US Patent No: 7,537,595

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

Fluid-assisted medical devices, systems and methods

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ALSO PUBLISHED AS: 20080097429
ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)
 

Importance

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Abstract

A medical device is provided which comprises a catheter tube having a distal end and a lumen, and configured to assist in applying tamponage to a bleeding source in a gastrointestinal tract when flexed. A catheter tip having a catheter tip outer surface is assembled with the tube adjacent the distal end of the tube. The catheter tip comprises a probe body comprising an electrically insulative material, at least one electrode pair located on the probe body which comprises a first electrode spaced from a second electrode, and a fluid distribution manifold to direct a fluid from inside the probe body towards the tip outer surface. The manifold comprises a central passage within the probe body and a plurality of lateral passages which extend from the central passage towards the tip outer surface. An extendable injection needle is housed within the central passage to provide treatment to tissue.

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First Claim

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddressTotal Patents
SALIENT SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.DOVER, NH22

International Classification(s)

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  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
McClurken, Michael E Durham, NH 41 902

Cited Art

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
ARTHROCARE CORPORATION (96)
4,998,933 Thermal angioplasty catheter and method 434 1988
5,681,282 Methods and apparatus for ablation of luminal tissues 455 1995
5,697,909 Methods and apparatus for surgical cutting 449 1995
5,697,281 System and method for electrosurgical cutting and ablation 407 1995
5,683,366 System and method for electrosurgical tissue canalization 422 1995
5,697,882 System and method for electrosurgical cutting and ablation 492 1995
6,024,733 System and method for epidermal tissue ablation 157 1995
5,902,272 Planar ablation probe and method for electrosurgical cutting and ablation 227 1996
5,810,764 Resecting loop electrode and method for electrosurgical cutting and ablation 323 1996
5,843,019 Shaped electrodes and methods for electrosurgical cutting and ablation 237 1996
5,697,536 System and method for electrosurgical cutting and ablation 405 1996
5,860,951 Systems and methods for electrosurgical myocardial revascularization 172 1996
5,873,855 Systems and methods for electrosurgical myocardial revascularization 206 1996
5,766,153 Methods and apparatus for surgical cutting 268 1996
5,888,198 Electrosurgical system for resection and ablation of tissue in electrically conductive fluids 250 1996
5,891,095 Electrosurgical treatment of tissue in electrically conductive fluid 281 1996
6,312,408 Electrosurgical probe for treating tissue in electrically conductive fluid 135 1996
5,871,469 System and method for electrosurgical cutting and ablation 244 1997
6,179,824 System and methods for electrosurgical restenosis of body lumens 144 1997
6,159,194 System and method for electrosurgical tissue contraction 196 1997
6,105,581 Electrosurgical systems and methods for treating the spine 131 1997
6,113,597 Electrosurgical systems and methods for urological and gynecological procedures 55 1997
6,210,402 Methods for electrosurgical dermatological treatment 165 1997
6,228,078 Methods for electrosurgical dermatological treatment 161 1997
6,109,268 Systems and methods for electrosurgical endoscopic sinus surgery 158 1997
6,032,674 Systems and methods for myocardial revascularization 101 1997
6,183,469 Electrosurgical systems and methods for the removal of pacemaker leads 160 1998
6,190,381 Methods for tissue resection, ablation and aspiration 241 1998
6,277,112 Methods for electrosurgical spine surgery 155 1998
6,355,032 Systems and methods for selective electrosurgical treatment of body structures 187 1998
6,391,025 Electrosurgical scalpel and methods for tissue cutting 146 1998
6,063,079 Methods for electrosurgical treatment of turbinates 127 1998
6,142,992 Power supply for limiting power in electrosurgery 205 1998
6,235,020 Power supply and methods for fluid delivery in electrosurgery 233 1998
6,363,937 System and methods for electrosurgical treatment of the digestive system 173 1998
6,047,700 Systems and methods for electrosurgical removal of calcified deposits 132 1998
6,053,172 Systems and methods for electrosurgical sinus surgery 115 1998
6,102,046 Systems and methods for electrosurgical tissue revascularization 164 1998
6,224,592 Systems and methods for electrosurgical tissue treatment in conductive fluid 233 1998
6,045,532 Systems and methods for electrosurgical treatment of tissue in the brain and spinal cord 119 1998
6,086,585 System and methods for electrosurgical treatment of sleep obstructive disorders 81 1998
6,117,109 Systems and methods for electrosurgical incisions on external skin surfaces 143 1998
6,461,350 Systems and methods for electrosurgical-assisted lipectomy 73 1998
6,066,134 Method for electrosurgical cutting and ablation 192 1998
6,179,836 Planar ablation probe for electrosurgical cutting and ablation 194 1998
6,296,638 Systems for tissue ablation and aspiration 164 1998
6,228,082 Systems and methods for electrosurgical treatment of vascular disorders 90 1998
6,149,620 System and methods for electrosurgical tissue treatment in the presence of electrically conductive fluid 206 1999
6,159,208 System and methods for electrosurgical treatment of obstructive sleep disorders 137 1999
6,203,542 Method for electrosurgical treatment of submucosal tissue 143 1999
6,264,652 Electrosurgical systems for treating tissue 154 1999
6,309,387 Systems and methods for electrosurgical skin resurfacing 119 1999
6,461,354 Systems for electrosurgical dermatological treatment 47 1999
6,264,650 Methods for electrosurgical treatment of intervertebral discs 159 1999
6,283,961 Apparatus for electrosurgical spine surgery 273 1999
6,238,391 Systems for tissue resection, ablation and aspiration 190 1999
6,254,600 Systems for tissue ablation and aspiration 147 1999
6,264,651 Method for electrosurgical spine surgery 101 1999
6,296,636 Power supply and methods for limiting power in electrosurgery 219 1999
6,322,549 Systems and methods for electrosurgical treatment of tissue in the brain and spinal cord 140 2000
6,416,507 Method for treating articular cartilage defects 123 2000
6,416,508 Methods for electrosurgical tissue treatment in conductive fluid 163 2000
6,379,351 Electrosurgical method for the removal of pacemaker leads 133 2000
6,929,640 Methods for electrosurgical tissue contraction within the spine 111 2000
6,896,672 Methods for electrosurgical incisions on external skin surfaces 26 2000
6,432,103 System for electrosurgical treatment of submucosal tissue 137 2000
6,468,270 System and method for electrosurgical treatment of intervertebral discs 81 2000
6,602,248 Methods for repairing damaged intervertebral discs 141 2000
7,070,596 Electrosurgical apparatus having a curved distal section 105 2000
6,468,274 Systems and methods for treating spinal pain 115 2000
6,726,684 Methods for electrosurgical spine surgery 72 2000
6,896,674 Electrosurgical apparatus having digestion electrode and methods related thereto 54 2000
6,464,695 Method for electrosurgical treatment of intervertebral discs 57 2001
6,915,806 Method for harvesting graft vessel 27 2001
6,770,071 Bladed electrosurgical probe 110 2001
6,746,447 Methods for ablating tissue 53 2001
6,974,453 Dual mode electrosurgical clamping probe and related methods 110 2001
6,772,012 Methods for electrosurgical treatment of spinal tissue 92 2001
6,719,754 Methods for electrosurgical assisted lipectomy 32 2002
6,712,811 Methods for electrosurgical spine surgery 45 2002
7,004,941 Systems and methods for electrosurigical treatment of obstructive sleep disorders 79 2002
6,949,096 Electrosurgical ablation and aspiration apparatus having flow directing feature and methods related thereto 90 2003
6,991,631 Electrosurgical probe having circular electrode array for ablating joint tissue and systems related thereto 98 2003
7,094,215 Systems and methods for electrosurgical tissue contraction 96 2003
7,104,986 Intervertebral disc replacement method 75 2003
6,960,204 Electrosurgical method using laterally arranged active electrode 82 2003
2004/0215,184 System for electrosurgical tissue contraction 19 2003
2004/0230,190 Electrosurgical apparatus and methods for tissue treatment and removal 89 2004
2006/0178,670 Rotary electrosurgical apparatus and methods thereof 80 2004
2005/0251,134 Apparatus and methods for electrosurgical ablation and resection of target tissue 69 2005
2006/0259,025 Conductive fluid bridge electrosurgical apparatus 75 2005
2006/0036,237 Devices and methods for selective orientation of electrosurgical devices 65 2005
2005/0288,665 Electrosurgical device having planar vertical electrode and related methods 92 2005
2006/0064,101 Bone access system 72 2005
2006/0095,031 Selectively controlled active electrodes for electrosurgical probe 77 2005
7,169,143 Methods for electrosurgical tissue treatment in electrically conductive fluid 76 2005
 
