Patents by Inventor Brian E. Farley
Brian E. Farley 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: 6769433Abstract: A catheter includes a plurality of primary leads to deliver energy for ligating a hollow anatomical structure. Each of the primary leads includes an electrode located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the primary leads such that each primary lead can individually receive power of selected polarity. The primary leads are constructed to expand outwardly to place the electrodes into apposition with an anatomical structure. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure. The diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced by the heating effect, and the electrodes of the primary leads are moved closer to one another. Where the hollow anatomical structure is a vein, energy is applied until the diameter of the vein is reduced to the point where the vein is occluded. In one embodiment, a secondary lead is surrounded by the primary leads, and extends beyond the primary leads.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2001Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Arthur W. Zikorus, Mark P. Parker, Christopher S. Jones, Douglas M. Petty, Brian E. Farley, Joseph M. Tartaglia
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Patent number: 6689126Abstract: A catheter includes a plurality of primary leads to deliver energy for ligating a hollow anatomical structure. Each of the primary leads includes an electrode located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the primary leads such that each primary lead can individually receive power of selected polarity. The primary leads are constructed to expand outwardly to place the electrodes into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure. The diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced by the heating effect, and the electrodes of the primary leads are moved closer to one another. Where the hollow anatomical structure is a vein, energy is applied until the diameter of the vein is reduced to the point where the vein is occluded. In one embodiment, a balloon is inflated to occlude the structure before the application of energy.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2000Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian E. Farley, Dawn A. Henderson, Christopher S. Jones, Mark P. Parker, Joseph M. Tartaglia
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Patent number: 6682526Abstract: A catheter includes a first plurality of expandable leads and a second plurality of expandable leads separate and longitudinally spaced-apart from the first plurality to deliver energy to a hollow anatomical structure, such as vein, fallopian tube, hemorrhoid, esophageal varix, to effectively ligate that structure. Each of the leads includes an electrode located at the distal end of the respective electrode lead. Polarizations of the leads may be selected to achieve the power distribution desired. Each electrode lead includes an outward bend such that when a movable sheath is moved out of contact with the leads, they expand outwardly into apposition with an inner wall of the structure to be ligated. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2000Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Vnus Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christopher S. Jones, Arthur W. Zikorus, Mark P. Parker, Brian E. Farley, Joseph M. Tartaglia
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Patent number: 6638273Abstract: A catheter having expandable electrodes for applying energy to a hollow anatomical structure such as a vein. When used on a vein, the catheter is useful for a minimally invasive treatment of venous insufficiency. The catheter includes conductive end rings to which the electrodes are attached, for mechanically connecting and electrically tying electrodes together to provide for a single wire electrical connection points, for transmitting energy while more evenly spacing the electrodes. Expandable arms are formed of electrically conductive material and insulated along their length except for an intermediate section that functions as the electrode. The arms are tapered to allow more room for wiring and to reduce the possibility of shorting between the ends of the arms. The catheter further includes thermocouples in the electrodes for measuring temperatures on the outer surface of the electrode. Slots are formed in the arms for mounting the thermocouples.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2000Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian E. Farley, Grace Y. Schulz, Dawn A. Henderson, Mark P. Parker, Arthur W. Zikorus, Gary H. Miller, Jay S. Daulton, Douglas Portnow
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Publication number: 20030191512Abstract: A catheter delivers an electrode within a vein for a minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins and venous insufficiency using RF energy. The catheter is introduced into a patient and positioned within the section of the vein to be treated. The electrode radiates high frequency energy towards the vein, and the surrounding venous tissue becomes heated and begins to shrink. The catheter includes a controllable member for limiting the amount of shrinkage of the vein to the diameter of the member. The electrode remains active until there has been sufficient shrinkage of the vein. The extent of shrinkage of the vein may be detected by fluoroscopy. After treating one section of the vein, the catheter and the electrode can be repositioned intraluminally within the vein to treat different sections of the vein until all desired venous sections and valves are repaired and rendered functionally competent.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2003Publication date: October 9, 2003Inventors: Michael D. Laufer, Brian E. Farley, Grace Y. Schulz, Arthur W. Zikorus, Mark P. Parker
