Placed In Body Patents (Class 606/14)
  • Patent number: 11918343
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting the position of an in-vivo device based on external light: the system may include an in-vivo device configured for being introduced into a body and having at least one sensor configured for sensing light; and an ex-vivo module including at least one illumination source configured for emitting an indication light towards said body; the indication light is configured for being sensed by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: GIVEN IMAGING LTD.
    Inventor: Semion Khait
  • Patent number: 11717781
    Abstract: A filter cartridge assembly is disclosed, which includes a housing having a reservoir for collecting fluids entering the housing through a gas return path, a sensor located within the reservoir for detecting a fluid level therein, and a backer plate positioned within the housing adjacent an inlet port to the reservoir and including fluid management structure to shield the sensor from fluid entering the reservoir from the gas return path through the inlet port and causing a false indication of the fluid level in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob Jones, Joseph Allen, Jonathan Teymouri, Stephanie Retureta, Rodney Crain, Mahesh Krishnamoorthy
  • Patent number: 11648417
    Abstract: An apparatus for tissue regeneration is provided. The apparatus comprises means for generating at least one laser pulse comprising a wavelength; and means for directing the at least one laser pulse onto a tissue surface of a human or animal body, wherein the means for generating comprises control means to ensure that a sum of the pulse energies of the at least one laser pulse is selected so that the corresponding fluence on the tissue surface heats the tissue surface up to a maximal temperature Tmax between 70° C. and a tissue boiling temperature Tb. Further, the means for generating of the apparatus are adapted so that a delivery time ted of the at least one laser pulse (during which the second half of the pulse energy is delivered) is sufficiently short so that, given the wavelength and thus a corresponding penetration depth ? of the at least one laser pulse, a thermal exposure time texp of the tissue surface is shorter than 900 microseconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Fotona d.o.o.
    Inventors: Matjaz Lukac, Franci Bajd, Marko Kazic, Zdenko Vizintin, Tadej Perhavec
  • Patent number: 11622808
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for delivering laser energy to a target in an endoscopic procedure are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises providing a first laser pulse train and a different second laser pulse train emitting from a distal end of an endoscope and incident on a target. The first laser pulse train has a first laser energy level, and the second laser pulse train has a second laser energy level higher than the first laser energy level. In an example, the first laser pulse train is used to form cracks on a surface of a calculi structure, and the second laser pulse train causes fragmentation of the calculi structure after the cracks are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt G. Shelton, Sergey A. Bukesov, Brian M. Talbot
  • Patent number: 11576724
    Abstract: A catheter for debulking of an undesired deposit from an inner surface of at least one of a blood vessel wall and a stent located in a blood vessel, the catheter having a tip section comprising: circumferentially-directed laser optics; and a circular-action cutter, wherein said circumferentially-directed laser optics is configured to transmit laser radiation for modifying an area of the undesired deposit thereby preparing said area for penetration of said cutter, wherein said cutter is configured to cut through said modified area and thereby debulk at least a part of the undesired deposit. In addition, a catheter for pacemaker and ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) lead extraction is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Eximo Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Ilan Ben-Oren, Yifat Ben-Oren Tamir
  • Patent number: 11571254
    Abstract: A surgical device which combines cautery and tissue debris conveyance via a combination of suction and an Archimedes screw, the cautery electrode encased within the Archimedes screw, the device comprising a device body housing a motor for rotating the screw, a cannula having an aperture for exposing an instrument, extending from the body portion, and a connector system operatively associated with the body portion, the connector system organized to provide pre-determined relative locations of connection for operably connecting the cannula, a cautery electrode and an Archimedes screw to the device body such the cautery electrode tip is positionable outside the aperture of the cannula and the Archimedes screw is disposed within the cannula in a position for conveying tissue entering the cannula via suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Inventor: Shiva Jayaraman
  • Patent number: 11564845