MEDTRONIC, INC. (62)
5,405,376 Method and apparatus for ablation 223 1993
5,431,649 Method and apparatus for R-F ablation 437 1993
5,609,151 Method for R-F ablation 392 1994
6,063,081 Fluid-assisted electrocautery device 173 1995
5,897,553 Ball point fluid-assisted electrocautery device 298 1995
5,876,398 Method and apparatus for R-F ablation 122 1995
5,725,524 Apparatus for R-F ablation 284 1996
5,913,854 Fluid cooled ablation catheter and method for making 101 1997
5,807,395 Method and apparatus for RF ablation and hyperthermia 442 1997
6,096,037 Tissue sealing electrosurgery device and methods of sealing tissue 302 1997
6,016,809 Method and apparatus for R-F ablation 98 1997
5,906,613 Method for R-F ablation 92 1997
5,980,516 Method and apparatus for R-F ablation 76 1998
6,018,676 Ultrasound biopsy needle 36 1998
6,327,505 Method and apparatus for rf intraluminal reduction and occlusion 79 1999
2001/0041,921 STRAIGHT NEEDLE APPARATUS FOR CREATING A VIRTUAL ELECTRODE USED FOR THE ABLATION OF TISSUE 16 1999
6,238,393 Method and apparatus for creating a bi-polar virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue 158 1999
6,302,903 Straight needle apparatus for creating a virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue 55 1999
6,315,777 Method and apparatus for creating a virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue 50 1999
6,409,722 Apparatus and method for creating, maintaining, and controlling a virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue 236 1999
6,494,902 Method for creating a virtual electrode for the ablation of tissue and for selected protection of tissue during an ablation 32 1999
6,537,248 Helical needle apparatus for creating a virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue 88 1999
6,328,736 Fluid-assisted electrocautery device 81 2000
6,488,680 Variable length electrodes for delivery of irrigated ablation 113 2000
6,358,248 Ball point fluid-assisted electrocautery device 116 2000
6,443,952 Tissue sealing electrosurgery device and methods of sealing tissue 208 2000
6,493,589 Methods and apparatus for treatment of pulmonary conditions 107 2000
2001/0039,419 Vibration sensitive ablation device and method 103 2001
6,539,265 Apparatus for rf intraluminal reduction and occlusion 40 2001
6,706,039 Method and apparatus for creating a bi-polar virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue 94 2001
6,497,705 Method and apparatus for creating a virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue 39 2001
6,736,810 Apparatus and method for creating, maintaining, and controlling a virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue 121 2001
6,475,216 Fluid-assisted electrocautery method 67 2001
6,623,515 Straight needle apparatus for creating a virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue 27 2001
6,585,732 Fluid-assisted electrosurgical device 82 2001
6,716,211 Medical device with porous metal element 92 2001
6,911,019 Helical needle apparatus for creating a virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue 72 2001
6,537,272 Apparatus and method for creating, maintaining, and controlling a virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue 147 2001
6,699,240 Method and apparatus for tissue ablation 85 2001
6,610,060 Tissue sealing electrosurgery device and methods of sealing tissue 79 2002
6,613,048 Tissue sealing electrosurgery device and methods of sealing tissue 77 2002
6,858,028 Tissue sealing electrosurgery device and methods of sealing tissue 76 2002
6,849,073 Apparatus and method for creating, maintaining, and controlling a virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue 172 2002
6,755,827 Tissue sealing electrosurgery device and methods of sealing tissue 70 2002
6,776,780 Tissue sealing electrosurgery device and methods of sealing tissue 192 2002
6,764,487 Fluid-assisted electrosurgical device 91 2003
2004/0215,181 Delivery of fluid during transurethral prostate treatment 24 2003
7,169,144 Apparatus and method for creating, maintaining, and controlling a virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue 78 2003
6,979,332 Surgical micro-resecting instrument with electrocautery and continuous aspiration features 21 2003
6,962,589 Method and apparatus for creating a bi-polar virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue 80 2004
2005/0245,923 Biopolar virtual electrode for transurethral needle ablation 21 2004
7,247,155 Apparatus and method for creating, maintaining, and controlling a virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue 90 2004
6,949,098 Pen-type electrosurgical instrument 74 2004
7,322,974 TUNA device with integrated saline reservoir 34 2004
2005/0015,130 Brain electrode 23 2004
2006/0041,254 Electrosurgical hemostat 22 2005
2006/0015,097 Helical needle apparatus for creating a virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue 29 2005
7,309,325 Helical needle apparatus for creating a virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue 26 2005
7,156,845 Method and apparatus for creating a bi-polar virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue 35 2005
7,166,105 Pen-type electrosurgical instrument 33 2005
7,261,711 Electrosurgical instrument 37 2005
7,364,579 Fluid-assisted electrosurgical device 28 2007
 
