With Fragmenting Means Patents (Class 606/128)
  • Patent number: 12053202
    Abstract: An apparatus is configured to provide hemostasis with tissue removal in order to inhibit one or more of blood loss or tissue drainage. In many embodiments, a nozzle releases a liquid jet in a liquid medium in order to provide cavitation and a plurality of shedding pulses. The liquid jet, its cavitation and the plurality of shedding pulses can affect vascular tissue in order to promote clotting in order to inhibit bleeding. In many embodiments, vessels of the vascular tissue are affected at a distance from a region where cavitation of the water jet contacts the tissue. In many embodiments, the cavitation and plurality of shedding pules are related to a pulsatile shear wave propagating along the blood vessel that is related to clot promoting changes of the blood vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: PROCEPT BioRobotics Corporation
    Inventors: Nikolai Aljuri, Edward Karpman, Chris Danek
  • Patent number: 11980378
    Abstract: A device includes: a sheath; an operating wire disposed inside the sheath; a grasping part that is provided at a distal end of the operating wire and that has one or more wires; and a bipolar electrode disposed at a distal end of the sheath. The sheath has, at intervals in the circumferential direction, escape grooves that extend from the distal end toward a proximal end of the sheath, that penetrate from an inner circumferential surface to an outer circumferential surface thereof, and that have such dimensions as to allow the wires to pass therethrough. The bipolar electrode is disposed at a position shifted radially outward from the central axis and at a position between two of the escape grooves in the circumferential direction. The distal end of the bipolar electrode is positioned closer to distal ends of the escape grooves than to proximal ends of the escape grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoki Hatsuda
  • Patent number: 11969179
    Abstract: A tissue retrieval system can include a tissue retrieval bag with an elongate profile. The tissue retrieval bag can have a relatively large volume, but be rollable to a stowed configuration to fit in a relatively small diameter introducer. The tissue retrieval system can include one or more support arms coupled to the tissue retrieval bag, the support arms biased to position the tissue retrieval bag in an access position once deployed from the introducer. A tissue retrieval system can have a hybrid tissue retrieval bag including material properties that vary along the depth of the bag from an open end to a closed end. A tissue retrieval bag can be used in conjunction with an introducer, or as a stand alone tissue retrieval bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation
    Inventors: Scott V. Taylor, Henry Kahle
  • Patent number: 11903606
    Abstract: An apparatus is configured to provide hemostasis with tissue removal in order to inhibit one or more of blood loss or tissue drainage. In many embodiments, a nozzle releases a liquid jet in a liquid medium in order to provide cavitation and a plurality of shedding pulses. The liquid jet, its cavitation and the plurality of shedding pulses can affect vascular tissue in order to promote clotting in order to inhibit bleeding. In many embodiments, vessels of the vascular tissue are affected at a distance from a region where cavitation of the water jet contacts the tissue. In many embodiments, the cavitation and plurality of shedding pules are related to a pulsatile shear wave propagating along the blood vessel that is related to clot promoting changes of the blood vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: PROCEPT BioRobotics Corporation
    Inventors: Nikolai Aljuri, Edward Karpman, Chris Danek
  • Patent number: 11813416
    Abstract: A catheter system and a method for performing body obstruction destruction are disclosed. The catheter comprises a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, including an outer tubular member and at least one inner tubular member disposed within the outer tubular member; a first fluid lumen defined between the inner tubular member and the outer tubular member and at least one second lumen defined by the inner tubular member; one or more fluid exit openings located at a distal end region of the catheter configured to permit fluid to exit the catheter from the first fluid lumen; fluid pressure means located external of the catheter ahead from the proximal end for delivering said fluid in the first fluid lumen at a pressure range predetermined to cause destruction of said obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: HEXACATH
    Inventors: Gilles Ascher, Bernard De Bruyne, Nico Pijls
  • Patent number: 11752035
    Abstract: A phacoemulsification transducer assembly includes a reflector and a driver connected to the reflector. The driver has a known driver vibration frequency range. A horn is connected to the driver opposite the reflector. A needle is connected to the horn opposite the driver. The needle has a known free shaft length. To maximize a desired stroke length of the needle for a minimal amount of power applied to the driver, a material forming the needle is chosen such that a speed of sound through the material results in a quarter-wavelength distance at the driver vibration frequency range substantially equal to the needle free shaft length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ala Moradian, Brian D. McCary, Toh Seng Goh, Matthew J. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 11738135
    Abstract: Pressure control unit for an ophthalmic irrigation/aspiration system having a chamber with an upper part for storing air and a lower part for storing a surgical fluid to be irrigated or aspirated, the pressure control unit including a negative pressure source, a positive pressure source and an adjustable valve arrangement. The adjustable valve arrangement includes a vacuum port connected to the negative pressure source and a pressure port connected to the positive pressure source. The adjustable valve arrangement also includes a main port in controllable fluid communication with the vacuum port and the pressure port and the main port is connected to an upper part of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Crea IP B.V.
