Patents by Inventor Brett Hillukka
Brett Hillukka 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).
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Patent number: 11957921Abstract: Disclosed herein is a delivery system for delivering a leadless pacemaker. The delivery system may include a catheter, which may be a guide catheter. The catheter includes a distal end, a proximal end opposite the distal end, a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, and a locking hub operably coupled to the proximal end. The locking hub includes a lumen segment of the lumen. In one implementation, self-biasing of the lumen segment places the lumen segment out of alignment with a rest of the lumen. Deflecting the lumen segment against the self-biasing of the lumen segment places the lumen segment in coaxial alignment with the rest of the lumen. In another implementation, self-biasing of the lumen segment reduces an inner diameter of the lumen segment and actuation of the locking hub expands the inner diameter.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: PACESETTER, INC.Inventors: Brett Hillukka, Thomas B. Eby, Christopher Alan Hubbard, Bernhard Arnar, Bradley Knippel, Jeremiah Blue, Jennifer Heisel, Rebecca Stufft, Adam Weber
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Patent number: 11850369Abstract: A catheter including a loop member adjustment mechanism for adjusting a diameter of a loop member is provided. The catheter further includes a longitudinally-extending catheter shaft including a proximal end portion and a distal end deflectable portion, wherein the distal end deflectable portion includes the loop member. The loop adjustment mechanism includes a loop member pull wire, wherein a distal end of the loop member pull wire is attached to the loop member, and a sliding member, located within the handle, wherein the sliding member is configured to translate within the handle, and wherein a proximal end of the pull wire is attached to the sliding member.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2017Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.Inventors: Brett A. Hillukka, Varun Bansal, Evan Michael Leingang, Richard A. Thompson, II
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Publication number: 20230191120Abstract: A medical tool includes a rotation mechanism that further includes a warning feature. The warning feature provides an indication when the rotation mechanism has achieved a number of rotations.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Bradley Knippel, Daniel Coyle, Jennifer Heisel, Bernhard Arnar, Brett Hillukka, Tracee Eidenschink, Thomas B. Eby, Paul Paspa, Joseph Ramon Callol
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Patent number: 11607540Abstract: A medical tool includes a rotation mechanism that further includes a warning feature. The warning feature provides an indication when the rotation mechanism has achieved a number of rotations.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: PACESETTER, INC.Inventors: Bradley Knippel, Daniel Coyle, Jennifer Heisel, Bernhard Arnar, Brett Hillukka, Tracee Eidenschink, Thomas B. Eby, Paul Paspa, Joseph Ramon Callol
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Publication number: 20230000545Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to, for example, a high-thermal-sensitivity ablation catheter tip. More specifically, various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to improved thermocouple response to temperature changes associated with an ablation electrode and/or tissue in contact therewith. Such an ablation catheter tip facilitates reduced lag in an ablation control system's response to the sensed temperature changes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2020Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventor: Brett Hillukka
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Patent number: 11517714Abstract: The present disclosure provides a medical device comprising an actuator restraining assembly configured to assist in restraining a catheter shaft in a deflected configuration. The actuator restraining assembly may include a brake element, a release element, a connecting sheath, and a connecting rod disposed in a catheter handle, wherein the connecting sheath and connecting rod are attached to an actuator mechanism, and wherein the at brake element is attached to the connecting sheath and the release element is attached to the connecting rod. The brake element is sized and configured to contact an inner wall of the handle to thereby provide resistance to movement of actuator mechanism in a proximal direction with respect to the handle. In one embodiment, the actuator restraining assembly is configured to allow for temporary, i.e., reversible, restraining of the catheter shaft in the deflected configuration.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.Inventors: Brett A. Hillukka, Evan M. Leingang, Richard A. Thompson, II
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Publication number: 20220151691Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to, for example, a high-thermal-sensitivity ablation catheter tip including a thermally-insulative ablation tip insert supporting at least one temperature sensor electrically coupled to a flexible electronic circuit and encapsulated, or essentially encapsulated, by a conductive shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2020Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Brett A. Hillukka, Andrew P. Wloch
