Patents by Inventor John E. Crowe
John E. Crowe 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: 20170133994Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ultrasound transducer is provided. The ultrasound transducer is activated and the activity across the transducer is measured to determine whether the activity at any area does not meet an acceptance criteria. The transducer is then modified so that the area meets the acceptance criteria. The transducer may be modified with a laser which removes material from the area which does not meet the acceptance criteria.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2016Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: John W. Sliwa, Jonathan L. Podmore, Chris Bagley, John E. Crowe, Michael Holzbaur, Derek Hillstrom, Steve Schellenberg, John P. Goetz, Stephen A. Morse
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Patent number: 9445211Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ultrasound transducer is provided. The ultrasound transducer is activated and the activity across the transducer is measured to determine whether the activity at any area does not meet an acceptance criteria. The transducer is then modified so that the area meets the acceptance criteria. The transducer may be modified with a laser which removes material from the area which does not meet the acceptance criteria.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2005Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Jack Sliwa, Jonathan L. Podmore, Chris Bagley, John E. Crowe, Michael Holzbaur, Derek Hillstrom, Steve Schellenberg, Peter Goetz, Stephen A. Morse
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Patent number: 9055959Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2007Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Stephen W. Boyd, Hanson S. Gifford, James L. Cox, Jonathan L. Podmore, John E. Crowe, Michael C Holzbaur, Timothy E. Ciciarelli, Drew Hoffmann, Casey Tansey, John W. Sliwa, Scott C. Anderson
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Publication number: 20140135664Abstract: An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a base adapted to be held between a patient's upper and lower teeth and a tongue-engaging member. The tongue-engaging member engages the tongue and displaces the tongue anteriorly when the base is held between the patient's teeth. A vacuum is applied through the base and the tongue-engaging member in order to draw the soft palate against a posterior region of the tongue in order to stabilize the soft palate and open or clear the patient's airway.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: ApniCure, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan L. Podmore, Matthias Vaska, John E. Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
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Patent number: 8667970Abstract: An oral device for improving airway patency includes a base adapted to be held between a patient's upper and lower teeth and a tongue-engaging member. The tongue-engaging member engages the tongue and displaces the tongue anteriorly when the base is held between the patient's teeth. A vacuum is applied through the base and the tongue-engaging member in order to draw the soft palate against a posterior region of the tongue in order to stabilize the soft palate and open or clear the patient's airway.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Apnicure, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan L. Podmore, Matthias Vaska, John E. Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
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Patent number: 8641707Abstract: Medical devices using fluid or cooling fluids having one or more bimaterial valves positioned at each point of flow control to control the flow of a fluid in response to temperature changes. In particular, devices for ablating tissue having multiple ablation elements or cells include one or more bimaterial valves positioned within or near the ablation cells. The bimaterial valves respond to temperature changes by adjusting the flow rate of a fluid through the valve.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: John E. Crowe, John W. Sliwa
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Patent number: 8573223Abstract: An oral device for improving airway patency having a base adapted to be held between a patient's upper and lower teeth and a tongue-engaging member. The tongue-engaging member engages the tongue and displaces the tongue anteriorly when the base is held between the patient's teeth. A vacuum is applied through the base and the tongue-engaging member in order to draw the soft palate against a posterior region of the tongue in order to stabilize the soft palate and open or clear the patient's airway.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2010Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Apnicure, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan L. Podmore, Matthias Vaska, John E. Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
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Publication number: 20130213409Abstract: An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a base adapted to be held between a patient's upper and lower teeth and a tongue-engaging member. The tongue-engaging member engages the tongue and displaces the tongue anteriorly when the base is held between the patient's teeth. A vacuum is applied through the base and the tongue-engaging member in order to draw the soft palate against a posterior region of the tongue in order to stabilize the soft palate and open or clear the patient's airway.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2013Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: ApniCure, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan L. Podmore, Matthias Vaska, John E. Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
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Publication number: 20120271334Abstract: A control system alters one or more characteristics of an ablating element to ablate tissue. In one aspect, the control system delivers energy nearer to the surface of the tissue by changing the frequency or power. In another aspect, the ablating element delivers focused ultrasound which is focused in at least one dimension. The ablating device may also have a number of ablating elements with different characteristics such as focal length.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Inventors: Benjamin Pless, Scott C. Anderson, Jonathan L. Podmore, Matthias Vaska, John E. Crowe, Roxanne L. Richman, Timothy Ciciarelli, David A. Gallup, Jack E. Ulstad, JR.