    Inventor: Adriaantje Coliene Dam-Huisman
  • Patent number: 11672554
    Abstract: A lithotripter tip configured for use within an invasive lithotripter probe may include a lithotripter tip body dimensioned and configured to be threaded through a human vein or artery of a patient and delivered to a position directly adjacent to a concretion within the patient. The lithotripter tip body may define an interior region in communication with an aperture at a distal end of the lithotripter tip body and the lithotripter tip body may define at least one port in communication with the interior region that is configured to receive a liquid and provide a path for the liquid to flow into the interior region of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: NORTHGATE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Robert R. Mantell
  • Patent number: 11633200
    Abstract: A medical device may include an elongated body, a balloon positioned at a distal portion of the elongated body, and one or more pressure-wave emitters positioned along a central longitudinal axis of the elongated body within the balloon. The one or more pressure-wave emitters may be configured to propagate pressure waves radially outward through the fluid to fragment a calcified lesion at the target treatment site. The at least one of the one or more pressure-wave emitters may include an electronic emitter comprising a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode may be arranged to define a spark gap between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the second electrode may comprise a portion of a hypotube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: FastWave Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Anderson, Randy Beyreis, Scott Nelson, JiChao Sun, Brady Hatcher, Laura Ortega, Joe Duerr, Ae-Suk Pauling, Daryl Kiefer, Bryan Goh, Dannah Dean, Marc Simmon, Curtis Goreham-Voss, Parker Hagen, Tristan Tieso, Lauren Eno
  • Patent number: 11596726
    Abstract: An apparatus is for use in a vascular space in a body. A catheter has a lumen adapted for communicating fluid between a distal end for insertion in the vascular space and a proximal end. A transducer is adapted for removably connecting to the catheter for contacting the fluid and transmitting energy through the fluid in the lumen for dissolving an obstruction therein. A suction is provided for removing any debris from the obstruction in the lumen of the catheter. The wave guide may be tubular, and may have a length corresponding to the length of the lumen. A catheter or an implantable port including an embedded ultrasonic transducer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventor: Peng Zheng
  • Patent number: 11559318
    Abstract: An invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe may comprise a lithotripter tip that comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. The lithotripter tip has a length in excess of 250 cm and is dimensioned to be inserted into a long channel having a length in excess of 250 cm. The lithotripter probe may include a material that reinforces a linear strength of at least a portion of the lithotripter probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: NORTHGATE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Stan J. Lipowski, Robert Mantell, Chuck Zander
  • Patent number: 11553936
    Abstract: A device for fracturing calcifications in heart valves includes a stabilizer and an impactor movable towards each other. The impactor includes one or more impactor arms, each of which extends distally from a proximal cap. The impactor further includes one or more lever arms each of which is distally coupled to a lever cap and proximally coupled to a corresponding one of the one or more impactor arms. The lever cap slides on a shaft which extends towards the proximal cap. Proximal movement of the lever cap towards the proximal cap causes the one or more lever arms to deform and to push against the one or more impactor arms and to cause the one or more impactor arms to deform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Pi-Cardia Ltd.
