Applicators Patents (Class 606/41)
  • Patent number: 11925325
    Abstract: A medical system including: a trocar configured to provide an artificial access to a body cavity of a patient; a medical instrument configured to be inserted through the trocar and into the body cavity of the patient for performing a medical function in the body cavity of the patient; and a controller configured to: determine whether the medical instrument is inserted into the trocar; and enable the performing of the medical function by the medical instrument only if the medical instrument is determined to be inserted into the trocar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH
    Inventor: Martin Wieters
  • Patent number: 11925410
    Abstract: A catheter with a variable circular loop responsive to a contraction wire for coiling is supported by a member having a tapered distal section that transitions from a circular cross-section to a generally rectangular cross-section while maintaining a uniform cross-sectional area along the entire tapered length for improved coiling characteristics. A radially constrictive sleeve prevents separation of the contraction wire from the support member to minimize misshaping of the loop during contraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Thomas V. Selkee, Jose L. Jimenez
  • Patent number: 11925409
    Abstract: An ablation catheter configured to ablate tissue in a lung of a patient including: a flexible shaft that advances endobronchially into an airway of the lung and has an outer diameter of 2.0 mm or less; an ablation electrode attached to a distal portion of the flexible shaft and to deliver radiofrequency (RF) electrical current to the tissue and conductively connectable to an RF electrical energy source external to the patient; wherein an outer diameter of an assembly of the flexible shaft and the ablation electrode is no greater than 2.0 mm; a liquid outlet on the distal portion and configured to be in fluid communication with a source of hypertonic saline solution; and a first occluder attached to the flexible shaft proximal to the ablation electrode and proximal to the liquid outlet, wherein the first occluder is configured to expand to occlude the airway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: ZIDAN MEDICAL INC.
    Inventors: Dorin Panescu, Shashank Raina, Mark Gelfand, Mark Leung, Simplicio Velilla
  • Patent number: 11925407
    Abstract: Apparatus for tissue treatment includes a central blunt urethra fixator, which may serve as a return electrode. An array of electrodes is positioned circumferentially about the central blunt urethra fixator and distanced radially from the central blunt urethra fixator. At least one of the electrodes is an active electrode. The central blunt urethra fixator and electrodes protrude from a housing. A main unit includes an RF generator, a controller unit, a power supply and a user interface. The main unit delivers RF energy between the return electrode and a conductive tip of the active electrode to create collagen contraction in a vicinity of the active electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Inmode Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Kreindel
  • Patent number: 11925767
    Abstract: To provide a catheter having electrodes to be subjected to application of voltages different from each other in polarity. An outer tube member (3) having a lumen (2); a handle provided on a proximal side of the outer tube member (3); a plurality of electrodes (5) provided on the outer tube member (3); conducting wires (6) connected to one or more of the electrodes (5) and disposed in the lumen (2), the conducting wires (6); and an operating wire (7) having a distal end portion fixed to a distal end portion of the outer tube member (3), wherein one of the electrodes (5a) is connected to a conducting wire (6a) at a connection point, which is different from a connecting point, where another electrode (5b) is connected to another conducting wire (6b), in a circumferential direction of the outer tube member (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daichi Kamiyama, Naotake Maekubo
  • Patent number: 11918198
    Abstract: The steerable catheter invention facilitates the tracking and selection of branch vessels, as well as provide the means for stiffening the catheter body across the tortuosity to anchor the catheter and minimize the potential for the catheter backing out of position while delivering interventional devices to the distal anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: DEPUY SYNTHES PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Juan Lorenzo
  • Patent number: 11918281
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft and a folding fan catheter. The shaft is configured for insertion through a sheath into a cavity of an organ of a patient. The folding fan catheter is fixed to a distal end of the shaft and includes (a) a resilient foldable frame, which is fixed to the distal end of the shaft and is configured to be unfolded so as to assume a fan shape, (b) one or more flexible surfaces, coupled to the frame to form a fan-shaped surface when the frame is unfolded, and (c) a plurality of electrodes that are disposed over the one or more flexible surfaces and are configured to contact tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Assaf Govari, Joseph Thomas Keyes, Kevin Justin Herrera
