Patents by Inventor William Webler

William Webler 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: 8308683
    Abstract: An agent delivery catheter configured to deliver an agent to an inner surface of a patient's body lumen wall by forming an array of cells defining agent containment chambers at multiple locations along the catheter's shaft, while minimizing ischemic conditions during the procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Leonard, Binh T. Nguyen, William Webler
  • Publication number: 20080103478
    Abstract: Embodiments include an infusion-occlusion system having a delivery catheter, a guide catheter adapted to receive the delivery catheter, and a guidewire with an occlusion device adapted to be received within the guide catheter. The guide catheter of the catheter kit may be provided with an occlusion device at the distal end of the guide catheter. The delivery catheter may have an accessory lumen, coaxial or co-linear lumen, a supporting mandrel, or an occlusion device at its distal end. Moreover, according to some embodiments, occlusion devices may be a single material or a composite balloon having an inner liner and an outer layer of different materials, a high compliance low pressure balloon, or a filter device that restricts particles from passing through but does not restrict fluid, such as blood. An inflation device with a large volume and low volume syringe can be used to inflate the balloon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Jessica Chiu, Gregory Chan, Gabriel Asongwe, Robert Esselstein, Douglas Gesswein, Srinivasan Sridharan, Nianjiong Bei, William Webler, Stephen Schaible, Mina Chow, Yan Shen, Hongzhi Bai, Mark Bly, Thomas Hatten
  • Publication number: 20080103523
    Abstract: Embodiments include an infusion-occlusion system having a delivery catheter, a guide catheter adapted to receive the delivery catheter, and a guidewire with an occlusion device adapted to be received within the guide catheter. The guide catheter of the catheter kit may be provided with an occlusion device at the distal end of the guide catheter. The delivery catheter may have an accessory lumen, coaxial or co-linear lumen, a supporting mandrel, or an occlusion device at its distal end. Moreover, according to some embodiments, occlusion devices may be a single material or a composite balloon having an inner liner and an outer layer of different materials, a high compliance low pressure balloon, or a filter device that restricts particles from passing through but does not restrict fluid, such as blood. An inflation device with a large volume and low volume syringe can be used to inflate the balloon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Jessica Chiu, Gregory Chan, Gabriel Asongwe, Robert Esselstein, Douglas Gesswein, Srinivasan Sridharan, Nianjiong Bei, William Webler, Stephen Schaible, Mina Chow, Yan Shen, Hongzhi Bai, Mark Bly, Thomas Hatten
  • Publication number: 20080041516
    Abstract: Embodiments include an infusion-occlusion system having a delivery catheter, a guide catheter adapted to receive the delivery catheter, and a guidewire with an occlusion device adapted to be received within the guide catheter. The guide catheter of the catheter kit may be provided with an occlusion device at the distal end of the guide catheter. The delivery catheter may have an accessory lumen, coaxial or co-linear lumen, a supporting mandrel, or an occlusion device at its distal end. Moreover, according to some embodiments, occlusion devices may be a single material or a composite balloon having an inner liner and an outer layer of different materials, a high compliance low pressure balloon, or a filter device that restricts particles from passing through but does not restrict fluid, such as blood. An inflation device with a large volume and low volume syringe can be used to inflate the balloon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Jessica Chiu, Gregory Chan, Gabriel Asongwe, Robert Esselstein, Douglas Gesswein, Srinivasan Sridharan, Nianjiong Bei, William Webler, Stephen Schaible, Mina Chow, Yan Shen, Hongzhi Bai, Mark Bly, Thomas Hatten
  • Publication number: 20070167822
    Abstract: An echogenic medical device, such as a needle catheter, which produces an improved ultrasonic image of the device, and a method of performing a medical procedure using a device of the invention. One aspect is directed to a catheter which reduces artifacts in the ultrasound image of the catheter. In one embodiment, the catheter has a spherical distal tip. Another aspect of the invention is directed to an echogenic catheter with echogenic portions arranged in an array to facilitate determination by ultrasonic imaging of the rotational orientation of the catheter relative to a desired location within the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: William Webler, Mina Chow
  • Publication number: 20070167801
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for the image guidance and documentation of medical procedures. One embodiment includes combining small field of view images into a recorded image of with a large field of view and aligning the small field of view real time image with the recorded image through correlation of imaging data. A location and orientation determination system may be used to track the imaging system and provide a starting set of image alignment parameters and/or provide change updates to a set of image alignment parameters, which is then further improved through correlating imaging data. The recorded image may be selected according to real time measurement of a cardiac parameter during an image guided cardiac procedure. Image manipulations planned based on the recorded image can be stored and applied to the real time information. The position of the medical device may be determined and recorded through manipulating a cursor in a 3-D image space shown in two non-parallel views.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: William Webler, Mina Chow
