Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090192557 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF TREATING PANCREATITIS PAIN CAUSED BY SPHINCTER OF ODDI DYSFUNCTION - Methods and systems of treating a patient with pancreatitis pain include providing a stimulator, configuring one or more stimulation parameters to control sphincter of Oddi function, programming the stimulator with the one or more stimulation parameters, generating a stimulus configured to control sphincter of Oddi function with the stimulator in accordance with the one or more stimulation parameters, and applying the stimulus with the stimulator to one or more stimulation sites in accordance with the one or more stimulation parameters. | 07-30-2009 |
20090204170 | WIRELESS TISSUE ELECTROSTIMULATION - A wireless electrostimulation system can comprise a wireless energy transmission source, and an implantable cardiovascular wireless electrostimulation node. A receiver circuit comprising an inductive antenna can be configured to capture magnetic energy to generate a tissue electrostimulation. A tissue electrostimulation circuit, coupled to the receiver circuit, can be configured to deliver energy captured by the receiver circuit as a tissue electrostimulation waveform. Delivery of tissue electrostimulation can be initiated by a therapy control unit. | 08-13-2009 |
20090299269 | VASCULAR STIMULATION TO AID INTRAVASCULAR CELL REPLACEMENT THERAPY - A system and method are described involving the use of a cell delivery catheter that incorporates a stimulating electrode to promote vasodilation prior to injection of cells at a target location within a blood vessel. The vasodilation may be produced locally and/or distally from the target location near the target organ. The technique may be applied not only to intra-coronary injection of cells to treat heart disease but to injection of cells in any blood vessel that feeds a target organ. | 12-03-2009 |
20090318989 | PACING CATHETER WITH STENT ELECTRODE - Cardioprotective pacing is applied to prevent and/or reduce cardiac injury associated with myocardial infarction (MI) and revascularization procedure. Pacing pulses are generated from a pacemaker and delivered through one or more pacing electrodes incorporated onto one or more percutaneous transluminal vascular intervention (PTVI) devices during the revascularization procedure. In one embodiment, at least one pacing electrode is constructed as, or incorporated onto, a stent at a distal end portion of a stent catheter. | 12-24-2009 |
20090318993 | PACEMAKER INTEGRATED WITH VASCULAR INTERVENTION CATHETER - Cardioprotective pacing is applied to prevent and/or reduce cardiac injury associated with myocardial infarction (MI) and revascularization procedure. Pacing pulses are generated from a flexible pacemaker circuit integrated with a percutaneous transluminal vascular intervention (PTVI) device and delivered through pacing electrodes incorporated onto the PTVI device during the revascularization procedure. | 12-24-2009 |
20110034939 | DELIVERY OF CARDIAC STIMULATION DEVICES - Some embodiments of an electrical stimulation system employ wireless electrode assemblies to provide pacing therapy, defibrillation therapy, or other stimulation therapy. In certain embodiments, the wireless electrode assemblies may include a guide wire channel so that each electrode assembly can be advanced over a guide wire instrument through the endocardium. For example, a distal tip portion of a guide wire instrument can penetrate through the endocardium and into the myocardial wall of a heart chamber, and the electrode assembly may then be advanced over the guide wire and into the heart chamber wall. In such circumstances, the guide wire instrument (and other portions of the delivery system) can be retracted from the heart chamber wall, thereby leaving the electrode assembly embedded in the heart tissue. | 02-10-2011 |
20110093026 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CARDIORENAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION - An implantable cardiorenal stimulator delivers cardiorenal stimulation in response to detection of decompensation associated with heart failure. The cardiorenal stimulation includes delivering renal stimulation pulses to promote diuresis and/or natriuresis and delivering cardiac stimulation pulses to enhance the diuretic and/or natriuretic effects of the renal stimulation pulses. | 04-21-2011 |
20110190870 | Covered Stent for Vascular Closure - A stent assembly includes a stent, a covering on at least a portion of the stent, and a string encircling at least a portion of the covering. The string is releasably engaged to the covering or stent or both the covering and the stent. The string can be adhered to the stent, or the stent assembly, to the covering of the stent assembly, or both the covering and the stent. The string can be wrapped around the stent or covering in an interwoven loop or knit pattern. The covering can be made to overlap a perforation in a body lumen such as an artery or blood vessel and prevent bleeding. | 08-04-2011 |
