Patents by Inventor Francis J. McGovern
Francis J. McGovern 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: 6743226Abstract: A device for enlarging a urethral passage includes an elongate member having a distal portion configured for intraurethral placement in the urethral passage, and an electrode at the distal portion. The electrode is configured to be energized with high frequency energy to necrose tissue of the urethral wall and surrounding prostate tissue to form a cavity in the urethral passage. The electrode has an adjustable working length. The electrode has a diameter greater than about 16 French to substantially occlude the urethra. The device includes multiple electrodes spaced apart a distance of about 1 to 5 mm to provide flexibility in the distal portion of the elongate member. A method of treating a urethral passage includes measuring a length of a patient's prostate, and selecting a length of an electrode based on the measured length of the prostate.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2001Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignees: Cosman Company, Inc., The General Hospital CorporationInventors: Eric R. Cosman, Francis J. McGovern
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Patent number: 6692493Abstract: Relief of urethral obstruction is achieved by heat ablation of prostatic tissue by an ablation electrode passed within the urethra to a position in the prostate near the point of urethral obstruction. The electrode is coupled to a high frequency power supply to ablatively heat the urethra and the prostatic tissue near the urethra. Image guidance of the electrode placement is monitored by an imaging device. The temperature of the tissue is sensed at the electrode to control the high frequency heating energy and ablation process. The electrode has a blunt tip to help prevent piercing of the wall of the urethra during insertion of the electrode into the urethra through the penis and the positioning of the electrode tip near to the point of urethral obstruction. Several forms of electrodes, apparatus, and methods accommodate the specific objectives.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignees: Cosman Company, Inc., The General Hospital CorporationInventors: Francis J. McGovern, S. Nahum Goldberg, Eric R. Cosman, William J. Rittman, III
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Publication number: 20030060819Abstract: Relief of urethral obstruction is achieved by heat ablation of prostatic tissue by an ablation electrode passed within the urethra to a position in the prostate near the point of urethral obstruction. The electrode is coupled to a high frequency power supply to ablatively heat the urethra and the prostatic tissue near the urethra. Image guidance of the electrode placement is monitored by an imaging device. The temperature of the tissue is sensed at the electrode to control the high frequency heating energy and ablation process. The electrode has a blunt tip to help prevent piercing of the wall of the urethra during insertion of the electrode into the urethra through the penis and the positioning of the electrode tip near to the point of urethral obstruction. Several forms of electrodes, apparatus, and methods accommodate the specific objectives.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Applicant: Radionics, Inc.Inventors: Francis J. McGovern, S. Nahum Goldberg, Eric R. Cosman, William J. Rittman
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Patent number: 6517534Abstract: Relief of urethral obstruction is achieved by heat ablation of prostatic tissue by an ablation probe passed within the urethra to a position in the prostate near the point of urethral obstruction. The probe is coupled to a power supply to deliver power to tissue near the probe and thus to ablatively heat the urethra and the prostatic tissue near the urethra. The temperature of the tissue is sensed at the probe to control the heating and ablation process. In one embodiment, the probe has a blunt tip to help prevent piercing of the wall of the urethra during insertion of the probe into the urethra through the penis and the positioning of the probe tip near to the point of urethral obstruction. Several forms of probes, apparatus, and methods accommodate the specific objectives.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1999Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignees: Cosman Company, Inc., The General Hospital CorporationInventors: Francis J. McGovern, S. Nahum Goldberg, Eric R. Cosman, William J. Rittman, III
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Patent number: 6447505Abstract: Relief of urethral obstruction is achieved by heat ablation of prostatic tissue by an ablation instrument passed within the urethra to a position in the prostate near the point of urethral obstruction. An electrode is coupled to a high-frequency power supply to ablatively heat the urethra and the prostatic tissue near the urethra. Guidance of the electrode placement may be monitored by an imaging device. The instrument may consist of a catheter with an inflatable balloon structure for positioning the instrument. The temperature of the tissue may be sensed at the electrode to control the high-frequency heating energy and ablation process.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1998Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignees: Cosman Company, Inc., The General Hospital CorporationInventors: Francis J. McGovern, S. Nahum Goldberg, Eric R. Cosman, William J. Rittman, III
