Patents by Inventor Ralph G. DePalma

Ralph G. DePalma 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).

  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A CATHETER RELATIVE TO AN ANATOMICAL JUNCTION
    Publication number: 20110160813
    Abstract: An electrode catheter is introduced into a vein or other hollow anatomical structure, and is positioned at a treatment: site within the structure. The end of the catheter is positioned near a junction formed in the structure. This junction can be the sapheno-femoral junction. The position of the catheter near the junction is determined based on a signal from a device associated with the catheter within the structure. A fiber optic filament which emits light is used with the catheter or a guide wire over which the catheter is advanced. The light is visible externally from the patient. The light dims and may no longer externally visible at the sapheno-femoral junction where the catheter moves past the deep fascia and toward the deep venous system. The position of the catheter can be determined based on this external observation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP, L.P.
    Inventors: Arthur W. Zikorus, Ralph G. DePalma, Christopher S. Jones, Brian E. Farley, James G. Chandler
  • Method and apparatus for positioning a catheter relative to an anatomical junction
    Patent number: 7789876
    Abstract: An electrode catheter is introduced into a vein or other hollow anatomical structure, and is positioned at a treatment site within the structure. The end of the catheter is positioned near a junction formed in the structure. This junction can be the sapheno-femoral junction. The position of the catheter near the junction is determined based on a signal from a device associated with the catheter within the structure. A fiber optic filament which emits light is used with the catheter or a guide wire over which the catheter is advanced. The light is visible externally from the patient. The light dims and may no longer externally visible at the sapheno-femoral junction where the catheter moves past the deep fascia and toward the deep venous system. The position of the catheter can be determined based on this external observation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group, LP
    Inventors: Arthur W. Zikorus, Ralph G. DePalma, Christopher S. Jones, Brian E. Farley, James G. Chandler
  • Method and apparatus for positioning a catheter relative to an anatomical junction
    Publication number: 20020068866
    Abstract: An electrode catheter is introduced into a vein or other hollow anatomical structure, and is positioned at a treatment: site within the structure. The end of the catheter is positioned near a junction formed in the structure. This junction can be the sapheno-femoral junction. The position of the catheter near the junction is determined based on a signal from a device associated with the catheter within the structure. A fiber optic filament which emits light is used with the catheter or a guide wire over which the catheter is advanced. The light is visible externally from the patient. The light dims and may no longer externally visible at the sapheno-femoral junction where the catheter moves past the deep fascia and toward the deep venous system. The position of the catheter can be determined based on this external observation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Arthur W. Zikorus, Ralph G. DePalma, Christopher S. Jones, Brian E. Farley, James G. Chandler