GYRUS MEDICAL LIMITED (35)
5,647,869 Electrosurgical apparatus 388 1995
6,293,942 Electrosurgical generator method 210 1996
6,004,319 Electrosurgical instrument 227 1996
6,027,501 Electrosurgical instrument 201 1996
6,093,186 Electrosurgical generator and system 224 1997
6,416,509 Electrosurgical generator and system 191 1998
6,306,134 Electrosurgical generator and system 213 1998
6,174,308 Electrosurgical instrument 49 1999
6,558,379 Electrosurgical system 49 1999
6,336,926 Electrosurgical system 60 2000
6,780,180 Electrosurgical instrument 108 2000
6,482,202 Under water treatment 43 2001
6,758,846 Electrosurgical instrument and an electrosurgery system including such an instrument 110 2001
2002/0029,036 Electrosurgical generator and system 122 2001
6,893,435 Electrosurgical system 101 2001
6,923,803 Electrosurgical system and method 37 2002
6,827,725 Surgical instrument 44 2002
6,843,789 Electrosurgical system 100 2002
6,984,231 Electrosurgical system 103 2002
7,052,494 Surgical system and method 38 2002
6,929,641 Electrosurgical system 72 2003
6,966,907 Electrosurgical generator and system 172 2003
6,966,909 Surgical instrument 60 2003
2004/0078,037 Surgical instrument 30 2003
2004/0068,307 Surgical instrument 40 2003
7,001,380 Electrosurgical system and method 32 2004
2004/0181,219 Electrosurgical instrument and an electrosugery system including such an instrument 36 2004
2005/0261,676 Surgical instrument 32 2004
7,147,637 Surgical instrument 40 2004
7,150,748 Bipolar coagulating instrument 31 2004
2005/0261,677 Surgical instrument 30 2005
7,153,300 Electrosurgical system 60 2005
2006/0047,275 Electrical generator and system 30 2005
2006/0111,711 Surgical instrument 60 2005
2006/0264,929 Surgical system 31 2006
 
