Patents by Inventor Kobi Iki

Kobi Iki 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: 20120010613
    Abstract: A method and apparatus include determining a value of a parameter associated with operation of an electrosurgical probe having a particular probe design, and determining whether the value of the parameter is within a range of values that has been predetermined for the particular probe design to indicate that the probe is treating tissue in a desired manner. Power is delivered to the probe according to an algorithm based upon a determination that the value of the parameter is outside the range of values The algorithm delivers power in a pulsed profile including portions of low power and portions of high power. In one embodiment, the tissue treatment is ablation, the parameter is impedance, and the method limits tissue necrosis to less than 200 microns. In another embodiment, the tissue treatment is shrinkage, the parameter is temperature, and the method limits power delivery when the probe is not shrinking tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas M. Lorang, Mathew E. Mitchell, Karen Drucker, Kobi Iki
  • Patent number: 8066700
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a shaft, a flexible portion, and a head coupled to the shaft through the flexible portion and pivotably coupled to the flexible portion. The head includes a non-conductive surface and an electrically conductive surface. The flexible portion is configured to bias the non-conductive surface and the electrically conductive surface towards a tissue surface, such as cartilage. The non-conductive surface may include a material having a thermal conductivity less than or equal to about 30 W/m*K and/or a volume resistivity greater than or equal to about 1×1014 ohm*cm. The non-conductive surface may include a ceramic such as Macor® ceramic, ZTA ceramic, and/or 99.5% alumina ceramic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Kobi Iki, William M. Ambrisco, Douglas M. Lorang, Alan P. Gannon, Richard M. Ranalli, Mathew E. Mitchell, Marie Meyer, Mark Markel, Yan Lu, Ryland B. Edwards, III
  • Patent number: 8052675
    Abstract: A method and apparatus include determining a value of a parameter associated with operation of an electrosurgical probe having a particular probe design, and determining whether the value of the parameter is within a range of values that has been predetermined for the particular probe design to indicate that the probe is treating tissue in a desired manner. Power is delivered to the probe according to an algorithm based upon a determination that the value of the parameter is outside the range of values The algorithm delivers power in a pulsed profile including portions of low power and portions of high power. In one embodiment, the tissue treatment is ablation, the parameter is impedance, and the method limits tissue necrosis to less than 200 microns. In another embodiment, the tissue treatment is shrinkage, the parameter is temperature, and the method limits power delivery when the probe is not shrinking tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas M. Lorang, Mathew E. Mitchell, Karen Drucker, Kobi Iki
  • Publication number: 20110230879
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for ablating cartilage while limiting collateral damage includes a non-conducting head with a small electrically conductive surface. The head of the instrument is coupled to a shaft by a flexible portion. The flexible portion biases the electrically conductive surface towards a tissue surface. The head is pivotably coupled to the shaft such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface as the head slides across the tissue surface. A method of performing electrosurgery includes positioning the electrically conductive surface adjacent to the tissue surface, and sliding the shaft across the tissue surface with the head pivoting such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
    Inventors: Kobi Iki, William M. Ambrisco, Douglas M. Lorang, Alan P. Gannon, Richard M. Ranalli, Mathew E. Mitchell, Mark Markel, Ryland B. Edwards, III
  • Patent number: 7951142
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for ablating cartilage while limiting collateral damage includes a non-conducting head with a small electrically conductive surface. The head of the instrument is coupled to a shaft by a flexible portion. The flexible portion biases the electrically conductive surface towards a tissue surface. The head is pivotably coupled to the shaft such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface as the head slides across the tissue surface. A method of performing electrosurgery includes positioning the electrically conductive surface adjacent to the tissue surface, and sliding the shaft across the tissue surface with the head pivoting such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Kobi Iki, William M. Ambrisco, Douglas M. Lorang, Alan P. Gannon, Richard M. Ranalli, Mathew E. Mitchell, Mark Markel, Ryland B. Edwards, III
  • Publication number: 20100121317
    Abstract: A method and apparatus include determining a value of a parameter associated with operation of an electrosurgical probe having a particular probe design, and determining whether the value of the parameter is within a range of values that has been predetermined for the particular probe design to indicate that the probe is treating tissue in a desired manner. Power is delivered to the probe according to an algorithm based upon a determination that the value of the parameter is outside the range of values The algorithm delivers power in a pulsed profile including portions of low power and portions of high power. In one embodiment, the tissue treatment is ablation, the parameter is impedance, and the method limits tissue necrosis to less than 200 microns. In another embodiment, the tissue treatment is shrinkage, the parameter is temperature, and the method limits power delivery when the probe is not shrinking tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas M. Lorang, Mathew E. Mitchell, Karen Drucker, Kobi Iki
  • Patent number: 7655003
    Abstract: A method and apparatus include determining a value of a parameter associated with operation of an electrosurgical probe having a particular probe design, and determining whether the value of the parameter is within a range of values that has been predetermined for the particular probe design to indicate that the probe is treating tissue in a desired manner. Power is delivered to the probe according to an algorithm based upon a determination that the value of the parameter is outside the range of values The algorithm delivers power in a pulsed profile including portions of low power and portions of high power. In one embodiment, the tissue treatment is ablation, the parameter is impedance, and the method limits tissue necrosis to less than 200 microns. In another embodiment, the tissue treatment is shrinkage, the parameter is temperature, and the method limits power delivery when the probe is not shrinking tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas M. Lorang, Mathew E. Mitchell, Karen Drucker, Kobi Iki
  • Publication number: 20090118777
    Abstract: Methods and devices providing for bilateral stimulation of left and right splanchnic nerves. Some embodiments of the method increase satiety, reduce appetite, affect gastric motility, and/or reduce food intake, resulting in weight loss. Some methods provided take advantage of anatomy, physiology, and natural body time periods to change stimulation locations and patterns to prevent the body from ignoring the administered stimulation signals in order to continue to induce weight loss over long time periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Kobi IKI, John D. DOBAK, Hans NEISZ
