Patents by Inventor Horst F. Kiepen
Horst F. Kiepen 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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Publication number: 20110034809Abstract: An ultrasound transducer assembly of the present invention includes a flexible circuit to which an ultrasound transducer array and integrated circuitry are attached during fabrication of the ultrasound transducer assembly. The flexible circuit comprises a flexible substrate to which the integrated circuitry and transducer elements are attached while the flexible substrate is in a substantially flat shape. The flexible circuit further comprises electrically conductive lines that are deposited upon the flexible substrate. The electrically conductive lines transport electrical signals between the integrated circuitry and the transducer elements. After assembly, the flexible circuit is re-shapable into a final form such as, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: VOLCANO CORPORATIONInventors: Michael J. Eberle, Douglas N. Stephens, Gary Rizzuti, Horst F. Kiepen, Andreas Hodjicostis
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Patent number: 7676910Abstract: A flexible elongate member such as a pressure guide wire (1000) includes an electrical device such as a pressure sensor (1002). The pressure sensor (1002) is electrically connected to conductive bands (304), (306) and (308) located on electrical connector (300). The electrical connector is attached to core wire (602) and shaft or hypotube (704). The use of electrical connector (300) helps minimize the assembly time of pressure guide wire (1000), as well as minimize some of the assembly problems associated with prior art designs such as pressure guide wire (100).Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2004Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Volcano CorporationInventors: Horst F. Kiepen, Michael J. Eberle, Gary P. Rizzuti, Daniel A. Brunicardi
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Patent number: 7226417Abstract: An ultrasound transducer assembly of the present invention includes a flexible circuit to which an ultrasound transducer array and integrated circuitry are attached during fabrication of the ultrasound transducer assembly. The flexible circuit comprises a flexible substrate to which the integrated circuitry and transducer elements are attached while the flexible substrate is in a substantially flat shape. The flexible circuit further comprises electrically conductive lines that are deposited upon the flexible substrate. The electrically conductive lines transport electrical signals between the integrated circuitry and the transducer elements. After assembly, the flexible circuit is re-shapable into a final form such as, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1996Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Volcano CorporationInventors: Michael J. Eberle, Douglas N. Stephens, Gary Rizzuti, Horst F. Kiepen, Andreas Hodjicostis
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Patent number: 6962567Abstract: An ultrasound catheter is disclosed for providing substantially real-time images of small cavities. The ultrasound catheter is characterized by separate and distinct materials for backing the transducers and for carrying the electronics components. The separate materials comprise an electronics carrier meeting the requirements for holding the integrated circuitry of the ultrasound device and a backing material displaying superior characteristics relating to reducing ringing and minimizing the effect of other sources of signal degradation in the transducer assembly. Also, in accordance with the present invention, a technique is described for connecting the conductor lines of the separate transducer assembly and electronics body.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2001Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: Volcano Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Eberle, Gary P. Rizzuti, Horst F. Kiepen
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Patent number: 6779257Abstract: A method of making a flexible elongate member includes the steps of providing a core wire having a proximal region and a distal region, attaching an electrical device to the distal region of the core wire, the electrical device being electrically connected to at least one electrical conductor. A substantially cylindrical electrical connector is formed from a substrate having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge and the second edge of the substrate being bonded substantially flush to each other, the electrical connector including a plurality of conductive bands and a plurality of electrically conductive runners interconnected to the plurality of bands. An electrically conductive bond is formed between the electrical conductors and the plurality of electrically conductive runners. The substantially cylindrical electrical connector is attached to the proximal region of the core wire.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2001Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: Volcano Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Horst F. Kiepen, Michael J. Eberle, Gary P. Rizzuti, Daniel A. Brunicardi
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Publication number: 20020022782Abstract: A flexible elongate member such as a pressure guide wire (1000) includes an electrical device such as a pressure sensor (1002). The pressure sensor (1002) is electrically connected to conductive bands (304), (306) and (308) located on electrical connector (300). The electrical connector is attached to core wire (602) and shaft or hypotube (704). The use of electrical connector (300) helps minimize the assembly time of pressure guide wire (1000), as well as minimize some of the assembly problems associated with prior art designs such as pressure guide wire (100).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2001Publication date: February 21, 2002Inventors: Horst F. Kiepen, Michael J. Eberle, Gary P. Rizzuti, Daniel A. Brunicardi
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Publication number: 20010041842Abstract: An ultrasound catheter is disclosed for providing substantially real-time images of small cavities. The ultrasound catheter is characterized by separate and distinct materials for backing the transducers and for carrying the electronics components. The separate materials comprise an electronics carrier meeting the requirements for holding the integrated circuitry of the ultrasound device and a backing material displaying superior characteristics relating to reducing ringing and minimizing the effect of other sources of signal degradation in the transducer assembly. Also, in accordance with the present invention, a technique is described for connecting the conductor lines of the separate transducer assembly and electronics body.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2001Publication date: November 15, 2001Inventors: Michael J. Eberle, Gary P. Rizzuti, Horst F. Kiepen
