Patents by Inventor Ronald A. Underwood
Ronald A. Underwood 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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Patent number: 7678069Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for applying a high frequency voltage in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid to create a relatively low-temperature plasma for ablation of tissue adjacent to, or in contact with, the plasma. In one embodiment, an electrosurgical probe or catheter is positioned adjacent the target site so that one or more active electrode(s) are brought into contact with, or close proximity to, a target tissue in the presence of electrically conductive fluid. High frequency voltage is then applied between the electrode terminal(s) and one or more return electrode(s) to generate a plasma adjacent to the active electrode(s), and to volumetrically remove or ablate at least a portion of the target tissue. The high frequency voltage generates electric fields around the active electrode(s) with sufficient energy to ionize the conductive fluid adjacent to the active electrode(s).Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2000Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: ArthroCare CorporationInventors: Michael A. Baker, Stephen M. Brunell, Jean Woloszko, Ronald A. Underwood, Hira V. Thapliyal, Philip E. Eggers
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Patent number: 7491200Abstract: A method for treating obstructive sleep disorders includes accessing the interior of the tongue through a sublingual incision; advancing an instrument through the incision into the interior of the tongue; and instantaneously removing an amount of tissue from the interior of the base of the tongue with the instrument. The present invention includes forming a cavity or plurality of channels in the tongue. The cavity may be collapsed using a suture, fastener or bioadhesive. An emplaced suture may be provided to hold the cavity in a collapsed position thereby reducing the degree of obstruction. Additionally, thermal energy may be applied to the tissue surface immediately surrounding the channels to cause thermal damage to the tissue surface, thereby creating hemostasis and stiffening the surrounding tissue structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2005Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: ArthroCare CorporationInventor: Ronald A. Underwood
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Patent number: 7449021Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid to contract collagen fibers within the tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for treating herniated or swollen discs within a patient's spine by applying sufficient electrical energy to the disc tissue to contract or shrink the collagen fibers within the nucleus pulposis. This causes the pulposis to shrink and withdraw from its impingement on the spinal nerve.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2005Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: ArthroCare CorporationInventors: Ronald A. Underwood, Terry S. Davison, Hira V. Thapliyal, Philip E. Eggers
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Patent number: 7429260Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid to contract collagen fibers within the tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for treating herniated or swollen discs within a patient's spine by applying sufficient electrical energy to the disc tissue to contract or shrink the collagen fibers within the nucleus pulposis. This causes the pulposis to shrink and withdraw from its impingement on the spinal nerve.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: ArthroCare CorporationInventors: Ronald A. Underwood, Terry S. Davison, Hira V. Thapliyal, Philip E. Eggers
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Publication number: 20070112346Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid to contract collagen fibers within the tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for treating herniated or swollen discs within a patient's spine by applying sufficient electrical energy to the disc tissue to contract or shrink the collagen fibers within the nucleus pulposis. This causes the pulposis to shrink and withdraw from its impingement on the spinal nerve.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2006Publication date: May 17, 2007Applicant: ArthroCare CorporationInventors: Ronald Underwood, Terry Davison, Hira Thapliyal, Philip Eggers
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Patent number: 7090672Abstract: A method for treating obstructive sleep disorders includes accessing the interior of the tongue through an incision made in the skin in the vicinity of the jaw of a patient; advancing an instrument through the incision into the interior of the tongue; and removing an amount of tissue from the interior of the base of the tongue with the instrument. The present invention includes forming a cavity or plurality of channels in the tongue. The cavity may be collapsed using a suture, fastener or bioadhesive. An emplaced suture may be provided to hold the cavity in a collapsed position thereby reducing the degree of obstruction. Additionally, thermal energy may be applied to the tissue surface immediately surrounding the channels to cause thermal damage to the tissue surface, thereby creating hemostasis and stiffening the surrounding tissue structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2003Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Arthrocare CorporationInventors: Ronald A. Underwood, Maria B. Ellsberry
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Publication number: 20050234439Abstract: A method for treating obstructive sleep disorders includes accessing the interior of the tongue through a sublingual incision; advancing an instrument through the incision into the interior of the tongue; and instantaneously removing an amount of tissue from the interior of the base of the tongue with the instrument. The present invention includes forming a cavity or plurality of channels in the tongue. The cavity may be collapsed using a suture, fastener or bioadhesive. An emplaced suture may be provided to hold the cavity in a collapsed position thereby reducing the degree of obstruction. Additionally, thermal energy may be applied to the tissue surface immediately surrounding the channels to cause thermal damage to the tissue surface, thereby creating hemostasis and stiffening the surrounding tissue structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2005Publication date: October 20, 2005Applicant: ArthroCare CorporationInventor: Ronald Underwood
