Patents by Inventor Paul F. Zupkas
Paul F. Zupkas 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: 6582368Abstract: An ultrasound transducer comprises a sheath body constructed from a nonconductive material. The sheath body is configured to be installed over a medical device. A piezoelectric copolymer transducer is held snugly against the medical device by the sheath body when the ultrasound transducer is installed over the medical device. The piezoelectric copolymer transducer transduces incident ultrasound signals into corresponding electric signals. A ground conductor is coupled to a first surface of the piezoelectric copolymer transducer. A signal conductor is coupled to a second surface of the piezoelectric copolymer transducer and conducts the corresponding electric signals to a proximal end of the medical device.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Inventors: Charles R. Holdaway, Paul F. Zupkas, David G. Matsuura
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Publication number: 20010047134Abstract: An ultrasound transducer comprises a sheath body constructed from a nonconductive material. The sheath body is configured to be installed over a medical device. A piezoelectric copolymer transducer is held snugly against the medical device by the sheath body when the ultrasound transducer is installed over the medical device. The piezoelectric copolymer transducer transduces incident ultrasound signals into corresponding electric signals. A ground conductor is coupled to a first surface of the piezoelectric copolymer transducer. A signal conductor is coupled to a second surface of the piezoelectric copolymer transducer and conducts the corresponding electric signals to a proximal end of the medical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2001Publication date: November 29, 2001Inventors: Charles R. Holdaway, Paul F. Zupkas, David G. Matsuura
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Patent number: 6217518Abstract: An ultrasound transducer comprises a sheath body constructed from a nonconductive material. The sheath body is configured to be installed over a medical device. A piezoelectric copolymer transducer is held snugly against the medical device by the sheath body when the ultrasound transducer is installed over the medical device. The piezoelectric copolymer transducer transduces incident ultrasound signals into corresponding electric signals. A ground conductor is coupled to a first surface of the piezoelectric copolymer transducer. A signal conductor is coupled to a second surface of the piezoelectric copolymer transducer and conducts the corresponding electric signals to a proximal end of the medical device.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1998Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Situs CorporationInventors: Charles R. Holdaway, Paul F. Zupkas, David G. Matsuura
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Patent number: 6183461Abstract: A drug-infusing device is implanted into a body cavity such as a bladder. The device is implanted in an uninflated, low profile state. After insertion into the body cavity, the device is filled with a substance, such as a drug, and assumes an increased profile. After the device is filled, it is allowed to float freely within the body cavity. Alternatively, the device can be tethered to a wall of the body cavity. The device delivers the drug at a controlled rate over an extended period of time. In order to deliver the drug at a controlled rate, the device preferably has a pressure-responsive valving member. The flow resistance of the valving member is responsive to the pressure at which the drug is stored within the infusing device. The resistance of the valving member decreases as the pressure within the infusing device decreases, thereby providing a resultant controlled flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Situs CorporationInventors: David G. Matsuura, Walter Dean Gillespie, John Patrick Greelis, Charles Lowell Parsons, Mikxay Sirivong, Paul F. Zupkas
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Patent number: 6171298Abstract: A drug-infusing device is implanted into a body cavity such as a bladder. The device is implanted in an uninflated, low profile state. After insertion into the body cavity, the device is filled with a substance, such as a drug, and assumes an increased profile. After the device is filled, it is allowed to float freely within the body cavity. Alternatively, the device can be tethered to a wall of the body cavity. The device delivers the drug at a controlled rate over an extended period of time. In order to deliver the drug at a controlled rate, the device preferably has a pressure-responsive valving member. The flow resistance of the valving member is responsive to the pressure at which the drug is stored within the infusing device. The resistance of the valving member decreases as the pressure within the infusing device decreases, thereby providing a resultant controlled flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1998Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Situs CorporationInventors: David G. Matsuura, Walter Dean Gillespie, John Patrick Greelis, Charles Lowell Parsons, Mikxay Sirivong, Paul F. Zupkas