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a wound treatment apparatus with electronic components integrated within a wound dressing. In some embodiments, a wound dressing apparatus can comprise a wound dressing. The wound dressing can comprise an absorbent material, an electronics unit comprising a negative pressure source, the electronics unit integrated within the wound dressing and at least partially encapsulated by a flexible film. The flexible film can comprise a window or aperture configured to permit fluid communication between the absorbent material and the negative pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Frederick Jethro Harrison, William Kelbie, Joseph William Robinson, Daniel Lee Steward, Grant West
  • Patent number: 11547429
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laparoscopic device used in laparoscopic cyst hydatid operations, which has a shaft that enables simultaneous performance of the breaking of the cyst content in the area by the blade in the conical slot at the end of the shaft, aspiration of the cyst fluid and the broken female vesicles and if required, washing processes and an electrically connected hand unit. The mentioned laparoscopic device contains a motor inside the hand unit, motor drive unit, cycle unit, cycle control unit and trigger and the shaft part contains aspiration channel, washing channel, the shaft enabling the blade movement and blade unit in the conical slot at the end part of the same shaft, which rotates transversely to the conical slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: TRAKYA UNIVERSITESI
    Inventor: Zeliha Turkyilmaz
  • Patent number: 11534621
    Abstract: A light treatment system includes: a probe configured to be inserted into a body cavity, the probe including an optical fiber configured to propagate light, and a light emitter that is provided at a distal end of the optical fiber, the emitter being configured to emit the light; a balloon catheter into which the probe is inserted, the balloon catheter including a distal end portion that is to be inserted into the body cavity and that is to be dilated by being supplied with a liquid including air bubbles; and an air bubble generator configured to generate the air bubbles to be included in the liquid and change a property of the air bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Matsumoto, Mitsuru Namiki
  • Patent number: 11241270
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a plurality of transducers of a transducer-based device may be selected for activation. A first pair of subsets of the selected transducers may be identified for initial activation, each subset of the first pair being activated with a different phase angle range than the other. No transducer in one subset is sufficiently close to a transducer in the other subset to cause a confluence of ablated tissue regions therebetween. The first pair of subsets may be activated simultaneously or concurrently. Upon activation or a conclusion thereof of the pair of subsets of the selected transducers, one or more subsequent pairs of subsets of the selected transducers may be activated iteratively on a pair-by-pair basis, until all of the selected transducers have achieved desired activation results, according to some embodiments. Each subsequent pair may include the same or similar characteristics as the first pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: KARDIUM INC.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Weinkam, Daniel M. Reinders
  • Patent number: 10959778
    Abstract: This invention relates to enhancement of the delivery of laser beams to internal surgical sites by employing, where practical, heavy water rather than normal water as both the irrigation fluid and the laser beam transmission medium that fills some or all of the space between the distal tip of the optical fiber to the surgical site. The use of heavy water is advantageous for surgical procedures employing lasers operating in the wavelength range of 1.0 microns to 2.5 microns where heavy water is substantially more transparent than normal water. This range includes the commercially important semiconductor diode laser operating at 1.47 microns where the optical attenuation coefficient in heavy water is less than one hundredth of that in normal water. Due to the rather high cost of heavy water, methods are described for collecting and re-cycling heavy water used during laser surgery to mitigate this cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventor: Douglas Arthur Pinnow
  • Patent number: 10939959
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for optically evaluating and treating or ablating tissue. Specifically, device, system, and method allow for the optical and/or electrical evaluation of tissue at the same location(s) at which ablation or treatment or ablation energy is delivered. This allows for a more accurate evaluation of lesion formation and tissue condition before, during, and/or after a treatment or ablation procedure. In one embodiment, a device for performing a medical procedure includes an elongate body including a proximal portion, a distal portion having a distal end, and a longitudinal axis, and a distal tip electrode at the elongate body distal end, the tip electrode being optically transparent and electrically conductive. The device may also include optical windows in the elongate body aligned with one or more transparent lateral electrodes for optically interrogating tissue and/or for delivering treatment or ablation energy to tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gonzalo Martinez, Timothy G. Laske, Mark T. Stewart
  • Patent number: 10914942
