Patents Examined by David M. Ruddy
  • Patent number: 6210404
    Abstract: A micro-catheter system utilizing a microjoule pulsed electrical discharge between first and second electrodes in a recessed lumen at the catheter's working end for creating a cavitating volume of electrolytic fluid composition including a pharmacologic agent. The expansion and collapse of media at a high repetition rate creates acoustic waves that propagate distally from the working end of the micro-catheter to disrupt thrombus. The expansion and collapse of such cavitation bubbles “jet” the pharmacologic agent at a controlled velocity into the acoustically-disrupted thrombus to further depolymerize the thrombus. The catheter system includes a computer-controller for independent modulation of (i) all aspects of pharmacologic agent delivery, and (ii) all parameters of electrical discharge to “tailor” the combined acoustic wave effects and pharmacologic agent effects to dissolve thrombus rapidly and efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: John H. Shadduck
  • Patent number: 6206875
    Abstract: In the present invention, a surgical trocar is adapted to capacitively couple electrosurgical energy to specially adapted cordless electrosurgical instruments. In one embodiment of the present invention, an electrosurgical trocar includes a cannula, a capacitive electrosurgical adapter and a locking connector adapted to connect the cannula to the capacitive electrosurgical adapter. The cannula is an elongated tube which may be inserted into a body cavity, duct or vessel. The electrosurgical adapter includes a housing with an elongated central aperture, an adapter proximal capacitor plate and an adapter distal capacitor plate positioned in and extending axially along the elongated aperture, first and second electrical conductors, first and second external conductors, a compression mechanism, an outer housing and an electrical cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Long, Lynetta J. Freeman, Bryan D. Knodel
  • Patent number: 6205346
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrodes apron for ECG which is comprised of an apron cast from flexible material to be placed over the chest of the patient, ten electrodes inlaid within the apron in predetermined places wherein six of the said electrodes are located at predetermined distances between the ribs, two under each shoulder and two at both sides of the stomach. Either curved or spiraled conductors are cast within flexible material and each conductor is connected to an electrode. A multiple-pronged cable feeds each of the conductors and includes a connector for connecting the apron to any standard ECG measuring device. The apron also has straps and a belt for tightening the apron on the body of the patient, locating the electrodes of the apron in their required locations for ECG tests. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is an electrodes apron having two bracelets for attaching to the arms of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Tapuz Medical Technology, Ltd.
    Inventor: Sharon Akiva
  • Patent number: 6201981
    Abstract: An electrode for measuring a biomedical signal has: thin foil electrodes 11a to 11c which are formed into a square shape; lead wires 12a to 12c which are connected to the electrodes 11a to 11c, respectively; and a support section 13 which is made of a flexible material such as rubber or plastic, formed into a slender thin plate-like shape, and supports the electrodes 11a to 11c in a straight line and at constant intervals. The lead wires 12a to 12c are twisted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Nihon Kohden Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru Yarita
  • Patent number: 6200314
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering energy to a biological site includes an electrode device having a plurality of electrodes, the electrode device positioned proximal the biological site. A power control system supplies power having a controllable phase angle to each of the electrodes. A backplate is also positioned proximal the biological site so that the biological site is interposed between the electrode device and the backplate. The backplate is maintained at the reference voltage level in relation to the power. The power control system controls the phase angle of the power so that the current flow between the electrodes and between the electrodes and the backplate results in the continuity and depth of lesions desired. In a preferred embodiment, the electrodes are arranged in a substantially linear array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventor: Marshall L. Sherman
  • Patent number: 6198955
    Abstract: An electrode provides electrical contact with a patient's skin with the electrode including a conductive member for connection to an external electrical apparatus and multilayers of gel for providing electrical interface between the patient's skin and the conductive member. A first layer is provided which includes an electrically conductive gel having a relatively low peel strength for removably contacting the patient's skin and a second layer is provided which includes an electrically conductive gel having a relatively high peel strength for contacting the conductive member. The first and second layers are laminated in accordance with the method of the invention. Other layers may be utilized in combination with the first and second layers. Such layers include a scrim layer and a layer including physiologically active ions. Further, the electrode through the use of multilayer gels is suitable for use with garments for the selective positioning of electrodes to a patient's skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Axelgaard Manufacturing Co., LTD
    Inventors: Jens Axelgaard, Steve Heard
  • Patent number: 6197025
    Abstract: A grooved slider forming part of an electrode for use with a resectoscope is shown. The electrode includes an electrode lead member having an elongated conductor member. The elongated conductor member has a first end and a second end with an insulative cover extended therebetween. The first end has a protruding electrode adapted to be electrically connected to an electrosurgical generator and the second end terminates in an active member. An electrode support member is operatively connected to the active member. The electrode support member has an elongated semi-rigid bifurcated arm terminating in a conductive core spaced a predetermined distance from the active member. The bifurcated arm is covered with an insulative material except at the distal end where the grooved slider is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Circon Corporation
