Patents by Inventor Thomas V. Selkee
Thomas V. Selkee 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: 20130131593Abstract: A medical device control handle has with a distal component which is adjustable by an actuator assembly by means of a puller member or wire. The actuator assembly includes a user interface rotational dial, a detent tab washer and a spool, where the dial is rotationally coupled to the detent tab washer which transmits rotational movement of the dial to the spool. The spool has a shaft body and a drum end onto which an proximal end portion of the puller member can be wound to manipulate or adjust the distal component. Rotational movement of the detent washer is limited to prevent overrotation and breakage of the puller member. At least one washer is mounted on the shaft body of the spool to help apply compression load on the actuator assembly in friction-inducing contact with one or more components of the actuator assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Inventor: Thomas V. Selkee
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Publication number: 20130131592Abstract: A medical device control handle has a first actuation member for actuating at least one puller wire in one manipulation of a medical device, including uni-directional deflection, if not a pair of puller wires for bi-directional deflection of a catheter, and a second actuation member for actuating an additional puller wire in another manipulation of the medical device, wherein the first and second actuation members have a common rotational axis without being rotationally coupled. In one embodiment, a first actuation assembly has a first actuator, an arm rotatable about an axis, and a first shaft. The first deflection actuator and the arm are rotationally coupled by the rotation shaft, and the arm has at least one pulley that is engaged with a puller wire. The second wire actuation assembly has a second actuator and a second shaft having a spool portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Inventor: Thomas V. Selkee
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Patent number: 8374670Abstract: A mapping and ablation catheter with contact force sensing capabilities at a distal end, includes a catheter body, a deflectable section, and a tip distal section which has a tip electrode and a contact force sensor for sensing a 3D contact force vector applied to the tip electrode. In contact with the tip electrode, the contact force sensor has a body and has at least one sensor with an electrical characteristic that is responsive to deformation of the body resulting from force vector. The sensor is adapted to receive an electrical current and to output an electrical signal indicative of a change in the electrical characteristic. In one embodiment, the sensor is a strain gage responsive to tension and compression of at least a portion of the body of the force sensor and the electrical characteristic of the strain gage that is monitored is electrical resistivity.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.Inventor: Thomas V. Selkee
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Patent number: 8359082Abstract: A catheter for contact force sensing includes a catheter body, a deflectable section, and a distal section having a tip electrode and a contact force sensor for sensing a 3D contact force vector applied to the tip electrode. The contact force sensor has a body and at least one sensor with an electrical characteristic responsive to deformation of the body resulting from the force vector. The sensor receives an electrical current and outputs an electrical signal indicative of a change in the electrical characteristic. The sensor may be a strain gage responsive to tension and compression of at least a portion of the body of the force sensor, and the electrical characteristic may be electrical resistivity of the strain gage. Alternatively, the sensor may be responsive to strain and stress of at least a portion of the body, and the electrical characteristic is inductance or hysteresis loss.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2012Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.Inventor: Thomas V. Selkee
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Patent number: 8348888Abstract: The present invention provides a bi-directional catheter with nearly double the throw in its catheter tip deflection. In particular, the travel path of each the puller wire includes a U-turn or doubling-back around a pulley which minimizes the offset angle between the puller wire and the longitudinal axis of the control handle while maximizing the travel distance of that puller wire for any given distance traveled by the pulley drawing the puller wire. In one embodiment, the catheter has an elongated catheter body, a catheter tip section with first and second diametrically-opposed off-axis lumens, and a control handle which includes a steering assembly having a lever structure carrying a pair of pulleys for simultaneously drawing and releasing corresponding puller wires to deflect the tip section of the catheter.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2008Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.Inventor: Thomas V. Selkee
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Patent number: 8298177Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of securing a puller member in a control handle for a deflectable catheter. The method comprises preforming an end of the puller member, placing the preformed end in an insert mold, filling the insert mold with thermoplastic material to form a molded member, and positioning the molded member encasing the end of the puller member in a control handle. The method may also include shaping the thermoplastic material into a screw configuration and fastening the molded member to a wall in the control handle. The method may further include joining the end of the puller member with an end of a second puller member, and placing joined ends of the puller members in the insert mold.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.Inventor: Thomas V. Selkee
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Publication number: 20120259194Abstract: A catheter for contact force sensing includes a catheter body, a deflectable section, and a distal section having a tip electrode and a contact force sensor for sensing a 3D contact force vector applied to the tip electrode. The contact force sensor has a body and at least one sensor with an electrical characteristic responsive to deformation of the body resulting from the force vector. The sensor receives an electrical current and outputs an electrical signal indicative of a change in the electrical characteristic. The sensor may be a strain gage responsive to tension and compression of at least a portion of the body of the force sensor, and the electrical characteristic may be electrical resistivity of the strain gage. Alternatively, the sensor may be responsive to strain and stress of at least a portion of the body, and the electrical characteristic is inductance or hysteresis loss.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Inventor: Thomas V. Selkee
