Patents by Inventor Kedar Ravindra Belhe
Kedar Ravindra Belhe 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: 8679109Abstract: An electrode catheter and a method for assessing catheter-tissue contact for tissue ablation are disclosed. An exemplary electrode catheter comprises a flexible catheter shaft. At least one piezoelectric sensor is oriented coaxial to the flexible catheter shaft. The at least one piezoelectric sensor is responsive to movement of the flexible catheter shaft by generating electrical signals corresponding to the amount of movement. The system may also include an output device electrically connected to the at least one piezoelectric sensor. The output device receives the electrical signals for dynamically assessing a level of contact between the flexible catheter shaft and a moving tissue. In another exemplary embodiment, the system may be implemented in a hydrodynamic environment.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2006Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Saurav Paul, Chou Thao, Kedar Ravindra Belhe, Reed R. Heimbecher
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Publication number: 20140066926Abstract: An electrode head is disclosed that utilizes electrically conductive or dissipative fabric to exchange electrical energy with tissue. This electrode head may be used for any appropriate application, such as a catheter electrode, a return electrode, or the like. Any appropriate function may be provided by this electrode head, such as tissue ablation, tissue mapping, or providing an electrical ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Saurav Paul, Riki Chou Thao, Hong Cao, Kedar Ravindra Belhe
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Publication number: 20130338663Abstract: An ablation catheter is provided for ablating internal tissue of a patient. The catheter includes a distal end that is adapted to be inserted into a body cavity relative to a desired location therein (e.g., within the heart). An ablation electrode is connected relative to the distal end of the catheter for providing ablation energy to patient tissue. A heat sink is provided that is in thermal contact with the ablation electrode. The heat sink, in addition to being in thermal contact with the ablation electrode, is electrically isolated from the ablation electrode. This allows the heat sink to conduct heat away from the ablation electrode without dissipating electrical energy from the electrode. In this regard, the heat sink may prevent build-up of excess heat within the electrode that may result in blood coagulation and/or tissue charring.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Inventors: Hong Cao, Xiaoping Guo, Yitzhak I. Shai, Michael Yang, Kedar Ravindra Belhe, Saurav Paul, Riki Chou Thao
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Publication number: 20130325035Abstract: A method of navigating a medical device through a body of a patient includes providing a topography of at least a portion of the body, accepting user input defining a navigation path, robotically navigating the medical device to a starting point on the path, and robotically navigating the medical device along the navigation path to an endpoint. Waypoints defining the navigation path may be input on a graphical representation of the topography using a user interface such as a pointing device or touchscreen. The navigation path may also be defined by tracing a substantially continuous path on the graphical representation. A therapy may be administered while robotically navigating the medical device along the navigation path, either forward or in reverse, or while navigating the medical device along a return path defined by a plurality of virtual breadcrumbs generated as the medical device traverses the navigation path.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: St.Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division,Inc.Inventors: John A. Hauck, Jeffrey A. Schweitzer, Kedar Ravindra Belhe
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Patent number: 8528565Abstract: A method of navigating a medical device through a body of a patient includes providing a topography of at least a portion of the body, accepting user input defining a navigation path, robotically navigating the medical device to a starting point on the path, and robotically navigating the medical device along the navigation path to an endpoint. Waypoints defining the navigation path may be input on a graphical representation of the topography using a user interface such as a pointing device or touchscreen. The navigation path may also be defined by tracing a substantially continuous path on the graphical representation. A therapy may be administered while robotically navigating the medical device along the navigation path, either forward or in reverse, or while navigating the medical device along a return path defined by a plurality of virtual breadcrumbs generated as the medical device traverses the navigation path.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: John A. Hauck, Jeffrey A. Schweitzer, Kedar Ravindra Belhe
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Patent number: 8486062Abstract: A curved ablation catheter imparts ablative energy to target tissue, for example, along a trabecular slope, e.g., in the right atrium along the isthmus between the ostium of the inferior vena cava and the tricuspid valve. The catheter is formed with a preset curvature that, when deployed, both translates linearly and increases in radius to aid in the formation of spot or continuous linear lesions. A method of treating atrial flutter employs the curved ablation catheter.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2006Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Kedar Ravindra Belhe, Saurav Paul, Hong Cao, John Avi Roop
