Patents by Inventor Lucien A. Couvillon
Lucien A. Couvillon 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: 20220233055Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2022Publication date: July 28, 2022Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. BANIK, Dennis R. BOULAIS, Lucien A. COUVILLON, Albert C.C. CHIN, Ian W. HUNTER
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Patent number: 11324395Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Banik, Dennis R. Boulais, Lucien A. Couvillon, Albert C. C. Chin, Ian W. Hunter
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Publication number: 20210076905Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. BANIK, Dennis R. BOULAIS, Lucien A. COUVILLON, Albert C.C. CHIN, Ian W. HUNTER
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Publication number: 20200359874Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. BANIK, Dennis R. BOULAIS, Lucien A. COUVILLON, Albert C.C. CHIN, Ian W. HUNTER
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Patent number: 10765307Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Banik, Dennis R. Boulais, Lucien A. Couvillon, Albert C. C. Chin, Ian W. Hunter
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Publication number: 20190261830Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. BANIK, Dennis R. BOULAIS, Lucien A. COUVILLON, Albert C.C. CHIN, Ian W. HUNTER
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Publication number: 20180168432Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2018Publication date: June 21, 2018Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Banik, Dennis R. Boulais, Lucien A. Couvillon, Albert C.C. Chin, Ian W. Hunter
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Patent number: 9913573Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2013Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Banik, Dennis R. Boulais, Lucien A. Couvillon, Albert C. C. Chin, Ian W. Hunter
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Publication number: 20150216396Abstract: A video endoscope system includes a reusable control cabinet and an endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope may be used with a single patient and then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor, and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. An articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the actuators in the control cabinet or actuators in a control handle of the endoscope. Fluidics, electrical, navigation, image, display and data entry controls are integrated into the system along with other accessories.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2015Publication date: August 6, 2015Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. BANIK, Lucien A. COUVILLON, Dennis R. BOULAIS, Richard M. WIESMAN, Timothy J. MASON, Neil R. MEHTA
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Patent number: 8888684Abstract: A medical device, for example, an endoscope or catheter, includes local drug delivery capabilities for selectively delivering at least one drug in vivo. The local drug delivery may occur as the medical device is advanced through tortuous passageways of the patient's body or may occur after the medical device has reached its targeted destination. The medical device includes a drug agent, for example, carried in or on a hydrophilic or hydrogel coating disposed on the outside thereof. When the hydrogel or drug agent receives an appropriate signal, e.g., solution containing a triggering agent or triggering condition, e.g., heat or light, the hydrogel contracts or expands to squeeze out the drug from hydrogel. If electric current is provided as the signal, and the drug agent is charged, the drug agent is released by electrophoretic forces.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2006Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Lucien A. Couvillon, Jr., Michael S. Banik, Samuel Sheng-Ping Zhong
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Publication number: 20140088358Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. BANIK, Dennis R. BOULAIS, Lucien A. COUVILLON, Albert C.C. CHIN, Ian W. HUNTER
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Publication number: 20140073852Abstract: A video endoscope system includes a reusable control cabinet and an endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope may be used with a single patient and then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor, and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. An articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the actuators in the control cabinet or actuators in a control handle of the endoscope. Fluidics, electrical, navigation, image, display and data entry controls are integrated into the system along with other accessories.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. BANIK, Lucien A. COUVILLON, Dennis R. BOULAIS, Richard M. WIESMAN, Timothy J. MASON, Neil R. MEHTA
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Patent number: 8353860Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a system for preparing a patient for an endoscopy procedure, such as a colonoscopy. The endoscopic preparation and examination system includes an endoscope, a source of irrigation and aspiration, and a control unit. The endoscope includes an elongated flexible shaft with a distal tip and a proximal end, at least one aspiration lumen and at least one irrigation lumen. A plurality of irrigation ports are functionally connected to the at least one irrigation lumen and a plurality of aspiration ports are functionally connected to the at least one aspiration lumen. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of clearing an obstructed view in a patient prior to, or during an endoscopic examination.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Dennis R Boulais, Michael S Banik, Vincent Turturro, Christopher Rowland, David W Hoffman, John P O'Connor, Lucien A Couvillon, Jr., Mark L Adams, William J Shaw, Donald C Hovey, Luis J Maseda, Laurence D Brenner
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Patent number: 7491185Abstract: The present invention provides an exterior counterpulsation (ECP) system that includes a garment for being worn on the exterior of a patient's body. The garment includes electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators connected thereto. In one embodiment, the EAP actuators are woven into the garment. In another embodiment, they are mounted to the garment surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2003Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventor: Lucien A. Couvillon, Jr.