20110224606 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTE ISCHEMIC CONDITIONING DURING REVASCULARIZATION - Remote ischemic conditioning is applied during a revascularization procedure to prevent and/or reduce myocardial injury associated with myocardial infarction (MI) and the revascularization procedure such as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). A percutaneous transluminal vascular intervention (PTVI) device used for the revascularization procedure, such as an introducer sheath or a guide catheter, includes an adjustable balloon to be positioned at a vascular site remote from the heart. The remote ischemic conditioning is applied by inflating and deflating the adjustable balloon, thereby causing temporary ischemia in the vascular site to activate the patient's intrinsic cardioprotective mechanism. | 09-15-2011 |
20110257523 | FOCUSED ULTRASONIC RENAL DENERVATION - Acoustic energy is delivered to innervated vascular that contributes to renal sympathetic nerve activity, such as innervated tissue of the renal artery and abdominal aorta. Focused acoustic energy is delivered via an intravascular device of sufficient power to ablate innervated renal or aortal tissue. Focused acoustic energy may be delivered via an intravascular or extracorporeal device to image and locate target innervated renal or aortal tissue. Intravascular, extravascular, or transvascular focused ultrasound devices provide for high precision denervation of innervated vascular to terminate renal sympathetic nerve activity. | 10-20-2011 |
20110257641 | PHOTOTHERAPY FOR RENAL DENERVATION - Apparatuses and methods facilitate delivery of optical or photoacoustic energy to innervated vascular that contributes to renal sympathetic nerve activity. The optical energy delivered may be of sufficient power to scan or image innervated renal or aortal tissue. The optical energy delivered may be of sufficient power to ablate innervated renal or aortal tissue, such as by thermal laser ablation or photoacoustic laser ablation. A catheter for intravascular or extravascular deployment supports an optical fiber arrangement comprising a coupling for receiving light from a laser light source. An optics arrangement is supported by the catheter and coupled to the optical fiber arrangement. The optics arrangement includes one or more optical elements arranged to receive the laser light and direct optical energy to target innervated tissue or a water source from which a cavitation bubble may be created and launched for acoustically shocking the target innervated tissue. | 10-20-2011 |
20110264116 | Compressive Denervation Apparatus for Innervated Renal Vasculature - Devices, systems, and methods facilitate modification of renal sympathetic nerve activity using a force generating arrangement. A device for mechanically modifying renal sympathetic nerve activity includes a contact arrangement having a shape that generally conforms to a portion of a renal artery wall and is configured for placement at the renal artery wall portion. A compression arrangement is configured to cooperate with the contact arrangement to place the wall portion of the renal artery in compression sufficient to achieve a desired reduction in renal sympathetic nerve activity. The compression arrangement and the contact arrangement are preferably configured to cooperatively place the wall portion of the renal artery in compression sufficient to irreversibly terminate renal sympathetic nerve activity. | 10-27-2011 |
20110270238 | Compliant Cryoballoon Apparatus for Denervating Ostia of the Renal Arteries - A cryotherapy balloon catheter includes a compliant cryotherapy balloon comprising a distal balloon section dimensioned for placement within a renal artery and a proximal balloon section dimensioned to abut against an ostium of the renal artery and extend into at least a portion of the abdominal aorta. The compliant balloon has a diameter that varies non-uniformly along a length of the compliant balloon, such that a diameter at the proximal balloon section is larger than a diameter of the distal balloon section. The cryotherapy balloon catheter may be configured to deliver cryogenic therapy to at least the ostium of the renal artery sufficient to irreversibly terminate renal sympathetic nerve activity, such as by causing neurotmesis of renal nerve fibers and ganglia at the ostium of the renal artery. | 11-03-2011 |
