Patents by Inventor Stephen K. Sundquist

Stephen K. Sundquist 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: 11020599
    Abstract: One aspect is a medical lead interconnect system. The medical lead interconnect system is configured to selectively electrically couple a linear array of contact rings of an implantable medical lead to an electrical outlet coupling. The medical lead interconnect system includes a housing with an electrical outlet, a pair of plates position within the housing and has a plurality of connector pins, a biasing member configured bias the pair of plates toward one another, and a cam configured to rotate between an open position in which the pair of plates are biased towards one another, and a closed position in which the pair plates are forced apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Heraeus Medical Components LLC
    Inventors: Paul McSherry, Stephen K. Sundquist, Steven E. Scott, Randall S. Nelson
  • Patent number: 10939957
    Abstract: Systems and methods for non-thermal ablation of tissue are provided. A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including a catheter, a plurality of electrodes for deployment through the catheter, a power source for applying power to the electrodes, and a fixation element for maintaining the catheter in a treatment position during treatment of the tissue. A minimally invasive method for treating tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including inserting a catheter into the body such that a portion of the catheter remains outside of the body, deploying a fixation element to fix the catheter in a treatment position, deploying a plurality of electrodes through the catheter, applying power to the plurality of electrodes, using the electrodes to apply a current to the tissue, and removing the catheter from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Prostacare Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Tom A. Nelson, Kai Kroll, Benjamin R. Fruland, Michael C. Holtz, Stephen K. Sundquist
  • Patent number: 10842555
    Abstract: Systems and methods for non-thermal ablation of tissue are provided. A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided. A catheter for use in such system is further provided. The catheter includes a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a tip positioned at the distal end. The tubular body is semi-flexible, bi-directionally torqueable, and chemically resistant. The tubular body includes a plurality of routing holes provided between the proximal end and the distal end for facilitating deployment of electrodes from the tubular body. The tubular body further comprises an inner sheath generally at an interior portion and an outer sheath generally at an exterior portion and being chemically resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Prostacare Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Michael C. Holtz, Stephen K. Sundquist, Benjamin R. Fruland, Tom A. Nelson, Kai Kroll
  • Publication number: 20200281647
    Abstract: Systems and methods for non-thermal ablation of tissue are provided. A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including a catheter, a plurality of electrodes for deployment through the catheter, a power source for applying power to the electrodes, and a fixation element for maintaining the catheter in a treatment position during treatment of the tissue. A minimally invasive method for treating tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including inserting a catheter into the body such that a portion of the catheter remains outside of the body, deploying a fixation element to fix the catheter in a treatment position, deploying a plurality of electrodes through the catheter, applying power to the plurality of electrodes, using the electrodes to apply a current to the tissue, and removing the catheter from the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Fruland, Kai Kroll, Tom A. Nelson, Stephen K. Sundquist, Michael C. Holtz
  • Patent number: 10736689
    Abstract: A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided. A low-corrosion electrode for use with such system is further provided. In one embodiment the electrode includes a catheter end configured for coupling to a catheter, a tip configured for puncturing the tissue, and a length extending between the catheter and the tip. The length includes an active portion and an insulated portion. The active portion is electrically conductive and is between approximately 3 mm and approximately 12 mm long at an inserted portion of the electrode. The length further comprises an inner core formed of a material having a high resistance to deformation and an outer shell formed of a material having a high resistance to material decomposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Prostacare Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Stephen K. Sundquist, Michael C. Holtz, Benjamin R. Fruland, Tom A. Nelson, Kai Kroll
  • Patent number: 10575899
    Abstract: Systems and methods for non-thermal ablation of tissue are provided. A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including a catheter, a plurality of electrodes for deployment through the catheter, a power source for applying power to the electrodes, and a fixation element for maintaining the catheter in a treatment position during treatment of the tissue. A minimally invasive method for treating tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including inserting a catheter into the body such that a portion of the catheter remains outside of the body, deploying a fixation element to fix the catheter in a treatment position, deploying a plurality of electrodes through the catheter, applying power to the plurality of electrodes, using the electrodes to apply a current to the tissue, and removing the catheter from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Prostacare Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Fruland, Kai Kroll, Tom A. Nelson, Stephen K. Sundquist, Michael C. Holtz
  • Publication number: 20190366101
    Abstract: A medical lead interconnect system. The medical lead interconnect system configured to selectively electrically couple a linear array of contact rings of an implantable medical lead to an electrical outlet coupling, the medical lead interconnect system including a housing having an electrical outlet, a pair of plates position within the housing and having a plurality of connector pins and a locking mechanism, a biasing member configured bias the pair of plates toward one another, and a cam configured to rotate between an open position in which the pair of plates are biased towards one another, and a closed position in which the pair plates are forced apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Heraeus Medical Components LLC
