Patents Assigned to Pharmasonics
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Patent number: 6464680Abstract: A method of enhancing cellular absorption of a substance delivered into a target region of a patient's body, comprising: (a) delivering the substance to the target region; and (b) directing vibrational energy to the target region, wherein the vibrational energy is of a type and in an amount sufficient to enhance absorption into cells of the target region.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1998Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Pharmasonics, Inc.Inventors: Axel Brisken, Robert Zuk, John McKenzie, Jeff Isner, Meno Nassi
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Patent number: 6432068Abstract: A therapeutic ultrasound energy delivery system includes a probe having a vibrational transducer. A restraint is disposed about the transducer in order to exert a compressive pre-stress on the transducer. The restraint inhibits tensile failure of the vibrational transducer at high acoustic output.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2000Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Pharmasonics, Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Corl, Joseph Karratt, John McKenzie
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Publication number: 20020082238Abstract: Nucleic acid transfection of vascular smooth muscle cells is enhanced by the application of vibrational energy to the cells. By applying vibrational energy at frequency in the range from 1 kHz to 10 MHz and at an intensity in the range from 0.01 W/cm2 to 100 W/cm2, significant enhancement of the uptake of nucleic acids into vascular smooth muscle cells can be achieved.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2002Publication date: June 27, 2002Applicant: PHARMASONICS, INC.Inventors: Christopher M.H. Newman, Axel F. Brisken
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Publication number: 20020077694Abstract: A method for inhibiting hyperplasia at an anastomotic junction of a vascular fistula or vascular graft comprises exposing the anastomotic junction to vibrational energy at a mechanical index and for a time sufficient to inhibit hyperplasia. Kits are described comprising the catheter or a probe suitable for performing the methods together with instructions for use setting forth the methods. The methods and kits are particularly suitable for treating anastomotic junctions formed to provide vascular access for hemodialysis, hemofiltration, and the like. The methods and kits are also suitable for treating other vascular grafts, such as those formed during cardiac bypass graft surgery, vascular repair, and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2001Publication date: June 20, 2002Applicant: PHARMASONICS, INC.Inventors: John R. McKenzie, Robert F. Zuk, Axel F. Brisken, Paul D. Corl
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Patent number: 6387116Abstract: A method for inhibiting hyperplasia at an anastomotic junction of a vascular fistula or vascular graft comprises exposing the anastomotic junction to vibrational energy at a mechanical index and for a time sufficient to inhibit hyperplasia. Kits are described comprising the catheter or a probe suitable for performing the methods together with instructions for use setting forth the methods. The methods and kits are particularly suitable for treating anastomotic junctions formed to provide vascular access for hemodialysis, hemofiltration, and the like. The methods and kits are also suitable for treating other vascular grafts, such as those formed during cardiac bypass graft surgery, vascular repair, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Pharmasonics, Inc.Inventors: John R. McKenzie, Robert F. Zuk, Axel F. Brisken, Paul D. Corl
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Patent number: 6372498Abstract: Nucleic acid transfection of vascular smooth muscle cells is enhanced by the application of vibrational energy to the cells. By applying vibrational energy at frequency in the range from 1 kHz to 10 MHz and at an intensity in the range from 0.01 W/cm2 to 100 W/cm2, significant enhancement of the uptake of nucleic acids into vascular smooth muscle cells can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1998Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Pharmasonics, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. H. Newman, Axel F. Brisken
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Patent number: 6361554Abstract: Methods for delivering vibrational energy to subcutaneous tissue sites comprise externally generating acoustic energy and directing the external energy to an implanted structure which is capable of resonating at a pre-selected frequency. The vibration of the implanted structure, in turn, will reradiate heat and mechanical energy into tissue surrounding the structure. In one example, the implanted structure is a stent and the vibrational energy is intended to inhibit hyperplasia in a blood vessel in which the stent is implanted.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Pharmasonics, Inc.Inventor: Axel F. Brisken
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Patent number: 6296619Abstract: A method of treating a target region in a body lumen, said method comprising: directing a uniform dose of ultrasonic energy from an interior of the lumen radially outward over a treatment length of the lumen, wherein the dosage of ultrasonic energy received at any one point along the length varies by no more than plus or minus 6 decibels from that received at any other point along the length.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1998Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Pharmasonics, Inc.Inventors: Axel F. Brisken, John R. McKenzie, Robert F. Zuk, Menahem Nassi, Mark W. Cowan, Paul D. Corl
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Patent number: 6287272Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter body having an oscillating driver, an interface surface mechanically coupled to the driver, and an inflatable balloon disposed near the interface surface. The balloon may be an angioplasty balloon, in which case the interface surface will deliver ultrasonic or other vibratory energy into a blood vessel as part of an angioplasty or related procedure. Alternatively, the catheter may comprise a pair of axially spaced-apart isolation balloons, in which case the interface surface can deliver ultrasonic or other vibratory energy into a treatment region defined between said balloons. The energy can thus act to mix or enhance penetration of a treatment held between said balloons in performing a vascular treatment procedure.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1998Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Pharmasonics, Inc.Inventors: Axel F. Brisken, Vartan E. Ghazarossian