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC. (26)
5,190,541 Surgical instrument and method 509 1990
5,348,554 Catheter for RF ablation with cooled electrode 662 1992
5,403,311 Electro-coagulation and ablation and other electrotherapeutic treatments of body tissue 730 1993
5,697,927 Catheter for RF ablation with cooled electrode and apparatus for use therewith 291 1994
5,676,693 Electrophysiology device 379 1994
5,800,482 Apparatus and method for linear lesion ablation 311 1996
6,068,653 Electrophysiology catheter device 104 1996
5,919,191 Electro-surgical tissue removal 51 1997
5,860,974 Heart ablation catheter with expandable electrode and method of coupling energy to an electrode on a catheter shaft 368 1997
6,010,500 Telescoping apparatus and method for linear lesion ablation 112 1997
5,895,417 Deflectable loop design for a linear lesion ablation apparatus 238 1997
6,015,407 Combination linear ablation and cooled tip RF catheters 95 1998
6,212,426 Systems and methods for conducting electrophysiological testing using high-voltage energy pulses to stun tissue 67 1999
6,579,288 Fluid cooled apparatus for supporting diagnostic and therapeutic elements in contact with tissue 73 2000
6,942,661 Fluid cooled apparatus for supporting diagnostic and therapeutic elements in contact with tissue 42 2001
6,685,700 Method and system for heating solid tissue 87 2001
6,814,731 Methods for RF ablation using jet injection of conductive fluid 18 2002
7,087,051 Articulating radio frequency probe handle 78 2003
6,964,661 Endovenous ablation mechanism with feedback control 39 2003
7,101,387 Radio frequency ablation cooling shield 23 2003
2005/0080,410 Liquid infusion apparatus for radiofrequency tissue ablation 14 2003
2005/0070,888 Medical device systems and methods 13 2004
2006/0195,079 Wrap based lesion formation apparatus and methods configured to protect non-target tissue 13 2005
2006/0217,701 Ablation probe with heat sink 20 2005
2006/0129,185 Forceps for medical use 13 2005
2006/0271,036 RADIO FREQUENCY ABLATION COOLING SHIELD 24 2006
 
ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC. (24)
5,558,671 Impedance feedback monitor for electrosurgical instrument 347 1994
5,709,680 Electrosurgical hemostatic device 369 1994
5,688,270 Electrosurgical hemostatic device with recessed and/or offset electrodes 342 1995
5,599,350 Electrosurgical clamping device with coagulation feedback 159 1995
5,807,393 Surgical tissue treating device with locking mechanism 250 1995
5,755,717 Electrosurgical clamping device with improved coagulation feedback 280 1996
5,817,093 Impedance feedback monitor with query electrode for electrosurgical instrument 274 1996
5,810,811 Electrosurgical hemostatic device 400 1997
6,003,517 Method for using an electrosurgical device on lung tissue 116 1998
6,165,175 RF bipolar mesentery takedown device including improved bipolar end effector 59 1999
6,296,640 RF bipolar end effector for use in electrosurgical instruments 107 1999
6,251,110 Combined radio frequency and ultrasonic surgical device 46 1999
6,468,275 RF bipolar mesentery takedown device including improved bipolar end effector 119 2000
6,485,490 RF bipolar end effector for use in electrosurgical instruments 71 2001
6,929,644 Electrosurgical jaw structure for controlled energy delivery 209 2001
6,676,660 Feedback light apparatus and method for use with an electrosurgical instrument 171 2002
6,802,843 Electrosurgical working end with resistive gradient electrodes 173 2002
6,926,716 Electrosurgical instrument 200 2002
6,770,072 Electrosurgical jaw structure for controlled energy delivery 191 2002
7,074,219 Electrosurgery with cooled electrodes 41 2003
7,041,102 Electrosurgical working end with replaceable cartridges 192 2003
6,905,497 Jaw structure for electrosurgical instrument 83 2003
2004/0193,211 Fingertip surgical instruments 28 2004
2006/0167,451 Medical instrument including an end effector having a medical-treatment electrode 18 2005
 
COVIDIEN AG (22)
5,718,703 Method and apparatus for small needle electrocautery 65 1995
6,478,793 Ablation treatment of bone metastases 74 2000
6,458,130 Endoscopic bipolar electrosurgical forceps 241 2001
6,796,981 Vessel sealing system 173 2002
6,743,229 Bipolar electrosurgical instrument for sealing vessels 173 2002
6,960,210 Laparoscopic bipolar electrosurgical instrument 130 2002
6,682,528 Endoscopic bipolar electrosurgical forceps 215 2002
2004/0122,423 Vessel sealer and divider with non-conductive stop members 96 2003
2004/0143,263 Compressible jaw configuration with bipolar RF output electrodes for soft tissue fusion 160 2003
2004/0162,557 Vessel sealing instrument 119 2004
2006/0264,931 Electrosurgical instrument which reduces thermal damage to adjacent tissue 108 2004
7,147,638 Electrosurgical instrument which reduces thermal damage to adjacent tissue 167 2004
2005/0021,027 Tissue sealer with non-conductive variable stop members and method of sealing tissue 121 2004
2004/0249,374 Vessel sealing instrument 156 2004
2005/0015,086 Multi-port side-fire coagulator 28 2004
2005/0101,952 Vessel sealing wave jaw 135 2004
7,232,440 Bipolar forceps having monopolar extension 122 2004
2005/0203,504 Method and system for controlling output of RF medical generator 162 2005
2006/0064,085 Articulating bipolar electrosurgical instrument 119 2005
2006/0079,872 Devices for detecting heating under a patient return electrode 36 2005
2006/0178,667 Electrosurgical pencil with advanced es controls 47 2006
2006/0189,977 Electrosurgical electrode shroud 13 2006
 