    Inventors: Erez Golan, Ofir Gal-Or, Oded Meiri, Ronnie Levy, Shai Kami
  • Patent number: 11534574
    Abstract: A coaxial multilumen annulus plane catheter, including an outer pigtail catheter enclosing one or two additional lumens, each housing either a slidable shaped wire or a second pigtail catheter shaped to fit into a wide range of annulus diameters and/or depths. In embodiments, the device may include a catheter delivery handle with thumb/finger-actuated sliders that extend or retract the shaped wires and are sized to enable side-to-side or radial motion, imparting a torque to the pre-shaped wires which translates the length of the wires to enable individually controlled rotation or sweep of each wire to accommodate different annulus diameters. The delivery handle includes hemostasis controls and flush ports. In other embodiments, a handle is obviated by direct lumen axial and rotational control at a proximal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventors: James R. Watson, Reginald Low
  • Patent number: 11395666
    Abstract: A waveguide that is configured to focus ballistic shockwaves by harnessing the propagation speed of an acoustic wave through different materials by controlling the geometry and the materials forming the waveguide through which the ballistic shockwave is travelling so as to focus the ballistic shockwaves at a focal zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: HI IMPACTS LTD.
    Inventors: Eduard Papirov, Itzhak Friedman, Yehoshua Dolberg
  • Patent number: 11376071
    Abstract: A method of reducing retro-repulsion of a stone during a laser lithotripsy procedure involves the use of a spacer tip or standoff sleeve to create a passage between the tip of a fiber and a stone, and to prevent collapse of a bubble formed by vaporization of and/or gas pressure on liquid present in the passage. The laser radiation may consist of continuous or quasi-continuous wave radiation that is relatively low in power compared to the therapeutic pulses, or may consist of the therapeutic pulses if the pulse frequency is high enough to prevent collapse of the bubble between pulses. The spacer tip or standoff sleeve further prevents collapse of the bubble and ingress of liquid into the laser path. The spacer tip or standoff sleeve may be a generally-cylindrical protective cap that is fitted to an end of the optical fiber and that extends beyond the fiber tip to provide a predetermined spacing or standoff between the fiber tip and the stone when the protective cap is in contact with the stone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: OPTICAL INTEGRITY, INC.
    Inventors: Joe D. Brown, Daniel Malphurs
  • Patent number: 11357958
    Abstract: Devices, assemblies, systems, and techniques described herein may deliver a pressure wave to structures of a heart, such an aortic valve. For example, a medical assembly may include an expandable member configured to expand from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration, the expandable member configured to at least partially define a channel through the expandable member in the expanded configuration and one or more electrodes carried by the expandable member. The one or more electrodes may be configured to transmit an electrical signal through a fluid to cause the fluid to undergo cavitation that generates a pressure wave within the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaclyn Kawwas, Richard L. Klein
  • Patent number: 11357523
    Abstract: A device for the fragmentation of a calculus includes a probe, and a drive unit for deflecting the probe along the longitudinal extension thereof. The drive unit includes a first drive element for periodically deflecting the probe and a second drive element for the pulsed deflection of the probe. The drive unit is configured such that periodic deflection and pulsed deflection can be superimposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: FERTON HOLDING S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre-Alain Bionda, Jean-Yves Girod, Gary Evans
  • Patent number: 11317937
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for determining the state of an end effector of an ultrasonic surgical instrument are disclosed. A control circuit can be configured to measure a complex impedance of an ultrasonic electromechanical system including an ultrasonic blade and compare the measured complex impedance to reference complex impedance patterns that each correspond to a state of the end effector. Accordingly, the control circuit can further be configured to determine the state of the end effector according to which of the plurality of reference complex impedance patterns the measured complex impedance corresponds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Cameron R. Nott, Fergus P. Quigley, Alexander R. Cuti, Matthew S. Schneider, Maxwell Rockman, Gregory D. Bishop
  • Patent number: 11291464