  • Publication number: 20060293649
    Abstract: A method and apparatus include determining a value of a parameter associated with operation of an electrosurgical probe having a particular probe design, and determining whether the value of the parameter is within a range of values that has been predetermined for the particular probe design to indicate that the probe is treating tissue in a desired manner. Power is delivered to the probe according to an algorithm based upon a determination that the value of the parameter is outside the range of values The algorithm delivers power in a pulsed profile including portions of low power and portions of high power. In one embodiment, the tissue treatment is ablation, the parameter is impedance, and the method limits tissue necrosis to less than 200 microns. In another embodiment, the tissue treatment is shrinkage, the parameter is temperature, and the method limits power delivery when the probe is not shrinking tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Douglas Lorang, Mathew Mitchell, Karen Drucker, Kobi Iki
  • Publication number: 20060246210
    Abstract: A stent, having openings, is mounted onto a mandrel. An agent-containing film is applied onto the stent and the two are pressed against one another so that at least a portion of the film is pressed at least partially into the openings. The film is adhered to the stent. Any excess film is removed to create a stent/film combination which is removed from the mandrel and enclosed within a sleeve of porous material to create a covered agent-eluting stent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Applicant: VASCULAR ARCHITECTS INC., a Delaware Corporation
    Inventors: Kobi Iki, Marshall Tsuruda, Teodoro Tecson, Angelica Alvarado, Jasbir Badesha
  • Patent number: 7063720
    Abstract: A covered stent includes a generally tubular stent body having inner and outer stent body surfaces. A sleeve of porous material encloses the stent body and has inner and outer portions opposed to the inner and outer stent body surfaces. A therapeutic agent is located along the stent body, the agent being diffusible through the material. A diffusion barrier is located between the inner material portion and the agent along the stent. The diffusion barrier prevents passage of at least a significant amount the agent through the inner portion of the sleeve of porous material. A diffusion restrictor is located between the outer portion of the sleeve of porous material and the agent along the stent. The diffusion restrictor permits passage of the agent through the inner material portion at a therapeutic level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: The Wallace Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kobi Iki, Marshall Tsuruda
  • Publication number: 20060058870
    Abstract: A covered stent includes a generally tubular stent body having inner and outer stent body surfaces. A sleeve of porous material encloses the stent body and has inner and outer portions opposed to the inner and outer stent body surfaces. A therapeutic agent is located along the stent body, the agent being diffusible through the material. A diffusion barrier is located between the inner material portion and the agent along the stent. The diffusion barrier prevents passage of at least a significant amount the agent through the inner portion of the sleeve of porous material. A diffusion restrictor is located between the outer portion of the sleeve of porous material and the agent along the stent. The diffusion restrictor permits passage of the agent through the inner material portion at a therapeutic level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Applicant: VASCULAR ARCHITECTS, INC., a Delaware Corporation
    Inventors: Kobi Iki, Marshall Tsuruda
  • Publication number: 20050245925
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a shaft, a flexible portion, and a head coupled to the shaft through the flexible portion and pivotably coupled to the flexible portion. The head includes a non-conductive surface and an electrically conductive surface. The flexible portion is configured to bias the non-conductive surface and the electrically conductive surface towards a tissue surface, such as cartilage. The non-conductive surface may include a material having a thermal conductivity less than or equal to about 30 W/m*K and/or a volume resistivity greater than or equal to about 1×1014 ohm*cm. The non-conductive surface may include a ceramic such as Macor® ceramic, ZTA ceramic, and/or 99.5% alumina ceramic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: Kobi Iki, William Ambrisco, Douglas Lorang, Alan Gannon, Richard Ranalli, Mathew Mitchell, Marie Meyer, Mark Markel, Yan Lu, Ryland Edwards
  • Publication number: 20040254571
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for ablating cartilage while limiting collateral damage includes a non-conducting head with a small electrically conductive surface. The head of the instrument is coupled to a shaft by a flexible portion. The flexible portion biases the electrically conductive surface towards a tissue surface. The head is pivotably coupled to the shaft such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface as the head slides across the tissue surface. A method of performing electrosurgery includes positioning the electrically conductive surface adjacent to the tissue surface, and sliding the shaft across the tissue surface with the head pivoting such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Kobi Iki, William M. Ambrisco, Douglas M. Lorang, Alan P. Gannon, Richard M. Ranalli, Mathew E. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6757565
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided, having a holding formation, an elongated probe, an electrode, and a conductor. The elongated probe is connected to and extends from the holding formation. The electrode is located on an end of the elongated probe opposing the holding formation, and has a leading edge and a face. The electrode is locatable so that the face is substantially in a horizontal plane and the leading edge is above the horizontal plane. The conductor extends along the elongated probe and has a portion connected to the electrode to provide RF power thereto. The electrode creates a temperature profile with a temperature adjacent to the leading edge being higher than a temperature adjacent to the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Oratec Interventions, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh R. Sharkey, John E. Ashley, Kobi Iki
  • Publication number: 20030153906
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided, having a holding formation, an elongated probe, an electrode, and a conductor. The elongated probe is connected to and extends from the holding formation. The electrode is located on an end of the elongated probe opposing the holding formation, and has a leading edge and a face. The electrode is locatable so that the face is substantially in a horizontal plane and the leading edge is above the horizontal plane. The conductor extends along the elongated probe and has a portion connected to the electrode to provide RF power thereto. The electrode creates a temperature profile with a temperature adjacent to the leading edge being higher than a temperature adjacent to the face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Hugh R. Sharkey, John E. Ashley, Kobi Iki