Patents by Inventor Jeffrey W. Zerfas

Jeffrey W. Zerfas 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).

  • Publication number: 20150011986
    Abstract: An apparatus may include an optical fiber having an angled grating aligned along a plane non-normal to a longitudinal axis of a distal end portion of the optical fiber. The angled grating may be configured to redirect a first laser energy propagated within the optical fiber and incident on the angled grating to a direction offset from the longitudinal axis. The apparatus may also include a metallic cap coupled to the optical fiber. The metallic cap may have an inner surface configured to redirect a second laser energy incident on the inner surface along the direction offset from the longitudinal axis. The second laser energy being different than the first laser energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. ZERFAS
  • Publication number: 20140376862
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus may include an optical fiber that may have a surface non-normal to a longitudinal axis of a distal end portion of the optical fiber. The surface may define a portion of an interface configured to redirect electromagnetic radiation propagated from within the optical fiber and incident on the interface to a direction offset from the longitudinal axis. The apparatus may also include a doped silica cap that may be fused to the optical fiber such that the surface of the optical fiber may be disposed within a cavity defined by the doped silica cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Zerfas, Richard P. Tumminelli
  • Patent number: 8888378
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an optical fiber made of a silica-based material. A proximal end portion of the optical fiber has an outer-layer portion. The proximal end portion can be included in at least a portion of a launch connector configured to receive electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus also includes a component that has a bore therethrough and can be made of a doped silica material. The bore can have an inner-layer portion heat-fused to the outer-layer portion of the optical fiber. The component can also have an index of refraction lower than an index of refraction associated with the outer-layer portion of the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Zerfas, Paul Jortberg, Richard P. Tumminelli
  • Publication number: 20140336639
    Abstract: An ablation device includes a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and the distal ends, and a first array of electrodes at least partially disposed within the lumen, the first array of electrodes slidable relative to the cannula, each of the electrodes having a first configuration when inside the lumen, and a second configuration when unconfined outside the lumen, wherein one of the electrodes has a flared deployed profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimbolt Young, Jeffrey W. Zerfas
  • Patent number: 8870858
    Abstract: An apparatus may include an optical fiber having an angled grating aligned along a plane non-normal to a longitudinal axis of a distal end portion of the optical fiber. The angled grating may be configured to redirect a first laser energy propagated within the optical fiber and incident on the angled grating to a direction offset from the longitudinal axis. The apparatus may also include a metallic cap coupled to the optical fiber. The metallic cap may have an inner surface configured to redirect a second laser energy incident on the inner surface along the direction offset from the longitudinal axis. The second laser energy being different than the first laser energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Zerfas
  • Patent number: 8861907
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus may include an optical fiber that may have a surface non-normal to a longitudinal axis of a distal end portion of the optical fiber. The surface may define a portion of an interface configured to redirect electromagnetic radiation propagated from within the optical fiber and incident on the interface to a direction offset from the longitudinal axis. The apparatus may also include a doped silica cap that may be fused to the optical fiber such that the surface of the optical fiber may be disposed within a cavity defined by the doped silica cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Zerfas, Richard P. Tumminelli
  • Publication number: 20130195412
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an optical fiber made of a silica-based material. A proximal end portion of the optical fiber has an outer-layer portion. The proximal end portion can be included in at least a portion of a launch connector configured to receive electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus also includes a component that has a bore therethrough and can be made of a doped silica material. The bore can have an inner-layer portion heat-fused to the outer-layer portion of the optical fiber. The component can also have an index of refraction lower than an index of refraction associated with the outer-layer portion of the optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. ZERFAS, Paul JORTBERG, Richard P. TUMMINELLI
  • Patent number: 8469954