  • Patent number: 11918765
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for accessing a superior vena cava of a patient without visualization of a vasculature of the patient. A stylet has an elongated body including a core wire disposed within a tubular body, the core wire having a pre-formed shape in a first state and a straightened shape in a second state. A first portion of the core wire has a substantially straight shape in the first state. A second portion of the core wire has a first pre-formed bend in the first state. A third portion of the core wire has a substantially straight shape in the first state. A fourth portion of the core wire has a second pre-formed bend in the first state. A fifth portion of the core wire has a substantially straight shape in the first state and includes a narrow segment that increases deflection of the distal tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: TELEFLEX MEDICAL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Benjamin Horst, Michael Aman, Mark Spinka
  • Patent number: 11918804
    Abstract: A method and a system for treating skin tissue are provided. A heater is configured to modify temperature of the skin tissue, and a muscle stimulator is configured to provide muscle stimulation to a muscle layer located below the skin tissue. A handheld applicator is configured to be placed in vicinity of the skin tissue to deliver the temperature modification from the at least one heater to the skin tissue and the muscle stimulator from the muscle stimulator to the muscle layer located below the skin tissue; a control board is configured and operable to activate the at least one heater and the muscle stimulator according to respective activation pattern, thereby providing one or more treatments to the skin tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: POLLOGEN LTD.
    Inventors: Pinchas Shalev, Zion Azar
  • Patent number: 11918183
    Abstract: An endoscope, including: at least one outer shaft tube, at least one inner shaft tube disposed within the at least one outer shaft tube; a window distally hermetically sealing one of the inner shaft tube or the outer shaft tube, a heater disposed proximate to the window between the at least one outer shaft tube and the at least one inner shaft tube, a temperature sensor disposed embedded in a potting compound proximate to the window, and an encasement filled with the potting compound, the encasement at least partially surrounding the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH
    Inventor: Martin Wieters
  • Patent number: 11918274
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to controlling electrical power of an electrotherapeutic signal that is provided to a biological tissue engaged by an electrosurgical instrument during a medical procedure. Electrical power—a product of a voltage difference across and an electrical current conducted by the engaged biological tissue—is controlled according to a therapeutic schedule. The electrotherapeutic schedule can be reduced or terminated in response to a termination criterion being met. In some examples, the termination criterion is a current characteristic, such as, for example, a decrease in current conducted by the engaged biological tissue. In some examples, the termination criterion is a biological tissue resistance characteristic, such as, for example, an increase in the biological tissue resistance that exceeds a predetermined delta resistance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Kester Julian Batchelor, Wayne Williams
  • Patent number: 11918278
    Abstract: A medical device that includes a handle, a shaft extending distally from the handle and defining a lumen, and an actuator disposed in the shaft and including a distal tip. The actuator and the distal tip are movable relative to the lumen. The medical device includes an expandable member having an inner cavity. The actuator is configured to engage the expandable member when moving distally relative to the lumen and in response to the distal tip entering the inner cavity. The actuator is configured to disengage the expandable member when moving proximally relative to the lumen and in response to the distal tip exiting the inner cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC MEDICAL DEVICE LIMITED
    Inventors: Deepak Kumar Sharma, Hitendra Purohit, Agrim Mishra
  • Patent number: 11918284
    Abstract: A flexible instrument comprises an antenna having a distal tip portion shaped to perforate tissue, a proximal base, and an antenna body therebetween. The antenna body comprises a patterned cylindrical structure having antenna body elements spatially separated from each other and having a proximal end coupled to the proximal base and a distal end coupled to the distal tip portion. The distal tip portion is disposed distally of the distal end. The antenna comprises a first material having a flexible plastic deformation limit and a second material plated onto the first material. The second material is more conductive than the first material. The flexible instrument further comprises an adjustment device configured to adjust pitch lengths between adjacent antenna body elements and is configured to generate a radiation pattern from the antenna that varies based on the pitch length between the adjacent antenna body elements to ablate tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURIGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Serena H. Wong