  • Publication number: 20070142818
    Abstract: A controlled volume inflation-deflation device to inflate a balloon to occlude a blood vessel by dialing a knob that locks at rotational positions to locate a plunger at equally spaced locations within a syringe of the inflation-deflation device. The inflation-deflation device includes a releasable latch to lock the proximal and distal housings together to hold the plunger forward for occlusion, and to separate and hold the proximal and distal housings to retract the plunger for perfusion. When the inflation-deflation device is returned to the-latched position, the balloon is re-inflated to its previous occlusive diameter. Also, an extension tube made of a lower modulus outer material co-extruded over and miscible with a higher modulus inner material may be used to produce a suitably low compliance extension tube for the inflation-deflation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: William Webler, August Yambao
  • Publication number: 20070129752
    Abstract: Catheter or guidewire mounted automatic vessel occlusion and fluid dispersion devices that expand to occlude or partially occlude a vessel when a fluid is flowing in the catheter or guidewire, and that automatically collapse when fluid flow is stopped. Each occlusion device has an elastic skeleton covered with a flexible cover coupled thereto and may have a hole(s) or openings in its distal or proximal end thereof to allow controlled flow through the desired end of the occlusion device. The fluid may be a flush fluid for enabling or improving the performance of imaging devices and image enhancing fluids, of treatment fluids for localized treatment of a vessel or tissues in communication with the vessel and/or of the transmission of energy to the vessel wall and adjacent tissues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: William Webler, Gary Hague, Frank Manning
  • Publication number: 20070055142
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for guiding the positioning of a device with a position tracking sensor and pre-recorded images. At least one embodiment of the present invention uses pre-recorded time-dependent images (e.g., anatomical images or diagnostic images) to guide the positioning of a medical instrument (e.g., catheter tips) using real time position tracking during diagnostic and/or therapeutic operations with pre-recorded images. In one embodiment of the present invention, predetermined spatial relations are used to determine the position of a tracked medical instrument relative to the pre-recorded images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: William Webler
  • Publication number: 20060265043
    Abstract: Various apparatuses and methods are described to treat vulnerable plaque with the use of combination drug therapy. In one embodiment, the apparatus has an elongated catheter body adapted for insertion in a body lumen, with a drug delivery device attached near a distal portion of the elongated body. The drug delivery device is configured to deliver a therapeutic or biologically active agent to stabilize a vulnerable plaque. In another embodiment, a drug eluting stent is delivered and deployed in conjunction with a second apparatus that delivers drug in pressurized retrograde perfusion. Still another embodiment uses a uniquely shaped balloon to deploy a stent while utilizing a drug infusion needle to inject drug into the vessel wall through a hollow guide wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: Evgenia Mandrusov, Deborah Kilpatrick, Murthy Simhambhatla, Syed Hossainy, Jessica Chiu, Mina Chow, Eugene Michal, Charles Claude, William Webler
  • Publication number: 20060241735
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cardiac vascular occlusion system which includes inner and outer guide catheters and an occluding member disposed on the inner catheter. The occluding member may be deployed from a compressed to an expanded position to limit retrograde blood flow in a body lumen. The occluding member may be used when injecting a contrast agent into the body lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Tockman, Scott Stockmoe, Eric Johnson, John Greenland, Gary Hague, William Webler
  • Publication number: 20060223176
    Abstract: Numerous embodiments of a system and method for treating cardiac tissue are described. In one embodiment, bone marrow cells are extracted from a patient. The cells are then processed to isolate mononuclear cells, which can then be delivered back near the cardiac tissue of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Evgenia Mandrusov, Albert Chin, William Webler, Yan Shen, Robert Ainsworth, Eugene Michel
  • Publication number: 20060149186
    Abstract: An infusion catheter having a distal shaft with an infusion tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the distal shaft, and a proximal cannula with an inner dimension and a distal end attached to a proximal end of the distal shaft to define an opening between the inner diameter of the infusion tube and the inner dimension of the proximal cannula. Also, a guidewire tube disposed within the inner dimension and the distal shaft and extending from the proximal end of the proximal cannula to the distal end of the distal shaft. The inner diameter of the infusion tube, the opening, the exterior dimension of the guidewire tube and the inner dimension cooperate and define sufficient cross sectional sizes to allow a treatment agent to be infused between the proximal end of the proximal cannula and the region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Ken Wantink, William Webler, Jeong Lee