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Publication number: 20080103362Abstract: A system and method for providing programmable brake control in a fly-by-wire medical instrument system are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides a brake control system that includes a brake control algorithm that provides temporal and spatial control of the motion of a medical instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2007Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventor: Lucien Couvillon
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Publication number: 20080076967Abstract: A system, device and method for serializing and authorizing a single use imaging device are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides a single use imaging device comprising a memory having a stored code that includes a unique serial identifier. In another embodiment, the invention provides a system for authorizing a single use imaging device comprising a single use imaging device with an image of a verification object that includes a serial identifier uniquely associated with the device, a control unit capable of electronically receiving the verification object image, a decoder capable of extracting a serial identifier from the verification object image, a database of authorized serial identifiers, and means for determining if the single use imaging device is authorized.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2007Publication date: March 27, 2008Inventor: Lucien Couvillon
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Publication number: 20070225564Abstract: A medical device, for example, an endoscope or catheter, includes local drug delivery capabilities for selectively delivering at least one drug in vivo. The local drug delivery may occur as the medical device is advanced through tortuous passageways of the patient's body or may occur after the medical device has reached its targeted destination. The medical device includes a drug agent, for example, carried in or on a hydrophilic or hydrogel coating disposed on the outside thereof. When the hydrogel or drug agent receives an appropriate signal, e.g., solution containing a triggering agent or triggering condition, e.g., heat or light, the hydrogel contracts or expands to squeeze out the drug from hydrogel. If electric current is provided as the signal, and the drug agent is charged, the drug agent is released by electrophoretic forces.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2006Publication date: September 27, 2007Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Lucien Couvillon, Michael Banik, (Samuel) Zhong
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Publication number: 20070167683Abstract: The system 10 includes an endoscopic probe 20 and an expired air sampling device 24 functionally connected to a control console 28. In use, the endoscopic probe 20 is routed through a body lumen of a patient to, for example, visualize a selected region of a patient's body. As the endoscopic probe 20 is routed through the body lumens, the expired air sampling device 24 collects expired air from the patient, generates signals indicative of patient respiratory status, and outputs the generated signals to the control console 28. The control console 28 processes the signals and monitors the respiratory status of the patient. If the respiratory status of the patient changes based on the processed signals of the expired air sampling device 24, the control console 28 may output an audible or visual alert signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2006Publication date: July 19, 2007Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventor: Lucien Couvillon
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Publication number: 20070038114Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging catheter apparatus and a method of using the same to scan the inner wall of a body lumen. The ultrasonic imaging catheter apparatus comprises: (a) a flexible elongate element adapted for insertion into a body lumen, the elongate element having distal and proximal ends; (b) an ultrasonic transducer generating and detecting ultrasonic energy disposed proximate the distal end of the elongate element; (c) a reflective member disposed proximate the ultrasonic transducer and optionally rotatable with respect to an axis of the body lumen, wherein the reflective member is adapted to reflect (i) ultrasonic energy generated by the ultrasonic transducer to a wall of the body lumen and (ii) ultrasonic energy reflected by the wall back to the transducer; and (d) an actuator, for example, an electroactive polymer actuator, adapted to change the angle of incidence of the ultrasonic energy relative to the reflective member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2006Publication date: February 15, 2007Inventor: Lucien Couvillon
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Publication number: 20060293563Abstract: An endoscope apparatus and method of operating the same. The endoscope apparatus comprises an endoscope portion and a control and display unit. The endoscope portion preferably comprises: (i) a sensor disposed at a distal end of the endoscope portion and providing endoscope data; (ii) one or more electronically controlled actuators (e.g., electroactive polymer actuators) controlling the operation of the endoscope portion based on received control signals; (iii) a first wireless transceiver coupled to the sensor and the one or more electronically controlled actuators, transmitting received endoscope data from the sensor and forwarding received control signals to the one or more electronically controlled actuators; and (iv) a portable power source (e.g., a battery) coupled to the sensor, the first wireless transceiver, and the one or more electronically controller actuators.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2006Publication date: December 28, 2006Inventors: Michael Banik, Lucien Couvillon