Patents by Inventor Athanassios Papaioannou

Athanassios Papaioannou 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).

  • Publication number: 20170245927
    Abstract: A medical device includes an insertion tube, having a distal end for insertion into a body of a subject. A distal tip is fixed to the distal end of the insertion tube and is coupled to apply energy to tissue inside the body. The distal tip has an outer surface with a plurality of perforations through the outer surface, which are distributed circumferentially and longitudinally over the distal tip. A lumen passes through the insertion tube and is coupled to deliver a fluid to the tissue via the perforations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Athanassios Papaioannou, Andres Claudio Altmann
  • Patent number: 9675411
    Abstract: A medical device includes an insertion tube, having a distal end for insertion into a body of a subject. A distal tip is fixed to the distal end of the insertion tube and is coupled to apply energy to tissue inside the body. The distal tip has an outer surface with a plurality of perforations through the outer surface, which are distributed circumferentially and longitudinally over the distal tip. A lumen passes through the insertion tube and is coupled to deliver a fluid to the tissue via the perforations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Athanassios Papaioannou, Andres Claudio Altman
  • Patent number: 9675416
    Abstract: Tissue ablation is carried out using a probe having a distal conductive cap. At least one optical fiber is contained within the probe and terminates in proximity to an outer surface of the conductive cap. The optical fiber conveys optical radiation to the tissue while the power generator is activated and receives reflected optical radiation. An optical module measures the received reflected optical radiation, and a processor linked to the optical module analyzes the reflected optical radiation to determine impending steam pop events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Joseph Thomas Keyes, Athanassios Papaioannou
  • Patent number: 9554847
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an intra-body probe and a processor. The intra-body probe includes an electrode, which is configured to contact tissue in a heart. The processor is configured to receive an electrical signal from the electrode, to distinguish a local component, due to the tissue with which the electrode is in contact, in the electrical signal from a remote-field contribution to the signal, and to control a therapeutic procedure applied to the tissue responsively to the distinguished local component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Athanassios Papaioannou
  • Patent number: 9445725
    Abstract: A medical probe includes an insertion tube having a distal end configured for insertion into a body of a patient and containing a lumen for conveying an irrigation fluid and an electrical conductor for conveying electrical energy. A conductive cap is attached to the distal end of the insertion tube and coupled electrically to the electrical conductor. The conductive cap has an outer surface perforated by multiple apertures and defines an inner cavity in fluid communication with the lumen of the insertion tube so as to permit the irrigation fluid from the lumen to flow out of the cap through the apertures. A plurality of temperature sensors are mounted within the conductive cap in thermal communication with the outer surface and are thermally insulated from the irrigation fluid in the inner cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Athanassios Papaioannou, Rowan Olund Hettel
  • Publication number: 20160184008
    Abstract: A catheter has a multifunctional “virtual” tip electrode with a porous substrate and a multitude of surface microelectrodes. The surface microelectrodes are in close proximity to each other and in a variety of configurations so as to sense tissue for highly localized intracardiac signal detection, and high density local electrograms and mapping. The porous substrate allows for flow of conductive fluid for ablating tissue. The surface microelectrodes can be formed via a metallization process that allows for any shape or size and close proximity, and the fluid “weeping” from the porous substrate provides more uniform irrigation in the form of a thin layer of saline. The delivery of RF power to the catheter tip is based on the principle of “virtual electrode,” where the conductive saline flowing through the porous tip acts as the electrical connection between the tip electrode and the heart surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Athanassios Papaioannou, Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Assaf Govari
  • Publication number: 20150305812
    Abstract: Tissue ablation is carried out using a probe having a distal conductive cap. At least one optical fiber is contained within the probe and terminates in proximity to an outer surface of the conductive cap. The optical fiber conveys optical radiation to the tissue while the power generator is activated and receives reflected optical radiation. An optical module measures the received reflected optical radiation, and a processor linked to the optical module analyzes the reflected optical radiation to determine impending steam pop events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Joseph Thomas Keyes, Athanassios Papaioannou
  • Publication number: 20150297290
    Abstract: An irrigated needle electrode ablation catheter has a distal tip section with a tip electrode, a needle electrode assembly longitudinal movable relative to the catheter, and a needle centering insert in a channel in the tip electrode. The assembly has a proximal tubing and a distal needle electrode, and the insert supports the needle electrode in the channel at a predetermined separation distance from the tip electrode while enabling irrigation to flow circumferentially around the needle electrode through the channel and exit at the distal end of the tip electrode. The catheter also provides a first dedicated fluid pathway through the assembly and exits at the distal end of the needle electrode, and a second dedicated fluid pathway to supply fluid to the channel in the tip electrode, wherein the second pathway is defined by a guide tube and directed by a plunger member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher Beeckler, Athanassios Papaioannou, Rowan Hettel, Maribeth Esguerra Wilczynski
  • Patent number: 8986300
    Abstract: A catheter adapted for insertion into a body of a subject has at least one electrode disposed on its distal section. The electrode is coupled to an energy source to ablate tissue that is placed in contact with the electrode. The electrode has a wall with a plurality of perforations formed therethrough, and has edges defining a peripheral section that is adjacent the edges and a central section remote from the edges, wherein the wall of the peripheral section is thicker than the wall of the central section. A lumen passing through the insertion tube is coupled to deliver a fluid to the tissue via the perforations. In operation, the electrode functions as an effective heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Athanassios Papaioannou, Ariel Garcia
  • Patent number: 8979835
    Abstract: Tissue ablation is carried out using insertion tube having at least one ablation electrode, a first temperature sensor disposed on the distal portion sufficiently proximate the ablation electrode to detect heat generated during the ablation procedure, a second temperature sensor disposed on the distal portion sufficiently distant from the ablation electrode to be unable to detect the heat, and electronic logic circuitry linked to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor and programmed to compute a temperature differential between respective temperatures sensed by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor when conveying the electromagnetic energy. Satisfactory contact status between the ablation electrode and the target tissue is indicated when the temperature differential exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Athanassios Papaioannou
