Patents by Inventor Mark L. Pomeranz
Mark L. Pomeranz 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: 5882346Abstract: In a shapable catheter and method for positioning a shapable catheter within a body cavity, a core wire is provided which includes a pre-shaped region bent into a predetermined shape. A catheter is provided which includes a lumen proportioned to slidably receive the core wire. The catheter includes a rigid proximal section and a flexible distal section. During use, the distal end of the catheter is inserted through a patient's vasculature and is passed into a body cavity. The pre-shaped region of the core wire is passed into the lumen and is straightened by the rigid proximal section of the catheter. The pre-shaped region is passed further into the catheter until it reaches the flexible distal region, in which the pre-shaped section re-assumes its predetermined shape and causes the core wire to form the distal section of the catheter into the predetermined shape.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1996Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Assignee: Cardiac Pathways CorporationInventors: Mark L. Pomeranz, Peter Park
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Patent number: 5800482Abstract: An apparatus for ablating body tissue, and particularly for creating linear lesions within a chamber of a patient's heart, includes an elongate member having an ablation section. The ablation section includes an infusion tube and a plurality of spaced electrodes. The infusion tube and electrodes are covered by a fluid permeable foam material, and the foam material is covered by a fluid impermeable covering having a plurality of holes formed in it. During use, the ablation section is positioned against tissue to be ablated. Radiofrequency energy is delivered to the electrodes while saline or other conductive fluid is delivered to the infusion tube. The fluid exits the infusion tube at the ablation section, contacts the electrodes, and carries RF energy from the electrodes through the foam, through the holes in the covering and into contact with the body tissue to form a burn in the body tissue.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1996Date of Patent: September 1, 1998Assignee: Cardiac Pathways CorporationInventors: Mark L. Pomeranz, Troy J. Chapman, Darren R. Sherman, Mir Imran
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Patent number: 5730128Abstract: An endocardial mapping apparatus for mapping the wall of a chamber of the heart having blood therein. The apparatus includes a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and at least one lumen extending therethrough. A basket assembly is carried by the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member and is movable between contracted and expanded positions. The basket assembly has a plurality of elongate flexible circumferentially spaced-apart arms with joined proximal and distal extremities and a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart electrodes carried by each arm for engaging the wall of the heart. The arms have spaces therebetween when the basket assembly is in an expanded position. An elongate flexible rotatable member is rotatably coupled to the joined distal extremities and is disposed within the basket assembly. At least one electrode is carried by the rotatable member for engaging the wall of the heart.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1996Date of Patent: March 24, 1998Assignee: Cardiac Pathways CorporationInventors: Mark L. Pomeranz, Patsy A. Gingell, Mir A. Imran
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Patent number: 5697927Abstract: A catheter for radio frequency ablation with a cooled electrode for use in tissue having a surface comprising an elongate member having proximal and distal extremities. A metal conducting electrode secured to the distal extremity of the elongate member and having a chamber therein. A conductor extends through the elongate member from the proximal to the distal extremity for supplying radio frequency energy to the electrode. The elongate member has a lumen in the distal extremity which is in communication with the chamber. A coolant is disposed in the chamber and in contact with the electrode for dissipating heat created in the electrode by the application of radio frequency energy thereto.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 1994Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Assignee: Cardiac Pathways CorporationInventors: Mir A. Imran, Mark L. Pomeranz
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Patent number: 5682897Abstract: A guidewire imaging catheter includes a catheter body, housing secured to the distal end of the catheter body, a drive cable extending through a central lumen of the catheter body, and an imaging system disposed within the housing and coupled to the drive cable. A fixed guidewire is secured to the distal tip of the housing, and the catheter body is highly flexible while retaining sufficient torsional stiffness to allow the entire catheter to be used as a guidewire. Thus, the imaging guidewire can be used to first image a desired region within a patient's vascular system and subsequently as a guidewire to allow placement of a desired interventional catheter.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1996Date of Patent: November 4, 1997Assignee: Cardiovascular Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Mark L. Pomeranz
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Patent number: 5658278Abstract: A catheter for radio frequency ablation with a cooled electrode for use in tissue having a surface comprising an elongate member having proximal and distal extremities. A metal conducting electrode secured to the distal extremity of the elongate member and having a chamber therein. A conductor extends through the elongate member from the proximal to the distal extremity for supplying radio frequency energy to the electrode. The elongate member has a lumen in the distal extremity which is in communication with the chamber. A coolant is disposed in the chamber and in contact with the electrode for dissipating heat created in the electrode by the application of radio frequency energy thereto.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1995Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: Cardiac Pathways, Inc.Inventors: Mir A. Imran, Mark L. Pomeranz