    Abstract: An electromagnetic beam scanning system and corresponding method of use is provided. The system includes a motor, a reciprocating mechanism, and a focus optic. The motor is configured to generate a rotational movement. The reciprocating mechanism is operatively coupled with the motor and configured to convert the rotational movement to a reciprocating movement including a plurality of strokes along a first scanned axis. The reciprocating movement has a constant speed over a portion of at least one stroke of the plurality of strokes. The focus optic is operatively coupled to the reciprocating mechanism such that the focus optic moves experiences the reciprocating movement of the reciprocating mechanism. The focus optic is configured to focus an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) beam incident upon the focus optic to a focus along an optical axis substantially orthogonal to the first scanned axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Avava, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Holland Dresser, Jayant Bhawalkar, Joseph Ting
  • Patent number: 10914941
    Abstract: An electromagnetic beam scanning system and corresponding method of use is provided. The system includes a motor, a reciprocating mechanism, and a focus optic. The motor is configured to generate a rotational movement. The reciprocating mechanism is operatively coupled with the motor and configured to convert the rotational movement to a reciprocating movement including a plurality of strokes along a first scanned axis. The reciprocating movement has a constant speed over a portion of at least one stroke of the plurality of strokes. The focus optic is operatively coupled to the reciprocating mechanism such that the focus optic moves experiences the reciprocating movement of the reciprocating mechanism. The focus optic is configured to focus an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) beam incident upon the focus optic to a focus along an optical axis substantially orthogonal to the first scanned axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Avava, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Holland Dresser, Jayant Bhawalkar, Joseph Ting
  • Patent number: 10716629
    Abstract: Devices and methods for visually confirming the positioning of a distal end portion of an illuminating device placed within a patient include inserting a distal end portion of an illuminating device internally into a patient, emitting light from the distal end portion of the illuminating device, observing transillumination resulting from the light emitted from the distal end portion of the illuminating device that occurs on an external surface of the patient, and correlating the location of the observed transillumination on the external surface of the patient with an internal location of the patient that underlies the location of observed transillumination, to confirm positioning of the distal end portion of the illuminating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Goldfarb, John H. Morriss, John Y. Chang, William M. Facteau
  • Patent number: 10593033
    Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing a patient condition include a medical imaging device for generating an anatomical image. A reconstructor reconstructs the anatomical image by reconstructing portions of the anatomical image to be a healthy representation of the portions and merging the portions into the anatomical image to generate a reconstructed image. A contrastor contrasts the anatomical image with the reconstructed image to generate an anomaly map indicating locations of difference between the anatomical image and the reconstructed image. An anomaly tagging device tags the locations of difference as anomalies corresponding to anatomical abnormalities in the anatomical image, and a display displays the anatomical image with tags corresponding to the anatomical abnormalities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Alexandru Niculescu-Mizil, Eric Cosatto, Felix Wu
  • Patent number: 10499973
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for applying energy to tissue, and more particularly relates to a system for ablating or modifying structures in a body with systems and methods that generate a flow of vapor at a controlled flow rate for applying energy to the body structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Tsunami MedTech, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hoey, John H. Shadduck
  • Patent number: 10363099
    Abstract: A catheter for debulking an undesired deposit from an inner surface of at least one of a blood vessel wall and a stent located in a blood vessel, the catheter having a tip section comprising: circumferentially-directed laser optics; and a circular-action cutter, wherein the circumferentially-directed laser optics is configured to transmit laser radiation for modifying an area of the undesired deposit thereby preparing the area for penetration of the cutter, wherein the cutter is configured to cut through the modified area and thereby debulk at least a part of the undesired deposit. In addition, a catheter for pacemaker and ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) lead extraction is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Eximo Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Ilan Ben Oren, Yifat Ben Oren Tamir
