Patents by Inventor Kathleen Fernald
Kathleen Fernald 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: 9814519Abstract: A tissue ablation probe comprises an electrically conductive probe shaft, at least one electrode, and an electrically insulative sheath disposed on the probe shaft. The insulative sheath has thickened regions forming alternating ribs and depressions that longitudinally extend along the probe shaft. The ribs allow the ablation probe to be delivered through a tightly toleranced delivery device. While the ribs may shear off during the delivery process, the underlying probe shaft will remain covered by the remaining portion of the insulative sheath. The tissue ablation probe may be used in a tissue ablation assembly that additionally comprises a delivery cannula having a lumen in which the tissue ablation probe may be removably disposed. In this case, the sheath has an outer periphery having a size substantially the same as the diameter of the lumen, so that the inner surface of the delivery cannula cooperates with the depressions to create lumens that longitudinally extend within the cannula.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2006Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Kathleen Fernald, Robert F. Rioux
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Publication number: 20170027632Abstract: Tissue ablation probes and methods of using tissue ablation probes are provided. Each tissue ablation probe comprises an electrically conductive probe shaft, at least one tissue ablation electrode carried by a distal end of the probe shaft, and one or both of an insulative element and an echogenic element. The insulative element and/or the echogenic element may, e.g., be affixed to, or selectively removable from, the probe shaft to increase the insulative capability and echogenicity of the probe. An echogenic sheath having the insulative element and/or the echogenic element may be slidably disposed over the probe shaft to impart insulative and echogenic properties to the probe shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventor: Kathleen Fernald
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Patent number: 9498282Abstract: Tissue ablation probes and methods of using tissue ablation probes are provided. Each tissue ablation probe comprises an electrically conductive probe shaft, at least one tissue ablation electrode carried by a distal end of the probe shaft, and one or both of an insulative element and an echogenic element. The insulative element and/or the echogenic element may, e.g., be affixed to, or selectively removable from, the probe shaft to increase the insulative capability and echogenicity of the probe. An echogenic sheath having the insulative element and/or the echogenic element may be slidably disposed over the probe shaft to impart insulative and echogenic properties to the probe shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2008Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventor: Kathleen Fernald
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Patent number: 8906017Abstract: A combination tissue coagulation and cutting apparatus, system and method for coagulating and cutting tissue. A clamp element includes first and second clamp members having respective first and second porous electrodes, such as sintered metal electrodes. A portion of tissue, such as a blood vessel, is held between the porous electrodes, and fluid from a fluid source can pass through the porous electrodes. The tissue portion can be coagulated when electrical current is applied to the first and second porous electrodes, and an adjustable cutting element that is associated with the clamp members is positioned to cut a segment or all of the coagulated tissue portion. In this manner, the same surgical instrument is used to coagulate and cut tissue.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2008Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Rioux, Kathleen Fernald, Devon Berman
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Patent number: 8216232Abstract: Tissue ablation probes are provided. Each tissue ablation probe comprises an electrically conductive probe shaft, at least one tissue ablation electrode carried by a distal end of the probe shaft, and an electrically insulative outer sheath disposed on the probe shaft. The sheath is at least partially composed of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and another material comprising condensed-phase particles interspersed throughout the PEEK to increase the echogenicity of the outer sheath. The durability of the PEEK allows the sheath to be formed as thinly as possible, thereby minimizing the diameter of the ablation probe, while the inclusion of condensed-phase particles within the PEEK does not significantly degrade the durability of the sheath.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Kathleen Fernald, Robert F. Rioux
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Publication number: 20120116385Abstract: Tissue ablation probes are provided. Each tissue ablation probe comprises an electrically conductive probe shaft, at least one tissue ablation electrode carried by a distal end of the probe shaft, and an electrically insulative outer sheath disposed on the probe shaft. The sheath is at least partially composed of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and another material comprising condensed-phase particles interspersed throughout the PEEK to increase the echogenicity of the outer sheath. The durability of the PEEK allows the sheath to be formed as thinly as possible, thereby minimizing the diameter of the ablation probe, while the inclusion of condensed-phase particles within the PEEK does not significantly degrade the durability of the sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2012Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.Inventors: Kathleen Fernald, Robert F. Rioux
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Patent number: 8100901Abstract: Tissue ablation probes are provided. Each tissue ablation probe comprises an electrically conductive probe shaft, at least one tissue ablation electrode carried by a distal end of the probe shaft, and an electrically insulative outer sheath disposed on the probe shaft. The sheath is at least partially composed of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and another material comprising condensed-phase particles interspersed throughout the PEEK to increase the echogenicity of the outer sheath. The durability of the PEEK allows the sheath to be formed as thinly as possible, thereby minimizing the diameter of the ablation probe, while the inclusion of condensed-phase particles within the PEEK does not significantly degrade the durability of the sheath.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2010Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Kathleen Fernald, Robert F. Rioux
