Patents by Inventor Rogers C. Ritter

Rogers C. Ritter 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).

  • Patent number: 5931818
    Abstract: A catheter and magnet combination adapted for intraparenchymal positioning of the catheter in the body with a magnetic field. The catheter has a proximal and distal ends and a lumen therebetween. A magnet is disposed in the distal end of the lumen so that the distal end of the catheter can be positioned within the body with the aid of an externally applied magnetic field. A tether is attached to the magnet and extends through the lumen and out the proximal end so that the magnet can be removed from the catheter through the lumen once the distal end of the catheter is properly positioned. In one embodiment of the invention, the tether is sufficiently stiff to be able to push the catheter through the tissue. With this embodiment, the magnetic field orients the magnet and thus the tip of the catheter, and some or all of the force for moving the catheter is applied via the tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Stereotaxis, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Werp, Rogers C. Ritter, Walter M. Blume
  • Patent number: 5779694
    Abstract: A treatment delivery apparatus comprises a metallic object and a treatment carrier device which is connected by a heat-sensitive biodegradable connector link to the magnetic object. This carrier device contains the treatment, i.e. the drug, to be transported. An electromagnet is positioned outside of the body part for producing a magnetic field which captures the magnetic object. This electromagnet may be either a simple coil system attached to a robotic arm which moves the electromagnet adjacent the body part, or a multicoil electromagnet system surrounding the body part. In either case, the robotically moved electromagnet or multicoil electromagnet system moves the magnetic object within the body part to a desired location. A computer controls either the robotic arm or multicoil current magnitudes and directions. This computer also provides visualization for observing the location and movement of the magnetic object and carrier device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: The University of Virginia Alumni Patents Foundation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Howard, Marc Mayberg, M. Sean Grady, Rogers C. Ritter, George T. Gillies
  • Patent number: 5707335
    Abstract: A treatment delivery apparatus comprises a metallic object and a treatment carrier device which is connected by a heat-sensitive biodegradable connector link to the magnetic object. This carrier device contains the treatment, i.e. the drug, to be transported. An electromagnet is positioned outside of the body part for producing a magnetic field which captures the magnetic object. This electromagnet may be either a simple coil system attached to a robotic arm which moves the electromagnet adjacent the body part, or a multicoil electromagnet system surrounding the body part. In either case, the robotically moved electromagnet or multicoil electromagnet system moves the magnetic object within the body part to a desired location. A computer controls either the robotic arm or multicoil current magnitudes and directions. This computer also provides visualization for observing the location and movement of the magnetic object and carrier device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: The University of Virginia Alumni Patents Foundation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Howard, Marc Mayberg, M. Sean Grady, Rogers C. Ritter, George T. Gillies
  • Patent number: 5654864
    Abstract: A control method permits the operation of multiple superconducting magnetic coils so as to move a magnetic object to precisely specified locations within the body under command of a physician-operator observing the motion with live fluoroscopic imaging fused with more detailed preoperative imaging of some other kind. A computer contains the preoperative images and the fluoroscopic images, as well as the means to effect changes in the coil currents so as to accomplish the desired magnetic object motion and positioning. The control method operates the coils in pairs on opposite sides of the body in a manner to minimize the necessary current changes, thus avoiding the quenching of the superconducting coils. Combinations of these pairs can execute motion of the magnetic object in any direction in an impulsive manner and with high precision. The method should function well and provide advantages with coils which are not superconducting as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignees: University of Virginia Patent Foundation, Stereotaxis, Inc.
    Inventors: Rogers C. Ritter, Michael A. Lawson, Robert G. McNeil
  • Patent number: 5125888
    Abstract: A treatment delivery apparatus comprises a metallic object and a treatment carrier device which is connected by a heat-sensitive biodegradable connector link to the magnetic object. This carrier device contains the treatment, i.e. the drug, to be transported. An electromagnet is positioned outside of the body part for producing a magnetic field which captures the magnetic object. This electromagnet may be either a simple coil system attached to a robotic arm which moves the electromagnet adjacent the body part, or a multicoil electromagnet system surrounding the body part. In either case, the robotically moved electromagnet or multicoil electromagnet system moves the magnetic object within the body part to a desired location. A computer controls either the robotic arm or multicoil current magnitudes and directions. This computer also provides visualization for observing the location and movement of the magnetic object and carrier device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: University of Virginia Alumni Patents Foundation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Howard, Marc Mayberg, M. Sean Grady, Rogers C. Ritter, George T. Gillies
  • Patent number: 4869247
    Abstract: A destructive heat lesion is placed in any location in the brain. A patient's head is secured within a stereotactic frame. After a high resolution CT scan and angiogram or MRI, data is incorporated and analyzed by a computer. This information is then resynthesized and projected as a video image on a screen facing the surgeon. A small magnetic object, perhaps a ball, is inserted into the patient's head via a burr hole drilled through the patient's skull. Using, real time fluoroscopic data superimposed on the computer image of three-dimensional structures, the surgeon is able to control and manipulate the object through the patient's soft brain tissue to a position next to or inside of the tumor area. An energy beam is then fired at the object, causing the more heat efficient object to destroy the brain tumor area. This procedure is repeated until the entire tumor is eradicated by the highly localized hyperthermia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: The University of Virginia Alumni Patents Foundation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Howard, III, Rogers C. Ritter, Grady, M. Sean