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Patent number: 11246658Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to, for example, a high-thermal-sensitivity ablation catheter tip including a thermally-insulative ablation tip insert supporting a plurality of temperature sensors positioned within longitudinally-extending sensor channels and a radially-extending sensor channel within the tip insert. The sensor channels position the temperature sensors in thermal communication with a conductive shell that encapsulates, or essentially encapsulates, the ablation tip insert and the plurality of temperature sensors. Also disclosed is a method of controlling the temperature of an ablation catheter tip while creating a desired lesion using various ablative energies and energy delivery methodologies.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2017Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.Inventors: Brett A. Hillukka, Troy T. Tegg
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Publication number: 20210178169Abstract: Disclosed herein is a delivery system for delivering a leadless pacemaker. The delivery system may include a catheter, which may be a guide catheter. The catheter includes a distal end, a proximal end opposite the distal end, a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, and a locking hub operably coupled to the proximal end. The locking hub includes a lumen segment of the lumen. In one implementation, self-biasing of the lumen segment places the lumen segment out of alignment with a rest of the lumen. Deflecting the lumen segment against the self-biasing of the lumen segment places the lumen segment in coaxial alignment with the rest of the lumen. In another implementation, self-biasing of the lumen segment reduces an inner diameter of the lumen segment and actuation of the locking hub expands the inner diameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2021Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Brett Hillukka, Thomas B. Eby, Christopher Alan Hubbard, Bernhard Arnar, Bradley Knippel, Jeremiah Blue, Jennifer Heisel, Rebecca Stufft, Adam Weber
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Patent number: 10960217Abstract: Disclosed herein is a delivery system for delivering a leadless pacemaker. The delivery system may include a catheter, which may be a guide catheter. The catheter includes a distal end, a proximal end opposite the distal end, a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, and a locking hub operably coupled to the proximal end. The locking hub includes a lumen segment of the lumen. In one implementation, self-biasing of the lumen segment places the lumen segment out of alignment with a rest of the lumen. Deflecting the lumen segment against the self-biasing of the lumen segment places the lumen segment in coaxial alignment with the rest of the lumen. In another implementation, self-biasing of the lumen segment reduces an inner diameter of the lumen segment and actuation of the locking hub expands the inner diameter.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2018Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: PACESETTER, INC.Inventors: Brett Hillukka, Thomas B. Eby, Christopher Alan Hubbard, Bernhard Arnar, Bradley Knippel, Jeremiah Blue, Jennifer Heisel, Rebecca Stufft, Adam Weber
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Publication number: 20210069493Abstract: A medical tool includes a rotation mechanism that further includes a warning feature. The warning feature provides an indication when the rotation mechanism has achieved a number of rotations.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Bradley Knippel, Daniel Coyle, Jennifer Heisel, Bernhard Arnar, Brett Hillukka, Tracee Eidenschink, Thomas B. Eby, Paul Paspa, Joseph Ramon Callol
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Patent number: 10874849Abstract: A medical tool includes a rotation mechanism that further includes a warning feature. The warning feature provides an indication when the rotation mechanism has achieved a number of rotations.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2017Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: PACESETTER, INC.Inventors: Bradley Knippel, Daniel Coyle, Jennifer Heisel, Bernhard Arnar, Brett Hillukka, Tracee Eidenschink, Thomas B. Eby, Paul Paspa, Joseph Ramon Callol
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Patent number: 10850064Abstract: An introducer sheath (300) includes a body (305) extending between a leading end (304) and a trailing end (302) and including a plurality of rectangular segments (310) extending from the leading end to the trailing end. The segments are joined to one another along longitudinal edges to form a tubular structure with a lumen (308) therethrough, the segments being joined at vertices (314). The body has a collapsed condition with a first cross-section and is configured to transition from the collapsed condition to an expanded condition with a second cross-section when an apparatus is passed through the lumen, the second cross-section having a maximum dimension larger than a maximum dimension of the first cross-section.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2016Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.Inventors: Steven N. Willard, John Jason Buysman, Brett A. Hillukka
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Publication number: 20200323585Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to, for example, a high-thermal-sensitivity ablation catheter tip with force measurement capability. More specifically, various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to improving the deformation consistency of the ablation catheter tip in response to various forces, and thereby improving force measurement accuracy of an ablation catheter system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Jacob J. Daly, Brett A. Hillukka