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Patent number: 6139535Abstract: A delivery device and method for delivering a medical device, such as an infuser, into a body cavity are disclosed. The delivery device includes an ejector tube which slidably extends through a handle. The ejector tube is configured for easy insertion through the urethra into the bladder. A hollow inner tube is located within the ejector tube and includes luer fittings at its distal and proximal ends. The luer fitting at the proximal end of the inner tube is coupled to the handle. Movement of the ejector tube relative to the inner tube causes the distal luer fitting to be withdrawn within the ejector tube and can be used to force an infuser attached to the distal luer fitting from the distal luer fitting. Materials can be transported to the infuser from the proximal luer fitting through the inner tube and out through the distal luer connector.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1999Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: Situs CorporationInventors: John Patrick Greelis, Mikxay Sirivong, David G. Matsuura, W. Tate Scott, Paul F. Zupkas
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Patent number: 6106517Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a probe for insertion into the body of a host and for manipulating the tissues of the host, the probe including an ultrasound transducer element for locating and positioning the probe within the body of the host; and a method for manipulating the tissues of a host using the surgical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1997Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: Situs CorporationInventor: Paul F. Zupkas
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Patent number: 6083166Abstract: A surgical device is comprised of a probe adapted for insertion into a patient. The probe has a means for manipulating tissue within a zone of manipulation. The probe also has a first receiver which is disposed within the zone of manipulation. The first receiver responds to receipt of a radiated signal by generation of a first receiver signal indicating a strength at which the radiated signal is received. A means for analyzing the first receiver signal determines a measure of manipulation to the tissue within the zone of manipulation. In one embodiment, the first receiver is disposed at the tip of the probe. In another embodiment, the means for manipulating removes energy from the tissue. In yet another embodiment, the means for manipulating adds energy to the tissue so as to alter the tissue. Optionally, the means for analyzing accumulates a set of values of the first receiver signal over time in order to determine the measure of manipulation. A scanner generates the radiated signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1997Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Situs CorporationInventors: Charles Holdaway, David G. Matsuura, Paul F. Zupkas
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Patent number: 5935094Abstract: A pentosanpolysulfate coating on medical devices reduces or eliminates side effects associated with the introduction of foreign bodies into the urinary tract of a patient. The pentosanpolysulfate coating attenuates the attachment of salts, minerals, proteins, salt, and other undesirable materials onto the medical device used in the urinary tract. Inflammatory or foreign body reaction to these pentosanpolysulfate coated medical devices are also attenuated, and growth of healthy normal tissue in the vicinity of the coated medical device of the present invention is allowed.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1997Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Assignee: Uros Corporation and The Regents of The University of CaliforniaInventor: Paul F. Zupkas
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Patent number: 5935125Abstract: A wire frame made of conductive material has a proximal end and a distal end. The wire frame is adapted for receiving an electrical potential from a remote power source. A loop of wire is disposed at the distal end of the wire frame, and a roller is disposed between the proximal end of the wire frame and the loop of wire. The wire frame is insulated, with the exception of the loop of wire and a portion of the wire frame contacting the roller. A source of suction adapted for removing gases from an area within the vicinity of the roller is activated when the electric potential is applied to the wire frame and the roller is placed in contact with human or animal tissue to thereby perform fulguration thereon. The source of suction is adapted to be reversed in order to provide a positive flow of fluid onto the roller, when the electrical potential is not applied to the wire frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1996Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Assignee: Uros CorporationInventor: Paul F. Zupkas
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Patent number: 5735845Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a supporting structure and a thermal barrier coupled to the supporting structure. The barrier is sized and adapted for placement between the prostate and rectum during cryosurgical treatment of the prostate. The supporting structure includes a frame movable between an extended position and a retracted position and a handle coupled to the frame. The barrier includes flexible sheet material mounted on the frame and movable with the frame between the extended and retracted positions. The barrier is substantially sonolucent allowing ultrasound visualization of areas beyond the barrier.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1995Date of Patent: April 7, 1998Assignee: UROS CorporationInventor: Paul F. Zupkas