  • Patent number: 11911028
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including an end effector that has a selectively reciprocatable implement movably supported therein. The implement is selectively advanceable in a distal direction upon application of a rotary actuation motion thereto and retractable in a proximal direction upon application of a rotary retraction motion thereto. An elongate shaft assembly is coupled to the end effector and is configured to transmit the rotary actuation motion and rotary retraction motion to the reciprocatable implement from a robotic system that is configured to generate the rotary actuation motion and said rotary retraction motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Richard W. Timm, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11911088
    Abstract: Proposed is a smoke pencil with swivel device, in which first end portions of first and second cases are rotatably coupled to a body and second end portions of the first case and the second case are inclined downward, so when a user rotates the body, a cable and a suction hose are guided downward. Accordingly, there is an effect that a user can easily rotate the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: BIO-PROTECH INC.
    Inventor: Ik Ro Park
  • Patent number: 11911087
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a switching network for integrating electrophysiology components into an electrophysiology system. These electrophysiology components may include electrophysiology recorder, three-dimensional mapping systems, radio frequency generators, and stimulators. The switching network provides switchable connections, which allow the electrophysiology system to be reconfigured to perform different electrophysiology procedures, such as heart signal recording and mapping, cardiac ablation, or cardiac pacing. A recorder may provide control signals to the switching network to change connections between electrophysiology equipment and a catheter in a patient's heart. The electrophysiology system may control generation of biphasic pulses for use in cardiac pacing. The electrophysiology system may reconfigure the effective size the tip electrode of a split tip catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: BioSig Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Foxall, Budimir S. Drakulic, Sina Fakhar, Branislav Vlajinic
  • Patent number: 11911093
    Abstract: Described embodiments include apparatus that includes a catheter and a tip electrode, at a distal end of the catheter, shaped to define a plurality of fluid apertures. A structure, within the tip electrode, is configured such that fluid passed distally through a lumen of the catheter flows in a longitudinal direction through a space between the structure and an inner surface of the tip electrode, prior to exiting through the fluid apertures. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Meir Bar-Tal, Eran Yona Hirszowicz
  • Patent number: 11903717
    Abstract: A catheter is disclosed comprising: a connector including a plurality of first contacts and one or more second contacts; a shaft including a plurality of electrodes, each electrode being coupled to a different one of the plurality of first contacts; a memory coupled to at least one of the second contacts, wherein the memory is configured to: store a pinout map identifying an order in which the plurality of electrodes is coupled to the plurality of first contacts; and provide the pinout map to an external device via one or more of the second contacts after the connector is coupled to the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Eden Kidishman, Tamir Yellin, Eliyahu Ravuna, Itamar Bustan, Assaf Govari, Dean Ponzi
  • Patent number: 11896293
    Abstract: Nasal airway reshaping is accomplished using a fractional treatment device applied externally to the nose to insert needle electrodes into nasal tissue to be reshaped. Energy is applied via the electrodes to cause at least partial coagulation of the nasal tissue within zones around each of the plurality of needle electrodes while pressure is applied internally to achieve the desired reshaping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Inmode Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Kreindel
  • Patent number: 11896330
    Abstract: Certain aspects relate to robotic medical instrument systems. Such a system can include first and second medical instruments. The first medical instrument can include an instrument base and an elongate shaft extending from the instrument base, and a robotic drive input. The first medical instrument may include an instrument inlet. The second medical instrument may include an instrument base and an elongate shaft that extends through the instrument inlet. The second medical instrument can include a robotic drive input that is coupled to a rotating element in the second medical instrument. The robotic medical instrument system can include a robotic arm that has first and second robotic drive outputs. The first robotic drive output can drive the robotic drive input of the first medical instrument, and the second robotic drive output can drive the robotic drive input of the second medical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Auris Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Andre J. Castillo, Akira Bryan Ueda, Adrian Tyler Hairrell, Nikhil S. Joshi