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Patent number: 8273083Abstract: A carrier for an ablation element is provided. The carrier includes a plurality of walls defining a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of an ablation element. A plurality of connection formations are disposed on an exterior surface of least one of the plurality of walls. Each of the plurality of connection formations is disposed at a different vertical position of the carrier. A device for epicardial ablation is also provided. The device includes a plurality of carriers disposed adjacent to each other. Each carrier includes a plurality of walls defining a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of an ablation element. A plurality of connection formations are disposed on an exterior surface of at least one of the plurality of walls of each carrier. Each of the plurality of connection formations is disposed at a different vertical position of a carrier.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Andrew M. Radin, Thomas B. Eby, Vera S. Boudtchenka, Jennifer Teng, John P. Goetz, John E. Crowe
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Patent number: 8211096Abstract: A control system alters one or more characteristics of an ablating element to ablate tissue. In one aspect, the control system delivers energy nearer to the surface of the tissue by changing the frequency or power. In another aspect, the ablating element delivers focused ultrasound which is focused in at least one dimension. The ablating device may also have a number of ablating elements with different characteristics such as focal length. The invention provides an ablation apparatus and methods for ablating tissue wherein the ablation apparatus may have ablating elements that are moveable relative to the tissue to be ablated without the need to relocate the apparatus as a whole.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2007Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Pless, Scott C. Anderson, Jonathan L. Podmore, Matthias Vaska, John E. Crowe, Roxanne L. Richman, Timothy Ciciarelli, David A. Gallup, Jack E. Ulstad, Jr.
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Patent number: 8114069Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2005Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: John W. Sliwa, Jr., Matthias Vaska, Jonathan L. Podmore, Roxanne L. Richman, Scott C. Anderson, Gerard Champsaur, John E. Crowe
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Publication number: 20120017917Abstract: An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a base adapted to be held between a patient's upper and lower teeth and a tongue-engaging member. The tongue-engaging member engages the tongue and displaces the tongue anteriorly when the base is held between the patient's teeth. A vacuum is applied through the base and the tongue-engaging member in order to draw the soft palate against a posterior region of the tongue in order to stabilize the soft palate and open or clear the patient's airway.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2010Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: ApniCure, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan L. Podmore, Matthias Vaska, John E. Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
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Patent number: 8057465Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: John W. Sliwa, Jr., Matthias Vaska, Jonathan L. Podmore, Roxanne L. Richman, Scott C. Anderson, Gerard Champsaur, John E. Crowe
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Patent number: 7857811Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2006Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Matthias Vaska, John E. Crowe, Gary Henry Miller, Jonathan L. Podmore, Gerard Champsaur, Drew Hoffman, Casey Tansey
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Patent number: 7824403Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2006Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Matthias Vaska, John E. Crowe, Gary Henry Miller, Jonathan L. Podmore, Gerard Champsaur, Drew Hoffman, Casey Tansey
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Patent number: 7824402Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2006Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Matthias Vaska, John E. Crowe, Gary Henry Miller, Jonathan L. Podmore, Gerard Champsaur, Drew Hoffman, Casey Tansey
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Patent number: 7674257Abstract: A control system alters one or more characteristics of an ablating element to ablate tissue. In one aspect, the control system delivers energy nearer to the surface of the tissue by changing the frequency or power. In another aspect, the ablating element delivers focused ultrasound which is focused in at least one dimension. The ablating device may also have a number of ablating elements with different characteristics such as focal length.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2004Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Pless, Scott C. Anderson, Jonathan L. Podmore, Matthias Vaska, John E. Crowe, Roxanne L. Richman, Timothy Ciciarelli, David A. Gallup, Jack E. Ulstad, Jr.
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Publication number: 20090163914Abstract: A carrier for an ablation element is provided. The carrier includes a plurality of walls defining a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of an ablation element. A plurality of connection formations are disposed on an exterior surface of least one of the plurality of walls. Each of the plurality of connection formations is disposed at a different vertical position of the carrier. A device for epicardial ablation is also provided. The device includes a plurality of carriers disposed adjacent to each other. Each carrier includes a plurality of walls defining a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of an ablation element. A plurality of connection formations are disposed on an exterior surface of at least one of the plurality of walls of each carrier. Each of the plurality of connection formations is disposed at a different vertical position of a carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2007Publication date: June 25, 2009Inventors: Andrew M. Radin, Thamas B. Eby, Vera S. Boudtchenko, Jennifer Teng, John P. Goetz, John E. Crowe
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Publication number: 20080161743Abstract: An ablating device having one or more piezoelectric micropumps for delivering a flowable material to a target tissue. The device may be coupled to a controller configured to monitor tissue temperature, ablation element temperature, transducer impedance and/or degree of contact between the ablation elements and a tissue and to adjust the flow rate of the flowable material in response to changes in temperature, transducer impedance and/or degree of contact between the ablation elements and the tissue. Methods of ablating tissue using devices of the present invention are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2006Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventor: John E. Crowe