Applicators Patents (Class 606/41)
  • Patent number: 11589922
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method of treating affected external or surface tissue comprising the steps of providing a source of affected external or surface tissue; generating a source of microwave energy; transmitting said microwave energy into said affected external or surface tissues; exposing said affected external and surface tissues to said microwave energy to raise the local temperature to thereby ablate, remove, coagulate or otherwise alter said affected external and surface tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Atlantic Cancer Research Institute
    Inventors: J. R. Jocelyn Paré, Jacqueline M. R. Bélanger
  • Patent number: 11589858
    Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes providing a plurality of blades, movably connecting the plurality of blades to an outer member via a plurality of arm members, disposing the plurality of blades in a human or animal body, and moving the plurality of blades from a first position outward to a second position when the plurality of blades are disposed in the human or animal body. The plurality of blades are disposed further from each other in the second position than the first position. Moving the plurality of blades outward from the first position to the second position includes moving the plurality of arm members. Moving the plurality of blades includes maintaining equidistance between the plurality of blades as the plurality of blades move from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: Bret Michael Berry
  • Patent number: 11583243
    Abstract: A system for deploying needles in tissue includes a controller and a visual display. A treatment probe has both a needle and tines deployable from the needle which may be advanced into the tissue. The treatment probe also has adjustable stops which control the deployed positions of both the needle and the tines. The adjustable stops are coupled to the controller so that the virtual treatment and safety boundaries resulting from the treatment can be presented on the visual display prior to actual deployment of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Gynesonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Munrow, Darrin Uecker, Brian Placek, Harry Kwan, David Toub, Cameron D. Hinman, David J. Danitz
  • Patent number: 11576720
    Abstract: A method for use with an intra-body probe, a distal end of which includes an ablation electrode and a temperature sensor, is described. While (i) the ablation electrode is driving an ablating current into tissue of a subject, and (ii) fluid is passed from the distal end of the intra-body probe at a fluid-flow rate, a processor receives a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor. The processor estimates a temperature of the tissue, based at least on the sensed temperature and at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of: the fluid-flow rate, and a parameter of the ablating current. The processor generates an output in response to the estimated temperature. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Yaron Ephrath, Andres Claudio Altmann
  • Patent number: 11576719
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for therapeutically modulating nerves in or associated with a nasal region of a patient for the treatment of a rhinosinusitis condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Neurent Medical Limited
    Inventors: David Townley, Brian Shields
  • Patent number: 11571120
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for measuring physiological parameters of an eye. The apparatus includes a transmitter for transmitting a first set of electromagnetic waves of a first set of frequencies towards the eye, a receiver for receiving reflected electromagnetic waves corresponding to the transmitted first set of electromagnetic waves of the first set of frequencies, a comparator configured to compare the transmitted first set of electromagnetic waves with the received reflected electromagnetic waves for determining an amplitude response and a phase response for each of the electromagnetic waves of the first set of frequencies, and a calculation unit configured to fit the determined amplitude response and phase response to a physiological model of the eye to determine the physiological parameters of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: ICARE FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Mika Salkola, Aleksi Tamminen
  • Patent number: 11571212
    Abstract: A surgical stapling system comprising an end effector, a firing member, a motor, and a control system is disclosed. The end effector comprises an elongate channel, a staple cartridge, and an anvil. The staple cartridge comprises staples removably stored therein. The elongate channel and the anvil are configurable in a closed configuration to capture tissue therebetween. The anvil comprises an impedance sensor configured to sense an impedance of the tissue. The firing member is moveable between a starting position and an ending position. The staples are deployable from the staple cartridge based on the firing member moving toward the ending position. The motor is configured to drive the firing member toward the ending position. The control system comprises a multiplexer configured to control the impedance sensor. The control system is configured to interrogate the impedance sensor to determine the impedance and control the motor based on the determined impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11564738
    Abstract: A method for ablating a patient, consisting of ascertaining a CHA2DS2-VASc score for the patient and inserting a probe into the patient, so as to contact a pulmonary vein of the patient. The method further includes applying energy via the probe so as to ablate the pulmonary vein until pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is achieved. When PVI is achieved and the CHA2DS2-VASc score is less than a preset value, ablation of the pulmonary vein is ceased. When PVI is achieved and the CHA2DS2-VASc score is greater than or equal to the preset value, energy is applied to perform a further ablation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Anthony Hong, Lee Ming Boo
