Patents by Inventor James G. Whayne

James G. Whayne 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).

  • Catheter distal assembly with pull wires
    Patent number: 7063682
    Abstract: A catheter assembly having a sheath, which includes a side wall enclosing an interior bore, and a distal region. The assembly also has a bendable catheter tube, which is carried for sliding movement in the interior bore. A pull wire also runs through the interior bore of the sheath, preferably within a lumen. The catheter tube has a distal portion with a coupling which joins the distal portion of the catheter tube and the distal portion of the pull wire. Relative movement of the pull wire and the sheath causes bending of the catheter tube outwardly through the opening, in response to sliding movement of the catheter tube within the interior bore toward the distal region of the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Whayne, Sidney D. Fleischman
  • Surgical method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element within the body
    Patent number: 7052492
    Abstract: A surgical method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element within the body. The apparatus may be catheter-based or a probe including a relatively short shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Swanson, Sidney D. Fleischman, Josef V. Koblish, Russell B. Thompson, James G. Whayne, Thomas R. Jenkins, Edward J. Snyder
  • Loop structures for supporting multiple electrode elements
    Patent number: 7029471
    Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a sheath, which includes a side wall enclosing an interior bore, a distal region, and an opening in the sidewall. The assembly also comprises a bendable catheter tube, which is carried for sliding movement in the interior bore. The catheter tube has a distal portion. The assembly further comprises a coupling, which joins the distal region of the sheath and the distal portion of the catheter tube. The coupling causes bending of the catheter tube outwardly through the opening, in response to sliding movement of the catheter tube within the interior bore toward the distal region of the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell B. Thompson, David L. McGee, James G. Whayne, Yi Yang, Sidney D. Fleischman
  • Structures for supporting multiple electrode elements
    Patent number: 7025766
    Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a first branch body having a first axis, a second branch body extending in a non-parallel relationship with respect to the first axis, and at least one electrode carried by the second branch body. In use, the first branch body can be located within a pulmonary vein within the left atrium, while the electrode carried by the second branch body is located in contact with endocardial tissue outside the pulmonary vein. Ablation energy can be transmitted from the electrode to contacted endocardial tissue while the first branch body is located within the pulmonary vein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James G Whayne, Sidney D Fleischman, Russell B Thompson, David K Swanson, Yi Yang
  • Assemblies for creating compound curves in distal catheter regions
    Patent number: 7011655
    Abstract: Compound steering assemblies, usable in both diagnostic and therapeutic applications, enable a physician to swiftly and accurately steer the distal section of the catheter in multiple planes or complex curves to position and maintain ablation and/or mapping electrodes in intimate contact with an interior body surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell B. Thompson, Sidney D. Fleischman, James G. Whayne, David K. Swanson
  • Assemblies for creating compound curves in distal catheter regions
    Patent number: 7008401
    Abstract: Compound steering assemblies, usable in both diagnostic and therapeutic applications, enable a physician to swiftly and accurately steer the distal section of the catheter in multiple planes or complex curves to position and maintain ablation and/or mapping electrodes in intimate contact with an interior body surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell B. Thompson, Sidney D. Fleischman, James G. Whayne, David K. Swanson
  • Distal anastomosis system
    Patent number: 6972023
    Abstract: Distal anastomosis devices and associated methodology are described herein. Connector and connector components as well as tools associated therewith are disclosed. The connectors are preferably adapted to produce an end-to-side anastomosis at a graft/coronary artery junction. A fitting alone, or a fitting in combination with a collar may be used as a connector. Each fitting may be deployed by deflecting its shape to provide clearance for a rear segment that rotates about adjoining hinge section(s) so to fit the connector within an aperture formed in a host vessel. Upon return to a substantially relaxed position, a rear segment anchors the fitting it in place. The distal fitting may include additional side features for interfacing with the host vessel/coronary artery. The collar may include features complimentary to those of a fitting and provisions for securing the graft vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Converge Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Whayne, Alexander Q. Tilson, Sidney D. Fleischman, Charles S. Love
