Patents by Inventor Alan de la Rama

Alan de la Rama has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11337750
    Abstract: A flexible tip electrode for an ablation catheter is disclosed. The catheter includes a catheter body and a hollow elongate tip electrode disposed at a distal end of the catheter body. The electrode includes a sidewall provided with one or more elongate gaps extending therethrough. The one or more elongate gaps providing flexibility in the sidewall for bending movement of the tip electrode relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: ST. JUDE MEDICAL, ATRIAL FIBRILLATION DIVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Carlo Pappone, Alan de la Rama, Peter C. Chen, Cary Hata, Jared A. Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20220079668
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a catheter comprising an expandable electrode assembly or basket is provided. In specific embodiments, the basket is particularly useful for mapping electrical activity at one or more locations within the heart. The basket can comprise a plurality of bendable or deflectable arms. At least one of the arms may have varied flexibility over its length in the form of one or more discontinuities of stiffness or flexibility at an elbow region or other variances in flexibility over the arm's length. Such variance in flexibility may allow the arm to assume a different bent configuration or respond to external factors more positively than possible with an arm having a static or near static flexibility or stiffness over its length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Sacha C. Hall, Dale E. Just, Alan de la Rama, Cary Hata
  • Patent number: 11246655
    Abstract: A catheter configured to deliver therapeutic energy to a tissue can include can include an elongate shaft extending along a shaft longitudinal axis and comprising a shaft proximal end and a shaft distal end. The catheter can include a flexible tip assembly comprising a tip assembly outer surface, wherein the flexible tip assembly is connected to the shaft distal end and is configured to deliver therapeutic energy to the tissue, and wherein the flexible tip assembly further includes. The flexible tip assembly can include an insulative layer comprising an insulative layer outer surface, wherein the insulative layer is disposed on the tip assembly outer surface and a mapping electrode disposed on the insulative layer outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan de la Rama, Peter Chen, Cary Hata
  • Patent number: 11154355
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a catheter comprising an expandable electrode assembly or basket is provided. In specific embodiments, the basket is particularly useful for mapping electrical activity at one or more locations within the heart. The basket can comprise a plurality of bendable or deflectable arms. At least one of the arms may have varied flexibility over its length in the form of one or more discontinuities of stiffness or flexibility at an elbow region or other variances in flexibility over the arm's length. Such variance in flexibility may allow the arm to assume a different bent configuration or respond to external factors more positively than possible with an arm having a static or near static flexibility or stiffness over its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Sacha C. Hall, Dale E. Just, Alan de la Rama, Cary Hata
  • Publication number: 20210315626
    Abstract: A cryoablation device comprises a freezing balloon, a catheter, a storage tank, a delivery pipeline, a recovery pipeline, and a freezing element. Within the freezing balloon circulates a freezing substance, such as a low pressure liquid or gas or a gas-liquid mixture. A cryoablation method comprises the following four steps: pre-freezing, ablation, recovery, and rewarming. Advantages of the cryoablation device and method provided herein: low risk factor, easy to operate, convenient to use, exhibits high freezing efficiency, and temperature control accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: PIEDMONT MEDSYSTEMS (ZHUHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jiahua Xiao, Dongbo Su, Alan De La Rama, Cary Kunihiko Hata
  • Publication number: 20210153935
    Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to electrophysiology catheters for tissue ablation within a cardiac muscle. In particular, the instant disclosure relates to an electrophysiology ablation balloon catheter with an electrode coil that is wrapped around at least a portion of the balloon and delivers ablation energy at a desired portion of tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Alan de la Rama, Cary Hata, Tim La, Tho Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20210045795
    Abstract: A cryoablation catheter, including a first capsule body, a core tube and a heat insulation part, wherein the first capsule body is mounted at a front end of the core tube, and has a front end area adapted for fitting to myocardial tissue during a cryoablation process and a rear end area exposed to blood; the core tube has a first looping path provided therein which is adapted for a first fluid with low temperature to be filled into or flow out of the first capsule body; the heat insulation part is at least partially fitting to the rear end area, and is adapted for reducing heat exchange efficiency between the first fluid and the blood in an atrium. The cryoablation operating apparatus and the cryoablation equipment thereof can effectively reduce the heat exchange between the cryoablation catheter and the blood during a cryoablation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Jiahua Xiao, Alan De La Rama, Cary Kunihiko Hata
  • Patent number: 10912609
    Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to electrophysiology catheters for tissue ablation within a cardiac muscle. In particular, the instant disclosure relates to an electrophysiology ablation balloon catheter with an electrode coil that is wrapped around at least a portion of the balloon and delivers ablation energy at a desired portion of tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan de la Rama, Cary Hata, Tim La, Tho Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10857349
    Abstract: Flexible high-density mapping catheter tips and flexible ablation catheter tips with onboard high-density mapping electrodes are disclosed. These tips can be used for diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmias. The flexible, distal tips are adapted to conform to tissue and comprise a plurality of microelectrodes mounted to permit relative movement among at least some of the microelectrodes. The flexible tip portions may comprise a flexible framework forming a flexible array of microelectrodes (for example, a planar or cylindrical array) adapted to conform to tissue and constructed at least in part from nonconductive material in some embodiments. The flexible array of microelectrodes may be formed from a plurality of rows of longitudinally-aligned microelectrodes. The flexible array may further comprise, for example, a plurality of electrode-carrying arms or electrode-carrier bands. Multiple flexible frameworks may be present on a single device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan de la Rama, Cary K. Hata, Don Curtis Deno, Carlo Pappone
  • Patent number: 10842990