  • Patent number: 11564616
    Abstract: A system for modulating bladder function is disclosed. A system for evaluating the electrophysiological function of a bladder is disclosed. Methods for performing a controlled surgical procedure on a bladder are disclosed. A system for performing controlled surgical procedures in a minimally invasive manner is disclosed. An implantable device for monitoring and/or performing a neuromodulation procedure on a bladder is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Autonomix Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Landy Toth, Robert Schwartz, David Robins
  • Patent number: 11564736
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for performing a procedure for ovarian rebalancing. The methods and systems may be used in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The systems and methods may also be useful in the treatment of infertility associated with PCOS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: May Health SAS
    Inventors: Marion Gasperment, Tim Lenihan, Anne Osdoit
  • Patent number: 11564727
    Abstract: A prostate therapy system is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the prostate therapy system is that it can access a prostate lobe transurethrally. Another feature of the prostate therapy system is that it can deliver condensable vapor into the prostate to ablate the prostate tissue. Methods associated with use of the prostate therapy system are also covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hoey, John H. Shadduck
  • Patent number: 11559349
    Abstract: Described embodiments include apparatus that includes a catheter and a tip electrode, at a distal end of the catheter, shaped to define a plurality of microelectrode apertures. The apparatus further includes at least one printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within a lumen of the catheter, and a plurality of microelectrodes coupled to the PCB and at least partly situated within the microelectrode apertures, the PCB being configured to carry signals from the microelectrodes. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Meir Bar-Tal, Avi Reuveni, Eran Yona Hirszowicz
  • Patent number: 11559661
    Abstract: An elongate medical device having an axis comprises an inner liner, a jacket radially outward of the liner, a braid comprising metal embedded in the jacket, a sensor, and at least one wire electrically connected to said sensor. The at least one wire is one of: embedded in the jacket and optionally disposed helically around the braid; extending longitudinally within a tube which extends generally parallel to the device axis and wherein the tube is embedded in the jacket; and disposed within a lumen, wherein the lumen extends longitudinally within the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: St Jude Medical International Holding S.À R.L.
    Inventors: Ran Sela, Lior Sobe, Dan Seter
  • Patent number: 11559351
    Abstract: A tip electrode of a catheter includes an outer wall and a temperature sensor assembly. The outer wall includes a thermally conductive multilayer printed circuit board (TCM-PCB) that includes a void. The temperature sensor assembly, which is fitted in the void of the TCM-PCB, includes a temperature sensor, one or more thermally insulating layers that surround a volume of the temperature sensor excluding one facet of the volume, and a heat conductive layer covering the excluded facet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Yigal Ultchin, Meir Bar-Tal
  • Patent number: 11553959
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a medical system may include an instrument including an end effector for acting as a monopolar electrode. The end effector may be configured to be positioned in a body of a subject and emit radiofrequency energy towards a target area in the body. The medical system may further include a return electrode. The return electrode may be deliverable within the body proximate the target area and separately from the instrument and the monopolar electrode. The return electrode may be configured to contact tissue in the body proximate the target area and receive radiofrequency energy emitted from the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingxiang Xu, Samuel Raybin, Paul J. Smith, Kevin James McElwee
  • Patent number: 11553979
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument can be provided that includes a pair of opposing jaws, a channel in at least one of the opposing jaws for receiving a reciprocating blade, and a fluid distribution system in communication with the one or more fluid openings located within the channel for delivering a fluid to the jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Kester J. Batchelor, Huisun Wang
  • Patent number: 11553961
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a medical system includes a catheter configured to be inserted into a body part of a living subject, and including a deflectable element having a distal end, an expandable distal end assembly disposed at the distal end of the deflectable element, and comprising a plurality of electrodes, a distal portion, and a proximal portion, and configured to expand from a collapsed form to an expanded deployed form, and a stretchable irrigation tube disposed between the distal portion and the proximal portion, and comprising a plurality of irrigation holes, and configured to stretch longitudinally when the distal end assembly is collapsed from the expanded deployed form to the collapsed form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Joseph Thomas Keyes, Kevin Justin Herrera
  • Patent number: 11547473
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for therapeutically modulating nerves in or associated with a nasal region of a patient for the treatment of a rhinosinusitis condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Neurent Medical Limited
    Inventors: David Townley, Brian Shields
  • Patent number: 11547469
