Patents by Inventor Steven Walak

Steven Walak 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: 10758291
    Abstract: Cryogenic tissue ablation instruments for treating body tissue include an elongate flexible body with a proximal supply port for coupling with a pressurized coolant (e.g., liquid N2O), a supply lumen in fluid communication with the proximal supply port, and an expandable cryogenic balloon carried on a distal portion of the elongate body, the balloon having a wall defining an interior of the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Fourkas, Steven Walak, Kurt Geitz, Kristine Tatsutani
  • Patent number: 9795432
    Abstract: Cryogenic tissue ablation instruments for treating body tissue include an elongate flexible body with a proximal supply port for coupling with a pressurized coolant (e.g., liquid N2O), a supply lumen in fluid communication with the proximal supply port, and an expandable cryogenic balloon carried on a distal portion of the elongate body, the balloon having a wall defining an interior of the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Fourkas, Steven Walak, Kurt Geitz, Kristine Tatsutani
  • Publication number: 20160066975
    Abstract: Cryogenic tissue ablation instruments for treating body tissue include an elongate flexible body with a proximal supply port for coupling with a pressurized coolant (e.g., liquid N2O), a supply lumen in fluid communication with the proximal supply port, and an expandable cryogenic balloon carried on a distal portion of the elongate body, the balloon having a wall defining an interior of the balloon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Fourkas, Steven Walak, Kurt Geitz, Kristine Tatsutani
  • Publication number: 20140207130
    Abstract: Cryogenic tissue ablation instruments for treating body tissue include an elongate flexible body with a proximal supply port for coupling with a pressurized coolant (e.g., liquid N2O), a supply lumen in fluid communication with the proximal supply port, and an expandable cryogenic balloon carried on a distal portion of the elongate body, the balloon having a wall defining an interior of the balloon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Fourkas, Steven Walak, Kurt Geitz, Kristine Tatsutani
  • Patent number: 8663211
    Abstract: A cryogenic tissue ablation instrument includes an elongate flexible body with a proximal supply port for coupling with a pressurized coolant, a supply lumen in communication with the proximal supply port, and an expandable balloon carried on the elongate body. A dispersion member coupled to the elongate body has an interior lumen in communication with the supply lumen, the dispersion member having one or more coolant dispersion apertures sized and located such that a pressurized flowable coolant will enter the balloon interior in the form of a liquid spray that contacts and provides substantially uniform cooling of the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Fourkas, Steven Walak, Kurt Geitz, Kristine Tatsutani
  • Publication number: 20120310226
    Abstract: A cryogenic tissue ablation instrument includes an elongate flexible body with a proximal supply port for coupling with a pressurized coolant, a supply lumen in communication with the proximal supply port, and an expandable balloon carried on the elongate body. A dispersion member coupled to the elongate body has an interior lumen in communication with the supply lumen, the dispersion member having one or more coolant dispersion apertures sized and located such that a pressurized flowable coolant will enter the balloon interior in the form of a liquid spray that contacts and provides substantially uniform cooling of the balloon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Fourkas, Steven Walak, Kurt Geitz, Kristine Tatsutani
  • Patent number: 7967856
    Abstract: A medical implant that delivers therapeutic via microtubes and a method of making the same is provided. In one embodiment a biologically implantable structure adapted to fit within the body of a patient is provided. This structure may have a plurality of individual microtubes in physical communication with its outer surface, the microtubes containing or carrying a therapeutic. In another embodiment a method of manufacturing an implantable medical appliance is provided. This method includes placing a pliant stratum of microtubes onto a biologically implantable medical structure and then applying a therapeutic to the pliant stratum to cover or fill the microtubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Walak
  • Patent number: 7962223
    Abstract: Tissue ablation probes and methods for treating tissue are provided. The tissue ablation probe comprises an elongated probe shaft, at least one electrode carried by the distal end of the probe shaft, and a pharmaceutical agent carried by the probe shaft. The pharmaceutical agent may be disposed on the electrode(s), the probe shaft, or a releasable portion associated with the electrode or the probe shaft. A method for treating tissue comprises introducing a tissue ablation probe to a tissue site, operating the tissue ablation probe to ablate tissue at the tissue site, and releasing a pharmaceutical agent from the tissue ablation probe at the tissue site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimbolt Young, Steven Walak, Paul DiCarlo
  • Publication number: 20090182303
    Abstract: A method for treating obesity comprises anchoring at a first target site within a body a first therapeutic agent delivery device including a first therapeutic agent reservoir coupled to a first outlet which, when the first device is anchored at the first target site, is positioned adjacent to a first target treatment location within a GI tract of a patient and releasing a first therapeutic agent from the first reservoir via the first outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Steven Walak, Michael Madden, Paul Smith
  • Publication number: 20090131855
    Abstract: Tissue ablation probes and methods for treating tissue are provided. The tissue ablation probe comprises an elongated probe shaft, at least one electrode carried by the distal end of the probe shaft, and a pharmaceutical agent carried by the probe shaft. The pharmaceutical agent may be disposed on the electrode(s), the probe shaft, or a releasable portion associated with the electrode or the probe shaft. A method for treating tissue comprises introducing a tissue ablation probe to a tissue site, operating the tissue ablation probe to ablate tissue at the tissue site, and releasing a pharmaceutical agent from the tissue ablation probe at the tissue site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Kimbolt Young, Steven Walak, Paul DiCarlo
