Afx Inc.

Conceptus, Inc.

Fidus Medical Technology Corporation

Scimed Life Systems, Inc.

Maquet Cardiovascular LLC

Robert E Woodard

Dany Berube

Theodore C Ormsby

Robert G Matheny

Lyndall Erb

Hiep Nguyen

Eugene Downar

Kevin T Larkin

Peter G Knopp

Julian N Nikolchev

Phillip M Olsen

Dai Ton That

Hiep P H Nguyen

A securing apparatus for selectively securing an ablating element of an ablation instrument proximate to a targeted region of a biological tissue. The securing apparatus includes a support base affixed to the ablation instrument relative the ablating element, and having a support face adapted to seat against the biological tissue proximate to the ablation element. The support base further defines a passage having one end communicably coupled to a vacuum source and an opposite end terminating at an orifice at the support face. The support face together with the biological tissue forms a hermetic seal thereagainst during operation of the vacuum source to secure the ablation instrument thereagainst. Essentially, the hermetic seal and the vacuum source cooperate to form a vacuum force sufficient to retain the ablation device against the biological tissue.

Vacuum-assisted securing apparatus for a microwave ablation instrument

A directional ablation instrument for ablation of a targeted tissue. The instrument includes a transmission line having a proximal portion suitable for connection to an electromagnetic energy source, and an elongated antenna device having a longitudinal axis and an end coupled to the transmission line. The antenna is adapted to generate an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation of the targeted tissue. An elongated support assembly includes a central axis, and an ablation surface extending longitudinally along an exterior surface portion of the support assembly. The support assembly is configured to receive the antenna device in the ablation surface such that the longitudinal axis of the antenna device is off-set from the support assembly central axis. Further, the antenna device is oriented toward the surface portion for positioning of the antenna device substantially adjacent to or in contact with the targeted tissue during operable use.

Directional microwave ablation instrument with off-set energy delivery portion

A catheter system with an enhanced steering system, allowing for positioning the distal portion of the catheter proximate to a desired biological target tissue site, is provided. The system includes an elongated tubular member having a steerable distal end configured to deflect, or otherwise direct, and properly position at least a portion of the distal end comprising an ablation device during a surgical procedure allowing for the placement of the deflected portion adjacent or proximate to the target tissue surface. The steering system may alternatively be incorporated into a separate guiding catheter as part of the catheter system.

Catheter having improved steering

An ablation instrument having a flexible portion at or near the distal portion of the instrument, is provided. The instrument includes an elongated tubular member having a steerable distal end configured to deflect, or otherwise direct, and properly position at least a portion of the distal portion, comprising an ablation device, during an ablation procedure. The instrument further includes a deflectable member which cooperates with the steering system allowing for the proper placement of the ablation device adjacent or proximate to the target tissue surface. The steering system may alternatively be incorporated into a separate guiding catheter as part of the catheter system.

Ablation instrument having a flexible distal portion

A directional ablation instrument for ablation of a targeted tissue. The instrument includes a transmission line having a proximal portion suitable for connection to an electromagnetic energy source, and an elongated antenna device having a longitudinal axis and an end coupled to the transmission line. The antenna is adapted to generate an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation of the targeted tissue. An elongated support assembly includes a central axis, and a ablation surface extending longitudinally along an exterior surface portion of the support assembly. The support assembly is configured to receive the antenna device in the ablation surface such that the longitudinal axis of the antenna device is off-set from the support assembly central axis. Further, the antenna device is oriented toward the surface portion for positioning of the antenna device substantially adjacent to or in contact with the targeted tissue during operable use.

A directional reflective shield assembly (,) is provided for a microwave ablation instrument (,) having an antenna (,) coupled to a transmission line (,). The antenna (,) is formed to generate an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. The shield assembly (,) includes a cradle device (26) disposed about the antenna (,) in a manner substantially shielding a surrounding area of the antenna (,) from the electric field radially generated therefrom. The cradle device (,) further provides a window portion (,) communicating with the antenna (,) which is strategically located relative the antenna to direct a majority of the field generally in a predetermined direction.