  • Patent number: 8956353
    Abstract: A medical device includes an insertion tube, which has a distal end for insertion into a body of a subject, and a distal tip, which is fixed to the distal end of the insertion tube and is coupled to apply energy to tissue inside the body. The distal tip has an outer surface with a plurality of circumferentially distributed perforations formed therethrough. The perforations have diameters between 10 ?m and 25 ?m. A lumen passes through the insertion tube and delivers a cooling fluid to the tissue via the perforations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Athanassios Papaioannou
  • Publication number: 20140378806
    Abstract: A method, consisting of passing a cylindrical carbon fiber through a press so as to produce a flat ribbon. The method further includes weaving multiple strands of the flat ribbon together to create a cylindrical braid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Athanassios Papaioannou, Ariel Garcia
  • Patent number: 8857304
    Abstract: A method, consisting of passing a cylindrical carbon fiber through a press so as to produce a flat ribbon. The method further includes weaving multiple strands of the flat ribbon together to create a cylindrical braid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel), Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Athanassios Papaioannou, Ariel Garcia
  • Publication number: 20140171806
    Abstract: Medical apparatus includes a probe, having a distal segment configured for insertion into a body of a patient. The probe includes at least one optical sensing unit, which is disposed along the distal segment and includes first and second radiation sources, configured to emit optical radiation in different, respective, first and second wavelength bands toward tissue in the body in proximity to the distal segment. An optical sensor is configured to receive the optical radiation in the first and second wavelength bands that is scattered from the tissue and to output first and second electrical signals responsively to an intensity of the received optical radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL), LTD.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Athanassios Papaioannou, Vadim Gliner
  • Publication number: 20140171936
    Abstract: Apparatus, consisting of an insertion tube having a distal end configured for insertion into proximity with tissue in a body of a patient and containing a lumen having an electrical conductor for conveying electrical energy to the tissue. The apparatus further includes a conductive cap attached to the distal end of the insertion tube and coupled electrically to the electrical conductor, wherein the conductive cap has an outer surface. In addition there are a multiplicity of optical fibers contained within the insertion tube, each fiber terminating in proximity to the outer surface of the cap, and being configured to convey optical radiation to and from the tissue while the electrical energy is being conveyed to the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Rowan Olund Hettel, Athanassios Papaioannou
  • Publication number: 20140171821
    Abstract: A medical probe includes an insertion tube having a distal end configured for insertion into a body of a patient and containing a lumen for conveying an irrigation fluid and an electrical conductor for conveying electrical energy. A conductive cap is attached to the distal end of the insertion tube and coupled electrically to the electrical conductor. The conductive cap has an outer surface perforated by multiple apertures and defines an inner cavity in fluid communication with the lumen of the insertion tube so as to permit the irrigation fluid from the lumen to flow out of the cap through the apertures. A plurality of temperature sensors are mounted within the conductive cap in thermal communication with the outer surface and are thermally insulated from the irrigation fluid in the inner cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL), LTD.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Athanassios Papaioannou, Rowan Olund Hettel
  • Publication number: 20140100563
    Abstract: Methods and systems are adapted for ablation of target tissue in a living subject by predicting a lesion size that would result from placing an ablation electrode into contact with the target tissue at a particular contact force while applying energy at a given power level for a particular time interval. The prediction involves modeling the lesion size as a non-linear function of the contact force, the power level and the time interval. The prediction may be iterated by varying the contact force, the power level or the time interval until a saturation point is found, beyond which the lesion size does not increase. After it is established that one of the iterations predicts a desired lesion size, ablation of the target tissue may be conducted using the contact force, the power level and the time interval of the one iteration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL), LTD.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Athanassios Papaioannou
  • Publication number: 20140094684
    Abstract: A medical probe includes a flexible insertion tube having a distal end for insertion into a body cavity and having a proximal end. The probe further includes an electrode attached to the distal end of the insertion tube and configured to make electrical contact with tissue in the body cavity. An electrical lead runs through the insertion tube between the distal and proximal ends. In addition a coil is electrically coupled between the electrode and the lead in the insertion tube so as to define a resonant circuit having a resonant frequency in a range between 1 MHz and 300 MHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL), LTD.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Athanassios Papaioannou
  • Patent number: 8668686
    Abstract: Tissue ablation is carried out using insertion tube having at least one ablation electrode, a first temperature sensor disposed on the distal portion sufficiently proximate the ablation electrode to detect heat generated during the ablation procedure, a second temperature sensor disposed on the distal portion sufficiently distant from the ablation electrode to be unable to detect the heat, and electronic logic circuitry linked to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor and programmed to compute a temperature differential between respective temperatures sensed by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor when conveying the electromagnetic energy. Satisfactory contact status between the ablation electrode and the target tissue is indicated when the temperature differential exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Athanassios Papaioannou
  • Publication number: 20140005664
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an intra-body probe and a processor. The intra-body probe includes an electrode, which is configured to contact tissue in a heart. The processor is configured to receive an electrical signal from the electrode, to distinguish a local component, due to the tissue with which the electrode is in contact, in the electrical signal from a remote-field contribution to the signal, and to control a therapeutic procedure applied to the tissue responsively to the distinguished local component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Athanassios Papaioannou