Patents by Inventor Michael C. Bednarek
Michael C. Bednarek 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: 20120165735Abstract: An irrigation system for use with an irrigated electrophysiology catheter includes a peristaltic pump and an irrigation tube. The pump generally includes a pump clamp and a rotor, which are spaced apart to provide a tubing channel therebetween. The irrigation tube is inserted into the tubing channel. At least one of the pump clamp and the irrigation tube is treated to reduce surface adhesion therebetween. This advantageously minimizes perturbations to the double layer, which reduces a noise signal that might otherwise couple to and distort an electrogram signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2010Publication date: June 28, 2012Inventors: Sandra Keh, Michael C. Bednarek
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Patent number: 8114110Abstract: A transseptal needle includes an elongate needle body having a distal end and a proximal end and a cannular needle tip located proximate the distal end of the needle body. The needle tip has a distal segment, a proximal segment, and a longitudinal axis. An inner surface of the needle tip defines a passageway spanning at least a portion of the needle tip, and an outer surface of the needle tip defines a wall with the inner surface. The distal segment of the needle tip also includes a wedge surface and a dome-shaped region. The wedge surface forms a wedge angle of other than 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis. The dome-shaped region, which intersects the wedge surface, includes at least two bevels that intersect the wedge surface and that intersect each other at one or more points on the needle tip.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Michael C. Bednarek, Ravisankar Gurusamy, Hans Schnellmann, Todd Stangenes
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Patent number: 8052680Abstract: A process for preventing atrial premature contractions originating within a pulmonary vein from being conducted into the left atrium of a human heart. More specifically, an ablation lesion is formed which electrically isolates the located source of the atrial premature contraction in the pulmonary vein from connection with the left atrium and blocks passage of the atrial premature contraction originating from the located source.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2006Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: James A. Hassett, John F. Swartz, Michael C. Bednarek
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Publication number: 20110264074Abstract: Catheter ultrasound systems including a sheath, a handle, a sheath lumen, and an ultrasound catheter disposed within the lumen of the sheath with ultrasound elements capable of visualizing anatomical regions. The handle allowing the ultrasound catheter to rotate with respect to the sheath using a rotation adjustment knob within the handle or alternatively an separate manipulation handle attached to the proximal end of the ultrasound catheter. The sheath, ultrasound catheter, or both may also include one or more electrodes or other location sensor for both orienting the ultrasound element as well as for diagnostic purposes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventors: Troy T. Tegg, Andrew Senn, James V. Kauphusman, Michael C. Bednarek
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Patent number: 7819866Abstract: An ablation catheter including a shaft supporting one or more partially or completely exposed braided electrodes that may be positioned against a target tissue to ablate the tissue. The shaft may be precurved in a loop-like shape or any other shape to assist in positioning the electrode against a target tissue. The shaft may include a fluid lumen to direct a fluid material, which may be conductive, through one or more apertures or ports. The ports are adapted to direct the fluid past portions of the braided electrode to cool the electrode, flush blood away from the electrode, and to transfer ablation energy to the target tissue. Ablation energy may be delivered directly by the electrode and by way of a conductive fluid contacting the electrode. The shaft may further include a second lumen to provide a housing for a control wire that may be used to control the shape of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2003Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventor: Michael C. Bednarek
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Patent number: 7691095Abstract: The present invention is a handle for controlling the deflection of a distal end of a catheter body. The catheter body includes first and second deflection wires that extend through the catheter body from the distal end of the catheter body. The handle comprises a slide base, an adjustment knob, a first slide and a second slide. The slide base includes a first end, a second end, and a slide compartment longitudinally extending through at least a portion of the slide base. The adjustment knob is rotateably connected to the first end of the slide base and includes a hole extending through the knob, wherein at least a portion of an inner diameter of the hole includes an internal right thread and an internal left thread. The first slide is located in the slide compartment, is adapted to be coupled to the first deflection wire, and includes an external right thread. The second slide is located in the slide compartment, is adapted to be coupled to the second deflection wire, and includes an external left thread.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2004Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Michael C. Bednarek, Eric J. Wilkowske, Richard E. Stehr, William Emerson Butler