    Abstract: An instrument including working arms and a moveable member. The working arms include a first arm, a second arm, a first electrode located on the first arm, and a second electrode located on the second arm. The moveable member includes a passive circuit element, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The moveable member is moveable to a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first terminal is in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second terminal is in electrical communication with the second electrode so that in the first position an electrical circuit is completed. An impedance is measured of the passive circuit element in the completed electrical circuit. The instrument is adapted to provide a modality based on the measured impedance or a determined position of the moveable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Kester J. Batchelor, Riyad Moe
  • Patent number: 11547462
    Abstract: A device for radio frequency (RF) skin treatment of skin of a user is provided. The device comprises an active electrode and a return electrode. The device further comprises an RF generator arranged to supply RF energy to the user's skin via the active electrode and the return electrode. The return electrode has a planar skin contact surface extending in a main plane. The active electrode has a skin contact surface with a maximum dimension in a range from 100 ?m to 500 ?m, and a surface area of the planar skin contact surface of the return electrode is at least 5 times larger than a surface area of the skin contact surface of the active electrode. The skin contact surface of the active electrode is arranged in a position at a distance from the main plane, seen in a direction perpendicular to the main plane. The device may be advantageously used, for example, to control the dimensions and shape of a thermal lesion in the user's skin generated by the RF energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Jonathan Alambra Palero, Marco Baragona, Martin Jurna, Margaret Ruth Horton, Babu Varghese
  • Patent number: 11547851
    Abstract: Pulsed electric fields (PEFs) are transmitted to a body lumen or passageway in a manner which provides focal therapy. In some embodiments, PEFs are delivered through independent electrically active electrodes of an energy delivery body, typically in a monopolar fashion. Such delivery concentrates the electrical energy over a smaller surface area, resulting in stronger effects than delivery through an electrode extending circumferentially around the lumen or passageway. It also forces the electrical energy to be delivered in a staged regional approach, mitigating the effect of preferential current pathways through the surrounding tissue. Focal delivery of PEFs can provide increased tissue lethality by employing precise timing and sequencing of energy delivery to the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Galvanize Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: William Sanford Krimsky, Paul Brian Friedrichs, Roman Turovskiy, Robert E. Neal, II, Jonathan Reuben Waldstreicher, Kevin James Taylor
  • Patent number: 11540869
    Abstract: Provided is a high frequency hyperthermia device which includes a main body (110) which includes a high frequency generator (114) which generates high frequency currents using drive power, a hand piece (120) which is connected to the main body (110) through a cable (140) and in which a handle (121) to be gripped by a user is disposed on an upper portion of the hand piece (120), and four or more contact electrodes (122), through which the high frequency currents being supplied are applied to skin (S) in contact with the contact electrodes (122) to generate deep heat in an internal body, are disposed on a lower surface of the hand piece (120), and an alternating switch (130) which is disposed between and connected to the high frequency generator (114) and the contact electrodes (122) in a circuit manner and which supplies the high frequency currents output from the high frequency generator (114) to the contact electrode (122), wherein the contact electrodes (122) are divided into pairs each having two contact e
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: HUREV CO., LTD
    Inventor: Kihong Ryu
  • Patent number: 11540877
    Abstract: A medical apparatus includes a probe configured for insertion into a body of a patient. The probe includes a plurality of electrodes configured to contact tissue within the body. The medical apparatus further includes an electrical signal generator configured to apply between one or more pairs of the electrodes signals of first and second types in alternation. The signals of the first type include a sequence of bipolar pulses having an amplitude sufficient to cause irreversible electrophoresis (IRE) in the tissue contacted by the electrodes. The signals of the second type include a radio-frequency (RF) signal having a power sufficient to thermally ablate the tissue contacted by the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Andres Claudio Altmann, Assaf Govari
  • Patent number: 11541546
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a terminal device has: a transmission unit which transmits, to a robot, operator state information indicating the state of a user operating the robot; a receiving unit which receives, from the robot, robot state information indicating the state of the robot; a sensation imparting unit which imparts a predetermined sensation to the user; and a control unit which, when a delay time required for the receiving unit to receive the robot state information after the transmission unit transmits the operator state information is no longer than a predetermined time, controls the sensation imparting unit so as to impart a sensation based on the robot state information to the user, and when the delay time is longer than the predetermined time, controls the sensation imparting unit to impart, to the user, a sensation based on virtual state information that indicates an estimated robot state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TELEXISTENCE INC.
