Patents by Inventor Jason B. Whitt
Jason B. Whitt 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: 9713483Abstract: The inventions described in this patent application include i) a torqueable introducer sheath which is useable in conjunction with a transvascular passageway forming catheter to effect precise rotational control of the catheter; ii) an anchorable guide catheter which is useable in conjunction with an intravascular imaging catheter and a transvascular passageway-forming catheter to effect precise positioning and aiming of the passageway-forming catheter; iii) a passageway forming catheter having a torqueable proximal portion to facilitate precise rotational positioning of the distal portion of the catheter; iv) a deflectable-tipped passageway forming catheter, v) various markers and other apparatus useable in conjunction with any of the passageway-forming catheters to facilitate precise positioning and aiming of the catheter, and vi) an apparatus which may be formed within a catheter to prevent a member, apparatus of flow of material from being inadvertently advanced through a lumen of the catheter.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2014Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Makower, J. Christopher Flaherty, Timothy R. Machold, Jason B. Whitt, Philip Christopher Evard, Patrick Edward Macaulay, John Thomas Garibotto, Margaret W Tumas, Alan Robert Selfridge
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Patent number: 9345858Abstract: A system of catheter devices and methods for forming channels or passageways between a luminal anatomical structure (e.g., a blood vessel) and a target location (e.g., another blood vessel, an organ, a mass of tissue, etc.) for the purpose of rerouting blood flow or for delivering a substance or instrument, etc. to the target location.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: J. Christopher Flaherty, Jason B. Whitt, Patrick E. Macaulay, David R. Tholfsen, John T. Garibotto, Philip C. Evard, Joshua Makower
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Publication number: 20140180222Abstract: A system of catheter devices and methods for forming channels or passageways between a luminal anatomical structure (e.g., a blood vessel) and a target location (e.g., another blood vessel, an organ, a mass of tissue, etc.) for the purpose of rerouting blood flow or for delivering a substance or instrument, etc. to the target location.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: J. Christopher Flaherty, Jason B. Whitt, Patrick E. Macaulay, David R. Tholfsen, John T. Garibotto, Philip C. Evard, Joshua Makower
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Publication number: 20140180098Abstract: A catheter device that is useable to penetrate from a blood vessel in which the catheter device is positioned to a target location comprises a flexible catheter advanceable into the first blood vessel, a tissue penetrator lumen adapted to receive an operative tissue penetrator which is usable to penetrate from the blood vessel to the target location when properly aimed. Further said catheter including an imaging transducer fixedly mounted on or within the catheter body to provide an imaging signal from which an image of the target location can be obtained. The catheter device may include an imageable marker on the catheter to form on the image obtainable from the imaging signal a penetrator path indication that indicates the path that will be followed by the tissue penetrator when the tissue penetrator exits from the catheter. Alternatively, or addition thereto, the imaging transducer may comprise a plurality of imaging elements which are located so that the penetrator path indication can be obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: MEDTRONIC VASCULAR, INC.Inventors: Christopher J. Flaherty, Jason B. Whitt, John Y. Chang, David R. Tholfsen, Philip C. Evard, Joshua Makower
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Patent number: 8727988Abstract: Devices and methods for penetrating from a vessel lumen in which a catheter device is positioned to a target location outside of that vessel lumen. A tissue penetrator advances from a catheter positioned within the vessel lumen to the target location when properly aimed. An imaging transducer fixedly mounted on or within the catheter body provides an imaging signal from which an image of the target location can be obtained. An imageable marker may be present on the catheter to form on the image obtainable from the imaging signal to predict the path that will be followed by the tissue penetrator when the tissue penetrator exits from the catheter. Alternatively, or addition thereto, the imaging transducer may comprise a plurality of imaging elements which are located so that the penetrator path indication can be obtained electronically without use of an imageable marker on the catheter.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Flaherty, Jason B. Whitt, John Y. Chang, David R. Tholfsen, Philip C. Evard, Joshua Makower
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Patent number: 8585596Abstract: A system of catheter devices and methods for forming channels or passageways between a luminal anatomical structure (e.g., a blood vessel) and a target location (e.g., another blood vessel, an organ, a mass of tissue, etc.) for the purpose of rerouting blood flow or for delivering a substance or instrument, etc. to the target location.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2003Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: J. Christopher Flaherty, Jason B. Whitt, Patrick E. Macaulay, David R. Tholfsen, John T. Garibotto, Philip C. Evard, Joshua Makower