    Inventors: Benedetto Grossi, Robert Quint, Richard P. Muller
  • Patent number: 6193655
    Abstract: A consolidated monitoring cable arrangement allows multiple cables extending between a surgical gurney, or other type of patient support platform, and a peripheral monitoring stand to be consolidated into a single cable. The present use of multiple cables has the disadvantage that the region between a gurney and a monitoring stand is cluttered. This can present a hazard to medical personnel, particularly when an emergency situation requires that concentration be focused on the needs of the patient. In a primary form, the subject cable arrangement uses two boxes, one on the gurney and another on the monitoring stand; a detachable cable connects the two boxes. Shorter cables of uniform length are used to connect a patient on the gurney and equipment on the monitoring stand to a respective box. Besides the aforementioned safety advantage, this cable arrangement reduces the expense of frequent replacement of damaged cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: John E. McGrath
  • Patent number: 6193715
    Abstract: An adapter unit for a mechanical tissue cutting implement such as a shaver, morcellator or the like includes a mounting block from which an electrically insulating sheath extends. The sheath fits over the cannula or shaft of the cutting implement, and is secured in alignment and attached so that the cutting tip, for example, the tool and its window in the cannula tip, are exposed through the sheath. A conductor, which may be a conductive layer, extends along the length of the sheath and is exposed to form a distal electrode at the tip in close proximity to the opening, constituting one electrode of a bipolar electrode arrangement at the exposed tool. The other electrode is provided by electrical connection to the implement itself, so that a high current density path is formed through tissue in the cutting region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Medical Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Wrublewski, Kevin M. Allaire, Kevin P. Lemire, Paul C. Nardella, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6193713
    Abstract: A method is described for the operation of a radiofrequency ablation instrument comprising a radiofrequency energy source having a plurality of regulatable outputs, with a plurality of electrodes being connectable to its outputs. A respective power value and/or current value representative of the power and/or the current transmitted by the radiofrequency energy source is detected for each output. The voltage delivered from the radiofrequency energy source is regulated in dependence on the detected power value and/or current value in such a way that the latter corresponds substantially to a predetermined power value and/or current value. A predetermined phrase relationship is in each case maintained between the currents or between the voltages at the outputs of the radiofrequency energy source. Furthermore, a corresponding apparatus is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Sulzer Osypka GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Geistert, Peter Uphoff
  • Patent number: 6193709
    Abstract: An ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to the present invention comprises an ultrasonic transducer for generating ultrasonic vibration, a vibration transmitting member for transmitting the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic transducer, the vibration transmitting member having a proximal end connected to the ultrasonic transducer and a distal end portion used to treat a living organism by means of the transmitted ultrasonic vibration, a grasping member opposed to the distal end portion of the vibration transmitting member and having a grasping surface capable of grasping the living organism in cooperation with the distal end portion, an operating mechanism for moving the grasping member between a closed position in which the grasping member engages the distal end portion of the vibration transmitting member and an open position in which the grasping member is separated from distal end portion, and a follow-up mechanism for driving or allowing the grasping member in the closed position to fol
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Miyawaki, Toshihiko Hashiguchi, Mitsumasa Okada, Norikiyo Shibata
  • Patent number: 6190382
    Abstract: An improved radio-frequency catheter system for ablating biological tissues of a body vessel in a patient including a catheter, a deployable antenna guide disposed at the distal portion of the catheter and a radio-frequency (“RF”) antenna mounted on the antenna guide. The RF antenna includes a helical coil which defines an axial passageway to accommodate the antenna guide, and is adapted to receive and transmit RF energy for tissue ablation. Upon deployment, the antenna guide acquires a loop configuration which establishes line contact with the body vessel conformable to its internal contour to prescribe the precise and affixed tissue ablation pathway despite body vessel movements. The RF antenna is carried by the antenna guide to be deployed along the established tissue ablation pathway. Alignment of the loop with the desired tissue ablation pathway is facilitated with the use of radio-opaque markers and intracardiac electrodes mounted along the antenna guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Medwaves, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore C. Ormsby, George L. Leung, Ming-Fan Law
  • Patent number: 6190383
    Abstract: An apparatus for thermal treatment of a tissue mass having an elongated housing having a proximal and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, and further including at least two electrodes supported at its distal end and mounted for rotation to facilitate entry and passage through a tissue mass. A drive shaft may be disposed within the elongated housing and operatively engageable with the electrodes for causing their rotational movement. The apparatus may include an electrode gear and a drive shaft gear in cooperative engagement whereby rotation of the drive shaft causes corresponding rotation of the electrodes. Preferably, a motor is operatively connected to the drive shaft causing its rotational movement. Desirably, the distal end of the electrodes are threaded. A method for thermally treating a tissue mass is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
    Inventors: Dale Schmaltz, Jenifer Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6190378
    Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument includes a cryoprobe operative to form an ice ball in tissue of a patient targeted for cryosurgery upon activation, a sheath disposed over the cryoprobe and at least one measuring device supported by the sheath for measuring a parameter of the tissue of the patient. The instrument includes a processor for predicting formation of the ice ball by the cryoprobe over time and a display for displaying the prediction of ice ball formation. The processor is responsive to an output signal provided by the measuring device and a model of the effective thermal conductivity of the tissue of the patient targeted for surgery. In one embodiment, the measuring device is embedded in the sheath and measures temperature, thermal conductivity, blood perfusion rate and/or thermal diffusivity. The processor may be further responsive to an impedance measurement circuit for verifying the prediction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Philip O. Jarvinen
  • Patent number: 6190374
    Abstract: An apparatus for operating upon a cornea for delivering a laser beam having wavelength in an ultraviolet range emitted from a laser light source to the cornea, and for correcting ametropia by ablating the cornea with the laser beam, the apparatus comprises a correcting-hypermetropia optical system having a first aperture to restrict an ablation area, for correcting hypermetropia by changing a passing area for the laser beam, input device for inputting information necessary for defining a corneal shape after ablation, controlling device for defining an ablation shape based on the information inputted by the input device, and for driving the laser light source and the correcting-hypermetropia optical system, and a second aperture located by decentering for the center of the cornea, for transmitting the laser beam within an area of a near-point portion, whereby correction of presbyopia may be performed so that the cornea has double focal points by driving the laser light source and the correcting-hypermetropia o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Amano, Hirokatsu Makino
  • Patent number: 6187002
    Abstract: In the present invention, a surgical trocar is adapted to capacitively couple electrosurgical energy to specially adapted cordless electrosurgical instruments. In one embodiment of the present invention, an electrosurgical trocar includes a cannula, a capacitive electrosurgical adapter and a locking connector adapted to connect the cannula to the capacitive electrosurgical adapter. The cannula is an elongated tube which may be inserted into a body cavity, duct or vessel. The electrosurgical adapter includes a housing with an elongated central aperture, an adapter proximal capacitor plate and an adapter distal capacitor plate positioned in and extending axially along the elongated aperture, first and second electrical conductors, first and second external conductors, a compression mechanism, an outer housing and an electrical cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Long, Lynetta J. Freeman, Bryan D. Knodel
  • Patent number: 6188930
    Abstract: A method and system to provide for the controlled heating of the preoptic anterior hypothalamus (POAH) for patients receiving such treatment. The system employs a catheter device which may be positioned proximate to the POAH and which emits radiant energy. The radiant energy provides for the heating of the POAH and a cooling apparatus may further be provide for cooling bodily tissues near the POAH which are heated. Feedback sensors may be positioned at various locations on the patient in order to determine an optimal position for the catheter device and to monitor the core body temperature. A control apparatus included with the system controls the amount of heating the POAH receives based on the feedback signals received from the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Medivance Incorporated
    Inventor: Gary Allen Carson
  • Patent number: 6179831
    Abstract: A method for treating benign prostate hyperplasia is provided. The method is effected by (a) inserting a cystoscope into a prostatic urethra portion of a urethra of a patient having benign prostate hyperplasia; (b) guiding a probe of a cryoprobe having an operating tip through a channel of the cystoscope to an portion of the prostatic urethra; (c) navigating the operating tip through a wall of the prostatic urethra into at least one location at a time of a prostate of the patient; and (d) operating the cryoprobe thereby cooling the operating tip and producing an ice-ball of prostate tissue around the operating tip, so as to locally freeze a portion of the prostate, yet substantially avoid freezing the prostatic urethra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Galil Medical Ltd.
    Inventor: Mordechai Bliweis
  • Patent number: 6176858
    Abstract: An electrosurgical cutting apparatus for performing laparoscopic section of an organ makes use of an electrical current transporter. The transporter includes a conducting wire, electrical insulation portions around the conducting wire at the first end and at the second end, forming respectively a first and a second insulated end and defining a non-insulated cutting portion between said first insulated end and said second insulated end, and a first fastening device located at the first end of the conducting wire and a second fastening device located at the second end of said conducting wire. The second fastening device is in electrical contact with the conducting wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Medsys S.A.
    Inventors: Jacques Dequesne, Camille Constant, Xavier Moreels
  • Patent number: 6174308
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument, which is used to treat tissue in the presence of an electrically-conductive fluid, comprises an instrument shaft and an electrode assembly at one end of the shaft. The electrode assembly comprises a tissue treatment electrode (11) and a return electrode (12) which is electrically insulated from the tissue treatment electrode by means of an insulation member (15). The tissue treatment electrode (11) is exposed at the extreme distal end of the instrument, and the return electrode (12) has a fluid contact surface spaced from the exposed end of the tissue treatment electrode by the insulation member (15). The instrument further comprises feed means (17) for feeding electrically-conductive fluid to the region of the exposed end of the tissue treatment electrode (11) in such a manner as to define, in use, a conductive fluid path that completes an electrical circuit between the tissue treatment and the return electrode (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Gyrus Medical Limited
    Inventors: Nigel Mark Goble, Colin Charles Owen Goble