Patents Assigned to Irvine Biomedical Inc.
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Patent number: 5891027Abstract: A cardiovascular catheter system or catheter probe system suitable for electrophysiology mapping and radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissue comprises a catheter shaft having a proximal end, a distal handle, and a lumen extending therebetween, whereby a distal portion of the shaft is deflectable; and the soft distal section is inflatable to conform intimately to the irregular intracardiac tissue surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1996Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: Irvine Biomedical, Inc.Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Chi-Wu James Chang
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Patent number: 5891138Abstract: A catheter system comprising a delivery catheter with distal and proximal ends; a handle attached to the proximal end of the delivery catheter; the delivery catheter having an electrode deployment means where said electrode deployment means includes a retractable tip section comprising a plurality of deployable parallel electrodes. The tip section has a non-deployed state when it is positioned in the delivery catheter. On the other hand, the tip section has a distended deployed state when it is advanced out of the distal end of said delivery catheter; wherein the deployed electrodes on the tip section has a preformed shape in a parallel manner. This catheter is particularly useful for treating the patient having tachycardia as a result of its more effective electrodes arrangement for intimate tissue contact.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1997Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: Irvine Biomedical, Inc.Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Weng-Kwen Raymond Chia
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Patent number: 5876340Abstract: An RF ablation apparatus has a delivery catheter with distal and proximal ends. A handle is attached to the proximal end of the delivery catheter. The delivery catheter has an electrode deployment means where said electrode deployment means includes a retractable tip section comprising a deployable electrode with portion of one side having a sharp edge. The tip section has a non-deployed state when it is positioned in the delivery catheter. On the other hand, the tip section has a distended deployed state when it is advanced out of the distal end of said delivery catheter. The deployed tip section has a preformed shape while the farther distal deployed electrode defines an ablation target along with portion of the forward side having a sharp edge on said electrode. The forward edge of the deployed electrode has a slightly curvature or an essentially straight shape. Said deployable electrode has ultrasonic imaging capabilities.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1997Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: Irvine Biomedical, Inc.Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Weng-Kwen Raymond Chia
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Patent number: 5876399Abstract: This invention discloses an ablation catheter system with fixation means for use in treatment of cardiac tissues and in other medical applications, such as ablating tumors in a natural body conduit or cavity by applying RF energy, and an inner catheter having alternate energy sources for enhanced ablation. The catheter system passes through a natural body opening to reach the target tissue, where the catheter system stays in a desired position via its fixation means and delivers therapeutic energy selected from the group of laser energy, microwave, inductive radiofrequency and ultrasonic energy to the target tissue for improved treatment.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1997Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: Irvine Biomedical, Inc.Inventors: Weng-Kwen Raymond Chia, Hosheng Tu
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Patent number: 5868741Abstract: A catheter system having a tip with fixation tines for use in treatment of tissues, such as ablating tumors in a natural body conduit or a cavity by applying RF energy through the tip, wherein the catheter system passes through a natural body opening to reach the target tissues, wherein the catheter system stays at a desired position via its fixation tines and delivers therapeutic RF energy to the target tissues for improved tissue treatment.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1998Date of Patent: February 9, 1999Assignee: Irvine Biomedical, Inc.Inventors: Weng-Kwen Raymond Chia, Hosheng Tu
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Patent number: 5849028Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter suitable for radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissue comprises an elongate catheter shaft wherein a distal tip section having multiple long electrodes and multiple temperature sensors in the proximity of the tissue contact sites and further comprising a close-loop temperature control mechanism for each electrode with at least a temperature sensor on an adjacent tiny ring.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1997Date of Patent: December 15, 1998Assignee: Irvine Biomedical, Inc.Inventor: Peter Cheng Chen