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel target detecting device comprising an excitation transducer generating a low frequency pulses of weakly focused ultrasonic energy and a sensing transducer. The present invention also includes a method of aligning a treatment transducer to a target by mapping the target in situ by sending a low frequency ultrasound signal and receiving reflected signals from the target. These inventions provide a simpler way of determining the location of a target and aligning a treatment transducer without the need to generate and interpret an image and then translate the image back onto the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Applaud Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: William Behnke-Parks, Daniel Laser
  • Patent number: 11284912
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented comprising an endoscope including a flexible shaft which has an active deflection section at a distal tip, a handle connected to a proximal end of the flexible shaft, a platform mounted to a top portion of the handle and oriented substantially in line with the longitudinal axis of the proximal end of a straight portion of the flexible shaft to provide a substantially straight entry into a working channel of the flexible shaft for an output accessory, a stone retrieval device insertable into the proximal end of the working channel of the endoscope, a lithotripsy shaft including one or more guide features at a distal end of the lithotripsy shaft to facilitate passage of wires or filaments of the stone retrieval device there through, and a lithotripsy shaft driver attached to the platform for driving the lithotripsy shaft under power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Gyrus Acmi, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. St. George
  • Patent number: 11266817
    Abstract: In some examples, a catheter includes an elongated member including at least one balloon connected to the elongated member, the at least one balloon being configured to inflate to an expanded state. In the expanded state, the at least one balloon forms at least a portion of a cavity with a wall of a vessel of the patient. The catheter including at least one electrode carried by the elongated member and having at least one surface exposed to the cavity formed by the at least one balloon. The electrode is configured to connect to an energy source that is configured to deliver, via the electrode, an electrical signal to a fluid contained in the cavity and in contact with the electrode to cause the fluid to undergo cavitation to generate a pressure pulse wave within the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC VASCULAR, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Ashley Cope, Risa Tom Egerter, Gerry Oliver McCaffrey, Peter Glynn, Jack Wallis, Aran Murray
  • Patent number: 11241243
    Abstract: A system for retrieving material from a cavity in a patient may include a tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the scope configured to be inserted into the cavity, and a filter assembly disposed between the tube and a vacuum source configured to apply negative pressure through the tube to cause the material to flow through the tube from the distal end to the proximal end, the filter assembly including a filter configured to trap the material in the filter assembly, and allow liquid and gases to pass through the filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Pereira, Martin Phelan
  • Patent number: 11229770
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for facilitation of intraluminal medical procedures within the neurovasculature including a catheter advancement element an inner diameter that is at least about 0.014? up to about 0.024? and an outer diameter having at least one snug point. A difference between the inner diameter of the distal, catheter portion and the outer diameter of the tubular portion at the snug point is no more than about 0.010?. A tip portion located distal to the at least one snug point of the tubular portion has a length and tapers along at least a portion of the length of the tip portion, wherein the tip portion has a distal point located a distance of at least 5 mm proximal from the distal-most end of the catheter advancement element, the distal point having a bending force that is no greater than about 0.05 Newtons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Route 92 Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony M. Chou, Scott D. Wilson, Vera Shinsky
  • Patent number: 11116528
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for treating endovascular disease. Vibrational energy is delivered to change compliance and increase permeability at the treatment area. To improve clinical outcomes, one or more therapeutic drugs may be delivered to the treatment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: CARDIOPROLIFIC, INC.
    Inventor: Michael P Wallace
  • Patent number: 11103263
    Abstract: The presently disclosed and/or claimed inventive concept(s) relate, in general, to systems, kits, and techniques for performing embolectomies including, but not limited to, arterial and venous embolectomies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Ichor Vascular Inc.
