Patents Assigned to Epicor, Inc.
  • Method of ablating tissue from an epicardial location
    Patent number: 6314963
    Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for mapping conduction pathways and creating lesions in the heart wall for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The apparatus may include at least one epicardial ablation probe having a plurality of electrodes for creating a lesion. The apparatus and method facilitate the formation of a lesion which electrically isolates the pulmonary veins from the surrounding myocardium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Epicor, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Banjamin Pless, David A. Gallup, Jack E. Ulstad, Jr., Scott C. Anderson, Roxanne L. Richman
  • Apparatus and method for diagnosis and therapy of electrophysiological disease
    Patent number: 6311692
    Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for mapping conduction pathways and creating lesions in the heart wall for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The apparatus may include at least one epicardial ablation probe having a plurality of electrodes for creating a lesion. The apparatus and method facilitate the formation of a lesion which electrically isolates the pulmonary veins from the surrounding myocardium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Epicor, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Benjamin Pless, David A. Gallup, Jack E. Ulstad, Jr., Scott C. Anderson, Roxanne L. Richman
  • Methods of epicardial ablation
    Patent number: 6237605
    Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for mapping conduction pathways and creating transmural lesions in the heart wall for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The apparatus may include at least one epicardial ablation probe having a plurality of electrodes for creating a transmural lesion. The apparatus and method facilitate the formation of a transmural lesion which electrically isolates the pulmonary veins from the surrounding myocardium without cutting or penetrating the pericardial reflections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Epicor, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Daniel D. Merrick, Ajit S. Shah, Casper deClerq
  • Methods of epicardial ablation for creating a lesion around the pulmonary veins
    Patent number: 6161543
    Abstract: The invention provides surgical systems and methods for ablating heart tissue within the interior and/or exterior of the heart. A plurality of probes is provided with each probe configured for introduction into the chest for engaging the heart. Each probe includes an elongated shaft having an elongated ablating surface of a predetermined shape. The elongated shaft and the elongated ablating surface of each probe are configured to ablate a portion of the heart. A sealing device affixed to the heart tissue forms a hemostatic seal between the probe and the penetration in the heart to inhibit blood loss therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Epicor, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Cox, Stephen W. Boyd, Hanson S. Gifford, III, Matthias Vaska, Daniel D. Merrick
  • Method of and apparatus for purifying fluids with radioactive impurities
    Patent number: 4107044
    Abstract: Apparatus for removing dissolved and undissolved radioactive impurities from a fluid is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vessel having inlet and outlet structure and provision for filtration of undissolved solids and ion exchange removal of dissolved solids. The vessel is encased in a radiation impervious material and the method contemplates utilization of filtration materials and ion exchange materials substantially to exhaustion in disregard of radioactivity concentration thereafter to dispose of entire structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: Epicor, Inc.
    Inventor: Jospeh A. Levendusky