US Patent No: 4,576,177

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

Catheter for removing arteriosclerotic plaque

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)
 

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

An apparatus and method for identifying and removing arteriosclerotic plaque deposits from blood vessels is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a catheter having an optical fiber for transmitting laser irradiation and an ultrasonic transducer mounted at the tip of the catheter for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals. The apparatus further comprises a transmitting unit for generating electrical impulses for activating the ultrasonic transducer, a receiving unit for displaying electrical signals from the ultrasonic transducer and a laser. Arteriosclerotic plaque deposits are identified by the ultrasonic echoes which result from transmitted ultrasonic signals and are removed by laser irradiation.

Loading the Abstract Image... loading....

First Claim

Related Publications

Loading Related Publications... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

  • Assignment data not available. Check USPTO

International Classification(s)

  • [Classification Symbol]
  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Webster, Jr Wilton W Altadena, CA 33 3488

Cited Art

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON (1)
4,319,580 Method for detecting air emboli in the blood in an intracorporeal blood vessel 121 1979

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cites

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
COVIDIEN AG (30)
7,137,980 Method and system for controlling output of RF medical generator 105 2003
7,749,217 Method and system for optically detecting blood and controlling a generator during electrosurgery 14 2003
RE40388 Electrosurgical generator with adaptive power control 40 2003
7,364,577 Vessel sealing system 49 2003
8,104,956 Thermocouple measurement circuit 1 2003
7,131,860 Connector systems for electrosurgical generator 146 2003
7,044,948 Circuit for controlling arc energy from an electrosurgical generator 142 2003
8,012,150 Method and system for programming and controlling an electrosurgical generator system 7 2004
7,722,601 Method and system for programming and controlling an electrosurgical generator system 13 2004
7,396,336 Switched resonant ultrasonic power amplifier system 105 2004
7,303,557 Vessel sealing system 142 2004
7,901,400 Method and system for controlling output of RF medical generator 11 2005
7,766,905 Method and system for continuity testing of medical electrodes 6 2005
7,780,662 Vessel sealing system using capacitive RF dielectric heating 12 2005
7,628,786 Universal foot switch contact port 6 2005
7,879,031 Cooled RF ablation needle 0 2005
7,776,035 Cool-tip combined electrode introducer 1 2005
7,553,309 Electrosurgical system employing multiple electrodes and method thereof 6 2005
7,947,039 Laparoscopic apparatus for performing electrosurgical procedures 3 2005
7,467,075 Three-dimensional finite-element code for electrosurgery and thermal ablation simulations 0 2005
7,513,896 Dual synchro-resonant electrosurgical apparatus with bi-directional magnetic coupling 29 2006
7,824,400 Circuit for controlling arc energy from an electrosurgical generator 3 2006
7,651,493 System and method for controlling electrosurgical snares 15 2006
7,763,018 Cool-tip thermocouple including two-piece hub 6 2006
8,182,477 Electrosurgical system employing multiple electrodes and method thereof 0 2007
7,699,842 Electrosurgical system employing multiple electrodes and method thereof 1 2008
7,702,495 Three-dimensional finite-element code for electrosurgery and thermal ablation simulations 1 2008
8,062,290 Electrosurgical system employing multiple electrodes 0 2010
8,377,057 Cool-tip combined electrode introducer 0 2010
8,398,626 Electrosurgical system employing multiple electrodes 0 2011
 