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Patent number: 6228046Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter body having a vibrational transducer disposed at or near its distal end. The vibrational transducer comprises a plurality of oscillators such as bending plate oscillators or other conventional oscillators each having a vibrational surface capable of imparting pressure waves. The plurality of oscillators may be disposed at a distal end of the catheter body or may alternatively be disposed within the catheter body. The catheter may further comprise lumens for drug delivery, balloons for encircling the transducer structures, or the like. The catheters are useful in a variety of lumenal therapeutic procedures, including drug delivery, stenotic disruption within blood vessel, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1998Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Pharmasonics, Inc.Inventor: Axel F. Brisken
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Patent number: 6221038Abstract: An energy transmitting catheter comprises a catheter body (16) having a vibrating assembly at its distal end. The vibrating assembly comprises a magnetostriction driver (40) which is mechanically coupled to an interface member (46) on the catheter for radiating energy into an environment surrounding the distal end of the catheter. Usually, the vibrating assembly further includes a tail mass (44), an interface member (46), and a spring element (48) which together and in combination with the magnetostriction driver define a resonant assembly for amplification of the displacement of the interface surface provided by the magnetostriction driver. The catheter is useful for treating luminal conditions, such as vascular clot and plaque. Optionally, a therapeutic agent may be delivered through the catheter before, after, or simultaneously with the application of vibratory energy.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Pharmasonics, Inc.Inventor: Axel F. Brisken
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Patent number: 6210393Abstract: Post-interventional neointimal hyperplasia in arteries is treated by the application of ultrasonic energy. Usually, an intravascular catheter having an interface surface is positioned at a target site in the artery which has previously been treated. The interface surface is vibrationally excited to apply energy to the arterial wall in a manner which inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation in the neointimal layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1998Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Pharmasonics, Inc.Inventor: Axel F. Brisken
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Patent number: 5931805Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter body having a bending plate transducer disposed at or near its distal end. The bending plate transducer is typically a unimorph, bimorph, or other conventional vibratory transducer capable of imparting pressure waves in a direction generally normal to the plane of the transducer. The bending plate transducers may be disposed at a distal end of the catheter body, for example, as a cantilever beam, or may alternately be disposed within the catheter body. The catheters may further comprise lumens for drug delivery, balloons for encircling the transducer structures, or the like. The catheters are useful in a variety of lumenal therapeutic procedures, including drug delivery, stenotic disruption within blood vessel, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1997Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Pharmasonics, Inc.Inventor: Axel F. Brisken
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Patent number: 5846218Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter body having an oscillating driver, an interface surface mechanically coupled to the driver, and an inflatable balloon disposed near the interface surface. The balloon may be an angioplasty balloon, in which case the interface surface will deliver ultrasonic or other vibratory energy into a blood vessel as part of an angioplasty or related procedure. Alternatively, the catheter may comprise a pair of axially spaced-apart isolation balloons, in which case the interface surface can deliver ultrasonic or other vibratory energy into a treatment region defined between said balloons. The energy can thus act to mix or enhance penetration of a treatment held between said balloons in performing a vascular treatment procedure.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 1996Date of Patent: December 8, 1998Assignee: Pharmasonics, Inc.Inventors: Axel F. Brisken, Vartan E. Ghazarossian
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Patent number: 5735811Abstract: An ultrasonic catheter comprises a catheter body having an interface surface which extends at least partially over a circumferential portion of the catheter body. The interface surface is coupled to an oscillating driver so that axial and/or radial oscillations are radiated into a fluid environment surrounding the catheter body. Optionally, the catheter may be provided with a fluid infusion lumen and/or inflatable balloons on either side of the interface surface in order to deliver treatment fluid within a specific or isolated region in a body lumen.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1995Date of Patent: April 7, 1998Assignee: Pharmasonics, Inc.Inventor: Axel F. Brisken
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Patent number: 5728062Abstract: An energy-transmitting catheter comprises a catheter body having a vibrating assembly at its distal end. The vibrating assembly comprises a magnetostrictive driver which is mechanically coupled to an interface member on the catheter for radiating energy into an environment surrounding the distal end of the catheter. Usually, the vibrating assembly further includes a tail mass, an interface member, and a spring element which together and in combination with the magnetostrictive driver define a resonant assembly for amplification of the displacement of the interface surface provided by the magnetostrictive driver. The catheter is useful for treating luminal conditions, such as vascular clot and plaque. Optionally, a therapeutic agent may be delivered through the catheter before, after, or simultaneously with the application of vibratory energy.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1995Date of Patent: March 17, 1998Assignee: Pharmasonics, Inc.Inventor: Axel F. Brisken
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Patent number: 5725494Abstract: An ultrasonic catheter comprises a catheter body having a resonantly vibrating assembly at its distal end. The resonantly vibrating assembly comprises a tail mass, an interface member, and a spring element which connects the tail mass to the interface member. An interface surface is formed on the interface member and is forwardly disposed at the distal end of the catheter. A longitudinally oscillating driver is disposed between the tail mass and the interface member, and the catheter can be connected to a suitable power supply to induce oscillations in the driver. The driver is typically a piezoelectric device, such as a tubular piezoelectric transducer or a piezoelectric stack. The characteristics of the interface member, spring element, and longitudinally oscillating driver are selected so that the interface member may be resonantly vibrated at an ultrasonic frequency. The catheter is useful for treating luminal conditions, such as vascular clot and plaque.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1995Date of Patent: March 10, 1998Assignee: Pharmasonics, Inc.Inventor: Axel F. Brisken