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Publication number: 20090171276Abstract: A transseptal needle includes an elongate needle body having a distal end and a proximal end and a cannular needle tip located proximate the distal end of the needle body. The needle tip has a distal segment, a proximal segment, and a longitudinal axis. An inner surface of the needle tip defines a passageway spanning at least a portion of the needle tip, and an outer surface of the needle tip defines a wall with the inner surface. The distal segment of the needle tip also includes a wedge surface and a dome-shaped region. The wedge surface forms a wedge angle of other than 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis. The dome-shaped region, which intersects the wedge surface, includes at least two bevels that intersect the wedge surface and that intersect each other at one or more points on the needle tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2008Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Michael C. Bednarek, Ravisankar Gurusamy, Hans Schnellmann, Todd Stangenes
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Publication number: 20090105640Abstract: An apparatus for imparting a tensile force to deflect a distal portion of a catheter while maintaining its exterior dimensions may include a handle grip including a cross-section of generally predetermined exterior dimensions, and a longitudinal axis. A flexible elongate member may include proximal and distal end portions, with the proximal end portion being coupled to the handle grip. An adjustment knob may include a cross-section of generally predetermined exterior dimensions, and is rotatably coupled to the handle grip around the longitudinal axis. An elongate deflection member may be operably coupled to the adjustment knob and to the distal end portion of the elongate member. Rotation of the adjustment knob may impart a tensile force to the deflection member thereby causing the distal end portion of the elongate member to deflect from a prior configuration while maintaining the generally predetermined exterior dimensions of the handle grip and the adjustment knob.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Inventors: Michael C. Bednarek, Eric J. Wilkowske, Richard E. Stehr, William Emerson Butler
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Patent number: 7153301Abstract: A process for the treatment of atrial arrhythmia by use of ablation procedures comprising circumferential ablation of vessels, particularly pulmonary veins associated with the left atrium of the heart. Also disclosed are medical devices used for formation of the circumferential ablation lesions in vessels associated with the heart.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2002Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: John F. Swartz, Michael C. Bednarek, Richard E. Stehr, Michael J. Coyle
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Patent number: 7118568Abstract: A process for preventing atrial premature contractions originating within a pulmonary vein from being conducted into the left atrium of a human heart. More specifically, an ablation lesion is formed which electrically isolates the located source of the atrial premature contraction in the pulmonary vein from connection with the left atrium and blocks passage of the atrial premature contraction originating from the located source.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2003Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: James A. Hassett, John F. Swartz, Michael C. Bednarek
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Publication number: 20040143256Abstract: An ablation catheter including a shaft supporting one or more partially or completely exposed braided electrodes that may be positioned against a target tissue to ablate the tissue. The shaft may be precurved in a loop-like shape or any other shape to assist in positioning the electrode against a target tissue. The shaft may include a fluid lumen to direct a fluid material, which may be conductive, through one or more apertures or ports. The ports are adapted to direct the fluid past portions of the braided electrode to cool the electrode, flush blood away from the electrode, and to transfer ablation energy to the target tissue. Ablation energy may be delivered directly by the electrode and by way of a conductive fluid contacting the electrode. The shaft may further include a second lumen to provide a housing for a control wire that may be used to control the shape of the shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Inventor: Michael C. Bednarek
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Publication number: 20030195505Abstract: A process for preventing atrial premature contractions originating within a pulmonary vein from being conducted into the left atrium of a human heart. More specifically, an ablation lesion is formed which electrically isolates the located source of the atrial premature contraction in the pulmonary vein from connection with the left atrium and blocks passage of the atrial premature contraction originating from the located source.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventors: James A. Hassett, John F. Swartz, Michael C. Bednarek