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Publication number: 20110009862Abstract: Tissue ablation probes are provided. Each tissue ablation probe comprises an electrically conductive probe shaft, at least one tissue ablation electrode carried by a distal end of the probe shaft, and an electrically insulative outer sheath disposed on the probe shaft. The sheath is at least partially composed of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and another material comprising condensed-phase particles interspersed throughout the PEEK to increase the echogenicity of the outer sheath. The durability of the PEEK allows the sheath to be formed as thinly as possible, thereby minimizing the diameter of the ablation probe, while the inclusion of condensed-phase particles within the PEEK does not significantly degrade the durability of the sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2010Publication date: January 13, 2011Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.Inventors: Kathleen Fernald, Robert F. Rioux
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Patent number: 7799022Abstract: Tissue ablation probes are provided. Each tissue ablation probe comprises an electrically conductive probe shaft, at least one tissue ablation electrode carried by a distal end of the probe shaft, and an electrically insulative outer sheath disposed on the probe shaft. The sheath is at least partially composed of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and another material comprising condensed-phase particles interspersed throughout the PEEK to increase the echogenicity of the outer sheath. The durability of the PEEK allows the sheath to be formed as thinly as possible, thereby minimizing the diameter of the ablation probe, while the inclusion of condensed-phase particles within the PEEK does not significantly degrade the durability of the sheath.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2006Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Kathleen Fernald, Robert F. Rioux
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Publication number: 20090247986Abstract: A bypass for power injection includes (a) a housing defining a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end coupled to a catheter; (b) a membrane valve mounted within the lumen, the membrane valve having an opening extending therethrough sized to tightly receive therethrough and seal around a power injection device; and (c) a flapper valve extending across the lumen distally of the membrane valve. The flapper valve includes a flap biased toward a closed position in which the lumen is sealed. The flap is rotatable away from the closed position when contacted by a power injection device to permit the device to extend therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Inventors: Robert F. Rioux, Kathleen Fernald-Kane, David Sauvageau
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Publication number: 20090005774Abstract: Tissue ablation probes and methods of using tissue ablation probes are provided. Each tissue ablation probe comprises an electrically conductive probe shaft, at least one tissue ablation electrode carried by a distal end of the probe shaft, and one or both of an insulative element and an echogenic element. The insulative element and/or the echogenic element may, e.g., be affixed to, or selectively removable from, the probe shaft to increase the insulative capability and echogenicity of the probe. An echogenic sheath having the insulative element and/or the echogenic element may be slidably disposed over the probe shaft to impart insulative and echogenic properties to the probe shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2008Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.Inventor: Kathleen Fernald
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Publication number: 20080009852Abstract: Tissue ablation probes are provided. Each tissue ablation probe comprises an electrically conductive probe shaft, at least one tissue ablation electrode carried by a distal end of the probe shaft, and an electrically insulative outer sheath disposed on the probe shaft. The sheath is at least partially composed of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and another material comprising condensed-phase particles interspersed throughout the PEEK to increase the echogenicity of the outer sheath. The durability of the PEEK allows the sheath to be formed as thinly as possible, thereby minimizing the diameter of the ablation probe, while the inclusion of condensed-phase particles within the PEEK does not significantly degrade the durability of the sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2006Publication date: January 10, 2008Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Kathleen Fernald, Robert F. Rioux
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Publication number: 20070250053Abstract: A tissue ablation probe comprises an electrically conductive probe shaft, at least one electrode, and an electrically insulative sheath disposed on the probe shaft. The insulative sheath has thickened regions forming alternating ribs and depressions that longitudinally extend along the probe shaft. The ribs allow the ablation probe to be delivered through a tightly toleranced delivery device. While the ribs may shear off during the delivery process, the underlying probe shaft will remain covered by the remaining portion of the insulative sheath. The tissue ablation probe may be used in a tissue ablation assembly that additionally comprises a delivery cannula having a lumen in which the tissue ablation probe may be removably disposed. In this case, the sheath has an outer periphery having a size substantially the same as the diameter of the lumen, so that the inner surface of the delivery cannula cooperates with the depressions to create lumens that longitudinally extend within the cannula.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2006Publication date: October 25, 2007Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Kathleen Fernald, Robert Rioux
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Publication number: 20070100331Abstract: A system for treating organ tissue includes a source of electrical energy, a first electrode coupled to the energy source, the first electrode having a surface configured for electrically coupling with a surface of an organ, and a second electrode coupled to the energy source, the second electrode having a tissue-piercing distal tip configured for piercing the organ such that the second electrode electrically couples with internal tissue of the organ. A system for treating organ tissue includes a source of electrical energy, a first electrode coupled to the energy source and having a surface configured for electrically coupling with a surface of an organ at a first position, and a second electrode coupled to the energy source and having a surface configured for electrically coupling with the surface of the organ at a second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2005Publication date: May 3, 2007Inventors: Kimbolt Young, Kathleen Fernald