Patents by Inventor Christopher G. Kunis

Christopher G. Kunis 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: 9757194
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the ablation of tissue. A steerable ablation catheter can include one or more ablation elements at its distal end and one or more ablation elements fixedly attached to its shaft. The distal end of the ablation catheter can be deflected to assume a number of different deflection geometries in at least one direction along the shaft. One feature of the ablation catheter is that its shaft can comprise materials of differing durometers or stiffnesses attached together at a joint. Methods associated with use of the ablation catheter are also covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
    Inventors: Randell L. Werneth, Ricardo D. Roman, Christopher G. Kunis, Alexander J. Asconeguy, Sadaf Soleymani, Jeffrey Trinidad, Martin Chambers, Hakan Oral, Fred Morady, Jerald L. Cox, Guillermo W. Moratorio, Samuel Fu, J. Christopher Flaherty
  • Patent number: 9566113
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be constrained within the lumen of a catheter, and deployed to take on an expanded condition. The carrier assembly includes multiple electrodes that are configured to ablate tissue at low power. Additional embodiments include a system that includes an interface unit for delivering one or more forms of energy to the ablation catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
    Inventors: Randell L. Werneth, Christopher G. Kunis, J. Christopher Flaherty, Marshall L. Sherman
  • Publication number: 20170027640
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the mapping of electrical signals and the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be transformed from a compact, linear configuration to a helical configuration, such as to map and ablate pulmonary vein ostia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher G. KUNIS, Ricardo David ROMAN, Alexander J. ASCONEGUY, J. Christopher FLAHERTY, Randell L. WERNETH
  • Patent number: 9468495
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the mapping of electrical signals and the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be transformed from a compact, linear configuration to a helical configuration, such as to map and ablate pulmonary vein ostia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
    Inventors: Christopher G. Kunis, Ricardo David Roman, Alexander J. Asconeguy, J. Christopher Flaherty, Randell L. Werneth
  • Publication number: 20160262830
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the ablation of tissue. A steerable ablation catheter can include one or more ablation elements at its distal end and one or more ablation elements fixedly attached to its shaft. The distal end of the ablation catheter can be deflected to assume a number of different deflection geometries in at least one direction along the shaft. One feature of the ablation catheter is that its shaft can comprise materials of differing durometers or stiffnesses attached together at a joint. Methods associated with use of the ablation catheter are also covered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Randell L. WERNETH, Ricardo D. ROMAN, Christopher G. KUNIS, Alexander J. ASCONEGUY, Sadaf SOLEYMANI, Jeffrey TRINIDAD, Martin CHAMBERS, Hakan ORAL, Fred MORADY, Jerald L. COX, Guillermo W. MORATORIO, Samuel FU, J. Christopher FLAHERTY
  • Patent number: 9364286
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the ablation of tissue. A steerable ablation catheter can include one or more ablation elements at its distal end and one or more ablation elements fixedly attached to its shaft. The distal end of the ablation catheter can be deflected to assume a number of different deflection geometries in at least one direction along the shaft. One feature of the ablation catheter is that its shaft can comprise materials of differing durometers or stiffnesses attached together at a joint. Methods associated with use of the ablation catheter are also covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
    Inventors: Randell L. Werneth, Ricardo D. Roman, Christopher G. Kunis, Alexander J. Asconeguy, Sadaf Soleymani, Jeffrey Trinidad, Martin Chambers, Hakan Oral, Fred Morady, Jerald L. Cox, Guillermo W. Moratorio, Samuel Fu, J. Christopher Flaherty
  • Publication number: 20150157402
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the mapping of electrical signals and the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be transformed from a compact, linear configuration to a helical configuration, such as to map and ablate pulmonary vein ostia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher G. KUNIS, Ricardo David ROMAN, Alexander J. ASCONEGUY, J. Christopher FLAHERTY, Randell L. WERNETH
  • Patent number: 9005194
    Abstract: An atrial ablation catheter with an electrode array particularly adapted to locate and ablate foci of arrhythmia which are required for sustained atrial fibrillation is provided. The array is easily deployed and retracted from the catheter, and presents a proximally oriented electrode array that can be pulled against the septal wall of the left atrium to engage the septal wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
    Inventors: Hakan Oral, Randell L. Werneth, Thomas M. Castellano, Christopher G. Kunis
  • Patent number: 8979841
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the mapping of electrical signals and the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be transformed from a compact, linear configuration to a helical configuration, such as to map and ablate pulmonary vein ostia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
    Inventors: Christopher G. Kunis, Ricardo David Roman, Alexander J. Asconeguy, J. Christopher Flaherty, Randell L. Werneth
  • Publication number: 20150005767
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be constrained within the lumen of a catheter, and deployed to take on an expanded condition. The carrier assembly includes multiple electrodes that are configured to ablate tissue at low power. Additional embodiments include a system that includes an interface unit for delivering one or more forms of energy to the ablation catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Randell L. Werneth, Christopher G. Kunis, J. Christopher Flaherty, Marshall L. Sherman
  • Publication number: 20140371745
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the ablation of tissue. A steerable ablation catheter can include one or more ablation elements at its distal end and one or more ablation elements fixedly attached to its shaft. The distal end of the ablation catheter can be deflected to assume a number of different deflection geometries in at least one direction along the shaft. One feature of the ablation catheter is that its shaft can comprise materials of differing durometers or stiffnesses attached together at a joint. Methods associated with use of the ablation catheter are also covered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Randell L. WERNETH, Ricardo D. ROMAN, Christopher G. KUNIS, Alexander J. ASCONEGUY, Sadaf SOLEYMANI, Jeffrey TRINIDAD, Martin CHAMBERS, Hakan ORAL, Fred MORADY, Jerald L. COX, Guillermo W. MORATORIO, Samuel FU, J. Christopher FLAHERTY