20110307034 | Renal Denervation and Stimulation Employing Wireless Vascular Energy Transfer Arrangement - Devices, systems, and methods provide for intravascular or extravascular delivery of renal denervation therapy and/or renal control stimulation therapy. Wireless vascular thermal transfer apparatuses and methods provide for one or both of production of current densities sufficient to ablate renal nerves and terminate renal sympathetic nerve activity, and production of current densities sufficient to induce endothelium dependent vasodilation of the renal artery bed. A common apparatus may be used for both renal ablation and control of renal function locally after renal denervation. | 12-15-2011 |
20110319968 | CONTROL OF ARTERIAL SMOOTH MUSCLE TONE - An apparatus for locally controlling smooth muscle tone includes a first electrode for insertion into an artery; a barrier for preventing the first electrode from contacting an arterial wall; a second electrode; a power supply; and a controller for coupling the power supply to the electrodes. The controller is configured to cause the electrode to maintain a waveform for controlling polarization of smooth muscle tone. | 12-29-2011 |
20120029511 | Cooled Conductive Balloon RF Catheter for Renal Nerve Ablation - A catheter includes a flexible shaft having a lumen arrangement and a length sufficient to access a target vessel of a patient. A balloon at the distal end of the shaft is fluidly coupled to the lumen arrangement. The balloon body comprises a first material and a second material different from the first material. The second material comprises a hydrophilic polymer that becomes electrically conductive in response to absorption of the conductive fluid. The fluid conductive regions facilitate perfusion of the conductive fluid through the balloon body to an inner wall of the target vessel during ablation of perivascular tissues. A cooling arrangement is configured for one of receiving a thermal transfer fluid from the lumen arrangement or facilitating perfusion of blood passing through the target vessel to cool the balloon body during ablation of the perivascular tissues. | 02-02-2012 |
20120029512 | BALLOON WITH SURFACE ELECTRODES AND INTEGRAL COOLING FOR RENAL NERVE ABLATION - A catheter arrangement includes a flexible shaft and a balloon disposed at a distal end of the shaft and configurable for deployment within a target vessel of the body, such as a renal artery. Ablation electrodes, supported by a balloon wall, are arranged in a predefined pattern. The electrodes deliver electrical energy sufficient to ablate target tissue, such as perivascular renal nerves, proximate the target vessel wall when the balloon is in a deployed configuration. A cooling arrangement is encompassed at least in part by the balloon and provides cooling to at least the electrodes during ablation such that a location at which steady-state ablative heating begins is translated from an electrode-tissue interface at the target vessel wall to a location a predetermined distance away from the electrode-tissue interface. | 02-02-2012 |
20120059241 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING A STEERABLE IMAGING SYSTEM CONFIGURED AND ARRANGED FOR INSERTION INTO A PATIENT - A medical imaging assembly includes a sheath with a lumen. An imaging core is disposed at one end of an imaging core shaft disposed in the lumen. The imaging core shaft bends along a shape memory region when the imaging core is extended from the lumen. The imaging core includes a transducer to image patient tissue, a mirror to redirect acoustic signals between the transducer and patient tissue, and a magnet to drive rotation of the mirror. The magnet is rotatable by a magnetic field generated at the location of the magnet. An imaging core shaft rotator rotates the imaging core shaft such that, when the imaging core is extended from the lumen, rotation of the imaging core shaft causes radial rotation of the imaging core about the sheath. The imaging core shaft rotator includes rotatable imaging core shaft magnets fixedly disposed over a portion of the imaging core shaft. | 03-08-2012 |
20120059286 | Self-Powered Ablation Catheter for Renal Denervation - An ablation catheter includes a flexible shaft having length sufficient to access a patient's renal artery. An electrode arrangement is provided at the distal end of the shaft. A handle unit includes a housing configured for hand-held manipulation and is coupled to the catheter. A battery and one or both of a high frequency AC generator and ultrasound generator are provided in the housing. The battery serves as the sole source of power for the generator. The generator is configured to generate energy sufficient to ablate perivascular renal nerve tissue using energy stored in the battery. The catheter may be disposable and the housing re-usable. Both the catheter and the housing may be disposable. | 03-08-2012 |