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC. (23)
4,841,977 Ultra-thin acoustic transducer and balloon catheter using same in imaging array subassembly 226 1987
4,920,967 Doppler tip wire guide 59 1987
5,000,185 Method for intravascular two-dimensional ultrasonography and recanalization 272 1988
5,029,588 Laser catheter with imaging capability 188 1989
5,010,886 Medical probe assembly having combined ultrasonic imaging and laser ablation capabilities 74 1989
4,991,588 Doppler guide wire 67 1989
5,117,831 Vascular catheter having tandem imaging and dilatation components 93 1990
5,344,395 Apparatus for intravascular cavitation or delivery of low frequency mechanical energy 74 1992
5,372,138 Acousting imaging catheters and the like 159 1992
5,373,849 Forward viewing imaging catheter 90 1993
5,313,949 Method and apparatus for intravascular two-dimensional ultrasonography 77 1993
5,676,151 Method and apparatus for intravascular ultrasonography 29 1993
5,676,693 Electrophysiology device 380 1994
5,865,178 Method and apparatus for intravascular ultrasonography 70 1995
5,651,364 Method and apparatus for intravascular 28 1995
5,582,178 Method and apparatus for intravascular ultrasonography 16 1995
6,068,653 Electrophysiology catheter device 104 1996
6,344,037 Integrated coaxial transmission line and flexible drive cable 10 1998
6,120,454 Annular array ultrasound catheter 20 1998
6,221,015 Method and apparatus for intravascular two-dimensional ultrasonography 31 1999
7,762,955 Method of mounting a transducer to a driveshaft 0 2002
7,131,948 Method and apparatus for intravascular two-dimensional ultrasonography 2 2003
8,187,194 Method of mounting a transducer to a driveshaft 0 2010
 
VOLCANO CORPORATION (12)
4,917,097 Apparatus and method for imaging small cavities 264 1987
5,183,048 Method and apparatus for removing artifacts from an ultrasonically generated image of a small cavity 47 1991
5,368,037 Ultrasound catheter 70 1993
5,603,327 Ultrasound catheter probe 43 1995
5,779,644 Ultrasound catheter probe 30 1996
5,938,615 Ultrasound catheter probe 26 1997
6,049,958 High resolution intravascular ultrasound transducer assembly having a flexible substrate and method for manufacture thereof 38 1997
6,123,673 Method of making an ultrasound transducer assembly 17 1999
6,618,916 Method for manufacturing a high resolution intravascular ultrasound transducer assembly having a flexible substrate 18 2000
6,283,920 Ultrasound transducer assembly 54 2000
6,962,567 Ultrasound transducer assembly 4 2001
6,899,682 Intravascular ultrasound transducer assembly having a flexible substrate and method for manufacturing such assembly 9 2003
 
ST. JUDE MEDICAL, ATRIAL FIBRILLATION DIVISION, INC. (10)
7,507,205 Steerable ultrasound catheter 3 2004
7,654,958 Method and apparatus for ultrasound imaging with autofrequency selection 0 2004
7,713,210 Method and apparatus for localizing an ultrasound catheter 4 2004
7,648,462 Safety systems and methods for ensuring safe use of intra-cardiac ultrasound catheters 0 2004
7,314,446 Method and apparatus for time gating of medical images 7 2004
8,070,684 Method and system for evaluating valvular function 0 2005
8,187,190 Method and system for configuration of a pacemaker and for placement of pacemaker electrodes 0 2006
8,317,711 Oscillating phased-array ultrasound imaging catheter system 0 2007
8,057,394 Ultrasound image processing to render three-dimensional images from two-dimensional images 0 2007
8,052,607 Ultrasound imaging catheter with pivoting head 0 2008
 
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION (8)
5,368,035 Ultrasound imaging guidewire 110 1992
5,421,338 Acoustic imaging catheter and the like 137 1994
5,546,948 Ultrasound imaging guidewire 47 1994
5,715,825 Acoustic imaging catheter and the like 127 1996
6,165,127 Acoustic imaging catheter and the like 49 1997
6,364,840 Acoustic imaging catheter and the like 30 2000
7,291,110 Catheter lesion diagnostics 2 2002
7,037,271 Medical imaging device 9 2003
 