    Inventors: Paul MCSHERRY, Stephen K. SUNDQUIST, Steve E. SCOTT, Randall S. NELSON
  • Publication number: 20190105103
    Abstract: Systems and methods for non-thermal ablation of tissue are provided. A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including a catheter, a plurality of electrodes for deployment through the catheter, a power source for applying power to the electrodes, and a fixation element for maintaining the catheter in a treatment position during treatment of the tissue. A minimally invasive method for treating tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including inserting a catheter into the body such that a portion of the catheter remains outside of the body, deploying a fixation element to fix the catheter in a treatment position, deploying a plurality of electrodes through the catheter, applying power to the plurality of electrodes, using the electrodes to apply a current to the tissue, and removing the catheter from the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Tom A. Nelson, Kai Kroll, Benjamin R. Fruland, Michael C. Holtz, Stephen K. Sundquist
  • Patent number: 10085800
    Abstract: Systems and methods for non-thermal ablation of tissue are provided. A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including a catheter, a plurality of electrodes for deployment through the catheter, a power source for applying power to the electrodes, and a fixation element for maintaining the catheter in a treatment position during treatment of the tissue. A minimally invasive method for treating tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including inserting a catheter into the body such that a portion of the catheter remains outside of the body, deploying a fixation element to fix the catheter in a treatment position, deploying a plurality of electrodes through the catheter, applying power to the plurality of electrodes, using the electrodes to apply a current to the tissue, and removing the catheter from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Prostacare Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Tom A. Nelson, Kai Kroll, Benjamin R. Fruland, Michael C. Holtz, Stephen K. Sundquist
  • Publication number: 20170231693
    Abstract: Systems and methods for non-thermal ablation of tissue are provided. A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including a catheter, a plurality of electrodes for deployment through the catheter, a power source for applying power to the electrodes, and a fixation element for maintaining the catheter in a treatment position during treatment of the tissue. A minimally invasive method for treating tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including inserting a catheter into the body such that a portion of the catheter remains outside of the body, deploying a fixation element to fix the catheter in a treatment position, deploying a plurality of electrodes through the catheter, applying power to the plurality of electrodes, using the electrodes to apply a current to the tissue, and removing the catheter from the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Tom A. Nelson, Kai Kroll, Benjamin R. Fruland, Michael C. Holtz, Stephen K. Sundquist
  • Patent number: 9597145
    Abstract: Systems and methods for non-thermal ablation of tissue are provided. A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including a catheter, a plurality of electrodes for deployment through the catheter, a power source for applying power to the electrodes, and a fixation element for maintaining the catheter in a treatment position during treatment of the tissue. A minimally invasive method for treating tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including inserting a catheter into the body such that a portion of the catheter remains outside of the body, deploying a fixation element to fix the catheter in a treatment position, deploying a plurality of electrodes through the catheter, applying power to the plurality of electrodes, using the electrodes to apply a current to the tissue, and removing the catheter from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Prostacare Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Tom A. Nelson, Kai Kroll, Benjamin R. Fruland, Michael C. Holtz, Stephen K. Sundquist
  • Publication number: 20160206370
    Abstract: Systems and methods for non-thermal ablation of tissue are provided. A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including a catheter, a plurality of electrodes for deployment through the catheter, a power source for applying power to the electrodes, and a fixation element for maintaining the catheter in a treatment position during treatment of the tissue. A minimally invasive method for treating tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including inserting a catheter into the body such that a portion of the catheter remains outside of the body, deploying a fixation element to fix the catheter in a treatment position, deploying a plurality of electrodes through the catheter, applying power to the plurality of electrodes, using the electrodes to apply a current to the tissue, and removing the catheter from the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Fruland, Kai Kroll, Tom A. Nelson, Stephen K. Sundquist, Michael C. Holtz
  • Patent number: 9211155
    Abstract: Systems and methods for non-thermal ablation of tissue are provided. A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including a catheter, a plurality of electrodes for deployment through the catheter, a power source for applying power to the electrodes, and a fixation element for maintaining the catheter in a treatment position during treatment of the tissue. A minimally invasive method for treating tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including inserting a catheter into the body such that a portion of the catheter remains outside of the body, deploying a fixation element to fix the catheter in a treatment position, deploying a plurality of electrodes through the catheter, applying power to the plurality of electrodes, using the electrodes to apply a current to the tissue, and removing the catheter from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Prostacare Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Fruland, Kai Kroll, Tom A. Nelson, Stephen K. Sundquist, Michael C. Holtz
  • Publication number: 20110106072
    Abstract: A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided. A low-corrosion electrode for use with such system is further provided. In one embodiment the electrode includes a catheter end configured for coupling to a catheter, a tip configured for puncturing the tissue, and a length extending between the catheter and the tip. The length includes an active portion and an insulated portion. The active potion is electrically conductive and is between approximately 3 mm and approximately 12 mm long at an inserted portion of the electrode. The length further comprises an inner core formed of a material having a high resistance to deformation and an outer shell formed of a material having a high resistance to material decomposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Stephen K. Sundquist, Michael C. Holtz, Benjamin R. Fruland, Tom A. Nelson, Kai Kroll