    Abstract: A RF ablation device includes a probe assembly that has an elongate cannula having a lumen disposed interiorly of an external wall of the cannula. The elongate cannula includes a plurality of slots formed within the external wall that provide access to the lumen. The probe assembly includes an electrode member that is slidably disposed within the elongate cannula, the electrode member including a plurality of tines configured for passage through the plurality of slots. The slots are disposed in a staggered arrangement or pattern about the external wall of the cannula. The staggered arrangement of slots may be used in a monopolar or bipolar arrangement of the electrodes on the cannula. A bipolar arrangement of electrodes using the staggered configuration produces larger ablation areas in a shorter period of time as compared to prior designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimbolt Young, Jeffrey W. Zerfas, Steve Pickett, Mohamed Faznl Abdulaziz, Gerald M. Hubbs
  • Publication number: 20130121640
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus may include an optical fiber that may have a surface non-normal to a longitudinal axis of a distal end portion of the optical fiber. The surface may define a portion of an interface configured to redirect electromagnetic radiation propagated from within the optical fiber and incident on the interface to a direction offset from the longitudinal axis. The apparatus may also include a doped silica cap that may be fused to the optical fiber such that the surface of the optical fiber may be disposed within a cavity defined by the doped silica cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicants: Coherent, Inc., Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Zerfas, Richard P. Tumminelli
  • Patent number: 8419293
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an optical fiber made of a silica-based material. A proximal end portion of the optical fiber has an outer-layer portion. The proximal end portion can be included in at least a portion of a launch connector configured to receive electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus also includes a component that has a bore therethrough and can be made of a doped silica material. The bore can have an inner-layer portion heat-fused to the outer-layer portion of the optical fiber. The component can also have an index of refraction lower than an index of refraction associated with the outer-layer portion of the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Zerfas, Paul Jortberg, Richard P. Tumminelli
  • Patent number: 8409193
    Abstract: A tissue ablation probe is provided. The tissue ablation probe comprises an elongated shaft, at least one electrode tine carried by the elongated shaft, at least one tine exit from which the electrode tine(s) can be deployed from the elongated shaft and retracted within the elongated shaft, and a sheath covering the electrode tine exit(s). The sheath may, e.g., line an exterior surface of the elongated shaft or an interior surface of the elongated shaft. The sheath has at least one tine valve (e.g., a slit) positioned over the electrode tine exit(s) and configured to open when the electrode tine is deployed and to close when the electrode tine(s) is retracted. In one embodiment, the tine valve(s) is configured to open in response to pressure exerted during deployment of the electrode tine(s). In another embodiment, the tine valve(s) is configured to hinder the entry of biological material within the elongated shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimbolt Young, Gerald M. Hubbs, Steve Pickett, Gene McCallister, John Hewitt, Jeffrey W. Zerfas
  • Patent number: 8358890
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus may include an optical fiber that may have a surface non-normal to a longitudinal axis of a distal end portion of the optical fiber. The surface may define a portion of an interface configured to redirect electromagnetic radiation propagated from within the optical fiber and incident on the interface to a direction offset from the longitudinal axis. The apparatus may also include a doped silica cap that may be fused to the optical fiber such that the surface of the optical fiber may be disposed within a cavity defined by the doped silica cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc., Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Zerfas, Richard P. Tumminelli
  • Publication number: 20120271296
    Abstract: A RF ablation device includes a probe assembly that has an elongate cannula having a lumen disposed interiorly of an external wall of the cannula. The elongate cannula includes a plurality of slots formed within the external wall that provide access to the lumen. The probe assembly includes an electrode member that is slidably disposed within the elongate cannula, the electrode member including a plurality of tines configured for passage through the plurality of slots. The slots are disposed in a staggered arrangement or pattern about the external wall of the cannula. The staggered arrangement of slots may be used in a monopolar or bipolar arrangement of the electrodes on the cannula. A bipolar arrangement of electrodes using the staggered configuration produces larger ablation areas in a shorter period of time as compared to prior designs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Kimbolt Young, Jeffrey W. Zerfas, Steve Pickett, Mohamed Faznl Abdulaziz, Gerald M. Hubbs
  • Patent number: 8216226
    Abstract: A RF ablation device includes a probe assembly that has an elongate cannula having a lumen disposed interiorly of an external wall of the cannula. The elongate cannula includes a plurality of slots formed within the external wall that provide access to the lumen. The probe assembly includes an electrode member that is slidably disposed within the elongate cannula, the electrode member including a plurality of tines configured for passage through the plurality of slots. The slots are disposed in a staggered arrangement or pattern about the external wall of the cannula. The staggered arrangement of slots may be used in a monopolar or bipolar arrangement of the electrodes on the cannula. A bipolar arrangement of electrodes using the staggered configuration produces larger ablation areas in a shorter period of time as compared to prior designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimbolt Young, Jeffrey W. Zerfas, Steve Pickett, Mohamed Faznl Abdulaziz, Gerald M. Hubbs
