Patents by Inventor Dennis R. Boulais
Dennis R. Boulais 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: 11957312Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is an articulation joint for use in a low cost medical device such as an endoscope intended for a single use. In one embodiment, the articulation joint comprises a plurality of interconnected segments. In another embodiment, the articulation joint comprises an elongated tubular body. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of manufacturing an articulation joint for use in a medical device.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventor: Dennis R. Boulais
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Publication number: 20220233055Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2022Publication date: July 28, 2022Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. BANIK, Dennis R. BOULAIS, Lucien A. COUVILLON, Albert C.C. CHIN, Ian W. HUNTER
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Patent number: 11324395Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Banik, Dennis R. Boulais, Lucien A. Couvillon, Albert C. C. Chin, Ian W. Hunter
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Publication number: 20220053996Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is an articulation joint for use in a low cost medical device such as an endoscope intended for a single use. In one embodiment, the articulation joint comprises a plurality of interconnected segments. In another embodiment, the articulation joint comprises an elongated tubular body. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of manufacturing an articulation joint for use in a medical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventor: Dennis R. BOULAIS
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Patent number: 11191424Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is an articulation joint for use in a low cost medical device such as an endoscope intended for a single use. In one embodiment, the articulation joint comprises a plurality of interconnected segments. In another embodiment, the articulation joint comprises an elongated tubular body. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of manufacturing an articulation joint for use in a medical device.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2018Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.Inventor: Dennis R. Boulais
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Publication number: 20210076905Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. BANIK, Dennis R. BOULAIS, Lucien A. COUVILLON, Albert C.C. CHIN, Ian W. HUNTER
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Publication number: 20200359874Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. BANIK, Dennis R. BOULAIS, Lucien A. COUVILLON, Albert C.C. CHIN, Ian W. HUNTER
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Patent number: 10765307Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Banik, Dennis R. Boulais, Lucien A. Couvillon, Albert C. C. Chin, Ian W. Hunter
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Publication number: 20190261830Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. BANIK, Dennis R. BOULAIS, Lucien A. COUVILLON, Albert C.C. CHIN, Ian W. HUNTER
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Publication number: 20180325357Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is an articulation joint for use in a low cost medical device such as an endoscope intended for a single use. In one embodiment, the articulation joint comprises a plurality of interconnected segments. In another embodiment, the articulation joint comprises an elongated tubular body. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of manufacturing an articulation joint for use in a medical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventor: Dennis R. BOULAIS
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Patent number: 10052013Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is an articulation joint for use in a low cost medical device such as an endoscope intended for a single use. In one embodiment, the articulation joint comprises a plurality of interconnected segments. In another embodiment, the articulation joint comprises an elongated tubular body. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of manufacturing an articulation joint for use in a medical device.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventor: Dennis R. Boulais
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Publication number: 20180168432Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2018Publication date: June 21, 2018Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Banik, Dennis R. Boulais, Lucien A. Couvillon, Albert C.C. Chin, Ian W. Hunter
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Patent number: 9913573Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2013Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Banik, Dennis R. Boulais, Lucien A. Couvillon, Albert C. C. Chin, Ian W. Hunter
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Patent number: 9591965Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an endoscope including a distal chamber and related methods of use, for example, with an endoscopic instrument.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2008Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Russell F. Durgin, Kenneth M. Blair, F. Anthony Headley, Jr., Dennis R. Boulais
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Publication number: 20160353971Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is an articulation joint for use in a low cost medical device such as an endoscope intended for a single use. In one embodiment, the articulation joint comprises a plurality of interconnected segments. In another embodiment, the articulation joint comprises an elongated tubular body. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of manufacturing an articulation joint for use in a medical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventor: Dennis R. BOULAIS
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Patent number: 9439557Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is an articulation joint for use in a low cost medical device such as an endoscope intended for a single use. In one embodiment, the articulation joint comprises a plurality of interconnected segments. In another embodiment, the articulation joint comprises an elongated tubular body. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of manufacturing an articulation joint for use in a medical device.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventor: Dennis R. Boulais
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Publication number: 20160250445Abstract: An endoscope or other medical device includes a number of lumens positioned in an outer shaft. The lumens are formed as a multiple lumen assembly. In one embodiment, individual lumens are connected to each other with a sheet or webbing material. The lumen assembly is rolled or folded along its length for incorporation into the outer shaft of the medical device. The sheet or webbing material may be notched or perforated to facilitate folding the lumen assembly and/or separating individual lumens from the lumen assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2016Publication date: September 1, 2016Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventor: Dennis R. Boulais
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Patent number: 9358363Abstract: An endoscope or other medical device includes a number of lumens positioned in an outer shaft. The lumens are formed as a multiple lumen assembly. In one embodiment, individual lumens are connected to each other with a sheet or webbing material. The lumen assembly is rolled or folded along its length for incorporation into the outer shaft of the endoscope or the medical device. The sheet or webbing material may be notched or perforated to facilitate folding the lumen assembly and/or separating the individual lumens from the lumen assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventor: Dennis R. Boulais
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Publication number: 20160135669Abstract: A fluid delivery system for use with an endoscope. Certain embodiments of the invention include a single, large fluid source and pump installed upon an operator console, in combination with a small fluid reservoir and pump installed within a proximal connector of the imaging endoscope, multiple fluid sources that feed a common fluid channel that are pressurized by a common pump, multiple fluid sources that feed dedicated fluid channels that are pressurized by dedicated pumps, and a small fluid reservoir and pump installed within a handheld manual controller of the imaging endoscope. The fluid delivery endoscopic systems of the present invention provide the user with the flexibility of changing fluids either in advance of a procedure or on-the-fly as needed, instead of relying on fixed fluid sources only.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2016Publication date: May 19, 2016Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Dennis R. BOULAIS, Michael S. BANIK, Vincent TURTURRO, Christopher ROWLAND, David W. HOFFMAN, John P. O'CONNOR, Eric LITSCHER
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Patent number: 9167958Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system for examining a patient's body cavity includes an endoscope having a distal end, a proximal end and a number of lumens therein. One or more distal gas ports are disposed at or adjacent the distal end of the endoscope and one or more proximal gas ports are disposed proximal to the distal gas ports. Insufflation gas is delivered to the distal gas ports and withdrawn from the proximal gas ports or vice versa such that a gas bubble is formed in the body cavity and travels with the distal tip of the endoscope.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2008Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Banik, Lucien Alfred Couvillon, Jr., Dennis R. Boulais, Anh Nguyen