  • Patent number: 11896284
    Abstract: A catheter and patch electrode system is provided for use with an apparatus, such as an ablation generator, having a 4-wire interface for improved impedance measurement. The 4-wire interface includes a pair of source connectors across which an excitation signal is produced and a pair of sense connector wires across which the impedance is measured. The RF ablation generator may also produce an ablation signal across a source wire and an indifferent return patch electrode. The system further includes a cable that connects the generator to a catheter. The catheter includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, with an ablation tip electrode disposed at the distal end. A source lead is electrically coupled to the tip electrode and extends through the shaft to the proximal end where it is terminated. An optional sense lead is also electrically coupled to the tip electrode and extends through the shaft to the proximal end. The system further includes a source return (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc
    Inventors: Stephan P. Miller, Glen H. Kastner, Donald Curtis Deno
  • Patent number: 11896281
    Abstract: A cryo-fixation lead extraction device includes a lead extraction catheter having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal catheter ends and an elongate catheter lumen. A liner has longitudinally spaced proximal and distal liner ends and an elongate liner lumen. The liner lumen is configured to selectively accept at least part of a lead being extracted longitudinally therethrough. At least a portion of the liner is located circumferentially within and/or circumferentially surrounding the catheter lumen. At least one cryogen supply line extends longitudinally through at least a portion of the liner lumen. The cryogen supply line is configured to place a cryogen fluid source into fluid communication with the distal liner end. The cryogen supply line is configured to selectively generate a patient tissue cooled zone adjacent the distal catheter end. A method of cryo-fixation lead extraction is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignees: THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION, CPSI HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Oussama Wazni, Marwane Berrada-Sounni, John M. Baust, Kristi K. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11896780
    Abstract: A catheter having a catheter shaft that has a more uniform construction throughout a length of the catheter shaft and is able to provide more than one deflection curvature. The catheter shaft includes a flexible outer tubular member, and a less flexible inner tubular member extending through the outer tubular member in a proximal section of the catheter shaft, wherein the inner tubular member is afforded longitudinal movement relative to the outer tubular member. The catheter also includes at least one puller wire extending through the inner tubular member to deflect a distal deflection section of the catheter shaft, wherein the longitudinal movement of the inner tubular member relative to the outer tubular member enables an operator to select and set a deflection curvature of the distal deflection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Rowan Olund Hettel
  • Patent number: 11896294
    Abstract: Methods and systems for ablating target tissue, such as in or along an airway, include modulation one of power and current of an a system to achieve a treatment output or parameter. Treatment outputs can include current, power, energy delivered, percent drop in impedance, an impedance-based ratio, a percent impedance slope, and/or an airway wall impedance. Power and/or current of the system can be varied, within certain maximum thresholds, such as power, current, and/or impedance thresholds, to achieve the desired output parameter target during some or all of the treatment time. The systems and methods reduce the variability of the treatment efficacy otherwise due to variability in electrical properties of patient tissue and/or electrode contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Nuvaira, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Johnson, Ryan Kaveckis, Martin L. Mayse
  • Patent number: 11890190
    Abstract: A catheter, advanced toward an anatomical site, has a proximal end and a steerable distal end. An anchor is advanced through the catheter. An anchor driver drives the anchor out of the catheter's distal end, anchoring the anchor at the site. A first constraining member engages tissue, and inhibits, after the anchor has been driven out of the catheter and before the anchoring, movement of at least the anchor driver's distal end, on a first axis between the anchor driver's distal end and a site at which the first constraining member engages the tissue. A second constraining member inhibits, after the anchor has been driven out of the catheter and before the anchoring, movement of at least the anchor driver's distal end, on a second axis. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Innovation (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Tal Sheps, Tal Hammer, Tal Reich, Ehud Aviv, Amir Gross, Yaron Herman, Alexei Koifman, Yuval Zipory
