Patents Examined by Rosiland Kearney Rollins
  • Patent number: 6726710
    Abstract: A method for treating cardiac arrest includes defibrillating the patient and/or ventilating the patient and/or administering a cardiac arrest drug such as epinephrine to resuscitate the patient, and then cooling the patient using one or more cooling catheter positioned in the central venous system of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Alsius Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Worthen, Scott M. Evans, Suzanne C. Winter, David Balding
  • Patent number: 6689131
    Abstract: An electrosurgical device for use in surgical procedures is disclosed. The electrosurgical device comprises a main body having a proximal end and a distal end. A heat delivery modality is situated and arranged at the distal end of the main body. A sensor arrangement is also situated and arranged at the distal end of the main body. The heat delivery modality provides thermal energy to a tissue being treated while the sensor arrangement is configured to engage and detect a change in dimension of the tissue being treated. Accordingly, the electrosurgical device of the present disclosure allows a surgeon to precisely achieve the desired amount of dimensional change of the tissue being treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: TissueLink Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. McClurken
  • Patent number: 6685732
    Abstract: An enhanced method and device are provided to inhibit or reduce restenosis following angioplasty or stent placement. A porous balloon-tipped catheter is disposed in the area treated or opened through balloon angioplasty immediately following angioplasty. The balloon, which can have a dual balloon structure, may be delivered through a guiding catheter and over a guidewire already in place. A fluid such as a perfluorocarbon flows into the balloon to freeze the tissue adjacent the balloon, this cooling being associated with reduction of restenosis. A similar catheter may be used to reduce atrial fibrillation by inserting and inflating the porous balloon such that an exterior surface of the balloon, as well as a portion of the cold working fluid, from the microporosity contacts at least a partial circumference of the portion of the pulmonary vein adjacent the left atrium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Innercool Therapies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans W. Kramer
  • Patent number: 6648908
    Abstract: A catheter system and method are provided which change the temperature of a fluid, such as blood, by heat transfer. Selective cooling or heating of an organ may be performed by changing the temperature of the blood feeding the organ. The catheter system includes an inlet lumen and an outlet lumen structured and arranged to carry a working fluid having a temperature different from the adjacent blood. The outlet lumen is configured to induce turbulence in the adjacent fluid passing adjacent the outlet lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Innercool Therapies, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Dobak, III, Juan C. Lasheras