    Abstract: Flexible high-density mapping catheter tips and flexible ablation catheter tips with onboard high-density mapping electrodes are disclosed. These tips can be used for diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmias. The flexible, distal tips are adapted to conform to tissue and comprise a plurality of microelectrodes mounted to permit relative movement among at least some of the microelectrodes. The flexible tip portions may comprise a flexible framework forming a flexible array of microelectrodes (for example, a planar or cylindrical array) adapted to conform to tissue and constructed at least in part from nonconductive material in some embodiments. The flexible array of microelectrodes may be formed from a plurality of rows of longitudinally-aligned microelectrodes. The flexible array may further comprise, for example, a plurality of electrode-carrying arms or electrode-carrier bands. Multiple flexible frameworks may be present on a single device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan de la Rama, Cary K. Hata, Don Curtis Deno, Carlo Pappone
  • Publication number: 20200330752
    Abstract: Flexible high-density mapping catheter tips and flexible ablation catheter tips with onboard high-density mapping electrodes are disclosed. These tips can be used for diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmias. The flexible, distal tips are adapted to conform to tissue and comprise a plurality of microelectrodes mounted to permit relative movement among at least some of the microelectrodes. The flexible tip portions may comprise a flexible framework forming a flexible array of microelectrodes (for example, a planar or cylindrical array) adapted to conform to tissue and constructed at least in part from nonconductive material in some embodiments. The flexible array of microelectrodes may be formed from a plurality of rows of longitudinally-aligned microelectrodes. The flexible array may further comprise, for example, a plurality of electrode-carrying arms or electrode-carrier bands. Multiple flexible frameworks may be present on a single device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Alan de la Rama, Cary K. Hata, Don Curtis Deno, Carlo Pappone
  • Publication number: 20200297996
    Abstract: Flexible high-density mapping catheter tips and flexible ablation catheter tips with onboard high-density mapping electrodes are disclosed. These tips can be used for diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmias. The flexible, distal tips are adapted to conform to tissue and comprise a plurality of microelectrodes mounted to permit relative movement among at least some of the microelectrodes. The flexible tip portions may comprise a flexible framework forming a flexible array of microelectrodes (for example, a planar or cylindrical array) adapted to conform to tissue and constructed at least in part from nonconductive material in some embodiments. The flexible array of microelectrodes may be formed from a plurality of rows of longitudinally-aligned microelectrodes. The flexible array may further comprise, for example, a plurality of electrode-carrying arms or electrode-carrier bands. Multiple flexible frameworks may be present on a single device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Alan de la Rama, Cary K. Hata, Don Curtis Deno, Carlo Pappone
  • Publication number: 20200206456
    Abstract: A lumen extension member is provided for a catheter having a catheter body and an elongate electrode coupled to the catheter body. The elongate electrode defines an electrode lumen extending therethrough. The lumen extension member is positioned within the electrode lumen and is coupled to the catheter body. The lumen extension member includes a tubular member including a sidewall and at least one opening that extends through the sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Alan de la Rama, Cary Hata, William Du, Yongxing Zhang
  • Publication number: 20200138378
    Abstract: Flexible high-density mapping catheter tips and flexible ablation catheter tips with onboard high-density mapping electrodes are disclosed. These tips can be used for diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmias. The flexible, distal tips are adapted to conform to tissue and comprise a plurality of microelectrodes mounted to permit relative movement among at least some of the microelectrodes. The flexible tip portions may comprise a flexible framework forming a flexible array of microelectrodes (for example, a planar or cylindrical array) adapted to conform to tissue and constructed at least in part from nonconductive material in some embodiments. The flexible array of microelectrodes may be formed from a plurality of rows of longitudinally-aligned microelectrodes. The flexible array may further comprise, for example, a plurality of electrode-carrying arms or electrode-carrier bands. Multiple flexible frameworks may be present on a single device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Alan de la Rama, Cary K. Hata, Don Curtis Deno, Carlo Pappone
  • Patent number: 10576244
    Abstract: A lumen extension member is provided for a catheter having a catheter body and an elongate electrode coupled to the catheter body. The elongate electrode defines an electrode lumen extending therethrough. The lumen extension member is positioned within the electrode lumen and is coupled to the catheter body. The lumen extension member includes a tubular member including a sidewall and at least one opening that extends through the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: ST. JUDE MEDICAL, ATRIAL FIBRILLATION DIVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Alan de la Rama, Cary Hata, William Du, Yongxing Zhang
  • Publication number: 20200038103
    Abstract: A fluid delivery balloon ablation catheter configured to allow uniform fluid distribution through each electrode by varying the diameter of the main lumen. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending longitudinally within the catheter body. A number of elution holes are provided in the catheter tip region, and these holes are in fluid communication with the lumen through ducts. As such, cooling fluid is delivered from the pump, through the lumen through the ducts, and out of the holes to the environment outside of the catheter. The main lumen has at least one tapered flow constrictors to restrict flow of fluid towards the distal region of the lumen. The catheter has multiple half-dome balloons, with the distal balloon being the smallest, and the proximal balloon being the largest balloon. The multiple-balloon catheter helps when using the ablation catheter in a funnel-shaped vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Carlo Pappone, Alan de la Rama, Peter Chen, Cary Hata
  • Patent number: D940310
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: ST. JUDE MEDICAL, CARDIOLOGY DIVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Alan de la Rama, Cary Hata, Don Curtis Deno, Carlo Pappone
  • Patent number: D951438
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: ST. JUDE MEDICAL, CARDIOLOGY DIVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Alan de la Rama, Cary Hata, Carlo Pappone
  • Patent number: D952140
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: ST. JUDE MEDICAL, CARDIOLOGY DIVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Alan de la Rama, Cary Hata, Carlo Pappone
  • Patent number: D952843
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: ST. JUDE MEDICAL, CARDIOLOGY DIVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Alan de la Rama, Cary Hata, Don Curtis Deno, Carlo Pappone