  • Patent number: 11890185
    Abstract: A system and method for performing an ocular surgical procedure is provided. The design maintains IOL temperature prior to implantation by assessing a desired IOL temperature, sensing existing IOL temperature, and maintaining the IOL substantially at the desired IOL temperature based at least in part on said existing IOL temperature. The method of maintaining desired IOL temperature involves comparing current IOL temperature with pre-established desired temperature conditions to determine a temperature change. The IOL is maintained substantially at the desired temperature based at least in part on the existing IOL temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S Cole, Kevin R Springer, Rob Raney
  • Patent number: 11890025
    Abstract: Catheter systems of the invention involve guided and informed dissolution of occlusions in blood vessels. According to certain aspects, a catheter system of the invention includes an elongate body defining a first lumen and comprising a distal portion, an inner member configured for insertion into the first lumen, the inner member comprising an energy source configured to deliver therapeutic energy to a treatment site, and an imaging assembly located at the distal portion of the elongate body. In some embodiments, the catheter system includes a functional flow sensor in addition to or as an alternative to the imaging assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeremy Stigall, Joe Lauinger, Eric Johnson
  • Patent number: 11890048
    Abstract: Electrosurgical lysing methods. In some implementations, the method may comprise delivering a lysing tip through an entrance incision into a patient's body, wherein the lysing tip comprises at least one bead comprising an at least substantially electrically non-conductive surface; and at least one lysing segment extending within a recess defined, at least in part, by the at least one bead. The at least one bead may protrude both distally and proximally relative to the at least one lysing segment. The method may further comprise forming opposing tissue planes using the lysing tip to create an implant pocket; and inserting an implant through the entrance incision and into the implant pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventor: Paul J. Weber
  • Patent number: 11883051
    Abstract: A surgical grasper includes jaws that are transitionable between spaced apart and approximated configurations. In particular, the surgical grasper defines an unobstructed lumen for passage of a surgical instrument therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joseph T. Eisinger, Justin Williams
  • Patent number: 11883093
    Abstract: A method, consisting of modeling physical parameters representative of a probe in proximity to body tissue during an ablation procedure performed by the probe. The method also includes measuring a subgroup of the physical parameters during a non-ablation stage of the ablation procedure so as to generate measured non-ablative values of the subgroup, and measuring the subgroup of the physical parameters during an ablation stage of the ablation procedure so as to generate measured ablative values of the subgroup. In response to the modeling, the method includes generating calculated non-ablative values of the subgroup for the non-ablation stage, and generating calculated ablative values of the subgroup for the ablation stage. The method compares the measured non-ablative values with the calculated non-ablative values, and compares the measured ablative values with the calculated ablative values, so as generate optimal values of the physical parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Meir Bar-Tal, Abraham Berger, Avri Hazan, Daniel Osadchy
  • Patent number: 11883106
    Abstract: A method for determining a predicted lesion size formed in a tissue by receiving or calculating a measure of contact force between the electrode and the tissue, determining a tissue characterization, and calculating the predicted lesion size using both the measure of contact force and the tissue characterization. A system comprising an electronic control unit configured to receive or determine a measure of contact force between the electrode and the tissue, characterize the tissue based on both the measure of impedance and the measure of contact force, and cause the tissue characterization to be either (a) presented to a user, or (b) applied to calculate a metric and cause the metric to be presented to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Fish, Lynn E. Clark
  • Patent number: 11883058