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Publication number: 20050187543Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid to contract collagen fibers within the tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for treating herniated or swollen discs within a patient's spine by applying sufficient electrical energy to the disc tissue to contract or shrink the collagen fibers within the nucleus pulposis. This causes the pulposis to shrink and withdraw from its impingement on the spinal nerve.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2005Publication date: August 25, 2005Applicant: ArthroCare CorporationInventors: Ronald Underwood, Terry Davison, Hira Thapliyal, Philip Eggers
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Patent number: 6929640Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid to contract collagen fibers within the tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for treating herniated or swollen discs within a patient's spine by applying sufficient electrical energy to the disc tissue to contract or shrink the collagen fibers within the nucleus pulposis. This causes the pulposis to shrink and withdraw from its impingement on the spinal nerve.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2000Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Arthrocare CorporationInventors: Ronald A. Underwood, Terry S. Davison, Hira V. Thapliyal, Philip E. Eggers
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Patent number: 6896672Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for removing fatty tissue underlying a patient's epidermis (e.g., blepharoplasty, brow lifts, eyelid shortening procedures, and the like). These methods include positioning one or more active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s) in close proximity to a target site on an external body surface of the patient. A high frequency voltage difference is applied between the active and return electrode(s), and the active electrode(s) are translated across the external body surface to create an incision therein. The bipolar configuration controls the flow of current to within and around the distal end of the probe, which minimizes tissue necrosis and the conduction of current through unwanted paths in the patient. The residual heat from the electrical energy also provides simultaneous hemostasis of severed blood vessels, which increases visualization and improves recovery time for the patient.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2000Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Arthrocare CorporationInventors: Andrew R. Eggers, Philip E. Eggers, Ronald A. Underwood, Stephen M. Brunell, Hira V. Thapliyal
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Patent number: 6766202Abstract: The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for selective applying energy to a patient's dermis tissue to generate the growth of new collagen in this tissue, while minimizing the effect on the outer epidermis layer, thereby minimizing or suppressing the wound healing phase of the procedure. In one aspect of the invention, a method includes positioning a first electrode adjacent to, or in contact with, a region on or within a patient's skin, and applying a sufficient high frequency voltage between the first electrode and a second electrode to create a heat injury to a target tissue within the patient's dermis layer without ablating the epidermis layer overlying the target tissue. Typically, the voltage applied to the first and second electrodes is sufficient to induce heating of the dermis layer to about 60°-80° C., preferably about 65°-75° C.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: ArthroCare Corp.Inventors: Ronald A. Underwood, Jean Woloszko
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Patent number: 6719754Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for removing adipose or fatty tissue underlying a patient's epidermis is disclosed (e.g., liposuction, abdominoplasty, and the like). The method includes positioning one or more active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s) in close proximity to a target region of fatty tissue. A high frequency voltage difference is applied between the active and return electrodes, and the fatty tissue or fragments of the fatty tissue are aspirated from the target region. The high frequency voltage either softens the fatty tissue or completely removes at least a portion of the tissue. In both embodiments, the remaining fatty tissue is more readily detached from the adjacent tissue in the absence of energy, and less mechanical force is required for removal. The bipolar configuration of the present invention controls the flow of current to the immediate region around the distal end of the probe, which minimizes tissue necrosis and the conduction of current through the patient.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: ArthroCare CorporationInventors: Ronald A. Underwood, Stephen M. Brunell, Michael A. Baker, Hira V. Thapliyal, Philip E. Eggers
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Patent number: 6712811Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within of a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid to remove, contract or otherwise modify the structure of tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for treating herniated discs within a patient's spine by applying sufficient electrical energy to the disc tissue to reduce a volume of the disc, thereby relieving pressure on a spinal nerve. In one embodiment, the high frequency voltage is sufficient to ablate a portion of the nucleus pulposis, either the extruded portion outside of the annulus or a portion or all of the pulposis within the annulus.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2002Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Arthrocare CorporationInventors: Ronald A. Underwood, Terry S. Davison, Hira V. Thapliyal, Philip E. Eggers