J.W. MEDICAL SYSTEMS LTD. (7)
5,571,086 Method and apparatus for sequentially performing multiple intraluminal procedures 172 1994
7,147,655 Balloon catheter for multiple adjustable stent deployment 23 2002
8,157,851 Apparatus and methods for deployment of multiple custom-length prostheses 0 2005
7,938,851 Devices and methods for operating and controlling interventional apparatus 1 2005
7,320,702 Apparatus and methods for deployment of multiple custom-length prostheses (III) 25 2005
8,147,536 Balloon catheter for multiple adjustable stent deployment 0 2009
8,142,487 Balloon catheter for multiple adjustable stent deployment 0 2009
 
TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP AG (6)
6,575,969 Cool-tip radiofrequency thermosurgery electrode system for tumor ablation 266 2000
6,506,189 Cool-tip electrode thermosurgery system 222 2000
7,300,435 Automatic control system for an electrosurgical generator 148 2003
7,255,694 Variable output crest factor electrosurgical generator 41 2003
7,480,533 Ablation treatment of bone metastases 15 2005
7,282,049 Electrosurgical system employing multiple electrodes and method thereof 53 2005
 
CARDIOFOCUS, INC. (5)
4,950,266 Infrared laser catheter system 53 1988
5,196,004 Infrared laser catheter system 83 1989
6,159,203 Infrared laser catheter system 28 1990
5,843,073 Infrared laser catheter system 54 1995
6,547,780 Infrared laser catheter system 44 1998
 
LOCALMED, INC. (5)
5,609,574 Intravascular catheter with infusion array 59 1994
5,536,250 Perfusion shunt device and method 56 1994
5,562,620 Perfusion shunt device having non-distensible pouch for receiving angioplasty balloon 44 1995
5,713,860 Intravascular catheter with infusion array 55 1995
5,599,306 Method and apparatus for providing external perfusion lumens on balloon catheters 86 1995
 
SCIMED LIFE SYSTEMS, INC. (5)
4,794,931 Catheter apparatus, system and method for intravascular two-dimensional ultrasonography 433 1986
6,572,553 Medical imaging device 4 2002
6,585,655 Medical imaging device 15 2002
6,572,554 Method and apparatus for intravascular two-dimensional ultrasonography 7 2002
6,764,450 Method and apparatus for intravascular two-dimensional ultrasonography 5 2003
 
THE SPECTRANETICS CORPORATION (4)
4,844,062 Rotating fiberoptic laser catheter assembly with eccentric lumen 42 1987
5,470,330 Guidance and delivery system for high-energy pulsed laser light 44 1991
5,836,940 Photoacoustic drug delivery 27 1996
5,916,210 Catheter for laser treatment of atherosclerotic plaque and other tissue abnormalities 52 1997
 
COVIDIEN LP (3)
8,181,995 Cool tip junction 0 2007
8,211,099 Thermal feedback systems and methods of using the same 0 2008
8,292,880 Targeted cooling of deployable microwave antenna 0 2008
 
CYBERSONICS, INC. (3)
7,494,468 Ultrasonic medical device operating in a transverse mode 22 2003
7,503,895 Ultrasonic device for tissue ablation and sheath for use therewith 10 2003
7,794,414 Apparatus and method for an ultrasonic medical device operating in torsional and transverse modes 0 2004
 
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (3)
5,385,148 Cardiac imaging and ablation catheter 455 1993
7,794,444 Catheter system and methods for delivery of therapeutic cells to cardiac tissue 0 2003
7,799,011 Catheter system and method for delivery of therapeutic compounds to cardiac tissue 0 2007
 
3H, INC. (2)
5,061,266 Laser resectoscope and method 65 1990
5,201,731 Laser resectoscope with ultransonic imaging means 70 1991
 
CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING SYSTEMS, INC. (2)
5,902,245 Method and apparatus for intravascular ultrasonography 29 1997
6,409,673 Method and apparatus for intravascular two-dimensional ultrasonography 7 2001
 
