, Josef V. Koblish, Zaya Tun, Guy R. Harvey, Minhchau N. Cao, Kurt D. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20120283717
    Abstract: A method and system of providing therapy to a patient's uterus. The system has an access tool with a lumen, the access tool being adapted to be inserted through a human cervical canal to place an opening of the lumen within a uterus when the access tool is inserted through the cervical canal; a seal disposed at a distal region of the access tool and adapted to seal the access tool against an interior cervical os; a sealing indicator adapted to provide a user with an indication that the seal has sealed the access tool with the interior cervical os; and a vapor delivery mechanism adapted to deliver condensable vapor through the access tool to the uterus, the condensable vapor being adapted to condense within the uterus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Hugh R. Sharkey, Ramiro Reyes, Kurt D. Sparks
  • Patent number: 8221403
    Abstract: A method and system of providing therapy to a patient's uterus. The system has an access tool with a lumen, the access tool being adapted to be inserted through a human cervical canal to place an opening of the lumen within a uterus when the access tool is inserted through the cervical canal; a seal disposed at a distal region of the access tool and adapted to seal the access tool against an interior cervical os; a sealing indicator adapted to provide a user with an indication that the seal has sealed the access tool with the interior cervical os; and a vapor delivery mechanism adapted to deliver condensable vapor through the access tool to the uterus, the condensable vapor being adapted to condense within the uterus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Aegea Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh R. Sharkey, Ramiro Reyes, Kurt D. Sparks
  • Patent number: 8221401
    Abstract: A method and system of providing therapy to a patient's uterus. The method includes the steps of inserting an access tool through a cervix and a cervical canal into the uterus; actively cooling the cervical canal; delivering vapor through the access tool lumen into the uterus; and condensing the vapor on tissue within the uterus. The system has an access tool with a lumen, the access tool being adapted to be inserted through a human cervical canal to place an opening of the lumen within a uterus when the access tool is inserted through the cervical canal; an active cooling mechanism adapted to cool the cervical canal, the active cooling mechanism having a coolant source; and a vapor delivery mechanism adapted to deliver condensable vapor through the access tool to the uterus, the condensable vapor being adapted to condense within the uterus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Aegea Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh R. Sharkey, Ramiro Reyes, Kurt D. Sparks
  • Patent number: 8216217
    Abstract: In some embodiments the method includes inserting an access tool through a cervix and a cervical canal into the uterus; placing an expansion mechanism in contact with tissue within the uterus to move uterine tissue surfaces away from an opening in an access tool lumen; delivering vapor through the vapor delivery tool into the uterus; and condensing the vapor on tissue within the uterus. The system has an access tool adapted to be inserted through a cervical canal to place an opening of an access tool lumen within a uterus; an expansion mechanism adapted to be advanced into the uterus to move uterine tissue surfaces away from the opening in the access tool lumen; and a vapor delivery mechanism adapted to deliver condensable vapor through the access tool to the uterus, the condensable vapor being adapted to condense within the uterus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Aegea Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh R. Sharkey, Ramiro Reyes, Kurt D. Sparks
  • Patent number: 8214049
    Abstract: Gastric stimulation devices, systems and methods are provided, particularly for stimulating a gastric organ having an internal cavity. Such devices and systems are typically implanted outside of the gastric organ while the environment of the internal cavity is probed and monitored by one or more sensors. The sensor information may be used to affect the stimulation signals provided to the gastric organ by the devices and systems. Such feedback integration assists in providing treatments and stimulation programs that are tailored to the needs of the individual patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Intrapace Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Brynelsen, Michael F. Wei, Kurt D. Sparks, Kenneth L. Wong, George Pool