  • Patent number: 10321931
    Abstract: Prostate treatment using fluid stream to resect prostate tissue, thereby relieving symptoms of conditions such as BPH, prostatitis, and prostatic carcinoma. A device having a fluid delivery element is positioned within a lumen of the urethra within the prostate. A fluid stream is directed outwardly from the fluid delivery element toward a wall of the urethral lumen. The fluid delivery element is moved to scan the fluid stream over the wall to remove a volume of tissue surrounding the lumen. The fluid may be combined with therapeutically active substances or with substances that increase resection efficiency. Fluid force may be adjusted to provide selective tissue resection such that soft tissue is removed while harder tissue is left undamaged. In order to gain a working space within the urethra, another fluid may be introduced to insufflate the urethra in the region of treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: AquaBeam, LLC
    Inventor: Nikolai Aljuri
  • Patent number: 10251665
    Abstract: Prostate treatment using fluid stream to resect prostate tissue, thereby relieving symptoms of conditions such as BPH, prostatitis, and prostatic carcinoma. A device having a fluid delivery element is positioned within a lumen of the urethra within the prostate. A fluid stream is directed outwardly from the fluid delivery element toward a wall of the urethral lumen. The fluid delivery element is moved to scan the fluid stream over the wall to remove a volume of tissue surrounding the lumen. The fluid may be combined with therapeutically active substances or with substances that increase resection efficiency. Fluid force may be adjusted to provide selective tissue resection such that soft tissue is removed while harder tissue is left undamaged. In order to gain a working space within the urethra, another fluid may be introduced to insufflate the urethra in the region of treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Aquabeam, LLC
    Inventors: Nikolai Aljuri, Rodney Perkins
  • Patent number: 10178950
    Abstract: The imaging probe can comprise a housing, having a proximal region configured to be coupled to an optical cable; a cannula, extending from a distal region of the housing; an optical guide, positioned partially in the housing and partially in the cannula, configured to receive an imaging light from the cable in the proximal region of the housing, and to guide the imaging light towards a distal end of the cannula; an optical focusing element, configured to receive the imaging light from the optical guide, and to emit a focused imaging light; an elastomeric optical element, configured to receive the focused imaging light from the optical focusing element, and to be deformable to redirect the focused imaging light; and an actuator system, configured to deform the elastomeric optical element to redirect the focused imaging light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Barry L. Wheatley, Kambiz Parto
  • Patent number: 10105156
    Abstract: A multifunctional instrument for HF surgical treatment of tissue, in particular for optional cutting, injecting and coagulating tissue is proposed. The multifunctional instrument has the following elements: at least one fluid chamber for receiving a fluid; a temperature control device communicating with said at least one fluid chamber for warming, heating or evaporating a fluid present in said fluid chamber; a temperature controller for controlling the temperature of the fluid present in the said fluid chamber, and at least one fluid outlet port arranged at a distal end of the multifunctional instrument and communicating with the said at least one fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: ERBE ELEKTROMEDIZIN GMBH
    Inventors: Juergen Beller, Peter Selig, Melanie Veit
  • Patent number: 10028766
    Abstract: A jet stream generating device that generates a jet stream of liquid includes: a cylindrical liquid chamber; a nozzle configured to open an end part of the liquid chamber and inject liquid F in the liquid chamber to outside; a liquid supply path configured to supply liquid F into the liquid chamber; a laser beam irradiation part configured to irradiate a pulse laser beam into the liquid chamber, and vaporize the liquid F in the liquid chamber; and a laser oscillator configured to control laser beam intensity and laser beam pulse width independently. An inner surface of the liquid chamber has a mirror plane for reflecting and guiding the pulse laser beam emitted from the laser beam irradiation part to the end part of the liquid chamber, and an adjusting part configured to adjust a distance between the nozzle and the laser beam irradiation part is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Tohoku University
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Nakagawa, Teiji Tominaga, Michihiro Kaneda
  • Patent number: 10022176