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Patent number: 8180424Abstract: A mapping and ablation catheter with contact force sensing capabilities at a distal end, includes a catheter body, a deflectable section, and a tip distal section which has a tip electrode and a contact force sensor for sensing a 3D contact force vector applied to the tip electrode. In contact with the tip electrode, the contact force sensor has a body and has at least one sensor with an electrical characteristic that is responsive to deformation of the body resulting from force vector. The sensor is adapted to receive an electrical current and to output an electrical signal indicative of a change in the electrical characteristic. In one embodiment, the sensor is a strain gage responsive to tension and compression of at least a portion of the body of the force sensor and the electrical characteristic of the strain gage that is monitored is electrical resistivity.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2010Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.Inventor: Thomas V. Selkee
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Publication number: 20110270172Abstract: A bi-directional catheter with nearly double the throw in its catheter tip deflection defines a puller wire travel path having a U-turn a pulley which minimizes the offset angle between the puller wire and the longitudinal axis of the control handle while maximizing the travel distance of that puller wire for any given distance traveled by the pulley drawing the puller wire. In particular, the control handle of the catheter which includes a steering assembly having a lever arm carrying a pair of pulleys for drawing corresponding puller wires to deflect the tip section of the catheter. The pulleys are rotatably mounted on opposing portions of the lever arm such that one pulley is moved distally as the other pulley is moved proximally when the lever arm is rotated.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Inventor: Thomas V. Selkee
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Patent number: 8021327Abstract: A bi-directional catheter with nearly double the throw in its catheter tip deflection defines a puller wire travel path having a U-turn a pulley which minimizes the offset angle between the puller wire and the longitudinal axis of the control handle while maximizing the travel distance of that puller wire for any given distance traveled by the pulley drawing the puller wire. In particular, the control handle of the catheter which includes a steering assembly having a lever arm carrying a pair of pulleys for drawing corresponding puller wires to deflect the tip section of the catheter. The pulleys are rotatably mounted on opposing portions of the lever arm such that one pulley is moved distally as the other pulley is moved proximally when the lever arm is rotated.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2009Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.Inventor: Thomas V. Selkee
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Publication number: 20110218492Abstract: An improved steerable catheter with in-plane deflection comprises a catheter body having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therethrough and a tip section at the distal end of the catheter body. The tip section comprises a flexible plastic tubing having a pair of diametrically-opposed lumens extending therethrough. The catheter also provides two puller wires manipulated through a control handle at the proximal end of the catheter body. Each puller wire extends through one of the pair of lumens in the tip section and through the lumen of the catheter body and is anchored to the control handle at its proximal end and anchored to the tip section at its distal end. The deflection mechanism is configured to generally define a plane along which deflection most readily occurs and an edge along which deflection is most readily avoided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2011Publication date: September 8, 2011Inventors: Benjamin D. McDaniel, Thomas V. Selkee
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Publication number: 20110184406Abstract: A mapping and ablation catheter with contact force sensing capabilities at a distal end, includes a catheter body, a deflectable section, and a tip distal section which has a tip electrode and a contact force sensor for sensing a 3D contact force vector applied to the tip electrode. In contact with the tip electrode, the contact force sensor has a body and has at least one sensor with an electrical characteristic that is responsive to deformation of the body resulting from force vector. The sensor is adapted to receive an electrical current and to output an electrical signal indicative of a change in the electrical characteristic. In one embodiment, the sensor is a strain gage responsive to tension and compression of at least a portion of the body of the force sensor and the electrical characteristic of the strain gage that is monitored is electrical resistivity.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Inventor: Thomas V. Selkee
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Patent number: 7959601Abstract: An improved steerable catheter with in-plane deflection comprises a catheter body having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therethrough and a tip section at the distal end of the catheter body. The tip section comprises a flexible plastic tubing having a pair of diametrically-opposed lumens extending therethrough. The catheter also provides two puller wires manipulated through a control handle at the proximal end of the catheter body. Each puller wire extends through one of the pair of lumens in the tip section and through the lumen of the catheter body and is anchored to the control handle at its proximal end and anchored to the tip section at its distal end. The deflection mechanism is configured to generally define a plane along which deflection most readily occurs and an edge along which deflection is most readily avoided.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2005Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin D. McDaniel, Thomas V. Selkee