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Patent number: 5843152Abstract: An improved catheter system having at least one electrode at its tip section, can be used in ablating the arrhythmogenic point of a patient. A catheter suitable for radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissues comprises a catheter shaft having a distal section, a distal end, a proximal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, wherein a rotatable ball electrode is disposed at the tip section of said catheter. In one embodiment, the ablation catheter has a temperature sensor and a close-loop temperature control mechanism. In another embodiment, the ablation catheter has fluid infusion and irrigation means at its distal tip section for creating a deep and large lesion by applying radiofrequency energy and cooled fluid to said electrode.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1997Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: Irvine Biomedical, Inc.Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Weng-Kwen Raymond Chia
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Patent number: 5843020Abstract: An RF ablation device has a delivery catheter with distal and proximal ends. A handle is attached to the proximal end of the delivery catheter. The delivery catheter has an electrode deployment means where said electrode deployment means includes a retractable tip section comprising a deployable electrode with portion of one side having a sharp edge. The tip section has a non-deployed state when it is positioned in the delivery catheter. On the other hand, the tip section has a distended deployed state when it is advanced out of the distal end of said delivery catheter. The deployed tip section has a preformed shape while the farther distal deployed electrode defines an ablation target along with portion of the forward side having a sharp edge on said electrode. The forward edge of the deployed electrode has a slightly curvature or an essentially straight shape. Alternatively, the forward edge of the deployed electrode has sections with plurality of concave or convex curvatures.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1997Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: Irvine Biomedical, Inc.Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Weng-Kwen Raymond Chia
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Patent number: 5792140Abstract: An improved ablation catheter with at least one multiple-needle electrode can be used in ablating the arrhythmogenic region instead of an arrhythmogenic point of a patient. This catheter is particularly useful for treating the patient with atrial fibrillation (AFib) indications. A catheter suitable for radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissues comprises a delivery catheter and an inner catheter having a distal section, a distal end, a proximal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween. The ablation catheter has a temperature sensor and a close-loop temperature control. The ablation catheter having at least one multiple-needle electrode is inserted into the chambers of the heart to create a plurality of deep, large, and contiguous lesions by applying radiofrequency energy and cooled fluid to said electrode.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1997Date of Patent: August 11, 1998Assignee: Irvine Biomedical, Inc.Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Weng-Kwen Raymond Chia
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Patent number: 5782828Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter suitable for radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissue endocardially or epicardially comprises a catheter shaft whereby a distal tip section having multiple steerable curved portions, multiple long electrodes and multiple temperature sensors, further comprising a close-loop control mechanism for each electrode with a temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1996Date of Patent: July 21, 1998Assignee: Irvine Biomedical, Inc.Inventors: Peter Cheng Chen, Alan de la Rama
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Patent number: 5782900Abstract: A catheter system suitable for electrophysiology mapping and radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissue comprises a catheter shaft having a distal end, a proximal handle, and at least a lumen extending therebetween, wherein a distal section of the shaft is either a fixed curve or deflectable; and safety anchoring means being provided to maintain the integrity of the catheter by holding the tip electrode in place. In one embodiment, the safety means is a tip electrode with safety anchoring pins. In another embodiment, the safety means is a tip electrode with extended flexible stem having open slots on said stem.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1997Date of Patent: July 21, 1998Assignee: Irvine Biomedical, Inc.Inventors: Alan de la Rama, Weng-Kwen Raymond Chia, Hosheng Tu
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Patent number: 5779715Abstract: An improved lead extraction system having multiple-jaw cutting edge that is useful for extraction and removal of unwanted lead by a minimal invasive procedure. A lead extraction system suitable for radiofrequency ablation of scar tissues surrounding the implanted lead comprises a catheter sheath having a distal end, a proximal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, wherein a locking stylet is provided. In one embodiment, the lead extraction system has fluid infusion and irrigation means at its distal tip section and a set of ablation electrodes for loosening the target tissue by applying radiofrequency energy and cooled fluid to said electrode and its contacted tissue.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1997Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: Irvine Biomedical, Inc.Inventor: Hosheng Tu
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Patent number: D384743Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1996Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Assignee: Irvine Biomedical, Inc.Inventor: Weng-Kwen Raymond Chia