    Abstract: Low profile devices and methods for delivering fluid enhanced ablation therapy are provided herein. In one embodiment, an ablation device is provided that includes an elongate body having proximal and distal ends, an inner lumen extending therethrough and at least one outlet port formed therein and configured to deliver fluid to surrounding tissue. The device can also include at least one ablation element disposed along a length of the body adjacent to the at least one outlet port and configured to deliver energy to surrounding tissue, as well as at least one heating element disposed within the inner lumen of the elongate body. The device further includes a handle having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the handle being coupled to the proximal end of the elongate body. Further, a longitudinal axis of the elongate body extends at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Thermedical, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael G. Curley
  • Patent number: 9867687
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided including a handle portion and a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument also includes a grasper disposed at a distal end of the body portion, the grasper including an ultraviolet (UV) light mechanism for performing UV tacking of an implant. The implant is positioned between the first and second jaw members of the grasper: (i) to be placed at a surgical site and (ii) to be exposed by a UV light emitted from the UV light mechanism such that the UV tacking of the implant to the surgical site is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Timothy Sargeant
  • Patent number: 9855093
    Abstract: An instrument for cutting body tissue has an instrument shaft, A blade, is adjacent to a distal end of the instrument shaft and can be folded out with respect to a longitudinal axis of the shaft and can be rotated about the longitudinal axis. An operating part is at a proximal end of the instrument shaft. A proximal end of the blade directed toward the operating part can be pivoted laterally out away from the longitudinal axis about an end of the blade that faces away from the proximal end and that is distally articulated at an articulation point. A tissue stop is arranged at the distal end of the instrument shaft. The tissue stop can be brought into an active position in which a stop surface facing the blade in the proximal direction has a specified fixed distance from the articulation point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: BOWA-ELECTRONIC GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Graf, Alexander Doppelstein, Carolin Spuentrup, Karl-Guenter Noe
  • Patent number: 9763735
    Abstract: A device for resecting undesired tissue from an inner wall of a body cavity, the device having a tip section in a shape of a cylinder's sector, the tip section comprising: a plurality of optical fibers located along an inner surface of the tip section and configured to transmit laser radiation to the undesired tissue; and a cutter having a shape of a cylinder's sector located inwardly or outwardly to the plurality of optical fibers, wherein said cutter is configured to cut through the undesired tissue and thereby detach at least a part of the undesired tissue from the inner wall of the body cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Eximo Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Ilan Ben-Oren, Yifat Ben-Oren Tamir
  • Patent number: 9750520
    Abstract: A surgical endoscopic cutting device includes cutting elements fitted in a protective tube. The device has an inlet for fluid, a discharge outlet for tissue and fluid, and a further outlet that discharges most of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Mark Hans Emanuel
  • Patent number: 9730756
    Abstract: A catheter for debulking of an undesired deposit from an inner surface of at least one of a blood vessel wall and a stent located in a blood vessel, the catheter having a tip section comprising: circumferentially-directed laser optics; and a circular-action cutter, wherein said circumferentially-directed laser optics is configured to transmit laser radiation for modifying an area of the undesired deposit thereby preparing said area for penetration of said cutter, wherein said cutter is configured to cut through said modified area and thereby debulk at least a part of the undesired deposit. In addition, a catheter for pacemaker and ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) lead extraction is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Eximo Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Ilan Ben Oren, Yifat Ben Oren Tamir
  • Patent number: 9693854
    Abstract: A method for treating a lung may include forming a channel between a first airway and a second airway through a tissue of the lung to allow air trapped within the first airway to flow through the channel and the second airway, and inserting a support member into the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Allen Clark, Aiden Flanagan, Brian L. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9557154
    Abstract: Exemplary systems, devices, methods, apparatus and computer-accessible media for providing and/or utilizing optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) and fluorescence of structures and, e.g., multimodality imaging using OFDI techniques and fluorescence imaging techniques are described. For example, an arrangement can provide at least one electro-magnetic radiation to an anatomical structure. Such exemplary arrangement can include at least one optical core and at least one cladding at least partially surrounding the fiber(s). A region between the optical core(s) and the cladding(s) can have an index that is different from indexes of the optical core(s) and the cladding(s). The arrangement can also include at least one apparatus which is configured to transmit the radiation(s) via the optical core(s) and the cladding(s) to the anatomical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: The General Hospital Corporation, Boston University