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Patent number: 7931616Abstract: The present invention provides a deflectable catheter whose puller member connections are accomplished with minimal, if any, surface deformation which could otherwise accelerate breakage under tension. The catheter includes a molded member that encases an end of a puller member to enable connection of the end to a fixed or movable structure in the control handle without significant surface deformation in the puller member. The molded member is of a thermoplastic material that encases a preformed end of the puller member, which may be a puller wire or a high modulus fiber material. The molded member may be configured as desired, for example, as a screw that is fastened to a structure in the control handle. Alternatively, the preformed end of the puller member, for example, a puller wire, can be directly connected to and jointly encased in the molded member with another preformed end of a second puller member, for example, a high modulus fiber material.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.Inventor: Thomas V. Selkee
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Publication number: 20100164137Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of securing a puller member in a control handle for a deflectable catheter. The method comprises preforming an end of the puller member, placing the preformed end in an insert mold, filling the insert mold with thermoplastic material to form a molded member, and positioning the molded member encasing the end of the puller member in a control handle. The method may also include shaping the thermoplastic material into a screw configuration and fastening the molded member to a wall in the control handle. The method may further include joining the end of the puller member with an end of a second puller member, and placing joined ends of the puller members in the insert mold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2009Publication date: July 1, 2010Inventor: Thomas V. Selkee
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Patent number: 7591799Abstract: A bi-directional catheter with nearly double the throw in its catheter tip deflection defines a puller wire travel path having a U-turn a pulley which minimizes the offset angle between the puller wire and the longitudinal axis of the control handle while maximizing the travel distance of that puller wire for any given distance traveled by the pulley drawing the puller wire. In particular, the control handle of the catheter which includes a steering assembly having a lever arm carrying a pair of pulleys for drawing corresponding puller wires to deflect the tip section of the catheter. The pulleys are rotatably mounted on opposing portions of the lever arm such that one pulley is moved distally as the other pulley is moved proximally when the lever arm is rotated.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2004Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.Inventor: Thomas V. Selkee
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Publication number: 20090182269Abstract: A bi-directional catheter with nearly double the throw in its catheter tip deflection defines a puller wire travel path having a U-turn a pulley which minimizes the offset angle between the puller wire and the longitudinal axis of the control handle while maximizing the travel distance of that puller wire for any given distance traveled by the pulley drawing the puller wire. In particular, the control handle of the catheter which includes a steering assembly having a lever arm carrying a pair of pulleys for drawing corresponding puller wires to deflect the tip section of the catheter. The pulleys are rotatably mounted on opposing portions of the lever arm such that one pulley is moved distally as the other pulley is moved proximally when the lever arm is rotated.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2009Publication date: July 16, 2009Inventor: Thomas V. Selkee
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Publication number: 20080255540Abstract: The present invention provides a bi-directional catheter with nearly double the throw in its catheter tip deflection. In particular, the travel path of each the puller wire includes a U-turn or doubling-back around a pulley which minimizes the offset angle between the puller wire and the longitudinal axis of the control handle while maximizing the travel distance of that puller wire for any given distance traveled by the pulley drawing the puller wire. In one embodiment, the catheter has an elongated catheter body, a catheter tip section with first and second diametrically-opposed off-axis lumens, and a control handle which includes a steering assembly having a lever structure carrying a pair of pulleys for simultaneously drawing and releasing corresponding puller wires to deflect the tip section of the catheter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2008Publication date: October 16, 2008Inventor: Thomas V. Selkee
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Patent number: 7377906Abstract: The present invention provides a bi-directional catheter with nearly double the throw in its catheter tip deflection. In particular, the travel path of each the puller wire includes a U-turn or doubling-back around a pulley which minimizes the offset angle between the puller wire and the longitudinal axis of the control handle while maximizing the travel distance of that puller wire for any given distance traveled by the pulley drawing the puller wire. In one embodiment, the catheter has an elongated catheter body, a catheter tip section with first and second diametrically-opposed off-axis lumens, and a control handle which includes a steering assembly having a lever structure carrying a pair of pulleys for simultaneously drawing and releasing corresponding puller wires to deflect the tip section of the catheter.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2004Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.Inventor: Thomas V. Selkee
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Publication number: 20080103520Abstract: The present invention provides a deflectable catheter whose puller member connections are accomplished with minimal, if any, surface deformation which could otherwise accelerate breakage under tension. The catheter includes a molded member that encases an end of a puller member to enable connection of the end to a fixed or movable structure in the control handle without significant surface deformation in the puller member. The molded member is of a thermoplastic material that encases a preformed end of the puller member, which may be a puller wire or a high modulus fiber material. The molded member may be configured as desired, for example, as a screw that is fastened to a structure in the control handle. Alternatively, the preformed end of the puller member, for example, a puller wire, can be directly connected to and jointly encased in the molded member with another preformed end of a second puller member, for example, a high modulus fiber material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2006Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventor: Thomas V. Selkee