    Inventor: Troy Long
  • Patent number: 11051832
    Abstract: A system for removal of blood or thrombus includes an aspiration catheter having an elongate shaft including an aspiration lumen having proximal end configured to couple to a vacuum source, and a distal end having an orifice, an elongate member configured for placement through the aspiration lumen and having a distal portion including a disruption element configured to disrupt thrombus within the aspiration lumen, and a monitoring device configured for removable connection in between the aspiration catheter and the vacuum source, and including a housing, a pressure sensor in fluid communication with an interior of the housing, a measurement device coupled to the pressure sensor and configured for measuring deviations in fluid pressure, and a communication device coupled to the measurement device and configured to generate an alert signal when a deviation in fluid pressure measured by the measurement device exceeds a pre-set threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Incuvate, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Look, Bradley S. Culbert
  • Patent number: 11026707
    Abstract: Described here are devices and methods for forming shock waves. The devices may comprise an axially extending elongate member. A first electrode pair may comprise a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode pair may be provided on the elongate member and positioned within a conductive fluid. A controller may be coupled to the first electrode pair. The controller may be configured to deliver a series of individual pulses to the first electrode pair, where each pulse creates a shock wave. The controller may cause current to flow through the electrode pair in a first direction for some of the pulses in the series and in a second direction opposite the first direction for the remaining pulses in the series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: SHOCKWAVE MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Vincent Wenchung Ku, Camilo Perez Saaibi
  • Patent number: 11020135
    Abstract: Described herein are shock wave devices and methods for the treatment of vascular plaques. One variation of a shock wave device may include a pair of elongated, flexible concentric tubes comprising an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube and the outer tube may be connected together at one end, and at least a portion of the volume between the inner tube and the outer tube may be filled with a conductive fluid via the other end. At least two electrodes may be positioned between the inner tube and the outer tube, the at least two electrodes being electrically connectable to a voltage source and configured to generate shock waves in the conductive fluid in response to voltage pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: SHOCKWAVE MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel Hawkins
  • Patent number: 10849637
    Abstract: A lithotripter tip configured for use within an invasive lithotripter probe may include a lithotripter tip body defining an interior region in communication with an aperture at a distal end of the lithotripter tip body and defining at least one port in communication with the interior region. A first electrode and a second electrode are positioned within the interior region of the lithotripter tip such that such that when liquid is within the interior region and an electric arc occurs between the first and second electrodes, a gaseous bubble forms within the interior region and a resulting shockwave travels out of the aperture at the distal end of the lithotripter tip body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: NORTHGATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Robert R. Mantell
  • Patent number: 10842515
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to electro-hydraulically actuated lithotripters and methods for fragmenting stones using such lithotripters. In an embodiment, a lithotripter apparatus for fragmenting at least one stone in a body is disclosed. The lithotripter apparatus includes a chamber configured to contain an electro-conductive fluid, which includes a proximal end wall and a distal end wall spaced from the proximal end wall. A chisel is coupled to the chamber and located at least proximate to the distal end wall. A proximal electrode is located at least partially in the chamber. A distal electrode is located at least partially in the chamber and spaced from the proximal electrode. Responsive to an effective voltage applied between the proximal and distal electrodes, the proximal and distal electrodes are configured to electrically discharge into the electro-conductive fluid to generate shock waves in the chamber that accelerate the chisel toward the at least one stone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: C.R. BARD, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Dolgin
  • Patent number: 10702249
    Abstract: Provided is a wireless probe including: an ultrasound reception/transmission module that receives a first power and scans a target object by transmitting ultrasound signals to the target object and receiving ultrasound echo signals reflected from the target object; a signal processing module that receives a second power, generates pulses for generating the ultrasound signals and generates ultrasound data by using the ultrasound echo signals; a wireless communication module that receives a third power and receives/transmits predetermined data from/to a medical device; a controller that controls supply of at least one of the first power, the second power, and the third power based on an operation state of the wireless probe; and a power unit that supplies or blocks the at least one of the first power, the second power, and the third power according to control of the controller. Each component included in the wireless probe may reduce power consumed by the wireless probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignees: Samsung Medison Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gil-ju Jin, Mi-jeoung Ahn, Nam-woong Kim, Seong-ho Chang