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Patent number: 6440127Abstract: Relief of urethral obstruction is achieved by heat ablation of prostatic tissue by an ablation electrode passed within the urethra to a position in the prostate near the point of urethral obstruction. The electrode is coupled to a high frequency power supply to ablatively heat the urethra and the prostatic tissue near the urethra. Image guidance of the electrode placement is monitored by an imaging device. The temperature of the tissue is sensed at the electrode to control the high frequency heating energy and ablation process. The electrode has a blunt tip to help prevent piercing of the wall of the urethra during insertion of the electrode into the urethra through the penis and the positioning of the electrode tip near to the point of urethral obstruction. Several forms of electrodes, apparatus, and methods accommodate the specific objectives.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1998Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignees: Cosman Company, Inc., The General Hospital CorporationInventors: Francis J. McGovern, S. Nahum Goldberg, Eric R. Cosman, William J. Rittman, III
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Publication number: 20020111617Abstract: A device for enlarging a urethral passage includes an elongate member having a distal portion configured for intraurethral placement in the urethral passage, and an electrode at the distal portion. The electrode is configured to be energized with high frequency energy to necrose tissue of the urethral wall and surrounding prostate tissue to form a cavity in the urethral passage. The electrode has an adjustable working length. The electrode has a diameter greater than about 16 French to substantially occlude the urethra. The device includes multiple electrodes spaced apart a distance of about 1 to 5 mm to provide flexibility in the distal portion of the elongate member. A method of treating a urethral passage includes measuring a length of a patient's prostate, and selecting a length of an electrode based on the measured length of the prostate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2001Publication date: August 15, 2002Inventors: Eric R. Cosman, Francis J. McGovern
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Patent number: 6289236Abstract: The invention features an apparatus and methods for distinguishing inflamed tissue from cancerous tissue using autofluorescence.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1998Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: The General Hospital CorporationInventors: Frank Koenig, Francis J. McGovern, Thomas F. Deutsch, Kevin T. Schomacker
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Publication number: 20010018585Abstract: Relief of urethral obstruction is achieved by heat ablation of prostatic tissue by an ablation electrode passed within the urethra to a position in the prostate near the point of urethral obstruction. The electrode is coupled to a high frequency power supply to ablatively heat the urethra and the prostatic tissue near the urethra. Image guidance of the electrode placement is monitored by an imaging device. The temperature of the tissue is sensed at the electrode to control the high frequency heating energy and ablation process. The electrode has a blunt tip to help prevent piercing of the wall of the urethra during insertion of the electrode into the urethra through the penis and the positioning of the electrode tip near to the point of urethral obstruction. Several forms of electrodes, apparatus, and methods accommodate the specific objectives.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 1998Publication date: August 30, 2001Applicant: COSMAN COMPANY, INC.Inventors: FRANCIS J. MCGOVERN, S. NAHUM GOLDBERG, ERIC R. COSMAN, WILLIAM J. RITTMAN
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Publication number: 20010003798Abstract: Relief of urethral obstruction is achieved by heat ablation of prostatic tissue by an ablation instrument passed within the urethra to a position in the prostate near the point of urethral obstruction. An electrode is coupled to a high-frequency power supply to ablatively heat the urethra and the prostatic tissue near the urethra. Guidance of the electrode placement may be monitored by an imaging device. The instrument may consist of a catheter with an inflatable balloon structure for positioning the instrument. The temperature of the tissue may be sensed at the electrode to control the high-frequency heating energy and ablation process.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 1998Publication date: June 14, 2001Applicant: Phyllis K. KristalInventors: FRANCIS J. MCGOVERN, S. NAHUM GOLDBERG, ERIC R. COSMAN, WILLIAM J. RITTMAN