Patents Assigned to EP Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8114073
    Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a first branch body having a first axis, a second branch body extending in a non-parallel relationship with respect to the first axis, and at least one electrode carried by the second branch body. In use, the first branch body can be located within a pulmonary vein within the left atrium, while the electrode carried by the second branch body is located in contact with endocardial tissue outside the pulmonary vein. Ablation energy can be transmitted from the electrode to contacted endocardial tissue while the first branch body is located within the pulmonary vein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James G Whayne, Sidney D Fleischman, Russell B Thompson, David K Swanson, Yi Yang
  • Patent number: 7857822
    Abstract: Devices for insertion into an atrial appendage of stasis reducing components such as mesh members, chemical bonding agents or expandable anchors are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney D. Fleischman, James G. Whayne, Thomas M. Bourne, David K. Swanson
  • Patent number: 7837681
    Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a first branch body having a first axis, a second branch body extending in a non-parallel relationship with respect to the first axis, and at least one electrode carried by the second branch body. In use, the first branch body can be located within a pulmonary vein within the left atrium, while the electrode carried by the second branch body is located in contact with endocardial tissue outside the pulmonary vein. Ablation energy can be transmitted from the electrode to contacted endocardial tissue while the first branch body is located within the pulmonary vein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James G Whayne, Sidney D Fleischman, Russell B Thompson, David K Swanson, Yi Yang
  • Patent number: 7837684
    Abstract: A method of ablating tissue in the heart to treat atrial fibrillation introduces into a selected atrium an energy emitting element. The method exposes the element to a region of the atrial wall and applies ablating energy to the element to thermally destroy tissue. The method forms a convoluted lesion pattern comprising elongated straight lesions and elongated curvilinear lesions. The lesion pattern directs electrical impulses within the atrial myocardium along a path that activates the atrial myocardium while interrupting reentry circuits that, if not interrupted, would cause fibrillation. The method emulates the surgical maze procedure, but lends itself to catheter-based procedures that do not require open heart surgical techniques. A composite structure for performing the method is formed using a template that displays in planar view a desired lesion pattern for the tissue. An array of spaced apart element is laid on the template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Swanson, Sidney D. Fleischman, Thomas F. Kordis, David L. McGee
  • Patent number: 7413568
    Abstract: A method of ablating tissue in the heart to treat atrial fibrillation introduces into a selected atrium an energy emitting element. The method exposes the element to a region of the atrial wall and applies ablating energy to the element to thermally destroy tissue. The method forms a convoluted lesion pattern comprising elongated straight lesions and elongated curvilinear lesions. The lesion pattern directs electrical impulses within the atrial myocardium along a path that activates the atrial myocardium while interrupting reentry circuits that, if not interrupted, would cause fibrillation. The method emulates the surgical maze procedure, but lends itself to catheter-based procedures that do not require open heart surgical techniques. A composite structure for performing the method is formed using a template that displays in planar view a desired lesion pattern for the tissue. An array of spaced apart element is laid on the template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Swanson, Sidney D. Fleischman, Thomas F. Kordis, David L. McGee
  • Patent number: 7335196
    Abstract: A device for creating the lesions in body tissue includes a support element having an electromagnetic energy emitting region. When caused to emit electromagnetic energy, the region creates a single continuous lesion that is long and thin, having a length that is substantially greater than its width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Swanson, Sidney D. Fleischman
  • Patent number: 7297144
    Abstract: Devices for insertion into an atrial appendage of stasis reducing components such as mesh members, chemical bonding agents or expandable anchors are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney D. Fleischman, James G. Whayne, Thomas M. Bourne, David K. Swanson
  • Patent number: 7115122
    Abstract: A method of ablating tissue in the heart to treat atrial fibrillation introduces into a selected atrium an energy emitting element. The method exposes the element to a region of the atrial wall and applies ablating energy to the element to thermally destroy tissue. The method forms a convoluted lesion pattern comprising elongated straight lesions and elongated curvilinear lesions. The lesion pattern directs electrical impulses within the atrial myocardium along a path that activates the atrial myocardium while interrupting reentry circuits that, if not interrupted, would cause fibrillation. The method emulates the surgical maze procedure, but lends itself to catheter-based procedures that do not require open heart surgical techniques. A composite structure for performing the method is formed using a template that displays in planar view a desired lesion pattern for the tissue. An array of spaced apart element is laid on the template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Swanson, Sidney D. Fleischman, Thomas F. Kordis, David L. McGee
  • Patent number: 7063682
    Abstract: A catheter assembly having a sheath, which includes a side wall enclosing an interior bore, and a distal region. The assembly also has a bendable catheter tube, which is carried for sliding movement in the interior bore. A pull wire also runs through the interior bore of the sheath, preferably within a lumen. The catheter tube has a distal portion with a coupling which joins the distal portion of the catheter tube and the distal portion of the pull wire. Relative movement of the pull wire and the sheath causes bending of the catheter tube outwardly through the opening, in response to sliding movement of the catheter tube within the interior bore toward the distal region of the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Whayne, Sidney D. Fleischman
  • Patent number: 7052492
    Abstract: A surgical method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element within the body. The apparatus may be catheter-based or a probe including a relatively short shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Swanson, Sidney D. Fleischman, Josef V. Koblish, Russell B. Thompson, James G. Whayne, Thomas R. Jenkins, Edward J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 7048734