SALIENT SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (18)
6,558,385 Fluid-assisted medical device 136 2000
6,702,810 Fluid delivery system and controller for electrosurgical devices 139 2001
6,689,131 Electrosurgical device having a tissue reduction sensor 149 2001
7,115,139 Fluid-assisted medical devices, fluid delivery systems and controllers for such devices, and methods 34 2001
6,953,461 Fluid-assisted medical devices, systems and methods 137 2002
7,311,708 Fluid-assisted medical devices, systems and methods 22 2002
2003/0114,850 Fluid-assisted medical device 19 2003
2004/0019,350 Fluid-assisted medical devices, systems and methods 18 2003
2006/0116,675 Fluid-assisted medical devices, systems and methods 112 2003
2004/0138,655 Fluid delivery system and controller for electrosurgical devices 14 2003
2004/0162,552 Electrosurgical device having a tissue reduction sensor 14 2004
2007/0016,182 Fluid-assisted medical devices, systems and methods 106 2004
2005/0015,085 Fluid-assisted medical devices, systems and methods 18 2004
2005/0010,212 Fluid-assisted medical devices, systems and methods 21 2004
2005/0033,278 Fluid assisted medical devices, fluid delivery systems and controllers for such devices, and methods 174 2004
2005/0090,816 Fluid-assisted medical devices, systems and methods 20 2004
2006/0100,619 Fluid-assisted medical device 27 2005
2006/0106,379 Fluid-assisted medical devices, systems and methods 16 2005
 
EP TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (13)
5,313,943 Catheters and methods for performing cardiac diagnosis and treatment 366 1992
5,383,874 Systems for identifying catheters and monitoring their use 275 1992
5,456,682 Electrode and associated systems using thermally insulated temperature sensing elements 251 1994
5,735,846 Systems and methods for ablating body tissue using predicted maximum tissue temperature 138 1995
5,575,810 Composite structures and methods for ablating tissue to form complex lesion patterns in the treatment of cardiac conditions and the like 235 1995
5,797,905 Flexible tissue ablation elements for making long lesions 151 1995
5,702,386 Non-linear control systems and methods for heating and ablating body tissue 101 1996
5,743,903 Cardiac ablation systems and methods using tissue temperature monitoring and control 152 1996
6,241,754 Composite structures and methods for ablating tissue to form complex lesion patterns in the treatment of cardiac conditions and the like 129 1996
6,030,379 Systems and methods for seeking sub-surface temperature conditions during tissue ablation 42 1997
6,053,912 Systems and methods for sensing sub-surface temperatures in body tissue during ablation with actively cooled electrodes 137 1997
6,056,745 Systems and methods for obtaining desired lesion characteristics while ablating body tissue 104 1997
6,165,169 Systems and methods for identifying the physical, mechanical, and functional attributes of multiple electrode arrays 112 1999
 
ORATEC INTERVENTIONS, INC. (13)
5,277,696 Medical high frequency coagulation instrument 171 1992
5,785,705 RF method for controlled depth ablation of soft tissue 215 1995
6,135,999 Concave probe for arthroscopic surgery 88 1998
5,954,716 Method for modifying the length of a ligament 168 1998
6,176,857 Method and apparatus for applying thermal energy to tissue asymmetrically 89 1998
6,461,357 Electrode for electrosurgical ablation of tissue 33 1999
6,379,350 Surgical instrument for ablation and aspiration 89 1999
6,350,262 Method and apparatus for applying thermal energy to tissue asymetrically 93 2000
6,391,028 Probe with distally orientated concave curve for arthroscopic surgery 66 2000
2002/0049,438 Surgical instrument having distal face with first and second electrodes 65 2001
6,757,565 Electrosurgical instrument having a predetermined heat profile 21 2002
6,699,244 Electrosurgical instrument having a chamber to volatize a liquid 24 2002
2004/0193,150 Surgical instrument for ablation and aspiration 26 2004
 
ST. JUDE MEDICAL, ATRIAL FIBRILLATION DIVISION, INC. (13)
5,564,440 Method for mopping and/or ablation of anomalous conduction pathways 129 1994
5,640,955 Guiding introducers for use in the treatment of accessory pathways around the mitral valve using a retrograde approach 115 1995
5,676,662 Ablation catheter 164 1995
5,785,706 Nonsurgical mapping and treatment of cardiac arrhythmia using a catheter contained within a guiding introducer containing openings 204 1996
5,800,413 Guiding introducer for use in the treatment of atrial flutter 81 1996
6,264,654 Ablation catheter 58 1999
6,645,202 Apparatus and method for ablating tissue 143 2000
6,971,394 Methods and devices for ablation 51 2002
6,960,207 Ablation catheter having a virtual electrode comprising portholes and a porous conductor 26 2003
7,087,053 Catheter with bifurcated, collapsible tip for sensing and ablating 43 2004
2005/0245,918 Methods and devices for ablation 16 2005
2005/0267,467 Bipolar conforming electrode catheter and methods for ablation 26 2005
2006/0184,167 Methods and devices for ablation 24 2006
 
TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP AG (13)
5,281,216 Electrosurgical bipolar treating apparatus 362 1992
5,827,271 Energy delivery system for vessel sealing 290 1995
6,066,139 Apparatus and method for sterilization and embolization 182 1996
6,068,627 Smart recognition apparatus and method 148 1997
6,887,240 Vessel sealing wave jaw 123 1999
6,506,189 Cool-tip electrode thermosurgery system 222 2000
6,575,969 Cool-tip radiofrequency thermosurgery electrode system for tumor ablation 264 2000
6,755,825 Electrosurgical device having a dielectric seal 54 2001
6,726,686 Bipolar electrosurgical instrument for sealing vessels 132 2002
6,685,701 Smart recognition apparatus and method 96 2002
6,881,214 Ablation treatment of bone metastases 29 2002
2004/0260,280 Suction coagulator with dissecting probe 16 2004
7,060,064 Electrosurgical electrode shroud 14 2005
 
NEUROTHERM, INC. (12)
5,980,504 Method for manipulating tissue of an intervertebral disc 251 1997
6,007,570 Apparatus with functional element for performing function upon intervertebral discs 221 1997
6,073,051 Apparatus for treating intervertebal discs with electromagnetic energy 257 1997
6,095,149 Method for treating intervertebral disc degeneration 208 1997
6,122,549 Apparatus for treating intervertebral discs with resistive energy 217 1997
6,126,682 Method for treating annular fissures in intervertebral discs 279 1998
6,099,514 Method and apparatus for delivering or removing material from the interior of an intervertebral disc 179 1998
6,290,715 Method for delivering energy adjacent the inner wall of an intervertebral disc 99 1999
6,258,086 Catheter for delivery of energy to a surgical site 144 1999
6,261,311 Method and apparatus for treating intervertebral discs 161 1999
6,733,496 Intervertebral disc device employing flexible probe 110 2001
6,832,997 Electromagnetic energy delivery intervertebral disc treatment devices 26 2001
 
ANGIODYNAMICS, INC. (11)
5,458,597 Device for treating cancer and non-malignant tumors and methods 329 1993
5,536,267 Multiple electrode ablation apparatus 529 1994
5,599,346 RF treatment system 222 1994
5,683,384 Multiple antenna ablation apparatus 188 1995
5,935,123 RF treatment apparatus 56 1996
6,071,280 Multiple electrode ablation apparatus 99 1997
6,471,698 Multiple electrode ablation apparatus 91 1999
6,770,070 Lung treatment apparatus and method 152 2000
2005/0137,662 Tissue surface treatment apparatus and method 37 2005
2005/0203,503 Infusion array ablation apparatus 29 2005
2006/0241,577 Tissue biopsy and treatment apparatus and method 26 2006
 
ST. PAUL FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY (11)
4,976,711 Ablation catheter with selectively deployable electrodes 516 1989
5,035,696 Electrosurgical instrument for conducting endoscopic retrograde sphincterotomy 383 1990
5,013,312 Bipolar scalpel for harvesting internal mammary artery 273 1990
5,071,419 Percutaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy instrument 80 1990
5,125,928 Ablation catheter with selectively deployable electrodes 452 1991
5,282,799 Bipolar electrosurgical scalpel with paired loop electrodes 320 1991
5,171,311 Percutaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy instrument 203 1991
5,197,964 Bipolar instrument utilizing one stationary electrode and one movable electrode 343 1991
5,290,286 Bipolar instrument utilizing one stationary electrode and one movable electrode 422 1992
5,342,359 Bipolar coagulation device 205 1993
5,445,638 Bipolar coagulation and cutting forceps 387 1993
 
THERMAGE, INC. (10)
5,660,836 Method and apparatus for controlled contraction of collagen tissue 167 1995
5,755,753 Method for controlled contraction of collagen tissue 225 1995
6,241,753 Method for scar collagen formation and contraction 149 1996
5,871,524 Apparatus for controlled contraction of collagen tissue 104 1997
5,919,219 Method for controlled contraction of collagen tissue using RF energy 132 1997
5,948,011 Method for controlled contraction of collagen tissue via non-continuous energy delivery 147 1997
6,350,276 Tissue remodeling apparatus containing cooling fluid 145 1999
6,311,090 Method and apparatus for controlled contraction of collagen tissue 71 1999
2004/0186,535 Fluid delivery apparatus 31 2004
2004/0206,365 Method for treatment of tissue 41 2004
 
AMS RESEARCH CORPORATION (8)
6,035,238 Noninvasive devices, methods, and systems for shrinking of tissues 88 1997
6,216,704 Noninvasive devices, methods, and systems for shrinking of tissues 94 1998
6,236,891 Limited heat transfer devices and methods to shrink tissues 62 1998
6,882,885 Heating method for tissue contraction 39 2002
7,004,942 Ribbed electrodes and methods for their use 39 2003
2004/0034,400 Devices, methods, and systems for shrinking tissues 13 2003
2004/0260,368 Devices, methods, and systems for shrinking tissues 13 2004
2005/0154,433 Heating method for tissue contraction 13 2005
 