ELI LILLY AND COMPANY (2)
5,026,367 Laser angioplasty catheter and a method for use thereof 54 1988
5,437,659 Angioplasty catheter and method of use thereof 41 1993
 
FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (2)
5,957,837 Method and apparatus for wound management 10 1996
6,413,212 Method and apparatus for wound management 9 1999
 
LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC (2)
5,944,687 Opto-acoustic transducer for medical applications 43 1996
6,379,325 Opto-acoustic transducer for medical applications 13 1999
 
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (2)
5,106,387 Method for spectroscopic diagnosis of tissue 105 1989
5,104,392 Laser spectro-optic imaging for diagnosis and treatment of diseased tissue 69 1989
 
MCM LABORATORIES, INC. (2)
4,641,650 Probe-and-fire lasers 68 1985
4,832,023 Method and apparatus for reducing blockage in body channels 63 1987
 
MEDILASE, INC. (2)
4,770,653 Laser angioplasty 86 1987
4,788,975 Control system and method for improved laser angioplasty 95 1987
 
PLC MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. (2)
5,897,550 Sensor system for detecting concealed blood vessels 2 1996
5,724,975 Ultrasonic detection system for transmyocardial revascularization 45 1996
 
SCHNEIDER (USA) INC. (2)
4,665,925 Doppler catheter 95 1985
4,771,788 Doppler tip wire guide 82 1987
 
STRONG RIVER INVESTMENTS, INC. (2)
5,688,261 Transparent laser surgical probe 25 1995
6,620,154 Laser surgical probe 9 1997
 
SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD. (2)
5,158,560 Laser operating device for intracavitary surgery 17 1990
5,269,779 Laser beam guiding fiber assembly 8 1992
 
ULTRASONIC SENSING AND MONITORING SYSTEMS, INC. (2)
5,486,170 Medical catheter using optical fibers that transmit both laser energy and ultrasonic imaging signals 58 1994
6,230,568 Method and apparatus for ultrasonic inspection of inaccessible areas 7 1996
 
WILSON, WALTER (2)
5,454,809 Electrosurgical catheter and method for resolving atherosclerotic plaque by radio frequency sparking 409 1994
5,626,576 Electrosurgical catheter for resolving atherosclerotic plaque by radio frequency sparking 125 1995
 
AMERICAN CARDIAC ABLATION CO., INC. (1)
5,733,281 Ultrasound and impedance feedback system for use with electrosurgical instruments 93 1996
 
ANAND; RAJ K. (1)
4,860,744 Thermoelectrically controlled heat medical catheter 383 1987
 
ARON, KENNETH P. (1)
6,086,534 Apparatus and method of myocardial revascularization using ultrasonic pulse-echo distance ranging 23 1997
 
BAYLIS MEDICAL COMPANY INC. (1)
5,377,685 Ultrasound catheter with mechanically steerable beam 38 1993
 
BIOSENSE, INC. (1)
6,083,170 Self-aligning catheter 89 1999
 
BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM (1)
5,657,760 Apparatus and method for noninvasive doppler ultrasound-guided real-time control of tissue damage in thermal therapy 187 1996
 
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY (1)
8,265,110 Laser and environmental monitoring method 0 2009
 
C.R. BARD, INC. (1)
5,685,878 Snap fit distal assembly for an ablation catheter 47 1995
 
CARL-ZEISS-STIFTUNG (1)
6,238,386 Method and arrangement for invasive or endoscopic therapy by utilizing ultrasound and laser 5 1994
 
CFD RESEARCH CORPORATION (1)
7,842,006 Thrombectomy microcatheter 2 2006
 
CIRCULATION RESEARCH LIMITED (1)
5,081,993 Methods and apparatus for the examination and treatment of internal organs 141 1990
 
CORDIS WEBSTER, INC. (1)
4,785,815 Apparatus for locating and ablating cardiac conduction pathways 207 1985
 
ECLIPSE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (1)
6,863,653 Ultrasound device for axial ranging 2 1998
 
