Scimed Life Systems, Inc.

Ep Technologies, Inc.

Xoft, Inc.

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.

Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Syntex (u.s.a.) Inc.

Boston Scientific Corporation

Robert R Burnside

David K Swanson

Dorin Panescu

James G Whayne

David L McGee

Daniel A Dupree

Tuan Anh Nguyen

Russell B Thompson

David F Dueiri

Steve Axelrod

Noel L Johnson

Thomas R Jenkins

Paul A Lovoi

Anant V Hegde

Robert G Neimeyer

Dennis M O'Brien

Bruce H Wand

Jyh-Yi T Huang

David Dueiri

Randall W Holt

Sidney D Fleischman

Donald M Besemer

William N Reining

Robert G Poli

V Stanton Thomas

Thomas W Rusch

Leland D Chamness

J Terry Huang

Donald F Munro

David W Arnett

Tom Rusch

Attenuating masks for selective attenuation of radiation, particularly from an x-ray source in brachytherapy, employ materials having atomic number in a specific range, so as to attenuate radiation dose intensity generally proportionally through a range of distance from the source. Some preferred attenuation materials are silver and molybdenum. A set of small masks can be provided for a particular design of catheter that holds a radiation source, each mask having a size and shape to define a different solid angle of masking, so that in a brachytherapy procedure, sensitive tissue such as bone or skin can be protected by proper selection of and positioning of the attenuating mask, to reduce the dose intensity to that tissue.

Proportional attenuation of radiation in brachytheraphy treatment

A device, system and method for administering radiation therapy to a tissue surface of a patient utilizes an applicator capable of controlled movement and repositioning over a selected area of tissue, under the control of a computer or controller. A servo-controlled manipulator can effect a raster scan of the desired area, such as an area of the skin, and this can be in any desired pattern such as serpentine, spiral, parallel but unidirectional, or irregular patterns. Preferably a third direction of control is included, i.e. a depth direction, with an appropriate form of depth sensor, a signal from which can be used to adjust the radiation source so that radiation of the tissue surface is consistent over varied contoured.

Apparatus and methods for radiation treatment of tissue surfaces

Proportional attenuation of radiation in brachytherapy treatment

Systems and methods for controlling the power supplied to an electrosurgical probe. The systems and methods may be used to monitor electrode-tissue contact, adjust power in response to a loss of contact, and apply power in such a manner that charring, coagulum formation and tissue popping are less likely to occur.

Systems and methods for controlling power in an electrosurgical probe

Ablation systems comprise a support body, an energy transmitting element supported by the support body and an insulating member covering a portion of the support body and energy transmitting member. Ablation energy is transmitted from an uncovered, exposed portion of the energy transmitting element. The insulating member may be a distal portion of an introducer sheath. An open segment may be provided in the distal portion to expose a portion of the energy transmitting element. When used in cardiac ablation therapy, for example, the insulating member decreases the amount of ablation energy dissipated in the blood circulating through the heart and thermally insulates the energy transmitting member and the tissue at the ablation site, enabling better control of the ablation process. An inflatable balloon or an expandable web may be provided coupled to the distal portion of the sheath behind the open segment to provide further insulation of the energy transmitting element and of the tissue around the ablation site. In another embodiment, ablation catheters incorporate an insulating member such as the inflatable balloon, expandable web or a cover. Methods of ablating tissue are also disclosed.

Ablation systems including insulated energy transmitting elements

Systems and methods for reducing the number of temperature measurement wires in multiple temperature sensor ablation systems are described. In a preferred embodiment, temperature sensors capable of measuring the temperature of body tissue and transmitting the temperature data digitally are incorporated in a catheter or probe ablation system that also includes electrodes in operative contact with the sensors. The sensors are connected in parallel to a common electrical bus, thereby allowing the system to operate using a reduced number of electrical paths as compared to conventional ablation systems. The present invention is also directed to ablation systems that incorporate analog sensors rather than digital sensors. In this embodiment, the system utilizes digital switching, filtering circuits, or oscillators to reduce the number of wires required to operate the sensors.