ETHICON, INC. (8)
5,403,312 Electrosurgical hemostatic device 736 1993
5,405,344 Articulable socket joint assembly for an endoscopic instrument for surgical fastner track therefor 217 1993
6,740,084 Method and device to enhance RF electrode performance 25 2001
6,855,145 Self-wetting, dry-field bipolar electrodes for endoscopic surgery 13 2002
6,929,642 RF device for treating the uterus 35 2002
7,147,635 Bipolar electrosurgical snare 13 2004
6,964,274 Tubal sterilization device having expanding electrodes and method for performing sterilization using the same 19 2004
7,066,936 Surgical cutting and tissue vaporizing instrument 40 2004
 
SCIMED LIFE SYSTEMS, INC. (8)
5,584,872 Electrophysiology energy treatment devices and methods of use 328 1994
5,902,328 Electrophysiology energy treatment device and method of use 74 1996
6,221,039 Multi-function surgical instrument 128 1998
6,168,594 Electrophysiology RF energy treatment device 108 1999
6,923,805 Electrophysiology energy treatment devices and methods of use 33 2000
6,893,440 Electro-cautery catheter 16 2002
2005/0049,583 Systems and methods for RF ablation using jet injection of a conductive fluid 20 2004
2005/0288,661 Percutaneous pringle occlusion method and device 13 2005
 
GYRUS MEDICAL, INC. (7)
5,197,963 Electrosurgical instrument with extendable sheath for irrigation and aspiration 491 1991
5,573,424 Apparatus for interfacing a bipolar electrosurgical instrument to a monopolar generator 169 1995
5,891,141 Bipolar electrosurgical instrument for cutting and sealing tubular tissue structures 199 1998
6,293,945 Electrosurgical instrument with suction capability 27 2000
6,808,525 Bipolar electrosurgical hook probe for cutting and coagulating tissue 151 2002
7,033,356 Bipolar electrosurgical instrument for cutting desiccating and sealing tissue 138 2003
2006/0271,042 Cutting and coagulating electrosurgical forceps having cam controlled jaw closure 39 2005
 
IRVINE BIOMEDICAL, INC. (7)
5,792,140 Catheter having cooled multiple-needle electrode 134 1997
5,843,152 Catheter system having a ball electrode 67 1997
5,989,248 Medical device and methods for treating tissues 20 1998
5,992,418 Catheter system having safety means and methods thereof 31 1998
5,913,856 Catheter system having a porous shaft and fluid irrigation capabilities 167 1998
6,226,554 Catheter system having a ball electrode and methods thereof 26 1998
6,217,576 Catheter probe for treating focal atrial fibrillation in pulmonary veins 142 1999
 
MEDERI THERAPEUTICS, INC. (7)
6,740,082 Surgical instruments for treating gastro-esophageal reflux 60 1998
6,409,723 Treating body tissue by applying energy and substances 72 1999
6,258,087 Expandable electrode assemblies for forming lesions to treat dysfunction in sphincters and adjoining tissue regions 185 1999
6,827,713 Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling use of medical devices 33 2001
6,689,129 RF electrode array for low-rate collagen shrinkage in capsular shift procedures and methods of use 15 2002
6,712,074 Systems and methods for forming composite lesions to treat dysfunction in sphincters and adjoining tissue regions 52 2002
7,008,419 Surgical instruments and techniques for treating gastro-esophageal reflux disease 19 2004
 
BIOSENSE WEBSTER, INC. (6)
6,458,123 Ablation catheter with positional sensor 25 2000
6,669,692 Ablation catheter with cooled linear electrode 39 2000
6,986,769 Ablation catheter with cooled linear electrode 32 2003
2004/0143,257 Irrigation probe for ablation during open heart surgery 22 2003
2004/0143,258 Irrigation probe for ablation during open heart surgery 15 2003
2004/0210,213 Irrigation probe for ablation during open heart surgery 13 2003
 
CORDIS WEBSTER, INC. (5)
5,431,168 Steerable open-lumen catheter 181 1993
5,462,521 Fluid cooled and perfused tip for a catheter 362 1993
5,643,197 Fluid cooled and perfused tip for a catheter 282 1994
6,017,338 Fluid cooled and perfused tip for a catheter 105 1995
6,171,275 Irrigated split tip electrode catheter 74 1998
 
COVIDIEN LP (5)
6,033,398 Method and apparatus for treating venous insufficiency using directionally applied energy 132 1997
6,322,559 Electrode catheter having coil structure 132 1998
7,207,471 Electrosurgical stapling apparatus 124 2003
2006/0025,766 Energy based partial circumferential hemorrhoid repair device 17 2005
2006/0189,979 Methods and apparatus for coagulating and/or constricting hollow anatomical structures 18 2005
 
CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS (5)
6,813,520 Method for ablating and/or coagulating tissue using moisture transport 49 1998
6,508,815 Radio-frequency generator for powering an ablation device 173 1999
7,074,217 Radio-frequency generator for powering an ablation device 57 2002
2005/0085,880 Moisture transport system for contact electrocoagulation 17 2004
7,063,670 System and method for detecting perforations in a body cavity 20 2005
 
ELLMAN INTERNATIONAL, INC. (5)
5,562,503 Bipolar adaptor for electrosurgical instrument 79 1994
6,712,813 RF probe for electrosurgical instrument 87 2001
7,070,604 RF electrosurgically-activated cutter 13 2002
6,802,842 Electrosurgical tonsilar and adenoid electrode 73 2003
6,926,717 Electrosurgical breast electrode 13 2003
 