    Abstract: Systems and methods employ a guide element that carries a region of energy emitting material. The systems and methods electronically couple the region to a source of energy that, when emitted by the region, ablates tissue. The systems and methods are responsive to user commands for changing the physical characteristics of the lesions being created by electronically altering the energy emitting characteristics of the region itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney D. Fleischman, David L. McGee, David K. Swanson
  • Patent number: 7029471
    Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a sheath, which includes a side wall enclosing an interior bore, a distal region, and an opening in the sidewall. The assembly also comprises a bendable catheter tube, which is carried for sliding movement in the interior bore. The catheter tube has a distal portion. The assembly further comprises a coupling, which joins the distal region of the sheath and the distal portion of the catheter tube. The coupling causes bending of the catheter tube outwardly through the opening, in response to sliding movement of the catheter tube within the interior bore toward the distal region of the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell B. Thompson, David L. McGee, James G. Whayne, Yi Yang, Sidney D. Fleischman
  • Patent number: 7025766
    Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a first branch body having a first axis, a second branch body extending in a non-parallel relationship with respect to the first axis, and at least one electrode carried by the second branch body. In use, the first branch body can be located within a pulmonary vein within the left atrium, while the electrode carried by the second branch body is located in contact with endocardial tissue outside the pulmonary vein. Ablation energy can be transmitted from the electrode to contacted endocardial tissue while the first branch body is located within the pulmonary vein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James G Whayne, Sidney D Fleischman, Russell B Thompson, David K Swanson, Yi Yang
  • Patent number: 6939349
    Abstract: An electrode support structure comprises a guide body having at its distal end a flexible spline leg. The spline leg is flexed to define an arcuate shape to facilitate intimate contact against tissue. An electrode element is carried by the spline leg for movement along its axis. The structure includes a control element coupled to the electrode element. The control element remotely imparts force to move the electrode element along the axis of the spline leg. Therefore, in use, the physician can cause the electrode element to travel along a path that the spline leg defines, without otherwise changing the location of the guide body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney D. Fleischman, Thomas M. Bourne, James G. Whayne, David K. Swanson
  • Patent number: 6893439
    Abstract: An electrode support structure comprises a guide body having at its distal end a flexible spline leg. The spline leg is flexed to define an arcuate shape to facilitate intimate contact against tissue. An electrode element is carried by the spline leg for movement along its axis. The structure includes a control element coupled to the electrode element. The control element remotely imparts force to move the electrode element along the axis of the spline leg. Therefore, in use, the physician can cause the electrode element to travel along a path that the spline leg defines, without otherwise changing the location of the guide body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sidney D. Fleischman
  • Patent number: 6830576
    Abstract: Devices for insertion into an atrial appendage of stasis reducing components such as mesh members, chemical bonding agents or expandable anchors are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney D. Fleischman, James G. Whayne, Thomas M. Bourne, David K. Swanson
  • Patent number: 6805131
    Abstract: An electrode support structure has a slotted hub and an integral body with a mid-section and opposed pair of spline elements that extend from the mid-section. The mid-section is captured within the slot, securing the integral body to the hub with the opposed spline elements radiating free of the slot for carrying one or more electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Kordis
  • Patent number: 6786905
    Abstract: A surgical method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element within the body. The apparatus may be catheter-based or a probe including a relatively short shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Swanson, Sidney D. Fleischman, Josef V. Koblish, Russell B. Thompson, James G. Whayne, Thomas R. Jenkins, Edward J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 6736811
    Abstract: Electrode assemblies and associated systems employ a nonporous wall having an exterior for contacting tissue. The exterior peripherally surrounds an interior area. The wall is essentially free of electrically conductive material. The wall is adapted to assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter. The assemblies and systems include a lumen that conveys a medium containing ions into the interior area. An element free of physical contact with the wall couples the medium within the interior area to a source of electrical energy to enable ionic transport of electrical energy from the source through the medium to the wall for capacitive coupling to tissue contacting the exterior of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dorin Panescu, David K. Swanson, James G. Whayne, Thomas F. Kordis
  • Patent number: 6668198
    Abstract: A catheter assembly comprising a elongated, flexible support structure having an axis. The assembly also includes an elongated porous electrode assembly carried by the support structure along the axis for contact with tissue. The elongated porous electrode assembly comprises a wall having an exterior peripherally surrounding an interior area, a lumen to convey a medium containing ions into the interior area, and an element coupling the medium within the interior area to a source of electrical energy. At least a portion of the wall comprising a porous material is sized to allow passage of ions contained in the medium to thereby enable ionic transport of electrical energy through the porous material to the exterior of the wall to form a continuous elongated lesion pattern in tissue contacted by the wall. The support structure can have a curvilinear geometry, e.g., a loop shape, and the elongated porous electrode assembly conforms to the curvilinear geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David K Swanson, Russell B Thompson, Sidney D Fleischman, Dorin Panescu, James G Whayne