  • Publication number: 20100049188
    Abstract: Systems and methods for non-thermal ablation of tissue are provided. A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including a catheter, a plurality of electrodes for deployment through the catheter, a power source for applying power to the electrodes, and a fixation element for maintaining the catheter in a treatment position during treatment of the tissue. A minimally invasive method for treating tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including inserting a catheter into the body such that a portion of the catheter remains outside of the body, deploying a fixation element to fix the catheter in a treatment position, deploying a plurality of electrodes through the catheter, applying power to the plurality of electrodes, using the electrodes to apply a current to the tissue, and removing the catheter from the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Tom A. Nelson, Kai Kroll, Benjamin R. Fruland, Michael C. Holtz, Stephen K. Sundquist
  • Publication number: 20100049031
    Abstract: Systems and methods for non-thermal ablation of tissue are provided. A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including a catheter, a plurality of electrodes for deployment through the catheter, a power source for applying power to the electrodes, and a fixation element for maintaining the catheter in a treatment position during treatment of the tissue. A minimally invasive method for treating tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including inserting a catheter into the body such that a portion of the catheter remains outside of the body, deploying a fixation element to fix the catheter in a treatment position, deploying a plurality of electrodes through the catheter, applying power to the plurality of electrodes, using the electrodes to apply a current to the tissue, and removing the catheter from the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Fruland, Kai Kroll, Tom A. Nelson, Stephen K. Sundquist, Michael C. Holtz
  • Publication number: 20100049192
    Abstract: Systems and methods for non-thermal ablation of tissue are provided. A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided. A catheter for use in such system is further provided. The catheter includes a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a tip positioned at the distal end. The tubular body is semi-flexible, bi-directionally torqueable, and chemically resistant. The tubular body includes a plurality of routing holes provided between the proximal end and the distal end for facilitating deployment of electrodes from the tubular body. The tubular body further comprises an inner sheath generally at an interior portion and an outer sheath generally at an exterior portion and being chemically resistant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Michael C. Holtz, Stephen K. Sundquist, Benjamin R. Fruland, Tom A. Nelson, Kai Kroll
  • Publication number: 20040059402
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved system and method to selectively promote tissue ingrowth on, or adjacent to, an implantable medical device. In one embodiment, at least one surface of the housing of a medical device is in contact with a first portion of a porous PTFE having a pore size adapted to prevent substantially all tissue in-growth. This first portion, or layer, of porous PTFE material is further in contact at predetermined locations with an additional porous PTFE layer having a pore size adapted to selectively promote tissue in-growth only at the predetermined locations. Each of the PTFE layers may be formed of porous PTFE tubing or tape. Alternatively, the two layers may comprise a single composite structure that has a more porous material exposed on a first surface, and a less porous, more dense, material on a second surface. Another embodiment of the invention involves forming the layers of PTFE into a removable member that is adjacent to at least one surface of the implantable medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Soukup, Stephen K. Sundquist, Roger Dahl, Gregory A. Boser
  • Publication number: 20020147486
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved system and method to selectively promote tissue in-growth on, or adjacent to, an implantable medical device. In one embodiment, at least one surface of the housing of a medical device is in contact with a first portion of a porous PTFE having a pore size adapted to prevent substantially all tissue in-growth. This first portion, or layer, of porous PTFE material is further in contact at predetermined locations with an additional porous PTFE layer having a pore size adapted to selectively promote tissue in-growth only at the predetermined locations. Each of the PTFE layers may be formed of porous PTFE tubing or tape. Alternatively, the two layers may comprise a single composite structure that has a more porous material exposed on a first surface, and a less porous, more dense, material on a second surface. Another embodiment of the invention involves forming the layers of PTFE into a removable member that is adjacent to at least one surface of the implantable medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Soukup, Stephen K. Sundquist, Roger Dahl, Gregory A. Boser
  • Publication number: 20020147487
    Abstract: An improved system and method for deploying medical electrical leads is disclosed. The system includes a guiding device such as a guidewire used to navigate the vascular system of a body. The guiding device includes a fixation member that can be deployed to maintain the guiding device at a desired location within the vascular system. The fixation member may be an inflatable device such as a balloon, or alternatively, may be an expandable device constructed of flexible fibers that has both an expanded and a contracted state. The system may further include a coupling member located adjacent to the guiding device. The coupling member may be a rail extending distally from a proximal end of the guiding device to a point proximal the fixation member. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the coupling member is a channel included in the body of the guiding device adapted to slidably engage an electrode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen K. Sundquist, Arnold Thornton, Roger Dahl, Duane Zytkovicz, Kenneth C. Gardeski