  • Structures for deploying electrode elements
    Patent number: 6939349
    Abstract: An electrode support structure comprises a guide body having at its distal end a flexible spline leg. The spline leg is flexed to define an arcuate shape to facilitate intimate contact against tissue. An electrode element is carried by the spline leg for movement along its axis. The structure includes a control element coupled to the electrode element. The control element remotely imparts force to move the electrode element along the axis of the spline leg. Therefore, in use, the physician can cause the electrode element to travel along a path that the spline leg defines, without otherwise changing the location of the guide body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney D. Fleischman, Thomas M. Bourne, James G. Whayne, David K. Swanson
  • Devices and methods for creating lesions in endocardial and surrounding tissue to isolate focal arrhythmia substrates
    Patent number: 6917834
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for creating lesions in endocardial tissues surrounding a vessel opening to thereby isolate focal arrhythmia substrates, including an invasive catheter assembly comprising an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and first and second lumens, a first catheter having a distally mounted expandable anchor body disposed in the first lumen, and a second catheter having a distally mounted electrode disposed in the second lumen, the elongate body having a first distal opening accessing the first lumen through which the first catheter may be extended axially relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body and a second distal opening accessing the second lumen through which the second catheter may be extended at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Boston Scientific SciMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Josef V. Koblish, Russell B. Thompson, James G. Whayne, Yi Yang, David K. Swanson, Sidney D. Fleischman
  • Vacuum coagulation probe for atrial fibrillation treatment
    Patent number: 6893442
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a surgical device for coagulating soft tissue such as atrial tissue in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and atrial tachycardia. The surgical device can include at least one elongate member comprising conductive elements adapted to coagulate soft tissue when radiofrequency or direct current energy is transmitted to the conductive elements. Openings through said conductive elements are routed through lumens in the elongate member to a vacuum source to actively engage the soft tissue surface intended to coagulate into intimate contact with the conductive elements to facilitate the coagulation process and ensure the lesions created are consistent, contiguous, and transmural.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Inventor: James G. Whayne
  • Positioning systems for sutureless anastomosis systems
    Patent number: 6887249
    Abstract: Anastomosis systems include fittings and compression mechanisms for effecting end-end or end-side couplings of biological or synthetic bypass grafts to vessel locations. The fittings are tubular and surround end regions of the graft. In some applications an end region of the graft is everted and surrounds an exterior of the fitting, in which case the preferred compression mechanism is a retaining ring. A tool is used to evert the graft end region. In other applications, the fitting has an interior groove that receives an expandable retaining ring that urges the graft end region radially outwardly against the fitting. A graft deploying and securing system includes a needle for puncturing vessel tissue, a dilator, and a sheath adapted for containing a graft/fitting combination and guiding the combination into the vessel through an opening formed by the needle and dilator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Converge Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Russell A. Houser, James G. Whayne, Sidney D. Fleischman
  • Heart support to prevent ventricular remodeling
    Patent number: 6887192
    Abstract: This is a support device that prevents, reduces, and delays remodeling of diseased cardiac tissue, and also decreases the impact of such remodeling on collateral tissue is disclosed. The invention further reinforces abnormal tissue regions to prevent over-expansion of the tissue due to increased afterload and excessive wall tension. As a result, the support device prevents phenomenon such as systolic stretch from occurring and propagating. The support structure maintains and restores diastolic compliance, wall motion, and ejection fraction to preserve heart functionality. As such, the support device prevents and treats cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Converge Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Whayne, Deborah Tolomeo, Russell A. Houser, Sidney D. Fleischman
  • Distal anastomosis system
    Patent number: 6858035
    Abstract: Distal anastomosis devices and associated methodology are provided for producing an anastomosis at a graft/coronary artery junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Converge Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: James G. Whayne
  • Anastomotic connector for sutureless anastomosis systems
    Patent number: 6843795