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Patent number: 6605087Abstract: An ablation catheter is disclosed having proximal and distal ends and an external surface, a lumen contained within the catheter body, a plurality of openings in the surface of the catheter, wherein the openings are in communication with the lumen, one or more electrodes secured within the catheter within the lumen and a source for conductive media to be introduced into the lumen to contact the electrode. The ablation catheter also may contain a conductive media flow control system which controls the flow of the conductive media through the openings in the surface of the catheter.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2001Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Daig DivisionInventors: John F. Swartz, Michael C. Bednarek, Richard E. Stehr
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Publication number: 20030088246Abstract: A process for the treatment of atrial arrhythmia by use of ablation procedures comprising circumferential ablation of vessels, particularly pulmonary veins associated with the left atrium of the heart. Also disclosed are medical devices used for formation of the circumferential ablation lesions in vessels associated with the heart.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2002Publication date: May 8, 2003Inventors: John F. Swartz, Michael C. Bednarek, Richard E. Stehr, Michael J. Coyle
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Patent number: 6540744Abstract: A process for the treatment of atrial arrhythmia by use of ablation procedures comprising circumferential ablation of vessels, particularly pulmonary veins, associated with the left atrium of the heart. Also medical devices for such process including a pair of balloons secured to a catheter with one balloon located within the other balloon and an ablation catheter located within one of the balloons, which devices are used for the formation of a circumferential ablation lesion in the pulmonary vein.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Daig Division, Inc.Inventors: James A. Hassett, John F. Swartz, Michael C. Bednarek
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Patent number: 6503247Abstract: A process for the treatment of atrial arrhythmia by use of ablation procedures comprising circumferential ablation of vessels, particularly pulmonary veins associated with the left atrium of the heart. Also disclosed are medical devices used for formation of the circumferential ablation lesions in vessels associated with the heart.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2001Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Daig CorporationInventors: John F. Swartz, Michael C. Bednarek, Richard E. Stehr, Michael J. Coyle
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Patent number: 6447507Abstract: An ablation system for ablating cardiac tissue within a chamber of the human heart including a guiding introducer system, a rail, one end of which is contained within the guiding introducer system, and an ablation catheter system which is supported by the guiding introducer system. The guiding introducer system may be a single or multiple guiding introducers. The ablation system may include a slotted sheath which passes over the rail which supports the ablation catheter. A process is disclosed for ablation of cardiac tissue to form a linear lesion utilizing a rail catheter ablation and mapping system which includes a guiding introducer, a rail and an ablation catheter system advanced over the rail.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2000Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Daig CorporationInventors: Michael C. Bednarek, John F. Swartz, Michael J. Coyle, John D. Ockuly, James A. Hassett
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Publication number: 20020016589Abstract: An ablation catheter is disclosed having proximal and distal ends and an external surface, a lumen contained within the catheter body, a plurality of openings in the surface of the catheter, wherein the openings are in communication with the lumen, one or more electrodes secured within the catheter within the lumen and a source for conductive media to be introduced into the lumen to contact the electrode. The ablation catheter also may contain a conductive media flow control system which controls the flow of the conductive media through the openings in the surface of the catheter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2001Publication date: February 7, 2002Applicant: Daig CorporationInventors: John F. Swartz, Michael C. Bednarek, Richard E. Stehr
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Publication number: 20010041890Abstract: A process for the treatment of atrial arrhythmia by use of ablation procedures comprising circumferential ablation of vessels, particularly pulmonary veins, associated with the left atrium of the heart. Also medical devices for such process including a pair of balloons secured to a catheter with one balloon located within the other balloon and an ablation catheter located within one of the balloons, which devices are used for the formation of a circumferential ablation lesion in the pulmonary vein.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2001Publication date: November 15, 2001Applicant: Daig CorporationInventors: James A. Hassett, John F. Swartz, Michael C. Bednarek
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Publication number: 20010021849Abstract: A process for the treatment of atrial arrhythmia by use of ablation procedures comprising circumferential ablation of vessels, particularly pulmonary veins associated with the left atrium of the heart. Also disclosed are medical devices used for formation of the circumferential ablation lesions in vessels associated with the heart.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2001Publication date: September 13, 2001Applicant: Daig CorporationInventors: John F. Swartz, Michael C. Bednarek, Richard E. Stehr, Michael J. Coyle