  • Publication number: 20060135870
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for positioning medical devices onto (or close to) a desired portion of the interior wall of an internal channel, such as for scan imaging, for photodynamic therapy and/or for optical temperature measurement. In one embodiment, a catheter assembly has a distal portion that can be changed from a configuration suitable for traversing the internal channel to another configuration suitable for scan at least a spiral section of the interior wall of an internal channel, such as an artery. In one example, the distal portion spirals into gentle contact with (or close to) a spiral section of the artery wall for Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scanning. The spiral radius may be changed through the use of a guidewire, a tendon, a spiral balloon, a tube, or other ways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventor: William Webler
  • Publication number: 20060136025
    Abstract: A guide catheter and a needle catheter are disclosed. The guide catheter construction provides for maximum articulation of the deflectable tip and maximum torque response during rotation. The needle catheter may include a release mechanism that imparts a sudden force to the needle in order to facilitate tissue penetration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventor: William Webler
  • Publication number: 20060106287
    Abstract: Optical windows for intracorporeal devices, intracorporeal devices comprising a window and a method for forming a window for an intracorporeal device are provided. The method comprises placing within a mold an assembly comprising a mandrel located within a pair of parts separated by a collar of window material, heating the window preform effective to cause the window material to soften, and applying force to urge together the pair of parts to deform the window material so as to form a window. The intracorporeal devices, such as imaging devices, include guidewires, catheters, endoscopes. In addition, the method is suitable for joining plastic parts to other parts, such as metal and ceramic parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: William Webler, Michael Whitt, Marc Jalisi, Andrej Chudy, Kevin Phillips, Marc Speck
  • Publication number: 20060064009
    Abstract: Various devices and methods for improving intravascular imaging are disclosed. In one embodiment, fluid dispersion devices are included on a catheter to improve dispersal of a flush solution within a flow of fluid (e.g., blood) in a vessel. In other embodiments, a catheter includes at least one inflatable balloon to selectively partially occlude a vessel to be imaged and/or treated in order to minimize the refractory effects of blood on the imaging/treatment process. In one embodiment, a catheter may image/treat at least a portion of a vessel by moving an imaging/treatment device in a distal direction relative to a proximal section of the catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventors: William Webler, Mina Chow, Jessica Chiu, Dagmar Beyerlein, Daniel Cox, Richard Calfee, Jeong Lee
  • Publication number: 20050182387
    Abstract: A peel-away shaft for a guiding catheter includes a shaft wall defining an open lumen of the catheter shaft. A peel-away region is defined over at least a partial length of the catheter shaft. A braid substantially encompasses the open lumen. The braid includes a region of discontinuity extending along the peel-away region. The region of discontinuity of the braid reduces the tear resistance of the shaft wall along the peel-away region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventor: William Webler
  • Publication number: 20050124977
    Abstract: A catheter device having an elongated tubular member with a proximal end and a distal end, and a needle disposed near the distal end. In one embodiment, the needle has a rigid, penetrating tip coupled to a flexible portion by an overlapping joint. The flexible portion enables the needle to bend to a penetrating angle relative to the distal end of the elongated tubular member and penetrate a body tissue without kinking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, William Webler
  • Publication number: 20050070844
    Abstract: A deflectable catheter assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises a catheter shaft having a catheter proximal section and a catheter distal section, and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The catheter distal section is more flexible than the catheter proximal section. A tendon is disposed within a first lumen of said catheter shaft. The first lumen is approximately centrally located within the catheter shaft at the catheter proximal section. The first lumen is located off-center of the catheter shaft at the catheter distal section. The tendon is able to deflect the catheter distal section when being pulled on. A catheter handle is coupled to the catheter shaft at the catheter proximal section, the catheter handle includes a control mechanism to control the tendon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Mina Chow, Barbara Stamberg, William Webler, John Simpson, August Yambao, Gabriel Asongwe, Jessica Chiu, Lili Liu, Dagmar Beyerlein