Directional reflector shield assembly for a microwave ablation instrument

A catheter which may be configured as a loop during an ablation procedure, and a method of use for such a catheter, are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an ablation catheter includes a flexible distal member arranged to inserted into a first vessel in the body of a patient, and an elongated flexible tubular member with a distal portion which is coupled to a proximal portion of the flexible distal member. The elongated flexible tubular member has a flexibility that is greater than or equal to the flexibility of the flexible distal member. The catheter also includes a transmission line which is at least partially disposed within the elongated flexible tubular member. A proximal end of the transmission line is suitable for connection to an electromagnetic energy source. The catheter further includes a transducer that is coupled to the transmission line, and is arranged to generate an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. In one embodiment, a distal portion of the flexible distal member is arranged to protrude from a second vessel of the body of the patient while at least part of the elongated flexible tubular member is located in a cardiac chamber of the heart of the patient.

Microwave ablation catheter with loop configuration

A directional reflective shield assembly (,) is provided for a microwave ablation instrument (,) having an antenna (,) coupled to a transmission line (,). The antenna (,) is formed to generate an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. The shield assembly (,) includes a cradle device (,) disposed about the antenna (,) in a manner substantially shielding a surrounding area of the antenna (,) from the electric field radially generated therefrom. The cradle device (,) further provides a window portion (,) communicating with the antenna (,) which is strategically located relative the antenna to direct a majority of the field generally in a predetermined direction.

A catheter which may be configured as a loop during an ablation procedure, and a method of use for such a catheter, are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for medical treatment using an ablation catheter system that includes a catheter with a transmission line disposed within a flexible tubular member and a transducer that is located at a central portion of the catheter that is proximal to a distal tip portion of the catheter involves introducing the catheter into a first vessel of the body of a patient and past the heart of the patient such that the distal tip portion of the catheter at least partially passes out of the body through a second vessel while the central portion of the catheter is positioned within a cardiac chamber. Curvature, which includes the central portion of the catheter, is then formed in the catheter within the cardiac chamber, and electromagnetic energy is applied to the transmission line to cause ablation of cardiac tissue in a region adjacent to the central portion of the catheter. In one embodiment, a loop which includes the central portion of the catheter is formed within the cardiac chamber.

Method of using a microwave ablation catheter with a loop configuration

Methods and apparatus for connecting relatively small wires to standard size electrical connectors. An enlarged conductive region is formed on an end of the wire, the conductive region having an outer dimension adapted to be securely received in the connector, and the enlarged conductive region is covered with a nonconductive sleeve to electrically isolate the conductive region, the conductive region and nonconductive sleeve together defining an enlarged connector lead. The enlarged conductive region may be a conductive tube through which the wire is inserted and then spot welded, folded and/or crimped, or a multiple folded segment of the wire end, covered by a nonconductive shrink tube. The resulting enlarged connector lead may be received in a standard insulation displacement connector as part of a system for coupling the wire to electrical circuitry, the connector including a blade for piercing the nonconductive sleeve to electrically couple the wire to a terminal on the connector.

Methods and apparatus for increasing wire diameter to improve

A radiation transmitting sheath comprises a tubular body having a radiation guide extending axially therein. A coupler for attaching a radiation source is provided at the proximal end of the sheath. A dispersive tip for dispersing radiation from the radiation guide over a conical field is provided at the distal end of the sheath. Such sheaths are useful for providing illumination and endoscopic viewing methods and for providing sensitizing radiation in photodynamic therapy of body cavities.

Radiation-transmitting sheath and methods for its use

A mechanism for manipulating the distal end of an elongate medical device, wherein steering is accomplished by a single wire which extends from the proximal to the distal end of the device, the wire being anchored at an eccentric location relative to the central axis of the device containing said steering mechanism. Advantageously, a device comprising the steering mechanism also comprises at least one through lumen extending substantially from the proximal to the distal end of the device whereby a device or materials can be moved to the distal end of the device.

Growing community of inventors

Hayward, CA, United States of America

Robert E Woodard