Patents Assigned to Ekos Corporation
  • Patent number: 10182833
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of applying ultrasonic energy to a treatment site within a patient's vasculature comprises positioning an ultrasound radiating member at a treatment site within a patient's vasculature. The method further comprises activating the ultrasound radiating member to produce pulses of ultrasonic energy at a cycle period T?1 second. The acoustic parameters such as peak power, pulse width, pulse repetition frequency and frequency or any combination of them can be varied non-linearly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: EKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Azita Soltani, Kim R. Volz
  • Patent number: 10092742
    Abstract: A catheter control system the system can include a control unit having a first connection port. The control unit can have a first visual indicator associated with the first connection port. The system can also include a first catheter interface connector connected to the first connection port of the control unit. The first catheter interface connector can have a first visual indicator corresponding to the first visual indicator on the control unit. The first visual indicator on the first catheter interface connector can be to be active to indicate that the first catheter interface connector is connected to the first connection port on the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: EKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Curtis Genstler, Douglas R. Hansmann
  • Patent number: 10080878
    Abstract: A method of delivery ultrasonic energy and a therapeutic compound to a treatment site and an ultrasonic catheter system are disclosed. The ultrasonic catheter system comprises a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end and a treatment zone located between the distal end and the proximal end, a fluid delivery lumen, at least one ultrasound radiating element positioned in the treatment zone, wiring electrically coupled to the at least one ultrasound radiating element and extending through the tubular body and terminating at a connector, and a control system comprising external circuitry and an isolation pod that is configured to be electrically connected to the connector, the isolation pod being positioned between the tubular body and the external system and comprising an isolation barrier and circuitry for driving the ultrasound radiating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: EKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard R. Wilson, Robert L. Wilcox, Curtis Genstler, Tim Abrahamson, Wm. Gerrit Barrere, Amy Cohen, George Keilman, Leonard R. Oliver, Natalya Peskin
  • Patent number: 9943675
    Abstract: A method of treating an occlusion at a treatment site within a patient's vasculature comprises providing an ultrasonic catheter. The ultrasonic catheter has a distal region, a proximal region opposite the distal region, a fluid delivery lumen having at least one opening in the distal region, and an ultrasound radiating member positioned within the distal region. The method further comprises positioning the ultrasonic catheter at the treatment site, such that at least a portion of the distal region is within the occlusion. The ultrasonic catheter further comprises passing a therapeutic compound through the fluid delivery lumen such that the therapeutic compound is delivered to the treatment site. The ultrasonic catheter further comprises emitting ultrasonic energy from the ultrasound radiating member. The emitted ultrasonic energy has an amplitude that is periodically varied between a low amplitude and a high amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: EKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: George Keilman, Douglas R. Hansmann, Azita Soltani, Richard R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9849273
    Abstract: An ultrasound catheter system and a method for operating an ultrasonic catheter at a treatment site within a patient's vasculature or tissue are disclosed. The ultrasound catheter system comprises a catheter having at least one ultrasonic element and a control system configured to generate power parameters that drive the at least one ultrasonic element to generate ultrasonic energy. The control system is configured to vary at least one of the power parameters and at least one physiological parameter by repeatedly cycling the power parameter and the physiological parameter through two set of values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: EKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Azita Soltani, Kim R. Volz
  • Patent number: 9579494
    Abstract: An ultrasound catheter with a lumen for fluid delivery and fluid evacuation, and an ultrasound source is used for the treatment of intracerebral or intraventricular hemorrhages. After the catheter is inserted into a blood clot, a lytic drug can be delivered to the blood clot via the lumen while applying ultrasonic energy to the treatment site. As the blood clot is dissolved, the liquefied blood clot can be removed by evacuation through the lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ekos Corporation
    Inventors: Jocelyn Kersten, Curtis Genstler, Raymond M. Wolniewicz, III, Douglas R. Hansmann
  • Patent number: 9415242
    Abstract: A method of delivery ultrasonic energy and a therapeutic compound to a treatment site and an ultrasonic catheter system are disclosed. The ultrasonic catheter system comprises a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end and a treatment zone located between the distal end and the proximal end, a fluid delivery lumen, at least one ultrasound radiating element positioned in the treatment zone, wiring electrically coupled to the at least one ultrasound radiating element and extending through the tubular body and terminating at a connector, and a control system comprising external circuitry and an isolation pod that is configured to be electrically connected to the connector, the isolation pod being positioned between the tubular body and the external system and comprising an isolation barrier and circuitry for driving the ultrasound radiating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: EKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard R. Wilson, Robert L. Wilcox, Curtis Genstler, Tim Abrahamson, Wm. Gerrit Barrere, Amy Cohen, George Keilman, Leonard R. Oliver, Natalya Peskin
  • Patent number: 9192566
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of treating a vascular occlusion located at a treatment site within a patient's vasculature comprises positioning an ultrasound catheter at the treatment site. The method further comprises delivering a microbubble-therapeutic compound from the ultrasound catheter to the vascular occlusion during a first treatment phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: EKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Azita Soltani, Douglas R. Hansmann
  • Patent number: 9107590
    Abstract: A method for treating an occlusion comprises positioning a catheter at a treatment site in a patient's vasculature. A blockage is located at the treatment site. The method further comprises performing a medical treatment at the treatment site. The medical treatment is configured to reduce the blockage. The method further comprises making a plurality of measurements at the treatment site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: EKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas R. Hansmann, Robert L. Wilcox, Peter R. Rule, Francisco S. Villar