    Inventors: Charith Lasantha Fernando, Susumu Tachi, Genki Sano, Kouta Minamizawa
  • Patent number: 11540878
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a catheter shaft assembly and an end effector. The catheter shaft assembly includes an outer sheath with a distal end. The end effector is associated with a distal end of the catheter shaft assembly. The end effector includes a plurality of leaflets. The leaflets are configured to transition between a first configuration and a second configuration. The leaflets are configured to fit within the outer sheath in the first configuration. The leaflets are configured to expand outwardly away from the longitudinal axis in the second configuration in response to being exposed distally relative to the distal end of the outer sheath. Each leaflet includes a flexible body and a plurality of electrodes. Each flexible body defines a plurality of openings. The electrodes are positioned on the flexible body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Cesar Fuentes-Ortega, Pieter E. Van Niekerk, Shubhayu Basu, John J. Foley, Dustin R. Tobey
  • Patent number: 11540876
    Abstract: An irrigated high density electrode catheter can comprise a catheter shaft. The catheter shaft can include a proximal end and a distal end and can define a catheter shaft longitudinal axis. A flexible tip portion can be located adjacent to the distal end of the catheter shaft. An irrigated coupler can be disposed on the distal end of the catheter shaft and can be configured to discharge fluid over the flexible tip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Oliverius, Ryan Kenneth Buesseler, John Hong, Jodee Wakefield, Brent Ford
  • Patent number: 11540881
    Abstract: A microwave ablation system and method include an elongate microwave ablation probe. The probe has a radiating portion for performing microwave ablation. The probe includes a first electrode and a second electrode located along the probe body. A radiofrequency energy source is connected to the first and second electrodes. An impedance of tissue is measured using the first and second electrodes. The impedance is used to detect a change in tissue due to microwave ablation of the tissue. Therapy parameters for the microwave ablation procedure can be adjusted in response to the measured impedance. In some examples, one of the electrodes is proximal and one electrode is distal to the radiating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Hong Cao
  • Patent number: 11534631
    Abstract: Method for ameliorating secondary pulmonary hypertension in a patient including determining a pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) of the patient suffering from secondary pulmonary hypertension; assessing a change in the PVR in response to a selection treatment; and treating the patient with a pulmonary artery manipulation device to provide pulmonary artery denervation if the patient is determined to suffer from fixed PH, thereby ameliorating the secondary pulmonary hypertension of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: SONIVIE LTD.
    Inventor: Rotem Gilad
  • Patent number: 11534230
    Abstract: A medical device includes a shaft including a central lumen configured to direct a flow of fluid through the shaft, and an electrode positioned at a distal portion of the shaft. The electrode includes an electrode lumen in fluid communication with the central lumen, and the electrode lumen is configured to receive the flow of fluid from the central lumen. The electrode also includes one or more channels angled relative to the electrode lumen, and the one or more channels are in fluid communication with the electrode lumen to receive the flow of fluid from the electrode lumen. The one or more channels are configured to divert the flow of fluid from the electrode lumen toward one or more outlets laterally offset from the electrode lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramon Estevez, Mingxiang Xu, Paul Smith, Irina Pyataeva, Kevin McElwee, Allyn Jensrud, Jose Garcia-Cordero, Samuel Raybin, Jennifer Heywood
  • Patent number: 11534234
    Abstract: A method for treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) utilizes an RF ablation electrode needle system that has an RF ablation generator, and an electrode needle. The electrode needle is introduced to puncture within myocardium and to reach the hypertrophic area of the interventricular septum. The RF ablation generator is then turned on to implement single-point or multi-point ablation on the hypertrophic area of the interventricular septum, and then the RF electrode needle is withdrawn from the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Fourth Military Medical University
    Inventors: Liwen Liu, Rui Hu
  • Patent number: 11523857
    Abstract: A system and method for use with an electrosurgical system for delivering energy to tissue wherein the system includes a generator having a maximum power, at least two channels, and a plurality of probes. The method includes a control system allocating power proportionally to the plurality of probes whereby the probes reach a predetermined threshold without significant delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Godara, Michael Same, Ahmad Khayer Dastjerdi
  • Patent number: 11517337
    Abstract: Described herein are shock wave devices and methods for the treatment of calcified heart valves. One variation of a shock wave device may comprise an elongated flexible tube carried by a sheath. The tube may have a fluid input end, which may be located near a proximal end of the sheath. The tube may include a loop portion. The loop portion may be configured to be at least partially accommodated within a cusp of the heart valve. The tube may be fillable with a conductive fluid. In some variations, the shock wave device may include an array of electrode pairs associated with a plurality of wires positioned within the loop portion of a tube. The electrode pairs may be electrically connectable to a voltage source and configured to generate shock waves in the conductive fluid in response to voltage pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SHOCKWAVE MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Rainier Betelia, Hoa D. Nguyen, Camilo Perez Saaibi, Adam R. Tanner