  • Patent number: 10646240
    Abstract: Described herein are shock wave devices and methods for the treatment of calcified heart valves. One variation of a shock wave device may comprise an elongated flexible tube carried by a sheath. The tube may have a fluid input end, which may be located near a proximal end of the sheath. The tube may include a loop portion. The loop portion may be configured to be at least partially accommodated within a cusp of the heart valve. The tube may be fillable with a conductive fluid. In some variations, the shock wave device may include an array of electrode pairs associated with a plurality of wires positioned within the loop portion of a tube. The electrode pairs may be electrically connectable to a voltage source and configured to generate shock waves in the conductive fluid in response to voltage pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SHOCKWAVE MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Rainier Betelia, Hoa D. Nguyen, Camilo Perez Saaibi, Adam R. Tanner
  • Patent number: 10603058
    Abstract: Electrohydraulic lithotripters comprising a plurality of electrohydraulic probes are disclosed. Each probe of the plurality of probes comprise a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe. A first probe and a second probe of the plurality of probes may be configured to discharge simultaneously or sequentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: NORTHGATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Mantell
  • Patent number: 10478202
    Abstract: A valvuloplasty system comprises a balloon adapted to be placed adjacent leaflets of a valve. The balloon is inflatable with a liquid. The system further includes a shock wave generator within the balloon that produces shock waves that propagate through the liquid for impinging upon the valve. The shock wave generator is moveable within the balloon to vary shock wave impingement on the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: SHOCKWAVE MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: John M. Adams, Thomas G. Goff
  • Patent number: 10449276
    Abstract: The catheter device comprises a motor at the proximal end of the catheter device and a drive shaft, extending from the proximal end section to the distal end section of the catheter device, for driving a rotating element located at the distal end of the catheter device. The catheter device also comprises a hose-like catheter body which encompasses the drive shaft and extends from the proximal end section to the distal end section. At the proximal end of the catheter device, the drive shaft is connected to a motor by a clutch. The clutch is a magnetic clutch with a proximal and a distal magnet unit. The proximal magnet unit is connected to the motor and the distal magnet unit to the drive shaft. The distal magnet unit is mounted fluid-tight in a clutch housing. The proximal end of the catheter body makes a fluid-tight connection with the clutch housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: AIS GMBH AACHEN INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
    Inventors: Joachim Georg Pfeffer, Thomas Schmitz-Rode, Rolf W. Günther
  • Patent number: 10426500
    Abstract: An invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe may comprise a lithotripter tip that comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. The lithotripter tip has a length in excess of 250 cm and is dimensioned to be inserted into a long channel having a length in excess of 250 cm. The lithotripter probe may include a material that reinforces a linear strength of at least a portion of the lithotripter probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: NORTHGATE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Stan J. Lipowski, Robert Mantell, Chuck Zander
  • Patent number: 10368941
    Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering energy to passageways in a patient, such as airways in the lung of a patient for treating asthma. One embodiment of a method for delivering energy to a passageway comprises positioning an access device in a lung airway of a patient and advancing an elongated body of a treatment device along the access device until an energy delivery unit at a distal portion of the elongated body projects from the access device. The method can further include expanding the energy delivery unit such that energy delivery elements contact a sidewall of the airway and activating an energy supply coupled to the treatment device such that energy is delivered to the sidewall of the airway. A single person physically operates both the access device and the treatment device while expanding the energy delivery unit and activating the energy supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Noah Webster, Timothy Dalbec, Huy Phan, William Wizeman, William Evans, Matthew Presta
  • Patent number: 10357264