ENDOCARE, INC. (1)
5,531,742 Apparatus and method for computer controlled cryosurgery 57 1992
 
ENDOSONCIS CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORP. (1)
5,857,974 High resolution intravascular ultrasound transducer assembly having a flexible substrate 36 1997
 
ESCALON VASCULAR IP HOLDINGS, INC. (1)
4,887,606 Apparatus for use in cannulation of blood vessels 89 1989
 
FUJITSU LIMITED (1)
5,174,296 Ultrasonic probe having a piezoelectrical element 51 1991
 
FUKUDA DENSHI CO., LTD. (1)
5,273,045 Ultrasonic equipment and its catheter-type ultrasonic probe 37 1992
 
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY (1)
4,911,170 High frequency focused ultrasonic transducer for invasive tissue characterization 73 1988
 
LASERSCOPE (1)
5,257,991 Instrumentation for directing light at an angle 40 1992
 
LIGHTWAVE ABLATIOIN SYSTEMS (1)
5,500,012 Ablation catheter system 588 1994
 
LUMENIS INC. (1)
5,300,066 Contact laser delivery system 19 1992
 
MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. (1)
5,163,432 Catheter type laser illuminating apparatus 10 1991
 
MICRO-MEDICAL DEVICES, INC. (1)
5,026,368 Method for cervical videoscopy 60 1989
 
MYRIADLASE, INC. (1)
5,807,389 Laterally reflecting tip for laser transmitting fiber 8 1994
 
NEOS OCULAR, INC. (1)
5,722,970 Laser surgical method using transparent probe 10 1995
 
OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD. (1)
4,950,267 Laser beam treatment device for an endoscope 176 1988
 
PACESETTER, INC. (1)
4,697,595 Ultrasonically marked cardiac catheters 174 1985
 
PFIZER HOSPITAL PRODUCTS CORP, INC. (1)
4,889,128 Doppler catheter 33 1986
 
PHARMACOPEIA DRUG DISCOVERY, INC. (1)
6,406,486 Apparatus and method for vasodilation 2 1999
 
RARE EARTH MEDICAL LASERS, INC. (1)
5,254,112 Device for use in laser angioplasty 73 1990
 
SUMMIT TECHNOLOGY, INC. (1)
4,862,886 Laser angioplasty 132 1985
 
SUNNYBROOK HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE (1)
8,172,757 Methods and devices for image-guided manipulation or sensing or anatomic structures 0 2008
 
SURGICAL LASER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (1)
5,154,708 Unitary scalpel for contact laser surgery 9 1991
 
SURGICAL NAVIGATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (1)
4,821,731 Acoustic image system and method 247 1987
 
T.M. SHEA PRODUCTS, INC. (1)
D654727 Stand-alone merchandising display 0 2011
 
THE BETH ISRAEL HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION (1)
5,109,859 Ultrasound guided laser angioplasty 175 1989
 
THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION (1)
6,033,371 Apparatus and method for vasodilation 12 1997
 
U.S. GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOION, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20546 (1)
6,047,216 Endothelium preserving microwave treatment for atherosclerosis 27 1998
 
XTENT, INC. (1)
5,855,563 Method and apparatus for sequentially performing multiple intraluminal procedures 90 1996
 
OTHER [CHECK PATENT PROFILE FOR ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION] (8)
4,672,961 Retrolasing catheter and method 123 1986
4,794,928 Angioplasty device and method of using the same 484 1987
4,887,605 Laser catheter delivery system for controlled atheroma ablation combining laser angioplasty and intra-arterial ultrasonic imagining 96 1988
4,928,695 Laser diagnostic and treatment device 34 1989
5,022,399 Venoscope 84 1989
5,377,683 Ultrasound-laser surgery apparatus and method 28 1991
5,524,630 Acoustic imaging catheter and the like 43 1995
5,865,828 Coaxial dual laser 8 1997