    Inventors: Guillermo J. Tearney, Brett Eugene Bouma, Hongki Yoo, Milen Shishkov, Joseph Gardecki, Roman Shubochkin, Theodore Morse, Farouc Amin Jaffer
  • Patent number: 9415154
    Abstract: An electrical stimulation lead includes electrodes disposed along a distal end portion of a lead body; terminals disposed along a proximal end portion of the lead body; and stimulation conductors electrically coupling the terminals to the electrodes. A light-emitter is disposed along the distal end portion of the lead body. A light source is disposed along the at least one lead body and converts received electrical power into light. An optical transport medium is disposed along the at least one lead body. The optical transport medium extends between the light source and the light-emitter. A light source conductor electrically couples the light source and the terminals. A drug-dispensing port is defined along the distal end portion of the lead body. A drug-delivery channel is in fluid communication with the at least one drug-dispensing port and extends to the proximal end portion of the lead body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Jacob B. Leven
  • Patent number: 9138291
    Abstract: A catheter structure is provided for use with an electroviscerogram (EVG) system. The catheter structure includes an elongated tube structure having distal and proximal ends. Three electrodes are associated with distal end of the tube structure and are constructed and arranged obtain signals relating to myoelectrical activity internally of an intra-abdominal organ to thereby locate targeted tissue that includes main pathways of electrical generation in the organ. Therapy delivery structure, associated with the distal end of the tube structure and separate from the electrodes, is constructed and arranged to provide therapy at the targeted tissue simultaneously as the electrodes obtain the signals at the targeted tissue so that effectiveness of the therapy can be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Inventor: Mark D. Noar
  • Patent number: 9095351
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to concentrate energy delivery in non-superficial target tissue within a trigone region of a human bladder wall to modulate bladder function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Amphora Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Sachs, Edwin J. Hlavka
  • Patent number: 9046694
    Abstract: The endoscope cooling device is to cool an insertion portion having an observation portion at the distal end. The device is provided with an inner sheath into which the distal end portion of the insertion portion including the observation portion is inserted to form a first flow path of a cooling fluid between the outer circumferential face of the insertion portion and the inner circumferential face of the inner sheath, an outer sheath into which the inner sheath is inserted to form a second flow path of the cooling fluid between the outer circumferential face of the inner sheath and the inner circumferential face of the outer sheath, a regulating means for regulating the distal end portion in moving at least either through the inner sheath or the outer sheath, and a fluid supply means for supplying the cooling fluid to the first flow path and the second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventor: Yasuo Hirata
  • Publication number: 20150148597
    Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and related methods of use are disclosed. The systems may comprise a sheath for insertion into a body lumen and an extraction tool for passage through the sheath, wherein the extraction tool may include a handle, an end effector, and an optical device. Methods disclosed herein include introducing an extraction tool into a urethra for retrieving and removing tissue from the body, e.g., with an end effector, without morcellating the excised tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Ronald CIULLA, Kenneth J. DAIGNAULT
  • Patent number: 9039684
    Abstract: A system and method for controllably releasing radiation in percutaneous radiation treatment is provided. In a preferred embodiment, a laser is coupled to an optical fiber that is inserted below the skin or into a vascular lumen to a predetermined point. The fiber is connected to a source of electromagnetic radiation such as a laser, non-coherent radiation source, high power laser diode, LED, and an ultrasonic source. Radiation is then delivered to the treatment site while the fiber is simultaneously drawn out to the entry point. The fiber is manually withdrawn and during this time the radiation is administered in a manner appropriate for the vein being treating in regards to power or energy level. To maintain a constant proper energy density, the speed of withdrawal is measured and sent to a controlling mechanism. The controlling mechanism modifies the power emitted, pulse length or pulse rate to ensure that the vein or tissue receives a consistent dose of energy during manual withdrawal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Bioliter Pharma Marketing Ltd
    Inventor: Wolfgang Neuberger
