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James G. Whayne, Chapel Hill US

James G. Whayne, Chapel Hill, NC US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080243119VACUUM COAGULATION PROBE FOR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION TREATMENT - An embodiment of the invention includes a surgical device for coagulating soil tissue such as atrial tissue in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and atrial tachycardia. The surgical device can include at least one elongate member comprising conductive elements adapted to coagulate soft tissue when radiofrequency or direct current energy is transmitted to the conductive elements. Openings through said conductive elements are routed through lumens in the elongate member to a vacuum source to actively engage the soft tissue surface intended to coagulate into intimate contact with the conductive elements to facilitate the coagulation process and ensure the lesions created are consistent, contiguous, and transmural. The embodiments of the invention can also incorporate cooling openings positioned near the conductive elements and coupled with a vacuum source or an injection source to transport fluid though the cooling openings causing the soft tissue surface to cool thus pushing the maximum temperature deeper into tissue. The embodiments of the invention can also incorporate features to tunnel between anatomic structures or dissect around the desired tissue surface to coagulate thereby enabling less invasive positioning of the soft tissue coagulating device and ensuring reliable and consistent heating of the soft tissue.10-02-2008
20090254009VACUUM COAGULATION & DISSECTION PROBES - A surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism is provided for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source. A fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface may be provided in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.10-08-2009
20090312783DISSECTING CANNULA AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF - Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved access of locations within the body by providing a variety of dissection modes on a single access device.12-17-2009
20100137887DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TISSUE REPAIR - Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for repairing soft tissue. The surgical system allows for the creation of tissue repair by grasping, aligning and sewing or fixing tissue. For example, this system may be used for clipping together excessive capsular tissue and reducing the overall capsular volume. The deployment device includes a central grasping mechanism and an outer clip delivery system. The clip embodiments may be single or multi-component (penetration and locking base components) that penetrate tissue layers and deploy or lock to clip the tissue together. An example of the system is used to reduce the joint capsule tissue laxity and reduces the potential for subluxation or dislocation of the joint by either restricting inferior laxity (anterior or posterior) and resolving or eliminating pathologic anterior or posterior translation.06-03-2010
20100152850DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MATERIAL FIXATION - Devices, systems and methods for fixation of tendon to bone are described. An exemplary surgical implant is a modified bone anchor that is able to grasp the tendon and hold it firmly in a bone tunnel. Once deployed, the anchor delivers lateral compression to the tendon, providing direct tendon to bone compression to facilitate healing. The anchor has different versions which allow it to be attached to the tendon prior to insertion into the bone tunnel, or be inserted between tendon arms when the surgical procedure dictates. The resulting tendon to bone compression allows for the firm fixation in a manner markedly simpler than traditional techniques. A modification of this anchor can also allow the anchor to grasp and hold suture. This variation facilitates the technique for knotless rotator cuff repair.06-17-2010
20100179524METHOD AND DEVICES FOR PERFORMING BIATRIAL COAGULATION - Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved treatment of body organs.07-15-2010
20100217249METHOD AND DEVICES FOR COAGULATION OF TISSUE - Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved treatment of body organs.08-26-2010
20100262138METHODS OF COAGULATING TISSUE - An embodiment of the invention includes a surgical device for coagulating soft tissue such as atrial tissue in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and atrial tachycardia; tendon or ligament shrinkage; or articular cartilage removal. The surgical device integrates a suction mechanism with the coagulation mechanism improving the lesion creation capabilities of the device. The surgical device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about conductive elements capable of coagulating soft tissue when radiofrequency or direct current energy is transmitted to the conductive elements. Openings through the insulative covering expose regions of the conductive elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source. Suction causes the soft tissue to actively engage the opening thus the integrated, exposed conductive elements to facilitate the coagulation process and ensure the lesions created are consistent, continuous, and transmural. The embodiments of the invention can also incorporate cooling mechanisms associated with the conductive elements and coupled to a fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface to cool thus pushing the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.10-14-2010
20110071550Suture Passing Devices and Methods - An embodiment of the invention includes a surgical device for passing suture through soft tissue. The surgical device can include at least one elongate superelastic member having a thickness and having a first resting configuration that defines at least one curve having a first radius of curvature greater than or equal to 3 times the thickness of the superelastic member. The surgical device also can include a thermally formed opening in the superelastic member, the opening adapted to receive at least one strand of suture. Moreover, the surgical device can include a superelastic member adapted to be straightened into a second configuration having a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of curvature.03-24-2011
20110137311VACUUM COAGULATION PROBES - An embodiment of the invention includes a surgical device for coagulating soft tissue such as atrial tissue in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and atrial tachycardia; tendon or ligament shrinkage; or articular cartilage removal. The surgical device integrates a suction mechanism with the coagulation mechanism improving the lesion creation capabilities of the device. The surgical device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about conductive elements capable of coagulating soft tissue when radiofrequency or direct current energy is transmitted to the conductive elements. Openings through the insulative covering expose regions of the conductive elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source. Suction causes the soft tissue to actively engage the opening thus the integrated, exposed conductive elements to facilitate the coagulation process and ensure the lesions created are consistent, continuous, and transmural. The embodiments of the invention can also incorporate cooling mechanisms associated with the conductive elements and coupled to a fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface to cool thus pushing the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.06-09-2011

Patent applications by James G. Whayne, Chapel Hill, NC US