  • Publication number: 20080312644
    Abstract: Cryogenic tissue ablation instruments for treating body tissue include an elongate flexible body with a proximal supply port for coupling with a pressurized coolant (e.g., liquid N2O), a supply lumen in fluid communication with the proximal supply port, and an expandable cryogenic balloon carried on a distal portion of the elongate body, the balloon having a wall defining an interior of the balloon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Fourkas, Steven Walak, Kurt Geitz, Kristine Tatsutani
  • Patent number: 7399311
    Abstract: A medical device system includes a catheter, an expandable prosthesis over the catheter, and a holding material between the catheter and the prosthesis. The holding material initially holds the prosthesis over the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: William Bertolino, Andrew J. Campbell, Steven Walak
  • Publication number: 20070200656
    Abstract: A two-way actuated shape memory composite material is provided. The composite material includes a shape memory alloy and an elastic metal. The composite material takes a first shape at a lower temperature and a second shape at a higher temperature. At the higher temperature, the shape memory alloy has a “remembered” shape, causing the composite material to take the second shape. The elastic material provides the composite material with elastic properties which cause the composite material to return to the first shape when cooled to the lower temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventor: Steven Walak
  • Publication number: 20070100448
    Abstract: A medical implant that delivers therapeutic via microtubes and a method of making the same is provided. In one embodiment a biologically implantable structure adapted to fit within the body of a patient is provided. This structure may have a plurality of individual microtubes in physical communication with its outer surface, the microtubes containing or carrying a therapeutic. In another embodiment a method of manufacturing an implantable medical appliance is provided. This method includes placing a pliant stratum of microtubes onto a biologically implantable medical structure and then applying a therapeutic to the pliant stratum to cover or fill the microtubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventor: Steven Walak
  • Patent number: 7168605
    Abstract: A medical implant that delivers therapeutic via microtubes and a method of making the same is provided. In one embodiment a biologically implantable structure adapted to fit within the body of a patient is provided. This structure may have a plurality of individual microtubes in physical communication with its outer surface, the microtubes containing or carrying a therapeutic. In an alternative embodiment a method of manufacturing an implantable medical appliance is provided. This method includes placing a pliant stratum of microtubes onto a biologically implantable medical structure and then applying a therapeutic to the pliant stratum to cover or fill the microtubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Walak
  • Publication number: 20060153729
    Abstract: Medical devices, such as stents, and methods of making the devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a medical device includes an alloy having tantalum, tungsten, zirconium and niobium. For example, the alloy can include from about 20% to about 40% by weight of tantalum, from about 0.5% to about 9% by weight of tungsten, and from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of zirconium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: Jonathan Stinson, Barry O'Brien, Steven Walak
  • Publication number: 20060149364
    Abstract: The low profile vascular graft of the present invention includes a tube structure having outer and inner surfaces, and a support structure having a chamber structure secured to the outer or inner surface. The support structure includes a core structure contained within the chamber structure. The core structure is transformable from a conformance condition to a reinforcement condition. When the core structure is in the conformance condition, it provides insubstantial resistance to deformation of the tube structure. When the core structure is in the reinforcement condition, it provides substantial resistance to deformation of the tube structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Walak, John Sherry
  • Publication number: 20060100693
    Abstract: Medical devices may be made of shape-memory materials portions of which have been heat treated to exhibit spatial variations in the stiffness of the material. Devices including stents, vena cava filters and guidewires may be constructed from such materials. Devices may also be made from shape-memory materials which have been locally heat treated such that the superelasticity of the treated portion is destroyed while the remainder of the shape-memory material can transition between the martensitic and austenitic states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Walak, Paul DiCarlo
  • Publication number: 20050165301
    Abstract: Medical devices that are visible by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and optionally, other imaging techniques, are described. In some embodiments, a medical device adapted for insertion into the body includes an elongated shaft and an electrically conductive path extending spirally about a portion of the shaft. The conductive path is capable of being connected to a current source. The medical device can further include one or more contrast agents (such as MRI contrast agents, radiopaque materials, and/or ultrasound visible materials), which can be arranged in a predetermined manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventors: Scott Smith, Steven Walak, Lixiao Wang, Jan Weber, Sheng-Ping Zhong
  • Publication number: 20050131522
    Abstract: Medical devices, such as stents, and methods of making the devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, the devices are made using a laser forming process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Jonathan Stinson, Gary Campbell, Steven Walak