    Abstract: Anastomosis systems include fittings and compression mechanisms for effecting end—end or end-side couplings of biological or synthetic bypass grafts to vessel locations. The fittings are tubular and surround end regions of the graft. In some applications an end region of the graft is everted and surrounds an exterior of the fitting, in which case the preferred compression mechanism is a retaining ring. A tool is used to evert the graft end region. In other applications, the fitting has an interior groove that receives an expandable retaining ring that urges the graft end region radially outwardly against the fitting. A graft deploying and securing system includes a needle for puncturing vessel tissue, a dilator, and a sheath adapted for containing a graft/fitting combination and guiding the combination into the vessel through an opening formed by the needle and dilator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Converge Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell A. Houser, James G. Whayne, Sidney D. Fleischman
  • Apparatus for electrically isolating a portion of the atria
    Patent number: 6830576
    Abstract: Devices for insertion into an atrial appendage of stasis reducing components such as mesh members, chemical bonding agents or expandable anchors are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney D. Fleischman, James G. Whayne, Thomas M. Bourne, David K. Swanson
  • Ultrasound-guided ablation catheter and methods of use
    Patent number: 6824515
    Abstract: The present invention provides ultrasound-guided ablation catheters and methods for their use. In one embodiment, a tissue ablation apparatus (2) includes a flexible elongate body (12) having proximal (14) and distal (12) ends. A plurality of spaced-apart electrodes (24) are operably attached to the flexible body near the distal end. A plurality of transducer elements (28) are disposed between at least some of the electrodes. Transducers assist the physician in determining whether or not the ablation elements are in contact with the tissue to be ablated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Veijo T. Suorsa, David K. Swanson, Dorin Panescu, Harm TenHoff, James G. Whayne
  • Interactive systems and methods for controlling the use of diagnostic or therapeutic instruments in interior body regions
    Patent number: 6788969
    Abstract: An interface is associated with a structure which, in use, is deployed in an interior body region of a patient. The structure includes an operative element coupled to a controller, which establishes an operating condition for the operative element to perform a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure in the interior body region. The interface generates a first display comprising an image of the structure at least partially while the operative element performs the procedure. The interface also generates a second display comprising one or more data fields reflecting the operating condition of the controller. The interface enables selection of the first display or the second display for viewing on a display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Dupree, Tuan Nguyen, Dorin Panescu, James G. Whayne, David McGee, David K. Swanson
  • Surgical method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element within the body
    Patent number: 6786905
    Abstract: A surgical method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element within the body. The apparatus may be catheter-based or a probe including a relatively short shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Swanson, Sidney D. Fleischman, Josef V. Koblish, Russell B. Thompson, James G. Whayne, Thomas R. Jenkins, Edward J. Snyder
  • Minimally invasive cardiac force transfer structures
    Publication number: 20040133062
    Abstract: Devices and methods for treating degenerative, congestive heart disease and related dysfunction are described. Minimally invasive surgical force transfer structures offer devices that mitigate changes in the ventricular structure (i.e. remodeling) and deterioration of global left ventricular performance related to tissue damage precipitating from ischemia, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or other abnormalities. These force transfer structures resist diastolic filling pressure while simultaneously transmitting a compressive force to the aorta, the pulmonary artery, the atrium and/or other anatomic structure to improve cardiac output thereby reducing the strain on the heart. In addition, the force transfer structures may compensate or provide therapeutic treatment for congestive heart failure and/or reverse the remodeling that produces an enlarged heart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Suresh Pai, Nicanor Domingo, James G. Whayne
  • Assemblies for creating compound curves in distal catheter regions
    Publication number: 20040106897
    Abstract: Compound steering assemblies, usable in both diagnostic and therapeutic applications, enable a physician to swiftly and accurately steer the distal section of the catheter in multiple planes or complex curves to position and maintain ablation and/or mapping electrodes in intimate contact with an interior body surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Russell B. Thompson, Sidney D. Fleischman, James G. Whayne, David K. Swanson