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Patent number: 6613045Abstract: A catheter delivers an electrode within a vein for a minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins and venous insufficiency using RF energy. The catheter is introduced into a patient and positioned within the section of the vein to be treated. The electrode radiates high frequency energy towards the vein, and the surrounding venous tissue becomes heated and begins to shrink. The catheter includes a controllable member for limiting the amount of shrinkage of the vein to the diameter of the member. The electrode remains active until there has been sufficient shrinkage of the vein. The extent of shrinkage of the vein may be detected by fluoroscopy. After treating one section of the vein, the catheter and the electrode can be repositioned intraluminally within the vein to treat different sections of the vein until all desired venous sections and valves are repaired and rendered functionally competent.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2000Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Laufer, Brian E. Farley, Grace Y. Schulz, Arthur W. Zikorus, Mark P. Parker
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Publication number: 20020148476Abstract: A catheter includes a plurality of expandable primary leads to deliver energy to a fallopian tube, a vein such as a hemorrhoid or an esophageal varix, or another hollow anatomical structure requiring ligation or occlusion. Each of the primary leads includes an electrode located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the primary leads such that the leads can receive power of selected polarity. The primary leads are constructed to expand outwardly to place the electrodes into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure. The diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced by the heating effect, and the electrodes of the primary leads are moved closer to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2002Publication date: October 17, 2002Inventors: Brian E.. Farley, Christopher S. Jones, Mark P. Parker, Joseph M. Tartaglia, Arthur W. Zikorus
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Publication number: 20020147445Abstract: A catheter includes a plurality of primary leads to deliver energy for ligating a hollow anatomical structure. Each of the primary leads includes an electrode located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the primary leads such that each primary lead can individually receive power of selected polarity. The primary leads are constructed to expand outwardly to place the electrodes into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure. The diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced by the heating effect, and the electrodes of the primary leads are moved closer to one another. Where the hollow anatomical structure is a vein, energy is applied until the diameter of the vein is reduced to the point where the vein is occluded. In one embodiment, a balloon is inflated to occlude the structure before the application of energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2002Publication date: October 10, 2002Inventors: Brian E. Farley, Dawn A. Henderson, Christopher S. Jones, Mark P. Parker, Joseph M. Tartaglia
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Patent number: 6401719Abstract: A catheter includes a plurality of expandable primary leads to deliver energy to a fallopian tube, a vein such as a hemorrhoid or an esophageal varix, or another hollow anatomical structure requiring ligation or occlusion. Each of the primary leads includes an electrode located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the primary leads such that the leads can receive power of selected polarity. The primary leads are constructed to expand outwardly to place the electrodes into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure. The diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced by the heating effect, and the electrodes of the primary leads are moved closer to one another.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1998Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian E. Farley, Christopher S. Jones, Mark P. Parker, Joseph M. Tartaglia, Arthur W. Zikorus
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Publication number: 20020068866Abstract: An electrode catheter is introduced into a vein or other hollow anatomical structure, and is positioned at a treatment: site within the structure. The end of the catheter is positioned near a junction formed in the structure. This junction can be the sapheno-femoral junction. The position of the catheter near the junction is determined based on a signal from a device associated with the catheter within the structure. A fiber optic filament which emits light is used with the catheter or a guide wire over which the catheter is advanced. The light is visible externally from the patient. The light dims and may no longer externally visible at the sapheno-femoral junction where the catheter moves past the deep fascia and toward the deep venous system. The position of the catheter can be determined based on this external observation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2001Publication date: June 6, 2002Inventors: Arthur W. Zikorus, Ralph G. DePalma, Christopher S. Jones, Brian E. Farley, James G. Chandler