    Abstract: A jaw member, end effector assembly including the jaw member and an ultrasonic blade, and an ultrasonic surgical instrument including the end effector assembly are provided. The jaw member includes a structural body and a jaw liner. The structural body includes a pair of proximal flanges and an elongated distal portion extending distally from the proximal flanges. The elongated distal portion includes spaced-apart side rails defining an elongated opening therebetween and interconnected at distal ends thereof via a distal cap. The jaw liner is engaged within the elongated opening and includes a base and first and second arms extending from the base. Each arm defines an inwardly-angled tissue contacting surface. The jaw liner defines a jaw liner compliance feature extending longitudinally therealong between the inwardly-angled tissue-contacting surfaces of the first and second arms to facilitate outward deflection of the first and second arms relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Netzel, David J. Van Tol
  • Patent number: 11878128
    Abstract: A method for performing a medical procedure in an intestine of a patient is provided. The method comprises providing a system comprising: a catheter for insertion into the intestine, the catheter comprising: an elongate shaft comprising a distal portion; and a functional assembly positioned on the shaft distal portion and comprising at least one treatment element. The catheter is introduced into the patient, and target tissue is treated with the at least one treatment element. The target tissue comprises mucosal tissue of the small intestine, and the medical procedure can be configured to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Fractyl Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Harith Rajagopalan, Jay Caplan, Craig M. Gardner, J. Christopher Flaherty
  • Patent number: 11877784
    Abstract: A technique allows for an electrical connection between a thermal abrasion heating catheter and the energy delivery console that utilizes serial communication. Accordingly, the serial communication allows data such as measured temperature, start/stop status, intended treatment area, device identification, device calibration parameters and/or use history to be conveyed along the same wires that deliver power to a heating element. For example, data can be conveyed along a two wire connection and provided at a frequency that is filtered out so that it is not delivered to a heating feature. In this example, one wire provides power to the heating element, one wire provided communication from the energy delivery console, and a third wire provides a common ground which the heating catheter uses to communicate with the energy delivery console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: VENCLOSE, INC.
    Inventor: Darius A. Przygoda
  • Patent number: 11878160
    Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods that can prevent or ameliorate bronchoconstriction by stimulating neural activity, in contrast to those techniques based on denervation, ablation or blocking of neural activity. Methods and devices according to the invention may act responsively or on demand, can preserve neuronal structure and function and will be associated with minimal collateral side-effects. In particular, the invention provides devices and methods in which a signal is delivered to the vagus nerve, for example the cervical vagus nerve or the pulmonary branch of the vagus nerve, in order to stimulate neural activity in the vagal nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Galvani Bioelectronics Limited
    Inventors: Michael John Carr, Kevin K. Kwong, Gerald E. Hunsberger
  • Patent number: 11877851
    Abstract: A probe device is disclosed that includes one or more insulating layers and a glassy carbon layer. The glassy carbon layer includes one or more channels. Each channel includes a microstructure, which may include an electrode region, interconnect region, and bump pad region. The electrode region may be placed in contact with a human or animal patient or test subject and used to collect or deliver signals in applications such as electrocorticography (ECoG), electromyography (EMG), and neural stimulation. A method of making a probe includes depositing a glassy carbon precursor on a substrate, patterning the precursor using photolithography, pyrolyzing the precursor to allow the formation of glassy carbon, and depositing one or more insulating layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: San Diego State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Samuel K. Kassegne, Surabhi Nimbalkar, Arvind Balasubramani
  • Patent number: 11877785
    Abstract: A device and method for creating an arteriovenous (AV) fistula includes a proximal base having a distal diagonal end surface and a distal tip connected to the proximal base and movable relative to the proximal base. The distal tip has a proximal diagonal end surface. A heating assembly, including an energized heating element, is disposed one of the distal diagonal end surface and the proximal diagonal end surface. A passive heating assembly is disposed on the mating diagonal end surface. The distal diagonal end surface and the proximal diagonal end surface are adapted to contact opposing sides of a tissue portion to create a fistula. The angle of the proximal diagonal end surface matches the angle of the distal diagonal end surface, so that the two surfaces match one another during deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: AVENU MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Hull, David T. Aldridge, Seth A. Foerster, Brad M. Kellerman, Gene B. Reu, Mark A. Ritchart, David K. Wrolstad