20120089171 | BIODEGRADABLE ADHESIVE FILM FOR VASCULAR CLOSURE - Devices and methods for sealing an opening in a blood vessel are disclosed. A device can include: an elongate, tubular non-stick outer sheath, the non-stick outer sheath having a distal end that is insertable into a vessel of a patient through the opening in the vessel wall, and having a proximal end remaining outside the patient; an elongate, tubular non-stick inner sheath disposed within the non-stick outer sheath; and an elongate, tubular adhesive film disposed between the non-stick outer sheath and the non-stick inner sheath, the adhesive film having both inward-facing and outward-facing adhesive surfaces and being supportable by the non-stick inner sheath during insertion into the vessel of the patient. | 04-12-2012 |
20120109021 | RENAL DENERVATION CATHETER EMPLOYING ACOUSTIC WAVE GENERATOR ARRANGEMENT - A transducer supported by a positioning arrangement is placed within a renal artery at a desired location that is a predetermined distance from a reflector equal to an odd number of quarter wavelengths of acoustic energy emitted by the transducer. The positioning arrangement is actuated to transition from a low-profile introduction configuration to a deployed configuration within the renal artery thereby stabilizing the transducer at a desired location. Acoustic energy is emitted by the transducer so that it propagates axially along an outer surface of the target vessel to impinge the reflector, which can be biological or artificial. The emitted energy builds up to resonance at a point of reflection defined by a location of the reflector, and the amount of energy build up is sufficient to ablate perivascular renal nerves in the vicinity of the reflector. | 05-03-2012 |
20120123243 | CATHETER GUIDANCE OF EXTERNAL ENERGY FOR RENAL DENERVATION - An in vivo apparatus includes a flexible shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length sufficient to access a patient's renal artery relative to a percutaneous access location. An energy guide apparatus is provided at the distal end of the shaft and dimensioned for deployment within the renal artery. An ex vivo apparatus includes an arrangement configured to localize the energy guide apparatus within the renal artery, and an energy source configured to direct ablative energy to target tissue located a predetermined distance from the localized energy guide apparatus. The target tissue includes perivascular renal nerve tissue adjacent the renal artery. | 05-17-2012 |
20120130362 | CATHETER-FOCUSED MAGNETIC FIELD INDUCED RENAL NERVE ABLATION - A flexible catheter includes a magnetically permeable element provided at its distal end. The magnetically permeable element is configured for placement within the renal artery. External coils, positionable on anterior and posterior portions of a patient in proximity to the renal artery, are coupled to a generator which energizes the external coils to create a high-frequency oscillating magnetic field in body tissue between the external coils including the renal artery and perivascular renal nerve tissue. The magnetically permeable element serves to concentrate the magnetic field in a region near the renal artery. The concentrated magnetic field induces high frequency electric current sufficient to ablate the perivascular renal nerve tissue proximate the renal artery. A cooling arrangement can be provided at the catheter's distal end and configured to provide cooling to the renal artery during ablation of the perivascular renal nerve tissue. | 05-24-2012 |
20120130418 | MAGNETICALLY RETRIEVABLE VENA CAVA FILTER AND RETRIEVAL DEVICE THEREFOR - The disclosure pertains to magnetically retrievable vena cava filters having a low torque associated therewith when subjected to a strong external magnetic field and retrieval devices therefor. The vena cava filter may include a magnetically permeable sphere or a spherical dipole magnet located within the spherical cavity of the apical hub wherein the spherical dipole magnet is free to rotate about any of three mutually orthogonal axes. The retrieval device is capable of substantially containing the vena cava filter in a collapsed state and includes a magnetically active member capable of interacting with the vena cava filter. The retrieval device may optionally include a supplemental mechanical latch. | 05-24-2012 |
20120136349 | RENAL DENERVATION CATHETER AND METHOD USING pH ALTERATION - A catheter includes a multiplicity of leads having exposed distal elements defining an anode and a cathode positionable relative to an outer wall of a renal artery. A power supply is configured to couple to the multiplicity of leads. The power supply generates a DC current that flows between the anode and cathode to create an acidic region at the anode sufficient to cause necrosis of perivascular renal nerve tissue in the vicinity of the anode, and to create a basic region at the cathode sufficient to cause necrosis of perivascular renal nerve tissue in the vicinity of the cathode. The catheter may be configured to deliver a biocompatible electrolytic fluid to each of the cathode and anode, thereby increasing an extent of perivascular renal nerve tissue ablation in the vicinity of the cathode and anode. | 05-31-2012 |