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Patent number: 6398780Abstract: A catheter includes a plurality of primary leads to deliver energy for ligating a hollow anatomical structure. Each of the primary leads includes an electrode located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the primary leads such that each primary lead can individually receive power of selected polarity. The primary leads are constructed to expand outwardly to place the electrodes into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure. The diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced by the heating effect, and the electrodes of the primary leads are moved closer to one another. Where the hollow anatomical structure is a vein, energy is applied until the diameter of the vein is reduced to the point where the vein is occluded. In one embodiment, a balloon is inflated to occlude the structure before the application of energy.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2000Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian E. Farley, Dawn A. Henderson, Christopher S. Jones, Mark P. Parker, Joseph M. Tartaglia
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Patent number: 6361496Abstract: A pressure tourniquet having a window transparent to ultrasound is wrapped around a leg or another anatomical structure containing veins. An ultrasound transducer is placed in contact with the window of the tourniquet. The window is adjacent the anatomical structure and the transducer probes a dilated vein with ultrasound. The transducer can measure the size of the vein and detect reflux. A pneumatic bladder on the tourniquet is inflated to apply pressure to the anatomical structure so that the vein is compressed by the tissue of the surrounding anatomical structure. As pressure from the tourniquet reduces the diameter of the vein, competency of the vein valve can be temporarily restored to indicate the proper reduced diameter required to restore venous function. An electrode catheter is introduced into the vein to apply energy for durably molding the vein to the reduced diameter.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Arthur W. Zikorus, John D'Angelo, Brian E. Farley
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Publication number: 20020007181Abstract: A catheter includes a plurality of primary leads to deliver energy for ligating a hollow anatomical structure. Each of the primary leads includes an electrode located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the primary leads such that each primary lead can individually receive power of selected polarity. The primary leads are constructed to expand outwardly to place the electrodes into apposition with an anatomical structure. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure. The diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced by the heating effect, and the electrodes of the primary leads are moved closer to one another. Where the hollow anatomical structure is a vein, energy is applied until the diameter of the vein is reduced to the point where the vein is occluded. In one embodiment, a secondary lead is surrounded by the primary leads, and extends beyond the primary leads.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2001Publication date: January 17, 2002Inventors: Arthur W. Zikorus, Mark P. Parker, Christopher S. Jones, Douglas M. Petty, Brian E. Farley, Joseph M. Tartaglia
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Patent number: 6263248Abstract: A catheter having expandable electrodes for applying energy to a vein for a minimally invasive treatment of venous insufficiency, and having expandable stent members for limiting vein shrinkage to a final desired vein diameter. The catheter includes a set of expandable arms that are pre-formed into an outwardly bowed configuration. An electrode is mounted on each arm. When uncovered by sliding a control sleeve proximally, the electrode arms expand outwardly into apposition with the vein wall for applying energy to the vein wall to heat and shrink the vein. The catheter further includes a set of expandable stent arms deployed to the final desired diameter of the vein. The electrode arms and the stent arms are decoupled so that each is separately controllable. In a method, the stent arms are expanded outward to the desired final diameter of the vein. The electrode arms are then expanded into apposition with the vein wall and energy is applied to shrink the vein into contact with the stent arms.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1999Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian E. Farley, Joseph M. Tartaglia
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Method of applying energy to tissue with expandable ligator catheter having multiple electrode leads
Patent number: 6237606Abstract: A catheter includes a plurality of primary leads to deliver energy for ligating a hollow anatomical structure. Each of the primary leads includes an electrode located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the primary leads such that each primary lead can individually receive power of selected polarity. The primary leads are constructed to expand outwardly to place the electrodes into apposition with an anatomical structure. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure. The diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced by the heating effect, and the electrodes of the primary leads are moved closer to one another. Where the hollow anatomical structure is a vein, energy is applied until the diameter of the vein is reduced to the point where the vein is occluded. In one embodiment, a secondary lead is surrounded by the primary leads, and extends beyond the primary leads.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1999Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Arthur W. Zikorus, Mark P. Parker, Christopher S. Jones, Douglas M. Petty, Brian E. Farley, Joseph M. Tartaglia -