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Patent number: 8449537Abstract: An ablation catheter is provided for ablating internal tissue of a patient. The catheter includes a distal end that is adapted to be inserted into a body cavity relative to a desired location therein (e.g., within the heart). An ablation electrode is connected relative to the distal end of the catheter for providing ablation energy to patient tissue. A heat sink is provided that is in thermal contact with the ablation electrode. The heat sink, in addition to being in thermal contact with the ablation electrode, is electrically isolated from the ablation electrode. This allows the heat sink to conduct heat away from the ablation electrode without dissipating electrical energy from the electrode. In this regard, the heat sink may prevent build-up of excess heat within the electrode that may result in blood coagulation and/or tissue charring.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Hong Cao, Xiaoping Guo, Isaac Shai, Michael Yang, Kedar Ravindra Belhe, Saurav Paul, Chou Thao
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Publication number: 20120323237Abstract: An electrode catheter and a method for assessing electrode-tissue contact and coupling are disclosed. An exemplary electrode catheter comprises an electrode adapted to apply electrical energy. A measurement circuit is adapted to measure impedance between the electrode and ground as the electrode approaches a target tissue. A processor determines a contact and coupling condition for the target tissue based at least in part on reactance of the impedance measured by the measurement circuit. In another exemplary embodiment, the electrode catheter determines the contact and coupling condition based at least in part on a phase angle of the impedance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Inventors: Saurav Paul, Hong Cao, Kedar Ravindra Belhe, Chou Thao
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Patent number: 8267926Abstract: An electrode catheter and a method for assessing electrode-tissue contact and coupling are disclosed. An exemplary electrode catheter comprises an electrode adapted to apply electrical energy. A measurement circuit is adapted to measure impedance between the electrode and ground as the electrode approaches a target tissue. A processor determines a contact and coupling condition for the target tissue based at least in part on reactance of the impedance measured by the measurement circuit. In another exemplary embodiment, the electrode catheter determines the contact and coupling condition based at least in part on a phase angle of the impedance.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2006Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Saurav Paul, Hong Cao, Kedar Ravindra Belhe, Chou Thao
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Patent number: 8038625Abstract: An electrophysiology apparatus is used to measure electrical activity occurring in a heart of a patient and to visualize the electrical activity and/or information related to the electrical activity. A three-dimensional map of the electrical activity and/or the information related to the electrical activity is created.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2005Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Valtino X. Afonso, Kedar Ravindra Belhe, Jeffrey A. Schweitzer
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Patent number: 7955326Abstract: The present invention is directed to ablation devices and methods utilizing pressure sensitive conductive composites, such as quantum tunneling composites, or other contact-sensitive, conductive polymers. The materials provide for electrodes and methods capable of differentiating between a soft and a hard push. The present invention thus provides an electrode for delivering selective electrical energy for ablation that may be varied based upon the pressure exerted on the surface area of the targeted tissue.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Saurav Paul, Kedar Ravindra Belhe, Chou Thao, Hong Cao
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Patent number: 7883508Abstract: A catheter assembly for pressure-sensitive control of ablation treatment is disclosed. The assembly includes a conductive element, an electrode, and a pressure sensitive conductive composite member positioned between the conductive element and the electrode. At least one of the conductive pin, the pressure sensitive conductive composite element and the ablation electrode are moveable to create an engagement position and a non-engagement position. In the engagement position, the elements are electrically coupled such that ablation energy may be delivered from the conductive pin to the ablation electrode via the pressure sensitive conductive composite element. In the non-engagement position, the elements are electrically decoupled such that ablation energy is not delivered to the ablation electrode. A related method for pressure-sensitive control of ablation is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Chou Thao, Saurav Paul, Kedar Ravindra Belhe, Hong Cao
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Patent number: 7879030Abstract: Virtual-electrode catheters and methods for using such virtual-electrode catheters are disclosed. For example, bipolar and multipolar, virtual-electrode catheters having at least one internal electrode and at least one surface electrode, and methods of using these catheters for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias via, for example, radiofrequency (RF) ablation are disclosed. The catheters may comprise a catheter body with an internal lumen extending within it and adapted to flowingly receive a conductive fluid. An exit feature defining a flow path from the internal lumen to the catheter's outer surface may exist through a sidewall of the catheter body. A conductor is mounted within the internal lumen adjacent to the exit feature and is adapted to deliver treatment energy to the tissue via the conductive fluid in the internal lumen. At least one surface electrode is mounted on the outer surface of the catheter body adjacent to the exit feature.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2005Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Saurav Paul, Kedar Ravindra Belhe
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Patent number: 7850654Abstract: A vascular closure device including a sheath with one or more orifices therein to detect blood flow, indicating that the sheath has entered an artery and the relative position of the sheath within the artery. Thus, the sheath can be moved and positioned relative to the artery without having to completely extract the sheath from the artery after initial penetration.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2003Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico B.V.Inventors: Kedar Ravindra Belhe, Andrew Thomas Forsberg