20120172698 | IMAGING SYSTEM - Techniques are described that combine intravascular ultrasound (“IVUS”) and optical coherence tomography into a single catheter that utilizes a micro-motor driven imaging core for imaging of patient tissue, e.g., a blood vessel wall. In one example, an imaging assembly includes a catheter, an imaging core with a micro-motor, one or more transducer conductors, an optical coherence tomography apparatus, and one or more optical fibers in communication with the optical coherence tomography apparatus. | 07-05-2012 |
20120172727 | IMAGING SYSTEM - Techniques are described that allow intravascular ultrasound (“IVUS”) imaging of patient tissue, e.g., a blood vessel wall, to be performed at one or more angles selected by a clinician, for example. In one example, a method includes receiving user input, via interaction with a user interface, that defines a range of angles through which a scan will be performed, determining, based on the received user input, at least one current value to be applied to at least one lead of a stator of a motor, controlling application of the at least one current to the at least one lead of the stator in order to rotate a rotor of the motor through the range of angles, and through the range of angles, receiving and processing electrical signals from at least one transducer to form at least one image. | 07-05-2012 |
20120172871 | ULTRASOUND GUIDED TISSUE ABLATION - An imaging assembly comprises a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, an ablation tip at the distal end of the catheter, and an imaging device disposed within the ablation tip. The catheter defines a catheter lumen that extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The catheter is configured and arranged for insertion into a body lumen such as a blood vessel or heart chamber. The ablation tip has a wall that defines a lumen in communication with the lumen of the catheter. The imaging device is disposed within the lumen of the ablation tip, and is configured to transmit pulsed acoustic waves for generating images of body tissue at a target ablation site within the body. | 07-05-2012 |
20120232565 | DELIVERY OF CARDIAC STIMULATION DEVICES - Some embodiments of an electrical stimulation system employ wireless electrode assemblies to provide pacing therapy, defibrillation therapy, or other stimulation therapy. In certain embodiments, the wireless electrode assemblies may include a guide wire channel so that each electrode assembly can be advanced over a guide wire instrument through the endocardium. For example, a distal tip portion of a guide wire instrument can penetrate through the endocardium and into the myocardial wall of a heart chamber, and the electrode assembly may then be advanced over the guide wire and into the heart chamber wall. In such circumstances, the guide wire instrument (and other portions of the delivery system) can be retracted from the heart chamber wall, thereby leaving the electrode assembly embedded in the heart tissue. | 09-13-2012 |
20130172882 | CONTROL OF ARTERIAL SMOOTH MUSCLE TONE - An apparatus for locally controlling smooth muscle tone includes a first electrode for insertion into an artery; a barrier for preventing the first electrode from contacting an arterial wall; a second electrode; a power supply; and a controller for coupling the power supply to the electrodes. The controller is configured to cause the electrode to maintain a waveform for controlling polarization of smooth muscle tone. | 07-04-2013 |
20130268042 | LEADLESS CARDIAC STIMULATION SYSTEMS - Various configurations of systems that employ leadless electrodes to provide pacing therapy are provided. In one example, a system that provides multiple sites for pacing of myocardium of a heart includes wireless pacing electrode assemblies that are implantable at sites proximate the myocardium using a percutaneous, transluminal, catheter delivery system. Also disclosed are various configurations of such systems, wireless electrode assemblies, and delivery catheters for delivering and implanting the electrode assemblies. | 10-10-2013 |
20140012344 | LEADLESS CARDIAC STIMULATION SYSTEMS - Various configurations of systems that employ leadless electrodes to provide pacing therapy are provided. In one example, a system that provides multiple sites for pacing of myocardium of a heart includes wireless pacing electrodes that are implantable at sites proximate the myocardium using a percutaneous, transluminal, catheter delivery system. Each of the electrodes contains a source of electrical energy for pacing the myocardium and is adapted to receive electromagnetic energy from a source outside the myocardium. The system also includes a source adapted for placement outside the myocardium and that uses locally measured electrocardiograms to synchronize pacing of the heart by sending electromagnetic commands to the electrodes to pace the myocardium surrounding the electrodes. Also disclosed is various configurations of such systems, wireless electrode assemblies, and delivery catheters for delivering and implanting the electrode assemblies. | 01-09-2014 |