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Patent number: 8540694Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering drugs or other substances to target locations outside of blood vessel lumens or other body lumens. In some embodiments, a catheter having a penetrator is advanced into the body lumen and the penetrator is then advanced from the catheter toward a target location outside of that body lumen. The substance is then delivered through a the penetrator itself or through a delivery catheter that has been advanced through the penetrator to the target location. In other embodiments, the blood vessel or other body lumen is blocked at spaced-apart first and second locations and a quantity of the substance is introduced into the closed-off body lumen between the blocked first and second locations. The substance then diffuses into or through the wall of the vessel or body conduit to reach the target location.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: J. Christopher Flaherty, Joshua Makower, Philip C. Evard, Patrick E. Macaulay, Jason B. Whitt, Robert C. Colloton, K. Angela Macfarlane
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Publication number: 20120172838Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering drugs or other substances to target locations outside of blood vessel lumens or other body lumens. In some embodiments, a catheter having a penetrator is advanced into the body lumen and the penetrator is then advanced from the catheter toward a target location outside of that body lumen. The substance is then delivered through a the penetrator itself or through a delivery catheter that has been advanced through the penetrator to the target location. In other embodiments, the blood vessel or other body lumen is blocked at spaced-apart first and second locations and a quantity of the substance is introduced into the closed-off body lumen between the blocked first and second locations. The substance then diffuses into or through the wall of the vessel or body conduit to reach the target location.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2011Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: MEDTRONIC VASCULAR, INC.Inventors: J. Christopher Flaherty, Joshua Makower, Philip C. Evard, Patrick E. Macaulay, Jason B. Whitt, Robert C. Colloton, K. Angela Macfarlane
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Publication number: 20110224596Abstract: A catheter device that is useable to penetrate from a blood vessel in which the catheter device is positioned to a target location comprises a flexible catheter advanceable into the first blood vessel, a tissue penetrator lumen adapted to receive an operative tissue penetrator which is usable to penetrate from the blood vessel to the target location when properly aimed. Further said catheter including an imaging transducer fixedly mounted on or within the catheter body to provide an imaging signal from which an image of the target location can be obtained. The catheter device may include an imageable marker on the catheter to form on the image obtainable from the imaging signal a penetrator path indication that indicates the path that will be followed by the tissue penetrator when the tissue penetrator exits from the catheter. Alternatively, or addition thereto, the imaging transducer may comprise a plurality of imaging elements which are located so that the penetrator path indication can be obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: MEDTRONIC VASCULAR,INC.Inventors: J Christopher Flaherty, Jason B. Whitt, John Y. Chang, David R. Tholfsen, Philip C. Evard, Joshua Makower
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Publication number: 20100324471Abstract: A transvascular system for delivering a drug to a tissue region from a blood vessel includes a catheter having a distal portion with puncturing, orientation, drug delivery, and imaging elements. The puncturing element is deployable for penetrating the vessel wall to access the tissue region. The orientation element has a predetermined relationship with the puncturing element, the imaging element detecting the location of the orientation element with respect to the tissue region to orient the puncturing element. The catheter is percutaneously introduced into the vessel, the puncturing element is oriented towards the tissue region, the puncturing element is deployed to access the tissue region, and the drug is delivered to the tissue region. An ablation device may also be deployed to create a cavity or fluid reservoir in the tissue region for receiving the drug therein, or an indwelling catheter may be advanced into and left in the tissue region.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: J. Christopher Flaherty, Joshua Makower, Philip Evard, Patrick E. MacAulay, Jason B. Whitt, Robert C. Colloton, K. Angela Macfarlane
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Publication number: 20100121357Abstract: A catheter device that is useable to penetrate from a blood vessel in which the catheter device is positioned to a target location comprises a flexible catheter advanceable into the first blood vessel, a tissue penetrator lumen adapted to receive an operative tissue penetrator which is usable to penetrate from the blood vessel to the target location when properly aimed. Further said catheter including an imaging transducer fixedly mounted on or within the catheter body to provide an imaging signal from which an image of the target location can be obtained. The catheter device may include an imageable marker on the catheter to form on the image obtainable from the imaging signal a penetrator path indication that indicates the path that will be followed by the tissue penetrator when the tissue penetrator exits from the catheter. Alternatively, or addition thereto, the imaging transducer may comprise a plurality of imaging elements which are located so that the penetrator path indication can be obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: J. Christopher Flaherty, Jason B. Whitt, John Y. Chang, David R. Tholfsen, Philip C. Evard, Joshua Makower