  • Patent number: 9044568
    Abstract: An ultrasound catheter with fluid delivery lumens, fluid evacuation lumens and a light source is used for the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhages. After the catheter is inserted into a blood clot in the brain, a lytic drug can be delivered to the blood clot via the fluid delivery lumens while applying ultrasonic energy to the treatment site. As the blood clot is dissolved, the liquefied blood clot can be removed by evacuation through the fluid evacuation lumens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: EKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert L. Wilcox, Ronald L. Haas
  • Publication number: 20140343483
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering ultrasound energy and a drug solution to a treatment site in a vessel is disclosed. The apparatus includes an elongate, hollow sheath having a distal opening and an energy delivery section at least partially constructed from a material that transmits ultrasound energy. The apparatus also includes a drug delivery lumen positioned along at least a portion of the sheath, the drug delivery lumen having at least one drug delivery port within the energy delivery section. The apparatus further includes an elongate body having an ultrasound element, the elongate body configured to be movably positioned within the sheath, such that ultrasonic energy can be transmitted from the ultrasound element through the energy delivery section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: EKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: JOHN ZHANG, GARY LICHTTENEGGER, JAMES E. RODRIGUEY, KATSURO TACHIBANA
  • Publication number: 20140316329
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of treating a vascular occlusion located at a treatment site within a patient's vasculature comprises positioning an ultrasound catheter at the treatment site. The method further comprises delivering a microbubble-therapeutic compound from the ultrasound catheter to the vascular occlusion during a first treatment phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Ekos Corporation
    Inventors: AZITA SOLTANI, DOUGLAS R. HANSMANN
  • Patent number: 8852166
    Abstract: A method of treating an occlusion at a treatment site within a patient's vasculature comprises providing an ultrasonic catheter. The ultrasonic catheter has a distal region, a proximal region opposite the distal region, a fluid delivery lumen having at least one opening in the distal region, and an ultrasound radiating member positioned within the distal region. The method further comprises positioning the ultrasonic catheter at the treatment site, such that at least a portion of the distal region is within the occlusion. The ultrasonic catheter further comprises passing a therapeutic compound through the fluid delivery lumen such that the therapeutic compound is delivered to the treatment site. The ultrasonic catheter further comprises emitting ultrasonic energy from the ultrasound radiating member. The emitted ultrasonic energy has an amplitude that is periodically varied between a low amplitude and a high amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ekos Corporation
    Inventors: George Keilman, Douglas R. Hansmann, Azita Soltani, Richard R. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20140276367
    Abstract: An ultrasound catheter with a lumen for fluid delivery and fluid evacuation, and an ultrasound source is used for the treatment of intracerebral or intraventricular hemorrhages. After the catheter is inserted into a blood clot, a lytic drug can be delivered to the blood clot via the lumen while applying ultrasonic energy to the treatment site. As the blood clot is dissolved, the liquefied blood clot can be removed by evacuation through the lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: EKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jocelyn Kersten, Curtis Genstler, Raymond M. Wolniewicz, III, Douglas R. Hansmann
  • Publication number: 20140249453
    Abstract: A method of delivery ultrasonic energy and a therapeutic compound to a treatment site and an ultrasonic catheter system are disclosed. The ultrasonic catheter system comprises a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end and a treatment zone located between the distal end and the proximal end, a fluid delivery lumen, at least one ultrasound radiating element positioned in the treatment zone, wiring electrically coupled to the at least one ultrasound radiating element and extending through the tubular body and terminating at a connector, and a control system comprising external circuitry and an isolation pod that is configured to be electrically connected to the connector, the isolation pod being positioned between the tubular body and the external system and comprising an isolation barrier and circuitry for driving the ultrasound radiating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: EKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: RICHARD R. WILSON, ROBERT L. WILCOX, CURTIS GENSTLER, TIM ABRAHAMSON, WM. GERRIT BARRERE, AMY COHEN, GEORGE KEILMAN, LEONARD R. OLIVER, NATALYA PESKIN
  • Patent number: 8764700
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering ultrasound energy and a drug solution to a treatment site in a vessel is disclosed. The apparatus includes an elongate, hollow sheath having a distal opening and an energy delivery section at least partially constructed from a material that transmits ultrasound energy. The apparatus also includes a drug delivery lumen positioned along at least a portion of the sheath, the drug delivery lumen having at least one drug delivery port within the energy delivery section. The apparatus further includes an elongate body having an ultrasound element, the elongate body configured to be movably positioned within the sheath, such that ultrasonic energy can be transmitted from the ultrasound element through the energy delivery section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ekos Corporation
    Inventors: John Zhang, Gary Lichttenegger, James E. Rodriguey, Katsuro Tachibana
  • Patent number: D794662
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: EKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Curtis Genstler, William Russell Kanz, Michael George Svob, William Lyle Richardson, Jeff Ladwig, Amy Brumet, Eric Wahl, David Kalamen, Stephanie Seraphina, Alex Hay
  • Patent number: D797918
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: EKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Curtis Genstler, William Russell Kanz, Michael George Svob, William Lyle Richardson, Jeff Ladwig, Amy Brumet, Eric Wahl, David Kalamen, Stephanie Seraphina, Alex Hay
  • Patent number: D819807
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: EKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Curtis Genstler, William Russell Kanz, Michael George Svob, William Lyle Richardson, Jeff Ladwig, Amy Brumet, Eric Wahl, David Kalamen, Stephanie Seraphina, Alex Hay
  • Patent number: D831058
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: EKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Curtis Genstler, William Russell Kanz, Michael George Svob, William Lyle Richardson, Jeff Ladwig, Amy Brumet, Eric Wahl, David Kalamen, Stephanie Seraphina, Alex Hay