20140039591 | CARDIAC STIMULATION SYSTEM - Some embodiments of pacing systems employ wireless electrode assemblies to provide pacing therapy. The wireless electrode assemblies may wirelessly receive energy via an inductive coupling so as to provide electrical stimulation to the surrounding heart tissue. In certain embodiments, the wireless electrode assembly may include one or more biased tines that shift from a first position to a second position to secure the wireless electrode assembly into the inner wall of the heart chamber. | 02-06-2014 |
20140073903 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING AND ABLATING NERVES - Described herein is an apparatus for locally monitoring nerve activity that may be incorporated into a nerve ablation catheter. Such a catheter is equipped with magnetic sensing for both identifying nerves and assessing the success of the ablation. The catheter is also equipped with an ablation instrument for both stimulating and destroying nerve tissue. | 03-13-2014 |
20140114396 | COVERED STENT FOR VASCULAR CLOSURE - A stent assembly includes a stent, a covering on at least a portion of the stent, and a string encircling at least a portion of the covering. The string is releasably engaged to the covering or stent or both the covering and the stent. The string can be adhered to the stent, or the stent assembly, to the covering of the stent assembly, or both the covering and the stent. The string can be wrapped around the stent or covering in an interwoven loop or knit pattern. The covering can be made to overlap a perforation in a body lumen such as an artery or blood vessel and prevent bleeding. | 04-24-2014 |
20140135865 | Cardiac Stimulation Using Intravascularly-Deliverable Electrode Assemblies - A seed assembly for delivery to an interior of a heart includes an electrical stimulation circuit for delivering an electrical stimulus to cardiac tissue. A first electrode assembly is mechanically and electrically coupled to the seed assembly via a micro lead the first electrode assembly configured to deliver the electrical stimulus generated by the electrical stimulation circuit to the cardiac tissue. The seed assembly and the first electrode assembly are sized and shaped to fit entirely within the heart. | 05-15-2014 |
20140155950 | LEADLESS CARDIAC STIMULATION SYSTEMS - Various configurations of systems that employ leadless electrodes to provide pacing therapy are provided. In one example, a system that provides multiple sites for pacing of myocardium of a heart includes wireless pacing electrodes that are implantable at sites proximate the myocardium using a percutaneous, transluminal, catheter delivery system. Each of the electrodes contains a source of electrical energy for pacing the myocardium and is adapted to receive electromagnetic energy from a source outside the myocardium. The system also includes a source adapted for placement outside the myocardium and that uses locally measured electrocardiograms to synchronize pacing of the heart by sending electromagnetic commands to the electrodes to pace the myocardium surrounding the electrodes. Also disclosed is various configurations of such systems, wireless electrode assemblies, and delivery catheters for delivering and implanting the electrode assemblies. | 06-05-2014 |
20140207149 | LEADLESS CARDIAC STIMULATION SYSTEMS - Various configurations of systems that employ leadless electrodes to provide pacing therapy are provided. In one example, a system that provides multiple sites for pacing of myocardium of a heart includes wireless pacing electrode assemblies that are implantable at sites proximate the myocardium using a percutaneous, transluminal, catheter delivery system. Also disclosed are various configurations of such systems, wireless electrode assemblies, and delivery catheters for delivering and implanting the electrode assemblies. | 07-24-2014 |
20140236172 | WIRELESS TISSUE ELECTROSTIMULATION - A wireless electrostimulation system can comprise a wireless energy transmission source, and an implantable cardiovascular wireless electrostimulation node. A receiver circuit comprising an inductive antenna can be configured to capture magnetic energy to generate a tissue electrostimulation. A tissue electrostimulation circuit, coupled to the receiver circuit, can be configured to deliver energy captured by the receiver circuit as a tissue electrostimulation waveform. Delivery of tissue electrostimulation can be initiated by a therapy control unit. | 08-21-2014 |