  • Patent number: 9039686
    Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle, and inner bore of the handle, an actuation structure of the handle, a housing tube, and an optic fiber disposed within the inner bore of the handle and the housing tube. The housing tube may include a first housing tube portion having a first stiffness and a second housing tube portion having a second stiffness. The second stiffness may be greater than the first stiffness. A surgeon may aim the steerable laser probe by varying a rotational position of the handle and an amount of compression of the actuation structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Katalyst Surgical, LLC
    Inventors: Gregg D Scheller, Matthew N Zeid
  • Publication number: 20150141810
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of pulmonary conditions, including a device having an end effector sized and shaped to contact a nerve component on the exterior of a bronchial segment and apply energy to that nerve component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Kevin Shaun Weadock
  • Publication number: 20150133904
    Abstract: Devices and methods for therapeutic photodynamic modulation of neural function in a human. One embodiment of a method in accordance with the technology includes administering a photosensitizer to a human, wherein the photosensitizer preferentially accumulates at nerves proximate a blood vessel compared to non-neural tissue of the blood vessel. The method can further include irradiating the photosensitizer using a radiation emitter positioned within the human, wherein the radiation has a wavelength that causes the photosensitizer to react and alter at least a portion of the nerves thereby providing a therapeutic reduction in sympathetic neural activity. Several embodiments of the technology are useful for disrupting renal nerves, such as renal denervation, for treating hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, and other indications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Robert J. Melder, Ayala Hezi-Yamit, Christopher W. Storment, Carol M. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20150126983
    Abstract: An incisionless fully endoscopic method of reducing the capacity of the stomach is provided to surgically treat obesity. The method is directed to endoluminal tissue approximation of a portion of the stomach, including at least a portion of the greater curvature thereof. The method includes a pattern of stitching in which a portion of the stomach is closed off. One stitching pattern causes the lateral portion of the stomach to be drawn to reduce the usable volume of the stomach while maintaining a pathway from the esophagus to the pylorus. As the stitching pattern advances, the fundus is automatically drawn downward so that it may be endoscopically approached for stitching in a facilitated manner. According to another aspect of the invention, another stitching pattern extends from the antrum to the fundus between the anterior and posterior portions of the stomach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: APOLLO ENDOSURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Alonso Alvarado, Manoel Galvao, Eddie Gomez, Nicole Pena, Sohail Shaikh, Chris Thompson, Erik Wilson, Natan Zundel, Robert Lulo, Ted Stephens
  • Publication number: 20150119793
    Abstract: A method is provided for treating a neuromuscular defect in a subject. One step of the method includes locating a target nerve. After locating the target nerve, a treatment probe is provided. The treatment probe includes an elongated body member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The distal end portion includes an energy delivery mechanism for stimulating or ablating the target nerve, a monitoring mechanism, and a fluid aspiration/delivery mechanism. Next, the target nerve is verified as an appropriate target for ablation by stimulating and then monitoring the target nerve via the energy delivery mechanism and the monitoring mechanism, respectively. After verifying the target nerve, a tumescent fluid is injected into the tissue surrounding the target nerve. An electric current is then delivered to the energy delivery mechanism to substantially ablate the target nerve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Francis A. Papay
  • Patent number: 9005115
    Abstract: An illumination system includes an arthroscope, endoscope or other suitable surgical tool and an attachable cannula comprising a transparent or semi-transparent material capable of carrying light from the proximal end of the cannula to the distal end of the cannula, thereby illuminating the surgical field. The surgical field is thus illuminated through components that do not occupy space that may otherwise be used for the optics of the arthroscope. The arthroscopic illumination system further comprises one or more illumination sources disposed at the proximal end of the cannula. The illumination source may be optically coupled with the cannula at the hub or other appropriate location. The cannula comprises a sterilizable polymer which functions as a waveguide. A waveguide is a material medium that confines and guides light. When in use, the light source connected to the hub provides light which may be guided to the distal end of the cannula or any other suitable location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Invuity, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Vayser