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Patent number: 5716353Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument incorporates a heat transfer zone, which abuts against the portion of the cryosurgical instrument near the input refrigerant entrance, and which receives pure input refrigerant at the coldest temperature for quickly and effectively cooling this portion of the cryosurgical instrument. The cryosurgical instrument includes a shaft portion and a handle portion. The shaft portion includes an outer jacket tube having both an open and closed end. The closed end surrounds the freezing zone for freezing live tissue. A middle tube is disposed within the outer jacket tube. An inner tube is disposed within the middle tube. The inner tube is adapted for routing input cryogenic refrigerant therethrough to the freezing zone. The channel between the inner tube and middle tube forms a cryogenic refrigerant exhaust path for exhausting cryogenic refrigerant from the freezing zone.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1996Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Assignee: URDS, Corp.Inventors: David G. Matsuura, Paul F. Zupkas
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Patent number: 5672172Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a probe for insertion into the body of a host and for manipulating the tissues of the host, the probe including an ultrasound transducer element for locating and positioning the probe within the body of the host; and a method for manipulating the tissues of a host using the surgical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: September 30, 1997Assignee: Vros CorporationInventor: Paul F. Zupkas
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Patent number: 4808158Abstract: A vascular catheter for cannulating arterial or venous vessels, for example in the fermoral region, or the vena cava and/or the right auricle of the heart, comprises a flexible tube having blood passage orifices in the nature of holes at its anterior and insertion end to be inserted in the vessel or the auricle, which tube is directly or indirectly connectable at its other open end to a conduit or appliance. A piston-like closure member is movable to and fro in the tube in lengthwise direction thereof, such that it covers and thereby closes at least same of the blood passsage orifices in one position in the tube and clears these orifices in other positions. Preferably, the closure member is so fashioned that in its closure position, it covers all blood passage orifices in the insertion end of the cathether tube.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1988Date of Patent: February 28, 1989Assignee: Stockert Instrumente GmbHInventors: Rudolf Kreuzer, Wayne A. Noda, Friedemann Stockert, Paul F. Zupkas
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Patent number: 4737139Abstract: A unitary device for the treatment and collection of blood from two different sources during a surgical procedure comprises a hollow housing made of a rigid, preferably transparent, material, first and second blood inlets in the housing, a first blood treatment element inside the housing comprising a layer of porous defoaming material and a layer of non-woven depth filter material, and a second blood treatment element inside the housing comprising a layer of porous defoaming material and free of any depth filter material. The novel device also includes internal walls for providing two blood flow paths therein, one through the first inlet, the first blood treatment element, a blood collection reservoir defined within the device and a treated blood outlet in the bottom wall of the housing, and the other through the second inlet, the second blood treatment element, the blood collection reservoir and the blood outlet.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1987Date of Patent: April 12, 1988Assignee: Shiley Inc.Inventors: Paul F. Zupkas, Francis M. Servas, Todor Pavlov, Steven G. Kelly
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Patent number: 4642089Abstract: A unitary device for the treatment and collection of blood from two different sources during a surgical procedure comprises a hollow housing made of a rigid, preferably transparent, material, first and second blood inlets in the housing, a first blood treatment element inside the housing comprising a layer of porous defoaming material and a layer of non-woven depth filter material, and a second blood treatment element inside the housing comprising a layer of porous defoaming material and free of any depth filter material. The novel device also includes internal walls for providing two blood flow paths therein, one through the first inlet, the first blood treatment element, a blood collection reservoir defined within the device and a treated blood outlet in the bottom wall of the housing, and the other through the second inlet, the second blood treatment element, the blood collection reservoir and the blood outlet.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1985Date of Patent: February 10, 1987Assignee: Shiley, Inc.Inventors: Paul F. Zupkas, Francis M. Servas, Todor Pavlov, Steven G. Kelly