  • Patent number: 8849367
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the ablation of tissue. A steerable ablation catheter can include one or more ablation elements at its distal end and one or more ablation elements fixedly attached to its shaft. The distal end of the ablation catheter can be deflected to assume a number of different deflection geometries in at least one direction along the shaft. One feature of the ablation catheter is that its shaft can comprise materials of differing durometers or stiffnesses attached together at a joint. Methods associated with use of the ablation catheter are also covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
    Inventors: Randell L. Werneth, Ricardo D. Roman, Christopher G. Kunis, Alexander J. Asconeguy, Sadaf Soleymani, Jeffrey Trinidad, Martin Chambers, Hakan Oral, Fred Morady, Jerald L. Cox, Guillermo W. Moratorio, Samuel Fu, J. Christopher Flaherty
  • Publication number: 20140288552
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the mapping of electrical signals and the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be transformed from a compact, linear configuration to a helical configuration, such as to map and ablate pulmonary vein ostia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher G. KUNIS, Ricardo David ROMAN, Alexander J. ASCONEGUY, J. Christopher FLAHERTY
  • Patent number: 8834461
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be constrained within the lumen of a catheter, and deployed to take on an expanded condition. The carrier assembly includes multiple electrodes that are configured to ablate tissue at low power. Additional embodiments include a system that includes an interface unit for delivering one or more forms of energy to the ablation catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
    Inventors: Randell L. Werneth, Christopher G. Kunis, J. Christopher Flaherty, Marshall L. Sherman
  • Patent number: 8771267
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the mapping of electrical signals and the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be transformed from a compact, linear configuration to a helical configuration, such as to map and ablate pulmonary vein ostia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher G. Kunis, Ricardo David Roman, Alexander J. Asconeguy, J. Christopher Flaherty, Randell L. Werneth
  • Publication number: 20140142564
    Abstract: An ablation therapy system and systematic method is provided for treating continuous atrial fibrillation. The therapy system includes a Multi-Channel RF Ablation Generator, an ECG interface, an assembly of at least three ablation catheters, and an ECG interface operably coupling and interfacing the catheters to both an ECG unit and the RF Ablation Generator. The systematic method includes transseptally accessing the Left Atrium (LA) through the septum of the patient's heart, and performing an endocardial pulmonary vein ablation procedure on the pulmonary vein ostial tissue surrounding one or more pulmonary veins in a manner treating aberrant conductive pathways therethrough. After performing the pulmonary vein ablation, the method further includes performing an endocardial atrial septum ablation procedure on the septal tissue in a manner treating aberrant conductive pathways therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
    Inventors: Randell L. WERNETH, Christopher G. KUNIS, Hakan ORAL, Fred MORADY, J. Christopher FLAHERTY
  • Patent number: 8641704
    Abstract: An ablation therapy system and systematic method is provided for treating continuous atrial fibrillation. The therapy system includes a Multi-Channel RF Ablation Generator, an ECG interface, an assembly of at least three ablation catheters, and an ECG interface operably coupling and interfacing the catheters to both an ECG unit and the RF Ablation Generator. The systematic method includes transseptally accessing the Left Atrium (LA) through the septum of the patient's heart, and performing an endocardial pulmonary vein ablation procedure on the pulmonary vein ostial tissue surrounding one or more pulmonary veins in a manner treating aberrant conductive pathways therethrough. After performing the pulmonary vein ablation, the method further includes performing an endocardial atrial septum ablation procedure on the septal tissue in a manner treating aberrant conductive pathways therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
    Inventors: Randell L. Werneth, Christopher G. Kunis, Hakan Oral, Fred Morady, J. Christopher Flaherty
  • Patent number: 8617156
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be constrained within the lumen of a catheter, and deployed to take on an expanded condition. The carrier assembly includes multiple electrodes that are configured to ablate tissue at low power. Additional embodiments include a system that includes an interface unit for delivering one or more forms of energy to the ablation catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
    Inventors: Randell L. Werneth, Christopher G. Kunis, J. Christopher Flaherty, Marshall L. Sherman
  • Publication number: 20130296844
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the ablation of tissue. A steerable ablation catheter can include one or more ablation elements at its distal end and one or more ablation elements fixedly attached to its shaft. The distal end of the ablation catheter can be deflected to assume a number of different deflection geometries in at least one direction along the shaft. One feature of the ablation catheter is that its shaft can comprise materials of differing durometers or stiffnesses attached together at a joint. Methods associated with use of the ablation catheter are also covered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Randell L. WERNETH, Ricardo D. ROMAN, Christopher G. KUNIS, Alexander J. ASCONEGUY, Sadaf SOLEYMANI, Jeffrey TRINIDAD, Martin CHAMBERS, Hakan ORAL, Fred MORADY, Jerald L. COX, Guillermo W. MORATORIO, Samuel FU, J. Christopher FLAHERTY
  • Patent number: 8475449
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the ablation of tissue. A steerable ablation catheter can include one or more ablation elements at its distal end and one or more ablation elements fixedly attached to its shaft. The distal end of the ablation catheter can be deflected to assume a number of different deflection geometries in at least one direction along the shaft. One feature of the ablation catheter is that its shaft can comprise materials of differing durometers or stiffnesses attached together at a joint. Methods associated with use of the ablation catheter are also covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
    Inventors: Randell L. Werneth, Ricardo D. Roman, Christopher G. Kunis, Alexander J. Asconeguy, Sadaf Soleymani, Martin Chambers, Hakan Oral, Fred Morady, Jerald L. Cox, Guillermo W. Moratorio, Samuel Fu, J. Christopher Flaherty, Nenita Trinidad