  • Patent number: 8998887
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument for removing tissue, in particular a shaver, drill, or morcellator, having a tool that can be set in rotation and a motorized drive for driving the tool, and having an elongate body and a handle that projects laterally from said elongate body. The handle is fastened in a detachable manner to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Simmen, Raphael Spycher, Urs Vogel
  • Publication number: 20150088110
    Abstract: A system to treat a patient comprises a user interface that allows a physician to view an image of tissue to be treated in order to develop a treatment plan to resect tissue with a predefined removal profile. The image may comprise a plurality of images, and the planned treatment is shown on the images. The treatment probe may comprise an anchor, and the image shown on the screen may have a reference image marker shown on the screen corresponding to the anchor. The planned tissue removal profile can be displayed and scaled to the image of the target tissue of an organ such as the prostate, and the physician can adjust the treatment profile based on the scaled images to provide a treatment profile in three dimensions. The images shown on the display may comprise segmented images of the patient with treatment plan overlaid on the images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Nikolai ALJURI, Surag MANTRI, Luis BAEZ, George SURJAN, Michael W. SASNETT, Jonathan FOOTE
  • Publication number: 20150065945
    Abstract: Methods for treating a patient using therapeutic spinal neuromodulation and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology is directed to methods including modulating nerves of one or more targeted organs proximate one or more dorsal root ganglia, stellate ganglia, vertebral ganglia, or cervical ganglia of the nerves using an intravascularly-positioned therapeutic element. One or more measurable physiological parameters corresponding to at least one condition associated with sympathetic activity in the targeted organs and/or central sympathetic activity in the patient can thereby be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Denise Zarins, Sean Ward
  • Patent number: 8968277
    Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation mechanism of the handle, an optic fiber, and a housing tube. The housing tube may include a first housing tube portion having a first stiffness and a second housing tube portion having a second stiffness. The second stiffness may be greater than the first stiffness. The optic fiber may be disposed within the housing tube and within an inner bore of the handle. A portion of the optic fiber may be fixed to an inner portion of the housing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Katalyst Surgical, LLC
    Inventors: Gregg D Scheller, Matthew N Zeid
  • Patent number: 8961425
    Abstract: An intravascular ultrasound probe is disclosed, incorporating features for utilizing an advanced transducer technology on a rotating transducer shaft. In particular, the probe accommodates the transmission of the multitude of signals across the boundary between the rotary and stationary components of the probe required to support an advanced transducer technology. These advanced transducer technologies offer the potential for increased bandwidth, improved beam profiles, better signal to noise ratio, reduced manufacturing costs, advanced tissue characterization algorithms, and other desirable features. Furthermore, the inclusion of electronic components on the spinning side of the probe can be highly advantageous in terms of preserving maximum signal to noise ratio and signal fidelity, along with other performance benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Volcano Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Douglas Corl
  • Publication number: 20150045675
    Abstract: Methods and percutaneous devices for assessing, and treating patients having sympathetically mediated disease, involving augmented peripheral chemoreflex and heightened sympathetic tone by reducing chemosensor input to the nervous system via percutaneous carotid body ablation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Ary CHERNOMORSKY
  • Patent number: 8951296
    Abstract: Devices and methods for therapeutic photodynamic modulation of neural function in a human. One embodiment of a method in accordance with the technology includes administering a photosensitizer to a human, wherein the photosensitizer preferentially accumulates at nerves proximate a blood vessel compared to non-neural tissue of the blood vessel. The method can further include irradiating the photosensitizer using a radiation emitter positioned within the human, wherein the radiation has a wavelength that causes the photosensitizer to react and alter at least a portion of the nerves thereby providing a therapeutic reduction in sympathetic neural activity. Several embodiments of the technology are useful for disrupting renal nerves, such as renal denervation, for treating hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, and other indications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic Ardian Luxembourg S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Robert J. Melder, Ayala Hezi-Yamit, Christopher W. Storment, Carol M. Sullivan