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Patent number: 5656029Abstract: A steerable catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. A handle is secured to the proximal extremity. The tubular member has a lumen extending therethrough. A mandrel is slidably mounted in the lumen and extends into the distal extremity. A pull wire extends through the tubular member for causing bending of the distal extremity with respect to the mandrel disposed therein.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 1995Date of Patent: August 12, 1997Assignee: Cardiac Pathways CorporationInventors: Mir A. Imran, Mark L. Pomeranz, Brian A. Glynn, Brett A. Follmer, Edward M. Gillis
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Patent number: 5588964Abstract: A steerable catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremity. A handle is secured to the proximal extremity tubular member said a lumen extending therethrough. A mandrel is slidably mounted in the lumen and extends into the distal extremity. A mechanism extends through the tubular member for causing bending of the distal extremity with respect to the mandrel disposed therein.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 1995Date of Patent: December 31, 1996Assignee: Cardiac Pathways CorporationInventors: Mir A. Imran, Mark L. Pomeranz, Brian A. Glynn
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Patent number: 5558093Abstract: A guidewire imaging catheter includes a catheter body, housing secured to the distal end of the catheter body, a drive cable extending through a central lumen of the catheter body, and an imaging system disposed within the housing and coupled to the drive cable. A fixed guidewire is secured to the distal tip of the housing, and the catheter body is highly flexible while retaining sufficient torsional stiffness to allow the entire catheter to be used as a guidewire. Thus, the imaging guidewire can be used to first image a desired region within a patient's vascular system and subsequently as a guidewire to allow placement of a desired interventional catheter.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1995Date of Patent: September 24, 1996Assignee: Cardiovascular Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Mark L. Pomeranz
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Patent number: 5558073Abstract: An endocardial mapping apparatus for mapping the wall of a chamber of the heart having blood therein. The apparatus includes a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and at least one lumen extending therethrough. A basket assembly is carried by the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member and is movable between contracted and expanded positions. The basket assembly has a plurality of elongate flexible circumferentially spaced-apart arms with joined proximal and distal extremities and a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart electrodes carried by each arm for engaging the wall of the heart. The arms have spaces therebetween when the basket assembly is in an expanded position. An elongate flexible rotatable member is rotatably coupled to the joined distal extremities and is disposed within the basket assembly. At least one electrode is carried by the rotatable member for engaging the wall of the heart.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1995Date of Patent: September 24, 1996Assignee: Cardiac Pathways CorporationInventors: Mark L. Pomeranz, Patsy A. Gingell, Mir A. Imran
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Patent number: 5478330Abstract: A steerable catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. A handle is secured to the proximal extremity. The tubular member has a lumen extending therethrough. A mandrel is slidably mounted in the lumen and extends into the distal extremity. A pull wire extends through the tubular member for causing bending of the distal extremity with respect to the mandrel disposed therein.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1994Date of Patent: December 26, 1995Assignee: Cardiac Pathways CorporationInventors: Mir A. Imran, Mark L. Pomeranz, Brian A. Glynn, Brett A. Follmer, Edward M. Gillis
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Patent number: 5465717Abstract: Apparatus for mapping a wall of a heart forming a chamber in the heart comprising a guiding catheter having a lumen extending therethrough and a mapping catheter having a shaft that is slidably mounted in the lumen of the guiding catheter. A basket assembly is provided and is comprised of a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart longitudinally extending arms having proximal and distal extremities. The proximal extremities of the arms are secured to the distal extremity of the shaft of the mapping catheter. Each of the arms includes a member formed of a material having a recoverable strain in excess of 1% and has an outwardly bowed shape memory. At least one electrode is provided on each of the arms. Conductors connected to the electrodes are carried by the arms.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1994Date of Patent: November 14, 1995Assignee: Cardiac Pathways CorporationInventors: Mir A. Imran, Mark L. Pomeranz, Gholam-Reza Zadno-Azizi
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Patent number: 5423811Abstract: A catheter for radio frequency ablation with a cooled electrode for use in tissue having a surface comprising an elongate member having proximal and distal extremities. A metal conducting electrode secured to the distal extremity of the elongate member and having a chamber therein. A conductor extends through the elongate member from the proximal to the distal extremity for supplying radio frequency energy to the electrode. The elongate member has a lumen in the distal extremity which is in communication with the chamber. A coolant is disposed in the chamber and in contact with the electrode for dissipating heat created in the electrode by the application of radio frequency energy thereto.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 1994Date of Patent: June 13, 1995Assignee: Cardiac Pathways CorporationInventors: Mir A. Imran, Mark L. Pomeranz