  • Patent number: 11878163
    Abstract: Tumor treating fields (TTFields) can be delivered to a subject's body at higher field strengths by switching off one or more electrode elements in a transducer array that are overheating. This may be accomplished by using thermistors that sense the temperature of each electrode element. Portions of the wiring of each transducer array is shared between the electrode elements and the thermistors by using a plurality of conductors, each of which electrically connects (a) a pin of a connector, (b) a respective electrode element, and (c) a respective thermistor. In some embodiments, all of the thermistors are wired in series. In other embodiments, all the thermistors share a common connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Novocure GmbH
    Inventor: Yoram Wasserman
  • Patent number: 11871981
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for using a generator having insufficient power to supply power to a number of electrosurgical probes during ramping up of the probes to reach set point temperatures. The method includes reducing energy delivery to at least one probe by temporarily disabling energy delivery thereto. Some embodiments comprise a method of delivering energy to at least two electrosurgical probes connected to at least two of the channels of a generator wherein the generator has a maximum output, the method comprising: (a) activating channels which are to be activated; (b) checking for disabling conditions; and (c) if there are disabling conditions, disabling the channel which takes the least power amongst all active channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmad Khayer Dastjerdi, Michael Same, Neil Godara
  • Patent number: 11872026
    Abstract: A spring assembly usable with an intravascular catheter can include a tubular body, two mounting surfaces, and a compressible framework. The tubular body extends along a longitudinal axis and is sized to traverse vasculature. Each mounting surface can be configured to engage a substantially planar electrical circuit and is positioned in the tubular body each in a respective plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The mounting surfaces face toward each other in opposite directions. The compressible framework extends between the first and second mounting surfaces. The spring assembly can further include a pair of electrical circuits mounted to the pair mounting surfaces. Each electrical circuit can include an inductive coil such that the pair of electrical circuits is a distance transducer. A change in distance between the pair of electrical circuits can be detected when the compressible framework is compressed and/or bent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Corey Rousu, Matthew Hitzeroth
  • Patent number: 11871983
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, an actuator operably coupled to the housing, an actuation assembly, and a sensor module. The actuation assembly extends through the housing and the shaft and includes a distal end operably coupled to the end effector or a component associated therewith, a proximal end operably coupled to the actuator, and a spring. Actuation of the actuator manipulates the end effector or deploys the component relative thereto. The sensor module is disposed within the housing and configured to sense a property of the spring indicative of an amount the spring has been compressed. The sensor module is further configured, based upon the sensed property, to determine a condition of the end effector or the relative position of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: James D. Allen, IV
  • Patent number: 11872128
    Abstract: A modular surgical apparatus is disclosed. Also disclosed is a modular incision apparatus. The modular incision apparatus may be used in a minimally invasive surgery. The modular incision apparatus includes a base having a pair of pivots, a pair of alignment tabs, a proximal opening, and at least one slide guide. The modular incision apparatus includes visual and cleaning access to the blade. The modular incision apparatus is suitable for safely, efficiently, and accurately making small incisions during surgical procedures. The modular incision apparatus provides a means of making small incisions of controlled depth, while reducing the chances of inadvertent exposure of surgical staff to sharp instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: LSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Jude S. Sauer
  • Patent number: 11864847