  • Publication number: 20110178509
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an optical fiber extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The optical fiber may include a cladding layer circumferentially disposed about a core layer and a substantially spherically shaped portion at the distal end. The apparatus may also include a first coating circumferentially disposed on a first length of the cladding layer, and a second coating circumferentially disposed on a second length of the cladding layer. The second length may extend distally from a region proximate the distal end of the first coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Zerfas, Carl Donadio, David W. Robertson, Richard Tumminelli
  • Publication number: 20110176770
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus may include an optical fiber that may have a surface non-normal to a longitudinal axis of a distal end portion of the optical fiber. The surface may define a portion of an interface configured to redirect electromagnetic radiation propagated from within the optical fiber and incident on the interface to a direction offset from the longitudinal axis. The apparatus may also include a doped silica cap that may be fused to the optical fiber such that the surface of the optical fiber may be disposed within a cavity defined by the doped silica cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Zerfas, Richard P. Tumminelli
  • Publication number: 20110137310
    Abstract: A tissue ablation probe is provided. The tissue ablation probe comprises an elongated shaft, at least one electrode tine carried by the elongated shaft, at least one tine exit from which the electrode tine(s) can be deployed from the elongated shaft and retracted within the elongated shaft, and a sheath covering the electrode tine exit(s). The sheath may, e.g., line an exterior surface of the elongated shaft or an interior surface of the elongated shaft. The sheath has at least one tine valve (e.g., a slit) positioned over the electrode tine exit(s) and configured to open when the electrode tine is deployed and to close when the electrode tine(s) is retracted. In one embodiment, the tine valve(s) is configured to open in response to pressure exerted during deployment of the electrode tine(s). In another embodiment, the tine valve(s) is configured to hinder the entry of biological material within the elongated shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Kimbolt Young, Gerald M. Hubbs, Steve Pickett, Gene McCallister, John Hewitt, Jeffrey W. Zerfas
  • Publication number: 20110118715
    Abstract: An apparatus may include an optical fiber having an angled grating aligned along a plane non-normal to a longitudinal axis of a distal end portion of the optical fiber. The angled grating may be configured to redirect a first laser energy propagated within the optical fiber and incident on the angled grating to a direction offset from the longitudinal axis. The apparatus may also include a metallic cap coupled to the optical fiber. The metallic cap may have an inner surface configured to redirect a second laser energy incident on the inner surface along the direction offset from the longitudinal axis. The second laser energy being different than the first laser energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Zerfas
  • Patent number: 7896874
    Abstract: A tissue ablation probe is provided. The tissue ablation probe comprises an elongated shaft, at least one electrode tine carried by the elongated shaft, at least one tine exit from which the electrode tine(s) can be deployed from the elongated shaft and retracted within the elongated shaft, and a sheath covering the electrode tine exit(s). The sheath may, e.g., line an exterior surface of the elongated shaft or an interior surface of the elongated shaft. The sheath has at least one tine valve (e.g., a slit) positioned over the electrode tine exit(s) and configured to open when the electrode tine is deployed and to close when the electrode tine(s) is retracted. In one embodiment, the tine valve(s) is configured to open in response to pressure exerted during deployment of the electrode tine(s). In another embodiment, the tine valve(s) is configured to hinder the entry of biological material within the elongated shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimbolt Young, Gerald M. Hubbs, Steve Pickett, Gene McCallister, John Hewitt, Jeffrey W. Zerfas
  • Publication number: 20090299352
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an optical fiber that includes a fiber core with a substantially constant outer diameter of less than or equal to 250 microns extending to a distal end of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is also configured to deliver laser energy up to at least 100 watts to a target area within a patient. The optical fiber is sufficiently flexible such that the optical fiber can be moved between a first configuration in which a distal end portion of the optical fiber is substantially linear and defines a longitudinal axis and a second configuration in which the distal end portion of the optical fiber is moved off its longitudinal axis. The apparatus also includes a steering mechanism coupled to the optical fiber. The steering mechanism is configured to move the optical fiber between its first configuration and its second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Zerfas, Isaac Ostrovsky