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Patent number: 5400783Abstract: An endocardial mapping apparatus for mapping the wall of a chamber of the heart having blood therein. The apparatus includes a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and at least one lumen extending therethrough. A basket assembly is carried by the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member and is movable between contracted and expanded positions. The basket assembly has a plurality of elongate flexible circumferentially spaced-apart arms with joined proximal and distal extremities and a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart electrodes carried by each arm for engaging the wall of the heart. The arms have spaces therebetween when the basket assembly is in an expanded position. An elongate flexible rotatable member is rotatably coupled to the joined distal extremities and is disposed within the basket assembly. At least one electrode is carried by the rotatable member for engaging the wall of the heart.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1993Date of Patent: March 28, 1995Assignee: Cardiac Pathways CorporationInventors: Mark L. Pomeranz, Patsy A. Gingell, Mir A. Imran
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Patent number: 5391147Abstract: A steerable catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities, a handle secured to the proximal extremity, said tubular member having a lumen extending therethrough, a mandrel slidably mounted in the lumen and extending into the distal extremity and means extending through the tubular member for causing a bending of the distal extremity with respect to the mandrel disposed therein.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1993Date of Patent: February 21, 1995Assignee: Cardiac Pathways CorporationInventors: Mir A. Imran, Mark L. Pomeranz, Brian A. Glynn
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Patent number: 5349964Abstract: Device comprising an elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a section with a plurality of lumens extending from the proximal extremity to the section. At least two conductive elements are disposed in the lumens in said section of the elongate tubular member. The conductive elements are formed of a conductive metal alloy having a recoverable strain in excess of 1% and exhibiting a martensitic phase transformation. Electrical current is supplied to the at least one conductive element. The section has at least one portion. A current conductor is carried by said at least one conductive element for shunting current flow around the at least one portion of said at least one conductive element.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1993Date of Patent: September 27, 1994Assignee: Intelliwire, Inc.Inventors: Mir A. Imran, Gholam-Reza Zadno-Azizi, Mark L. Pomeranz
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Patent number: 5348554Abstract: A catheter for radio frequency ablation with a cooled electrode for use in tissue having a surface comprising an elongate member having proximal and distal extremities. A metal conducting electrode secured to the distal extremity of the elongate member and having a chamber therein. A conductor extends through the elongate member from the proximal to the distal extremity for supplying radio frequency energy to the electrode. The elongate member has a lumen in the distal extremity which is in communication with the chamber. A coolant is disposed in the chamber and in contact with the electrode for dissipating heat created in the electrode by the application of radio frequency energy thereto.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1992Date of Patent: September 20, 1994Assignee: Cardiac Pathways CorporationInventors: Mir A. Imran, Mark L. Pomeranz
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Patent number: 5345936Abstract: An apparatus for mapping the wall of a chamber of the heart having blood therein. The apparatus includes a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and at least one lumen extending therethrough. A basket assembly is carried by the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member and is movable between contracted and expanded positions. The basket assembly has a plurality of elongate flexible circumferentially spaced-apart arms with proximal and distal extremities. A plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart electrodes are carried by each arm for engaging the wall of the heart. Spacing members coupled to the arms and extending between the arms are provided for establishing a desired substantially uniform circumferential spacing between the arms when the basket assembly is in expanded position in engagement with the wall of the heart. Openings are provided between the arms and the spacing members through which blood can flow.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1993Date of Patent: September 13, 1994Assignee: Cardiac Pathways CorporationInventors: Mark L. Pomeranz, Mir A. Imran
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Patent number: 5201316Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging catheter comprises a flexible catheter body having a rigid housing at its distal end. A tapered flexible end piece is secured to the distal end of the rigid housing, and a flexible guide wire tube extends in parallel to both the housing and the flexible end piece from the catheter body. The guide wire tube defines a guide wire lumen capable of receiving a movable guide wire, and the combined structure of the housing, flexible end piece, and flexible guide wire tube minimize constriction of the guide wire as it passes through the guide wire lumen.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1991Date of Patent: April 13, 1993Assignee: Cardiovascular Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark L. Pomeranz, Stephen M. Salmon, Pat A. Gingell
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Patent number: 5095911Abstract: A guidewire imaging catheter includes a catheter body, housing secured to the distal end of the catheter body, a drive cable extending through a central lumen of the catheter body, and an imaging system disposed within the housing and coupled to the drive cable. A fixed guidewire is secured to the distal tip of the housing, and the catheter body is highly flexible while retaining sufficient torsional stiffness to allow the entire catheter to be used as a guidewire. Thus, the imaging guidewire can be used to first image a desired region within a patient's vascular system and subsequently as a guidewire to allow placement of a desired interventional catheter.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1990Date of Patent: March 17, 1992Assignee: Cardiovascular Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Mark L. Pomeranz