  • Patent number: 11517773
    Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body and includes an acoustic waveguide. The waveguide is configured to acoustically couple with an ultrasonic transducer. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a clamp pad. The blade is in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The clamp arm is configured to pivot about a first pivot point toward and away from the ultrasonic blade and includes a coupling feature. The clamp pad is selectively attachable to the blade to acoustically isolate the clamp arm from the ultrasonic blade. The coupling feature of the clamp arm is configured to provide a snap fit between the clamp pad and the clamp arm and thereby permit manipulation of the clamp pad for removal of the clamp pad from the clamp arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Dickerson, Kristen G. Denzinger, Ryan M. Asher, Collin J. Loch, Nathan D. Grubbs, Daniel J. Prenger, Laura A. Boehm
  • Patent number: 11510717
    Abstract: A laser device having a proximal end and a distal end spaced from the proximal end, the distal end configured to receive a fixation member to be affixed to a target surgical site. The laser device includes a laser source supported by the laser device body and capable of emitting a laser beam to the distal end, wherein the laser source is responsive to at least one input so as to selectively switch between an inactive configuration whereby the laser source does not emit the laser beam, and an active configuration whereby the laser source emits the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Leuenberger, Dieter Schmidli
  • Patent number: 11510627
    Abstract: An automatic method of categorizing the contact force of a catheter tip against a portion of a patient's heart based on motion of the catheter tip, the method comprising (a) capturing a series of 3D-coordinate data points of the catheter tip as a function of discrete times with a 3D medical imaging system, the 3D coordinates corresponding to an orthogonal 3-axis spatial coordinate system, (b) using a programmable computing system, computing a set of measures based on the series of 3D-coordinate data points, (c) categorizing each measure by a respective set of predetermined threshold values; and (d) combining the categorized measures to yield a relative quality of the contact force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: APN Health, LLC
    Inventors: Xuyong Yu, Stephen J. Merrill, Jasbir Sra
  • Patent number: 11504042
    Abstract: A method includes receiving analog body-surface signal from body-surface electrode, and multiple analog unipolar signals from multiple unipolar electrodes of an invasive probe. A first unipolar electrode is assigned to serve as a common electrical ground and a common timing reference for the analog unipolar signals and the analog body-surface signal. The analog unipolar signals are digitized to produce digital unipolar signals sampled relative to a digital ground. Defined are an analog bipolar signal between the first unipolar electrode and a second unipolar electrode of the probe, and digital bipolar signal formed from the first unipolar electrode and the second unipolar electrode. Ground and timing offsets between the analog bipolar signal and the digital bipolar signal are estimated, while the first unipolar electrode is connected to the digital ground. The ground offset and the timing offset are applied in measuring a third unipolar signal, sensed by a third unipolar electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Andres Altmann, Vadim Gliner, Alon Boumendil, Assaf Govari
  • Patent number: 11504156
    Abstract: A surgical port feature may include a funnel portion, a tongue, a waist portion, and surgical instrument channels. The waist portion may be located between the funnel portion and the tongue. The surgical instrument channels may extend from the funnel portion through the waist portion. The surgical port feature may further include a second tongue, with the wait portion being located between the funnel portion, the tongue, and the second tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Theodore W. Rogers, Craig R. Gerbi, John Ryan Steger, Charles E. Swinehart
  • Patent number: 11504179
    Abstract: A surgical system includes an active terminal, a return terminal, an active electrode, a return electrode, an active plug configured to connect to the active terminal, and a return plug configured to connect to the return terminal. The return plug is coupled to the return electrode and coupled between the active plug and the active electrode. The return plug is configured to break an electrical connection between the active plug and the active electrode when the return plug is not connected to the return terminal and to establish an electrical connection between the active plug and the active electrode when the return plug is connected to the return terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Jacob C. Baril, Saumya Banerjee, Christopher M. Meehan, Amy L. Kung, Scott J. Prior
  • Patent number: 11504182