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Patent number: 7637870Abstract: A catheter device that is useable to penetrate from a blood vessel in which the catheter device is positioned to a target location comprises a flexible catheter advanceable into the first blood vessel, a tissue penetrator lumen adapted to receive an operative tissue penetrator which is usable to penetrate from the blood vessel to the target location when properly aimed. Further said catheter including an imaging transducer fixedly mounted on or within the catheter body to provide an imaging signal from which an image of the target location can be obtained. The catheter device may include an imageable marker on the catheter to form on the image obtainable from the imaging signal a penetrator path indication that indicates the path that will be followed by the tissue penetrator when the tissue penetrator exits from the catheter. Alternatively, or addition thereto, the imaging transducer may comprise a plurality of imaging elements which are located so that the penetrator path indication can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2003Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: J. Christopher Flaherty, Jason B. Whitt, John Y. Chang, David R. Tholfsen, Philip C. Evard, Joshua Makower
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Patent number: 7303571Abstract: Methods and apparatus for occluding blood flow within a blood vessel. In a first series of embodiments, the present invention comprises a plurality of embolic devices deployable through the lumen of a conventional catheter such that when deployed, said embolic devices remain resident and occlude blood flow at a specific site within the lumen of the blood vessel. Such embolic devices comprise either mechanical embolic devices that become embedded within or compress against the lumen of the vessel or chemical vaso-occlusive agents that seal off blood flow at a given site. A second embodiment of the present invention comprises utilization of a vacuum/cauterizing device capable of sucking in the lumen of the vessel about the device to maintain the vessel in a closed condition where there is then applied a sufficient amount of energy to cause the tissue collapsed about the device to denature into a closure.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2003Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Makower, J. C. Flaherty, Timothy R. Machold, Jason B. Whitt, Philip C. Evard, Patrick E. Macaulay, John T. Garibotto, Marc Jensen
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Patent number: 7094230Abstract: An implantable reservoir device (400) including an enclosed membrane (408) on an expandable frame (402) that defines a reservoir (410) and includes a porous region (418). The reservoir device (400) may be deployed and expanded within a blood vessel, and may be filled in situ or prefilled with a drug that passes through the porous region (418). Alternatively, a pair of expandable endovascular blockers (500) may be used to isolate a section of a blood vessel which may be filled with a drug that may be absorbed by the surrounding tissue.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2003Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: J. Christopher Flaherty, Joshua Makower, Philip C. Evard, Patrick E. MacAulay, Jason B. Whitt, Robert C. Colloton, K. Angela Macfarlane
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Publication number: 20040133154Abstract: A transvascular system (10) for delivering a drug to a tissue region from a blood vessel, such as a coronary vein, includes a catheter (12) having a distal portion (26) with puncturing (14), orientation (16), drug delivery (62), and imaging elements (18). The puncturing element (14) is deployable for penetrating the vessel wall to access the tissue region. The orientation element (16), e.g. a “cage” including a plurality of struts (38)(40) and/or a radiopaque marker, has a predetermined relationship with the puncturing element (14), the imaging element (18) detecting the location of the orientation element (16) with respect to the tissue region to orient the puncturing element. The catheter (12) is percutaneously introducing into the vessel, the puncturing element (14) is oriented towards the tissue region, the puncturing element (14) is deployed to access the tissue region, and the drug is delivered to the tissue region.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventors: J. Christopher Flaherty, Joshua Makower, Philip C. Evard, Patrick E. MacAulay, Jason B. Whitt, Robert C. Colloton, K. Angela MacFarlane