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Patent number: 6283920Abstract: An ultrasound catheter is disclosed for providing substantially real-time images of small cavities. The ultrasound catheter is characterized by separate and distinct materials for backing the transducers and for carrying the electronics components. The separate materials comprise an electronics carrier meeting the requirements for holding the integrated circuit of the ultrasound device and a backing material displaying superior characteristics relating to reducing ringing and minimizing the effect of other sources of signal degradation in the transducer assembly. Also, in accordance with the present invention, a technique is described for connecting the conductor lines of the separate transducer assembly and electronics body.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2000Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: EndoSonics CorporationInventors: Michael J. Eberle, Gary P. Rizzuti, Horst F. Kiepen
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Patent number: 6210339Abstract: A flexible elongate member such as a pressure guide wire (1000) includes an electrical device such as a pressure sensor (1002). The pressure sensor (1002) is electrically connected to conductive bands (304), (306) and (308) located on electrical connector (300). The electrical connector is attached to core wire (602) and shaft or hypotube (704). The use of electrical connector (300) helps minimize the assembly time of pressure guide wire (1000), as well as minimize some of the assembly problems associated with prior art designs such as pressure guide wire (100).Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: EndoSonics CorporationInventors: Horst F. Kiepen, Michael J. Eberle, Gary P. Rizzuti, Daniel A. Brunicardi
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Patent number: 6123673Abstract: An ultrasound catheter is disclosed for providing substantially real-time images of small cavities. The ultrasound catheter is characterized by separate and distinct materials for backing the transducers and for carrying the electronics components. The separate materials comprise an electronics carrier meeting the requirements for holding the integrated circuitry of the ultrasound device and a backing material displaying superior characteristics relating to reducing ringing and minimizing the effect of other sources of signal degradation in the transducer assembly. Also, in accordance with the present invention, a technique is described for connecting the conductor lines of the separate transducer assembly and electronics body.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1999Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: EndoSonics CorporationInventors: Michael J. Eberle, Gary P. Rizzuti, Horst F. Kiepen
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Patent number: 5938615Abstract: An ultrasound catheter is disclosed for providing substantially real-time images of small cavities. The ultrasound catheter is characterized by separate and distinct materials for backing the transducers and for carrying the electronics components. The separate materials comprise an electronics carrier meeting the requirements for holding the integrated circuitry of the ultrasound device and a backing material displaying superior characteristics relating to reducing ringing and minimizing the effect of other sources of signal degradation in the transducer assembly. Also, in accordance with the present invention, a technique is described for connecting the conductor lines of the separate transducer assembly and electronics body.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: EndoSonics CorporationInventors: Michael J. Eberle, Gary P. Rizzuti, Horst F. Kiepen
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Patent number: 5779644Abstract: An ultrasound catheter is disclosed for providing substantially real-time images of small cavities. The ultrasound catheter is characterized by separate and distinct materials for backing the transducers and for carrying the electronics components. The separate materials comprise an electronics carrier meeting the requirements for holding the integrated circuitry of the ultrasound device and a backing material displaying superior characteristics relating to reducing ringing and minimizing the effect of other sources of signal degradation in the transducer assembly. Also, in accordance with the present invention, a technique is described for connecting the conductor lines of the separate transducer assembly and electronics body.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1996Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: Endosonics CoporationInventors: Michael J. Eberle, Gary P. Rizzuti, Horst F. Kiepen
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Patent number: 5603327Abstract: An ultrasound catheter is disclosed for providing substantially real-time images of small cavities. The ultrasound catheter is characterized by separate and distinct materials for backing the transducers and for carrying the electronics components. The separate materials comprise an electronics carrier meeting the requirements for holding the integrated circuitry of the ultrasound device and a backing material displaying superior characteristics relating to reducing ringing and minimizing the effect of other sources of signal degradation in the transducer assembly. Also, in accordance with the present invention, a technique is described for connecting the conductor lines of the separate transducer assembly and electronics body.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1995Date of Patent: February 18, 1997Assignee: Endosonics CorporationInventors: Michael J. Eberle, Gary P. Rizzuti, Horst F. Kiepen
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Patent number: 5368037Abstract: An ultrasound catheter is disclosed for providing substantially real-time images of small cavities. The ultrasound catheter is characterized by separate and distinct materials for backing the transducers and for carrying the electronics components. The separate materials comprise an electronics carrier meeting the requirements for holding the integrated circuitry of the ultrasound device and a backing material displaying superior characteristics relating to reducing ringing and minimizing the effect of other sources of signal degradation in the transducer assembly. Also, in accordance with the present invention, a technique is described for connecting the conductor lines of the separate transducer assembly and electronics body.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1993Date of Patent: November 29, 1994Assignee: Endosonics CorporationInventors: Michael J. Eberle, Gary P. Rizzuti, Horst F. Kiepen
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Patent number: 4917097Abstract: An in vivo imaging device is provided for producing real-time images of small, moving or stationary cavities and surrounding tissue structure. The imaging device includes a probe assembly of very small dimensions and preferably sufficiently small to fit within cavities having a diameter on the order of that of a human coronary artery. The probe assembly may be mounted to a positioning device such as a catheter, which allows for the use of, for example, conventional guiding catheters and guide wires.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1987Date of Patent: April 17, 1990Assignee: Endosonics CorporationInventors: Andrew P. Proudian, deceased, Michael J. Eberle, Adam D. Savakus, Horst F. Kiepen, Douglas N. Stephens, David H. Rammler