    Abstract: The invention relates to an auxiliary instrument for insertion into vessels or lumens with small inner diameters. The auxiliary instrument has a proximal end and a distal end and has at least one localization element whose position and orientation can be determined with an electromagnetic position detection system. The localization element is located directly adjacent to or at least close to the distal end of the auxiliary instrument and is configured to capture an alternating electromagnetic field. A distal end region of the auxiliary instrument extends from the distal end of the auxiliary instrument to a proximal end of the localization element such that the localization element is located within the distal end region. In that part of the distal end region in which the localization element is located, the auxiliary instrument has a low bending stiffness of less than 10 Nmm2, at least in sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventors: Dirk Mucha, Kai Desinger, Nicholas Norman
  • Patent number: 11864814
    Abstract: A dual-output generator is configured to output two or more waveforms at different frequencies. In particular, the dual-output generator is configured to provide low-frequency output, which may be suitable for ultrasonic surgical instruments, and a high-frequency output, which may be suitable for electrosurgical instruments, while reducing the amplitude of all remaining frequencies other than the two selected low and high frequencies to about zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Daniel A. Friedrichs, Daniel J. Costinett, Bradford C. Trento, Chongwen Zhao
  • Patent number: 11864739
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for a spinal retractor utilizing spirally retracting blades to provide a surgical portal. The retractor system comprises a blade assembly and mechanism to open and close the blades. The blade assembly comprises a set of blades arranged in a mostly circular formation coupled to an actuator. The retractor system utilizes a mechanism such as a slot-and-follower to actuate the blades in a spiral motion. Each blade in the blade assembly maintains tangential contact to each adjacent blade during expansion and contraction of the device. The circumferential retractor blade arrangement completely separates the soft tissue being retracted from the surgical portal being created allowing for the surgical site to be free from any encroaching internal tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventors: John Selim Soliman, Matthew L. Bycer
  • Patent number: 11864825
    Abstract: An electrode assembly for use with an electrophysiological catheter has a plurality of independently controlled ablation electrodes distributed radially around the electrode assembly. Two ablation electrodes may be positioned in opposition to each other. The electrode assembly may also have microelectrodes for sensing tissue and/or temperature. Methods for using a catheter equipped with such an electrode assembly may include preferentially emitting energy in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventor: Debby Highsmith
  • Patent number: 11857253
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system with an innovative electrode designed as an RF/microwave antenna as well as methods to monitor/assess biological tissue and perform surgical procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventor: Parag Karmarkar
  • Patent number: 11857243
    Abstract: A vapor delivery needle and method is provided that is adapted for treating prostate cancer. The energy delivery probe can apply condensable vapor energy to tissue, such as a peripheral zone tissue in a human prostate. In one method, a needle is introduced into peripheral zone tissue of a human prostate, and vapor media is delivered through the needle to ablate peripheral zone tissue without ablating non-peripheral zone tissue. Systems for treating prostate cancer with vapor therapy are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hoey, Grant Mauch, Mark Schrom
  • Patent number: 11857247
    Abstract: An apparatus including a body, a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, and an end effector configured to grasp and transmit RF energy to the tissue. The end effector includes a first jaw having a first tissue grasping feature and a second jaw. The second jaw is pivotably coupled to the first jaw between an open position, a partially closed position, and a closed position. The second jaw includes a proximal taper having a proximal electrode surface, a distal taper including a distal electrode surface, and a juncture between the proximal and distal electrode surface. The juncture is spaced further from the first tissue grasping feature compared to the proximal and distal end while the second jaw is in the partially closed position. The proximal and distal electrode surface deform to define a gap with the first tissue grasping feature while in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: James M. Wilson, Randolph C. Stewart, Jason R. Lesko, Gregory A. Trees, Kristen L. D'Uva
  • Patent number: 11857251
    Abstract: A flexible circuit including a first segment including a base section of the flexible circuit; a second segment including a lateral wall section; a transition section between the base and lateral wall sections, the transition section being at least partially positioned adjacent a shared region of the base and lateral wall sections; and one or more electrode regions including a respective electrode, the one or more electrode regions being positioned at least partially in the transition section and the second segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew Hitzeroth, Daniele Ghidoli, Steven Daniel, Corey Rousu