Medical probe with reduced number of temperature sensor wires

An apparatus that facilitates the creation of circumferential lesions in body tissue. The apparatus includes a first probe having a loop structure that supports electrodes or other operative elements against the body tissue and a second probe with an expandable push structure that may be used to urge the loop structure against body tissue.

Loop structures for supporting diagnostic and therapeutic elements in contact with body tissue and expandable push devices for use with same

A medical system for limiting usage of a medical probe, such as, e.g., a catheter or a surgical probe, is provided. The medical system comprises a medical probe that includes an electronic storage component for storage of data. The electronic storage component has environmental sensing capabilities and detects an environmental condition to which the medical probe is exposed. If the detected environmental condition is associated with a sterilization cycle, the electronic storage component stores a probe sterilization indicator indicating that the medical probe has been sterilized. The medical system further includes a medical probe control unit to which the medical probe is connected. The medical probe control unit is configured for writing and reading data to and from the electronic storage component of the medical probe when the medical probe is connected to the control unit. The medical probe control unit comprises a control circuit that prevents operation of the medical probe based on the presence of the probe sterilization indicator. Prevention of the medical probe operation is also based on a probe usage indicator, which is employed to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate sterilization of medical probes.

Systems and methods to identify and disable re-used devices based on detecting environmental changes

A control unit, such as, e.g., an RF generator, for limiting the usage of a medical probe, such as, e.g., a catheter or surgical probe, is provided. The control unit includes a control circuit that is configured for storing a plurality of historical operational indicator sets within a database, wherein each of the historical operational indicator sets corresponds to a respective medical probe operated with a control unit. Each of the historical operational indicator sets includes a probe identification code, the presence of which indicates previous operation of a respective medical probe with a control unit, and one or more supplementary historical operational indicators, such as, e.g., an initial probe usage time and/or an incremental probe usage, which provides additional historical operational information concerning the respective medical probe. The control unit can recall a historical operational indicator set corresponding to a selected medical probe by matching a probe identification code corresponding to the selected medical probe with a stored probe identification code. The control unit can then display the historical operational information on the selected medical probe to the physician and/or conditionally operate the selected medical probe based on the historical operational information.

Systems and methods to identify and disable re-used single use devices based on cataloging catheter usage

Loop structures for supporting diagnostic and therapeutic elements contact with body tissue and expandable push devices for use with same

A graphical user interface (GUI) is provided for assisting medical personnel in interpreting data collected by a multiple electrode catheter deployed within the body. The GUI generates and displays an image of the multiple electrode catheter. By manipulating appropriate controls, the medical personnel are able to change the orientation of the displayed image until it matches the orientation of the actual multiple electrode catheter as seen on a fluoroscope. Afterwards, the medical personnel can determine the relative position and orientation of the catheter by reference to the GUI generated image. To aid in interpreting data recovered by the catheter, the individual electrodes and splines are highlighted and labeled. Electrodes recovering particular types of physiological waveforms can be automatically identified and highlighted. Comments and anatomic landmarks can be inserted where desired to further assist in interpreting data. Views from various, virtual fluoroangles can be obtained, and various images can be recorded, stored and printed. The position of a roving electrode can also be indicated.

Graphical user interface for use with multiple electrode catheters

Systems and methods to identify and disable re-use single use devices based on detecting environmental changes

A medical system for limiting the re-use of a medical probe, such as, e.g., a catheter or a surgical probe, is provided. The medical system includes a medical probe that includes an electronic storage component for storing a probe identification code. The medical probe further includes a disabling circuit, the activation of which disables the electronic storage component. The medical system further includes a control unit, such as, e.g., an RF generator, for connection to the medical probe. The control unit includes control circuit that is configured for automatically reading the probe identification code from the electronic storage component and preventing the medical probe from being operated if the probe identification code is not approved. If the medical probe has been previously used, the control circuit prevents operation of the medical probe and activates the disabling circuitry to disable the electronic storage component in the medical probe.

Systems and methods for preventing automatic identification of re-used single use devices

Growing community of inventors

Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Robert R Burnside