    Abstract: An electrosurgical wand is provided and includes a handle and an elongate shaft coupled to the handle and extending distally from the handle along an axis. An active electrode is disposed at a distal end of the electrosurgical wand. A return electrode abuts the elongate shaft and extends along and annularly about the axis. The return electrode has a top side adjacent the active electrode and an opposite bottom side and defines a notch. A support member is disposed in the notch between the electrodes and transitions curvilinearly from the notch to define a front surface extending laterally across and axially from the return electrode. The front surface tapers downwardly from the active electrode to define a first portion defining a first convex outer surface and also extends toward the bottom side of the return electrode to define a second portion defining a second convex outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Woloszko, Johnson E. Goode, Brent R. Dinger
  • Patent number: 11490954
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having a stop and a plurality of overmold teeth within at least one jaw member. One (or both) of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One (or both) of the jaw members includes a stop molded within an insulative housing, and an insulator plate with the overmold teeth formed from plastic. The overmold teeth extend through openings within a sealing plate and protrude past the tissue sealing surface of the sealing plate. The stop primarily controls the gap distance between opposing jaw members by bearing most of an applied load and the overmold teeth assist in controlling the gap distance by bearing the remaining applied load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: John R. Twomey, Dylan R. Kingsley, James D. Allen, IV, Sean T. O'Neill, Jeffrey M. Roy
  • Patent number: 11490951
    Abstract: An end effector of an electrosurgical device may include a discharge port, an aspiration port, two electrodes, and a diverter formed from a porous material. The diverter includes a matrix having voids to receive fluid from the discharge port. A releasable diverter assembly may include an assembly body configured to receive a pair of electrodes and a diverter composed of a porous material. A shaft assembly of an electrosurgical device may include two electrodes and two fluid cannulae. Each cannula may be disposed proximate to a surface of each of the electrodes. An end effector of an electrosurgical device may include a fluid discharge port, two electrodes, and a diverter disposed therebetween. A proximal edge of the diverter may form a secant line with respect to the end of the discharge port so that fluid emitted by the discharge port is disposed on a surface of the diverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Mark A. Davison, Craig T. Davis, Jeffrey W. Bullock, Mark E. Tebbe, Shan Wan, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Ryan M. Asher, Kristen G. Denzinger, Monica L. Rivard, Kevin A. Bash, Eric M. Roberson
  • Patent number: 11493917
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for remotely operating a machine using a communication device. In one aspect, a method includes generating images showing at least one operating range of the machine by using at least one camera of the machine, transmitting the generated images and an image of an operating surface of the machine to the communication device via a radio network, displaying at least one of: the operating surface image and at least one of the generated images on an operating display of the communication device, accepting machine operation commands input by an operator using the operating display, and then transmitting the machine operation commands via the radio network, thereby remotely operating the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Bauer, Christian Goerg, Vinh Phuc Dinh
  • Patent number: 11491340
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a skin treatment apparatus using fractional plasma, in which a plasma generator includes an electrode plate, a dielectric body, a pin holder, a plurality of pins, and a gap maintaining part and further includes a lower support which includes a pin cover, vents, and an auxiliary gap maintaining part. According to the present invention, the plurality of pins are configured as independent electrodes to prevent concentration of plasma, ends of the plurality of pins are pointed to more smoothly generate plasma, the distances between the plurality of pins may be more reliably maintained using the pin cover, plasma generated by the plurality of pins may be evenly emitted onto the skin via the pin cover and vents without being concentrated on a curved region of the skin, and the auxiliary gap maintaining part moves in a vertical direction of the gap maintaining part to adjust a distance between the plurality of pins and the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: SEOULIN MEDICARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Byoung Choul Kim
  • Patent number: 11490947
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for removing a tattoo from a subject's skin by application of a cold plasma that is delivered via a liquid-gas mixture. The plasma can be delivered in the form of gas bubbles, in which at least a portion of gas is in the form of a plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Clear Intradermal Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Winkelman, Martin E. Schmieg
  • Patent number: 11484359
    Abstract: Described herein is a method and system for gap detection in ablation lines. Microelectrodes are implemented at a distal tip of a catheter to provide localized gap detection along an ablation line. A pacing protocol is used to sequence through each of the microelectrode pairs for a tissue location. If living tissue is present, the pacing signal travels through the living tissue to pulse the heart. An operator will see a capture signal and know that there is a gap in the ablation line. The ablation electrode is then used to ablate the tissue in the gap. Pacing and ablation are therefore performed at the same place without the need to switch between instruments and/or catheters. In an implementation, a force sensor can automate the pacing protocol by determining which microelectrode pair is contacting the tissue. Moreover, signaling between microelectrode pairs can determine contact between the catheter and the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Dror Berman, Assaf Pressman