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Publication number: 20200323584Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to, for example, a high-thermal-sensitivity ablation catheter tip with force measurement capability. More specifically, various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to improving the deformation consistency of the ablation catheter tip in response to various forces, and thereby improving force measurement accuracy of an ablation catheter system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Jacob J. Daly, Brett A. Hillukka
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Publication number: 20200261697Abstract: The present disclosure provides a medical device comprising an actuator restraining assembly configured to assist in restraining a catheter shaft in a deflected configuration. The actuator restraining assembly may include a brake element, a release element, a connecting sheath, and a connecting rod disposed in a catheter handle, wherein the connecting sheath and connecting rod are attached to an actuator mechanism, and wherein the at brake element is attached to the connecting sheath and the release element is attached to the connecting rod. The brake element is sized and configured to contact an inner wall of the handle to thereby provide resistance to movement of actuator mechanism in a proximal direction with respect to the handle. In one embodiment, the actuator restraining assembly is configured to allow for temporary, i.e., reversible, restraining of the catheter shaft in the deflected configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Inventors: Brett A. Hillukka, Evan M. Leingang, Richard A. Thompson, II
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Patent number: 10675443Abstract: The present disclosure provides a medical device comprising an actuator restraining assembly configured to assist in restraining a catheter shaft in a deflected configuration. The actuator restraining assembly may include a brake element, a release element, a connecting sheath, and a connecting rod disposed in a catheter handle, wherein the connecting sheath and connecting rod are attached to an actuator mechanism, and wherein the at brake element is attached to the connecting sheath and the release element is attached to the connecting rod. The brake element is sized and configured to contact an inner wall of the handle to thereby provide resistance to movement of actuator mechanism in a proximal direction with respect to the handle. In one embodiment, the actuator restraining assembly is configured to allow for temporary, i.e., reversible, restraining of the catheter shaft in the deflected configuration.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: ST. JUDE MEDICAL, CARDIOLOGY DIVISION, INC.Inventors: Brett Hillukka, Evan Michael Leingang, Richard A. Thompson, II
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Publication number: 20200038100Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to, for example, a high-thermal-sensitivity ablation catheter tip including a thermally-insulative ablation tip insert supporting a plurality of temperature sensors positioned within longitudinally-extending sensor channels and a radially-extending sensor channel within the tip insert. The sensor channels position the temperature sensors in thermal communication with a conductive shell that encapsulates, or essentially encapsulates, the ablation tip insert and the plurality of temperature sensors. Also disclosed is a method of controlling the temperature of an ablation catheter tip while creating a desired lesion using various ablative energies and energy delivery methodologies.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2017Publication date: February 6, 2020Applicant: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.Inventors: Brett A. HILLUKKA, Troy T. TEGG
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Patent number: 10548722Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible stent and a valve assembly disposed within the stent. A first cuff is disposed adjacent the stent. A second cuff having a distal edge facing the outflow end of the stent is disposed about the stent radially outward of the first cuff and the stent. The stent may include a plurality of fingers each having a first end coupled to a corresponding cell of the stent and a free end adapted to extend radially outward of the corresponding cell. The distal edge of the second cuff may be coupled to the fingers at spaced locations around the circumference of the stent to position the distal edge radially outward from the corresponding cells at the spaced locations. Various stent struts may be tapered to reduce the stent circumference in the collapsed condition, and to improve the fatigue resistance and/or bendability of the stent.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2017Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.Inventors: Kristen T. Morin, Gary Erzberger, Brett A. Hillukka, Kristopher H. Vietmeier
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Patent number: 10507323Abstract: A medical tool includes a rotation mechanism that further includes a warning feature. The warning feature provides an indication when the rotation mechanism has achieved a number of rotations.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: PACESETTER, INC.Inventors: Bradley Knippel, Daniel Coyle, Jennifer Heisel, Bernhard Amar, Brett Hillukka, Tracee Eidenschink, Thomas B. Eby, Paul Paspa, Joseph Ramon Callol