Patent number: 6231507Abstract: A pressure tourniquet having a window transparent to ultrasound is wrapped around a leg or another anatomical structure containing veins. An ultrasound transducer is placed in contact with the window of the tourniquet. The window is adjacent the anatomical structure and the transducer probes a dilated vein with ultrasound. The transducer can measure the size of the vein and detect reflux. A pneumatic bladder on the tourniquet is inflated to apply pressure to the anatomical structure so that the vein is compressed by the tissue of the surrounding anatomical structure. As pressure from the tourniquet reduces the diameter of the vein, competency of the vein valve can be temporarily restored to indicate the proper reduced diameter required to restore venous function. An electrode catheter is introduced into the vein to apply energy for durably molding the vein to the reduced diameter.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1997Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Arthur W. Zikorus, John D'Angelo, Brian E. Farley
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Patent number: 6200312Abstract: A catheter includes a plurality of primary leads to deliver energy for ligating a hollow anatomical structure. Each of the primary leads includes an electrode located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the primary leads such that each primary lead can individually receive power of selected polarity. The primary leads are constructed to expand outwardly to place the electrodes into apposition with an anatomical structure. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure. The diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced by the heating effect, and the electrodes of the primary leads are moved closer to one another. Where the hollow anatomical structure is a vein, energy is applied until the diameter of the vein is reduced to the point where the vein is occluded. In one embodiment, a secondary lead is surrounded by the primary leads, and extends beyond the primary leads.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1997Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Vnus Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Arthur W. Zikorus, Mark P. Parker, Christopher S. Jones, Douglas M. Petty, Brian E. Farley, Joseph M. Tartaglia
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Patent number: 6179832Abstract: A catheter includes a first plurality of expandable leads and a second plurality of expandable leads separate and longitudinally spaced-apart from the first plurality to deliver energy to a hollow anatomical structure, such as vein, fallopian tube, hemorrhoid, esophageal varix, to effectively ligate that structure. Each of the leads includes an electrode located at the distal end of the respective electrode lead. Polarizations of the leads may be selected to achieve the power distribution desired. Each electrode lead includes an outward bend such that when a movable sheath is moved out of contact with the leads, they expand outwardly into apposition with an inner wall of the structure to be ligated. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Vnus Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christopher S. Jones, Arthur W. Zikorus, Mark P. Parker, Brian E. Farley, Joseph M. Tartaglia
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Patent number: 6165172Abstract: A catheter includes a plurality of primary leads to deliver energy for ligating a hollow anatomical structure. Each of the primary leads includes an electrode located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the primary leads such that each primary lead can individually receive power of selected polarity. The primary leads are constructed to expand outwardly to place the electrodes into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure. The diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced by the heating effect, and the electrodes of the primary leads are moved closer to one another. Where the hollow anatomical structure is a vein, energy is applied until the diameter of the vein is reduced to the point where the vein is occluded. In one embodiment, a balloon is inflated to occlude the structure before the application of energy.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1997Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian E. Farley, Dawn A. Henderson, Christopher S. Jones, Mark P. Parker, Joseph M. Tartaglia
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Patent number: 6152899Abstract: A catheter having expandable electrodes for applying energy to a hollow anatomical structure such as a vein. When used on a vein, the catheter is useful for a minimally invasive treatment of venous insufficiency. The catheter includes conductive end rings to which the electrodes are attached, for mechanically connecting and electrically tying electrodes together to provide for a single wire electrical connection points, for transmitting energy while more evenly spacing the electrodes. Expandable arms are formed of electrically conductive material and insulated along their length except for an intermediate section that functions as the electrode. The arms are tapered to allow more room for wiring and to reduce the possibility of shorting between the ends of the arms. The catheter further includes thermocouples in the electrodes for measuring temperatures on the outer surface of the electrode. Slots are formed in the arms for mounting the thermocouples.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1997Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian E. Farley, Grace Y. Schulz, Dawn A. Henderson, Mark P. Parker, Arthur W. Zikorus, Gary H. Miller, Jay S. Daulton, Douglas Portnow