    Abstract: A translatable shock wave treatment apparatus is suitable for use in treating calcified lesions in vascular structures having small diameters. An elongate member carrying a collapsed angioplasty balloon is first inserted into the occluded blood vessel. The angioplasty balloon is inflated with a conducting fluid to pre-dilate the narrow blood vessel prior to introducing electrodes and applying shock wave therapy. After the blood vessel is at least partially opened, a translatable electrode carrier equipped with one or more shock wave emitters is advanced into the angioplasty balloon. Shock waves are then propagated through the fluid to impart energy to calcified plaques along the vessel walls, thereby softening the calcified lesions. Following the shock wave treatment, multiple inflation and deflation cycles of the angioplasty balloon can be administered to gently compress the softened lesion and complete dilation of the blood vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: SHOCKWAVE MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventor: Denny Kat-Kuoy
  • Patent number: 10314561
    Abstract: A tomographic image generation device acquires ultrasonic wave data and interference light data to be used for generating a tomographic image for one line in respective rotation positions of the transmitting and receiving unit by performing sampling respectively on an ultrasonic wave echo signal and an interference light signal obtained by driving the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit and the optical transmitting and receiving unit while rotating the transmitting and receiving unit. Then, the tomographic image generation device controls operation timing of the acquisition means so that a sampling period for performing sampling on the interference light signal for one line and a predetermined period from driving of the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit for ultrasonic wave oscillation are not overlapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ema Itoh, Isao Mori
  • Patent number: 10285773
    Abstract: A lithotripter includes a handle with a distal end and a proximal end, a driver resource contained within the handle, the driver resource having a driver resource distal end and a driver resource proximal end, and a probe housed within the handle, the probe having a probe distal end and a probe proximal end, the probe distal end terminating at the distal end of the apparatus at a point distal from the handle distal end, the probe proximal end terminating proximal to the driver resource proximal end. The lithotripter further includes a shielding insert surrounding at least a portion of the probe, the shielding insert having a shielding insert proximal end and a shielding insert distal end, the shielding insert proximal end terminating proximal to the proximal end of the driver resource, and the shielding insert distal end terminating distal to the distal end of the driver resource, the probe proximal end being contained within the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: GYRUS ACMI, INC.
    Inventors: Richard C. Faherty, Lawrence J. St. George
  • Patent number: 10269340
    Abstract: An ultrasound beamformer may include an array of ultrasound transducer elements. Multiple signal transmitters may each generate an ultrasound signal that is different from the ultrasound signal generated by each of the others. The number of ultrasound transmitters may be no more than half the number of ultrasound transducer elements. Each multiplexer may have multiple signal inputs, each connected to a different one of the ultrasound signals; an output that drives the ultrasound transducer element; and a control input that controls which of the ultrasound signals at the signal inputs to the multiplexer is delivered to the output of the multiplexer based on a control signal. The controller may generate the control signals with a collective configuration that causes the array of ultrasound transducer elements to steer an/or focus a beam of ultrasound energy in one or more different ways at one or more different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Inventor: Jesse Yen
  • Patent number: 9987034
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fluid cooled ultrasonic surgical instrument and related systems and methods of use therefor. In some embodiments, the disclosed ultrasonic surgical instrument is adapted for used within an insufflated cavity or pneumoperitoneum of a patient. The instrument includes a housing having an elongate shaft, a waveguide disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a coolant inlet port defined in an outer surface of the housing, and a coolant pump disposed within the housing and configured to move coolant from the coolant inlet port to the waveguide. During use, insufflation gas from within the pneumoperitoneum is drawn into the instrument shaft by the coolant pump, and blown over the waveguide to provide cooling. The delivery of ultrasonic energy and activation of the pump may be controlled by a processor in response to user input and waveguide temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Anthony B. Ross, Robert B. Stoddard, James S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russell D. Hempstead, Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, William H. Nau, Jr., Arlen K. Ward
  • Patent number: 9936967