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Publication number: 20040122318Abstract: A catheter device that is useable to penetrate from a blood vessel in which the catheter device is positioned to a target location comprises a flexible catheter advanceable into the first blood vessel, a tissue penetrator lumen adapted to receive an operative tissue penetrator which is usable to penetrate from the blood vessel to the target location when properly aimed. Further said catheter including an imaging transducer fixedly mounted on or within the catheter body to provide an imaging signal from which an image of the target location can be obtained. The catheter device may include an imageable marker on the catheter to form on the image obtainable from the imaging signal a penetrator path indication that indicates the path that will be followed by the tissue penetrator when the tissue penetrator exits from the catheter. Alternatively, or addition thereto, the imaging transducer may comprise a plurality of imaging elements which are located so that the penetrator path indication can be obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2003Publication date: June 24, 2004Applicant: TransVascular, Inc.Inventors: J. Christopher Flaherty, Jason B. Whitt, John Y. Chang, David R. Tholfsen, Philip C. Evard, Joshua Makower
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Publication number: 20040098030Abstract: Methods and apparatus for occluding blood flow within a blood vessel. In a first series of embodiments, the present invention comprises a plurality of embolic devices deployable through the lumen of a conventional catheter such that when deployed, said embolic devices remain resident and occlude blood flow at a specific site within the lumen of the blood vessel. Such embolic devices comprise either mechanical embolic devices that become embedded within or compress against the lumen of the vessel or chemical vaso-occlusive agents that seal off blood flow at a given site. A second embodiment of the present invention comprises utilization of a vacuum/cauterizing device capable of sucking in the lumen of the vessel about the device to maintain the vessel in a closed condition where there is then applied a sufficient amount of energy to cause the tissue collapsed about the device to denature into a closure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2003Publication date: May 20, 2004Applicant: Trans Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Makower, J. Christopher Flaherty, Timothy R. Machold, Jason B. Whitt, Philip C. Evard, Patrick E. Macaulay, John T. Garibotto, Marc Jensen
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Patent number: 6685648Abstract: A method is provided for delivering a drug to a selected tissue region within a patient's body with a catheter having a deployable puncturing element, a drug delivery element and an orientation element on a distal portion thereof. The distal portion of the catheter is percutaneously introduced into a blood vessel, and directed endovascularly to a vessel location adjacent to the selected tissue region. The puncturing element is oriented towards the selected tissue region, and deployed to access the selected tissue region. A drug is delivered with the drug delivery element to the selected tissue region.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Transvascular, Inc.Inventors: J. Christopher Flaherty, Joshua Makower, Philip C. Evard, Patrick E. MacAulay, Jason B. Whitt, Robert C. Colloton, K. Angela Macfarlane
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Patent number: 6660024Abstract: A catheter device that is useable to penetrate from a blood vessel in which the catheter device is positioned to a target location comprises a flexible catheter advanceable into the first blood vessel, a tissue penetrator lumen adapted to receive an operative tissue penetrator which is usable to penetrate from the blood vessel to the target location when properly aimed. Further said catheter including an imaging transducer fixedly mounted on or within the catheter body to provide an imaging signal from which an image of the target location can be obtained. The catheter device may include an imageable marker on the catheter to form on the image obtainable from the imaging signal a penetrator path indication that indicates the path that will be followed by the tissue penetrator when the tissue penetrator exits from the catheter. Alternatively, or addition thereto, the imaging transducer may comprise a plurality of imaging elements which are located so that the penetrator path indication can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: TransVascular, Inc.Inventors: J. Christopher Flaherty, Jason B. Whitt, John Y. Chang, David R. Tholfsen, Philip C. Evard, Joshua Makower
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Patent number: 6638293Abstract: This invention is methods and apparatus for occluding blood flow within a blood vessel (22). In a first series of embodiments, the present invention comprises a plurality of embolic devices (16) deployable through the lumen (12) of a conventional catheter (10) such that when deployed, said embolic devices (16) remain resident and occlude blood flow at a specific site within the lumen of the blood vessel (22). Such embolic devices (16) comprise either mechanical embolic devices that become embedded within or compress against the lumen of the vessel or chemical vaso occlusive agents that seal off blood flow at a given site. A second embodiment of the present invention comprises utilization of a vacuum/cauterizing device capable of sucking in the lumen of the vessel about the device to maintain the vessel in a closed condition where there is then applied a sufficient amount of energy to cause the tissue collapsed about the device to denature into a closure.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1999Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: TransVascular, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Makower, J. Christopher Flaherty, Timothy R. Machold, Jason B. Whitt, Philip C. Evard, Patrick E. Macaulay, John T. Garibotto, Marc Jensen