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Publication number: 20040006339Abstract: A method for treating obstructive sleep disorders includes accessing the interior of the tongue through an incision made in the skin in the vicinity of the jaw of a patient; advancing an instrument through the incision into the interior of the tongue; and removing an amount of tissue from the interior of the base of the tongue with the instrument. The present invention includes forming a cavity or plurality of channels in the tongue. The cavity may be collapsed using a suture, fastener or bioadhesive. An emplaced suture may be provided to hold the cavity in a collapsed position thereby reducing the degree of obstruction. Additionally, thermal energy may be applied to the tissue surface immediately surrounding the channels to cause thermal damage to the tissue surface, thereby creating hemostasis and stiffening the surrounding tissue structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Applicant: ArthroCare CorporationInventors: Ronald A. Underwood, Maria B. Ellsberry
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Publication number: 20030212396Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for removing fatty tissue underlying a patient's epidermis (e.g., blepharoplasty, brow lifts, eyelid shortening procedures, and the like). These methods include positioning one or more active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s) in close proximity to a target site on an external body surface of the patient. A high frequency voltage difference is applied between the active and return electrode(s), and the active electrode(s) are translated across the external body surface to create an incision therein. The bipolar configuration controls the flow of current to within and around the distal end of the probe, which minimizes tissue necrosis and the conduction of current through unwanted paths in the patient. The residual heat from the electrical energy also provides simultaneous hemostasis of severed blood vessels, which increases visualization and improves recovery time for the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2003Publication date: November 13, 2003Applicant: ArthroCare CorporationInventors: Andrew R. Eggers, Philip E. Eggers, Ronald A. Underwood, Stephen M. Brunell, Hira V. Thapliyal
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Patent number: 6620155Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid to contract collagen fibers within the tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for treating herniated or swollen discs within a patient's spine by applying sufficient electrical energy to the disc tissue to contract or shrink the collagen fibers within the nucleus pulposis. This causes the pulposis to shrink and withdraw from its impingement on the spinal nerve.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1998Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Arthrocare Corp.Inventors: Ronald A. Underwood, Terry S. Davison, Hira V. Thapliyal, Philip E. Eggers
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Patent number: 6540741Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within of a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid to remove, contract or otherwise modify the structure of tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for treating herniated discs within a patient's spine by applying sufficient electrical energy to the disc tissue to reduce a volume of the disc, thereby relieving pressure on a spinal nerve. In one embodiment, the high frequency voltage is sufficient to ablate a portion of the nucleus pulposis, either the extruded portion outside of the annulus or a portion or all of the pulposis within the annulus.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1999Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Arthrocare CorporationInventors: Ronald A. Underwood, Terry S. Davison, Hira V. Thapliyal, Philip E. Eggers
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Publication number: 20030040742Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within of a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid to remove, contract or otherwise modify the structure of tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for treating herniated discs within a patient's spine by applying sufficient electrical energy to the disc tissue to reduce a volume of the disc, thereby relieving pressure on a spinal nerve. In one embodiment, the high frequency voltage is sufficient to ablate a portion of the nucleus pulposis, either the extruded portion outside of the annulus or a portion or all of the pulposis within the annulus.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2002Publication date: February 27, 2003Applicant: ArthroCare CorporationInventors: Ronald A. Underwood, Terry S. Davison, Hira V. Thapliyal, Philip E. Eggers
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Patent number: 6500173Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within of a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid to remove, contract or otherwise modify the structure of tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for treating herniated discs within a patient's spine by applying sufficient electrical energy to the disc tissue to reduce a volume of the disc, thereby relieving pressure on a spinal nerve. In one embodiment, the high frequency voltage is sufficient to ablate a portion of the nucleus pulposis, either the extruded portion outside of the annulus or a portion or all of the pulposis within the annulus.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Inventors: Ronald A. Underwood, Terry S. Davison, Hira V. Thapliyal, Philip E. Eggers
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Publication number: 20020193789Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for removing adipose or fatty tissue underlying a patient's epidermis is disclosed (e.g., liposuction, abdominoplasty, and the like). The method includes positioning one or more active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s) in close proximity to a target region of fatty tissue. A high frequency voltage difference is applied between the active and return electrodes, and the fatty tissue or fragments of the fatty tissue are aspirated from the target region. The high frequency voltage either softens the fatty tissue or completely removes at least a portion of the tissue. In both embodiments, the remaining fatty tissue is more readily detached from the adjacent tissue in the absence of energy, and less mechanical force is required for removal. The bipolar configuration of the present invention controls the flow of current to the immediate region around the distal end of the probe, which minimizes tissue necrosis and the conduction of current through the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Applicant: ArthroCare CorporationInventors: Ronald A. Underwood, Stephen M. Brunell, Michael A. Baker, Hira V. Thapliyal, Philip E. Eggers