    Abstract: An object removal tool including a basket device having a basket section; a sheath on the basket device, where the sheath is adapted to longitudinally slide on the basket device; and a control connected to the basket device and the sheath. The control is configured to longitudinally move the sheath on the basket device to close the basket section on an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Nison Galperin, Carlo A. DiRusso
  • Patent number: 9795437
    Abstract: An electrosurgical treatment system includes an output section that supplies a high-frequency output to a treatment instrument, a detecting section that detects a voltage and an electric current of the high-frequency output in the output section, a phase-difference detecting section that calculates a phase difference between the detected voltage and electric current, and a control section that switches, on the basis of a change in the phase difference, a first phase for drying a biological tissue by applying the high-frequency output to the biological tissue while increasing the voltage to a second phase for coapting the biological tissue by performing, with a set value of a voltage determined according to a voltage value of the high-frequency output at an end point in time of the first phase, constant voltage control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sadayoshi Takami, Tsuyoshi Hayashida
  • Patent number: 9656008
    Abstract: A rotatable operating head for removal of obstructive material from a target site in a body lumen or cavity is operably connected to a rotatable, translatable drive shaft that is driven by a drive motor and received through an elongated catheter. The operating head includes a plurality of differential cutting blades, with at least one of the cutting blades being a stepped blade, the stepped blade comprising a raised cutting surface positioned adjacent, or in proximity to, a shoulder region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Limited
    Inventors: Edward I. Wulfman, Casey Torrance
  • Patent number: 9579114
    Abstract: Invasive side-firing electrohydraulic lithotripsy probes that creates a substantially annular shockwave to break up concretions are disclosed. Generally, the side-firing electrohydraulic lithotripsy probe includes a lithotripter tip including a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is positioned at a distal end of the lithotripter tip and the second electrode is positioned in the lithotripter tip such that an end of the second electrode is coaxially aligned with an end of the first electrode. An electric arc between the first and second electrodes causes a shockwave to radiate radially from the lithotripter tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Northgate Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Mantell, Stan J. Lipowski, Chuck Zander, Joanna L. Zander
  • Patent number: 9554816
    Abstract: A device for fracturing calcifications in heart valves including an expandable stabilizer (14) and expandable impactor arms (20) assembled on and deployed by a delivery system (10), wherein the delivery system (10) is operable to move the impactor arms (20), while in an expanded position, with respect to the stabilizer (14) with sufficient energy so as to fracture a calcification located in tissure which is sandwiched between the stabilizer (14) and the impactor arms (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Pi-Cardia Ltd.
    Inventor: Erez Golan
  • Patent number: 9498378
    Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus for performing an ocular surgery may include an ophthalmic probe body having an inner cutting member at least partially disposed within and moveable relative to an aspiration tube within the probe body to facilitate flow of aspiration fluid. A motor within the body may be configured to actuate the inner cutting member relative to the aspiration tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: NOVARTIS AG
    Inventor: Brian W. McDonell
  • Patent number: 9474542
    Abstract: A transducer stack (10) includes rings (16) of piezo-electric ceramic alternating with metal electrodes (18) along a threaded central shaft (32) extending from a titanium back plate (20). A spacer or threaded element (14) threaded on to the shaft (32) holds the ceramic rings (16) and electrodes (18) in compression against the back plate (20). The transducer stack (10) is mountable eccentrically to a horn (12) of an ultrasonically-vibratable tool, away from an axis of an elongate waveguide (56) extending from the horn (12). The transducer stack (10) may vibrate in a flexural mode perpendicular to the waveguide (56), generating torsional mode ultrasonic vibrations in the horn (12) and waveguide (56), or in a flexural mode parallel to the waveguide (56), generating longitudinal mode ultrasonic vibrations in the horn (12) and waveguide (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SRA DEVELOPMENTS LTD.
    Inventors: James Anton Slipszenko, Michael James Ede, Stephen Michael Radley Young
  • Patent number: 9451978
    Abstract: An expandable cage is expanded within a narrowed region of a blood vessel. The expandable cage has openings therein so that plaque protrudes through the openings when the cage is expanded. A material removing element passes within the cage to remove the plaque extending into the openings. The openings are preferably formed by integrally formed elements which provide a smooth internal surface. The material removing element passes along the smooth internal surface when removing the plaque. A collection bag is coupled to the material removing element to capture the material which has been removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Stephen W. Boyd