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Publication number: 20100241117Abstract: An electrode catheter and a method for assessing electrode-tissue contact and coupling are disclosed. An exemplary electrode catheter comprises an electrode adapted to apply electrical energy. A measurement circuit is adapted to measure impedance between the electrode and ground as the electrode approaches a target tissue. A processor determines a contact and coupling condition for the target tissue based at least in part on reactance of the impedance measured by the measurement circuit. In another exemplary embodiment, the electrode catheter determines the contact and coupling condition based at least in part on a phase angle of the impedance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2006Publication date: September 23, 2010Inventors: Saurav Paul, Kedar Ravindra Belhe, Hong Cao, Chou Thao
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Publication number: 20100228247Abstract: An electrode catheter and a method for assessing electrode-tissue contact and coupling are disclosed. An exemplary electrode catheter comprises an electrode adapted to apply electrical energy. A measurement circuit is adapted to measure impedance between the electrode and ground as the electrode approaches a target tissue. A processor determines a contact and coupling condition for the target tissue based at least in part on reactance of the impedance measured by the measurement circuit. In another exemplary embodiment, the electrode catheter determines the contact and coupling condition based at least in part on a phase angle of the impedance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2006Publication date: September 9, 2010Inventors: Saurav Paul, Kedar Ravindra Belhe, Hong Cao, Chou Thao
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Publication number: 20080300589Abstract: An electrode catheter (14) and a method for assessing electrode-tissue contact and coupling are disclosed. An exemplary electrode catheter (14) comprises an electrode (20) adapted to apply electrical energy. A measurement circuit (42) is adapted to measure impedance between the electrode (20) and ground as the electrode approaches a target tissue (24). A processor (50) determines a contact and coupling condition for the target tissue (24) based at least in part on reactance of the impedance measured by the measurement circuit (42). In another exemplary embodiment, the electrode catheter (14) determines the contact and coupling condition based at least in part on a phase angle of the impedance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2006Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventors: Saurav Paul, Hong Cao, Kedar Ravindra Belhe
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Publication number: 20080281319Abstract: An electrode catheter and a method for assessing electrode-tissue contact and coupling are disclosed. An exemplary electrode catheter comprises an electrode adapted to apply electrical energy. A measurement circuit is adapted to measure impedance between the electrode and ground as the electrode approaches a target tissue. A processor determines a contact and coupling condition for the target tissue based at least in part on reactance of the impedance measured by the measurement circuit. In another exemplary embodiment, the electrode catheter determines the contact and coupling condition based at least in part on a phase angle of the impedance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2006Publication date: November 13, 2008Inventors: Saurav Paul, Hong Cao, Kedar Ravindra Belhe, Chou Thao
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Publication number: 20080275465Abstract: An electrode coupling output system provides indication to the physician, via electrode guidance instrumentation, concerning the electrical coupling of an electrode, such as an ablative or mapping electrode, with a patient. The output can be provided to the physician via an output device incorporated into the handle set of the electrode catheter. For example, a visual, audio or mechanical output can be provided via the handle set. Additionally or alternatively, the output can be provided to the physician via a navigation system. The indication may be provided by changing the color or other display characteristics of the electrode on the navigation system display or by way of providing a waveform indicating the electrode coupling. In this manner, electrode coupling information is provided to a physician in a manner that minimizes physician distraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2006Publication date: November 6, 2008Inventors: Saurav Paul, Kedar Ravindra Belhe, Hong Cao, Chou Thao, James A. Hassett
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Patent number: 7416552Abstract: Multipolar, multi-lumen, virtual-electrode catheters having at least one surface electrode, and methods for treatment (e.g., treatment of cardiac arrhythmias) with such catheters are disclosed. The catheters have at least two internal lumens, and at least one internal, flexible electrode rides in each internal lumen. The flexible electrodes carry treatment energy (e.g., radiofrequency energy). The energy exits the catheters via at least one exit feature (e.g., slots, portholes, or micro-pores). The methods for treatment include operating the catheters in different modes depending upon location and type of treatment to be performed. The treatment energy delivered by one of the internal, flexible electrodes may be directed to the other internal, flexible electrode; or the energy delivered by one or both of the internal, flexible electrodes may be directed to one or more surface electrodes. The delivered energy establishes at least one electric field, and possibly one or more lesions, in the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2005Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Saurav Paul, Kedar Ravindra Belhe