  • Patent number: 11484367
    Abstract: A medical tool for use with an electromagnetic navigation system includes a catheter configured to be navigated within patient anatomy and at least one electromagnetic sensor, disposed at the catheter, configured to generate electrical signals indicative of a location of the catheter in response to receiving at least one magnetic field. The medical tool also includes a sheath configured to receive the catheter, a first electromagnetic sensor and a second electromagnetic sensor, disposed at a first region of the sheath, each configured to generate electrical signals indicative of a location of the sheath in response to receiving the at least one magnetic field and a third electromagnetic sensor, disposed at a second region of the sheath spaced from the first region, configured to generate electrical signals indicative of a location of the sheath in response to receiving the at least one magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Kevin Justin Herrera
  • Patent number: 11484357
    Abstract: A high frequency treatment instrument can be opened and closed between a first grasping jaw and a second grasping jaw. A lumen is formed inside the first grasping jaw. The first grasping jaw includes an electrode disposed on a side toward which the first gasping jaw is closed, with respect to the lumen. The electrode has an electrode surface arranged opposite the second grasping jaw and extending from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion of the first grasping jaw. The first grasping jaw has a distal end wall disposed opposing from a distal end side of the first grasping jaw toward a distal end edge of the electrode surface, and a clearance between the distal end edge of the electrode surface and the distal end wall communicates to the lumen and opens toward the side toward which the first grasping jaw is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihito Kano, Mizuki Komiya, Ryuhei Shimada
  • Patent number: 11478618
    Abstract: A kit comprising: a urinary catheter comprising a first and a second longitudinal lumens; an ultrasonic transducer disposed about said catheter; a balloon mounted on said catheter, and enclosing said transducer; and a reservoir containing an acoustic coupling medium, wherein: said catheter further comprises a first opening in said first longitudinal lumen, said first opening disposed inside said balloon and configured to inflate said balloon with at least some of said acoustic coupling medium, said catheter further comprises a second opening in said second longitudinal lumen, said second opening disposed outside said balloon and configured to deliver a therapeutic fluid into the urinary bladder, around said balloon, and activation of said transducer in said urinary bladder causes cavitation bubbles to form in said therapeutic fluid adjacent an internal surface of the urinary bladder, and little or no cavitation bubbles are formed in said acoustic coupling medium in said balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: VENSICA MEDICAL LTD.
    Inventors: Avner Geva, Leonid Kushkuley
  • Patent number: 11478297
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling energy delivered to an area of tissue during a treatment procedure are provided. The system includes a device for delivering energy to the area of tissue; an energy generator for generating and supplying energy to the device; and a controller for controlling an amount of energy generated by the energy generator and delivered to the area of tissue by the device. Controlling the amount of energy delivered to the area of tissue alters a primary zone of the area of tissue to a first level, alters a secondary zone to a second level, alters a tertiary zone to a third level, or a combination thereof, where the first level, the second level, the third level, or a combination thereof is predetermined, and where a coverage area of the primary zone, the secondary zone, the tertiary zone, or a combination thereof is also predetermined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Avent, Inc.
    Inventors: Rasagnya M. Viswanadha, Alenda V. Washington, Sherry E. Adesina, Shyamant R. Sastry, Jacques P. Mayeux, Craig F. Steinman, Christa Zachariah, Petrina Barnett Naylor
  • Patent number: 11478298
    Abstract: Neuromodulation catheter systems with controlled irrigation capabilities and methods for using such systems are disclosed herein. One such method includes, for example, positioning an irrigated neuromodulation catheter at a treatment site within a renal blood vessel of a human patient, delivering neuromodulation energy at the treatment site, and delivering irrigation fluid to the treatment site having characteristics coordinated with the delivered energy. The characteristics can be adjusted to maintain an energy delivery element and/or tissue of the blood vessel at a constant temperature as power is increased. The method can further include monitoring at least one parameter of the tissue and/or of the energy delivery element, and adjusting the neuromodulation energy and/or the characteristics of the irrigation fluid if the at least one parameter falls outside of a treatment range of values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC ARDIAN LUXEMBOURG S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Paul Coates