GYRUS ENT L.L.C. (5)
5,843,021 Cell necrosis apparatus 120 1997
6,682,501 Submucosal tonsillectomy apparatus and method 26 1999
2004/0243,163 Surgical instrument 32 2004
2006/0200,123 Surgical instrument and method 37 2006
2006/0264,927 Surgical instrument and method 30 2006
 
SUTTER MEDIZINTECHNIK GMBH (5)
5,746,739 Bipolar coagulation forceps with rinsing tube 27 1995
6,932,815 Coagulation clamp 13 2003
2005/0209,591 Bipolar coagulation electrode 13 2004
2005/0222,602 Bipolar coagulation electrodes 14 2005
2005/0222,611 Bipolar double-hinged instrument 13 2005
 
AMERICAN CARDIAC ABLATION CO., INC. (4)
5,334,193 Fluid cooled ablation catheter 721 1992
5,342,357 Fluid cooled electrosurgical cauterization system 510 1992
5,437,662 Fluid cooled electrosurgical cauterization system 292 1994
5,383,876 Fluid cooled electrosurgical probe for cutting and cauterizing tissue 535 1994
 
CONMED CORPORATION (4)
5,605,539 Self-introducing infusion catheter 51 1994
5,810,805 Bipolar surgical devices and surgical methods 132 1996
7,001,382 Electrosurgical coagulating and cutting instrument 24 2002
2007/0000,501 Surgical procedure supplemental accessory controller and method utilizing turn-on and turn-off time delays 13 2005
 
UNITED STATES SURGICAL CORPORATION (4)
5,490,819 Articulating endoscopic surgical apparatus 88 1994
5,766,167 Monopolar electrosurgical Instruments 63 1995
6,402,742 Controller for thermal treatment of tissue 91 2000
6,526,320 Apparatus for thermal treatment of tissue 81 2001
 
VERATHON INC. (4)
6,081,749 Noninvasive devices, methods, and systems for shrinking of tissues 73 1997
6,091,995 Devices, methods, and systems for shrinking tissues 110 1997
6,772,013 Devices, methods, and systems for shrinking tissues 29 1999
6,836,688 Devices, methods, and systems for shrinking tissues 43 2001
 
24IP LAW GROUP USA, PLLC (3)
2005/0080,413 Surgical scissors with argon plasma coagulation capability 39 2004
2005/0107,786 Bipolar surgical forceps with argon plasma coagulation capability 13 2004
2006/0036,239 Combination argon plasma coagulation and electrocautery device and method 15 2005
 
ASTHMATX, INC. (3)
6,299,633 Bronchial stenter 104 1998
6,283,988 Bronchial stenter having expandable electrodes 103 1999
6,283,989 Method of treating a bronchial tube with a bronchial stenter having diametrically adjustable electrodes 111 1999
 
ATRICURE, INC. (3)
5,951,549 Bipolar electrosurgical scissors 261 1996
6,113,596 Combination monopolar-bipolar electrosurgical instrument system, instrument and cable 269 1997
6,517,536 Transmural ablation device and method 144 2001
 
CELON AG MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS (3)
6,723,094 Electrode assembly for a surgical instrument provided for carrying out an electrothermal coagulation of tissue 39 2001
2004/0116,923 Electrode arrangement for surgical instrument 16 2003
2004/0078,038 Device for the electrothermal treatment of the human or animal body 22 2003
 
ELECTROSURGERY ASSOCIATES, LLC (3)
6,921,398 Vibrating electrosurgical ablator 31 2002
6,921,399 High efficiency electrosurgery probe 25 2002
2006/0259,031 Electrosurgical ablation electrode with aspiration and method for using same 20 2006
 
HEARTPORT, INC. (3)
5,797,960 Method and apparatus for thoracoscopic intracardiac procedures 422 1995
5,823,956 Method and apparatus for thoracoscopic intracardiac procedures 259 1996
5,855,614 Method and apparatus for thoracoscopic intracardiac procedures 329 1996
 
HEMOSTATIC SURGERY CORPORATION (3)
5,472,443 Electrosurgical apparatus employing constant voltage and methods of use 326 1994
5,633,578 Electrosurgical generator adaptors 157 1994
5,693,045 Electrosurgical generator cable 73 1995
 
HYDROCISION, INC. (3)
6,451,017 Surgical instruments with integrated electrocautery 42 2000
6,899,712 Surgical instruments with integrated electrocautery 37 2002
2005/0283,150 Surgical instruments with integrated electrocautery 26 2005
 
KARL STORZ GMBH & CO. KG (3)
5,749,869 High-frequency surgical generator for cutting tissue 200 1995
5,868,739 System for cutting biological tissue 82 1995
2005/0267,469 Bipolar medical instrument and electrosurgical system comprising such an instrument 17 2005
 
MEDTRONIC ADVANCED ENERGY LLC (3)
2006/0235,379 Fluid-assisted electrosurgical scissors and methods 15 2003
2006/0149,225 Fluid-assisted electrosurgical devices, electrosurgical unit with pump and methods of use thereof 15 2005
2007/0049,920 Fluid-Assisted Medical Devices, Fluid Delivery Systems and Controllers for Such Devices, and Methods 15 2006
 
MICROLINE SURGICAL, INC. (3)
6,238,387 Electrosurgical generator 92 1998
6,692,489 Electrosurgical mode conversion system 83 2000
6,695,837 Power supply for identification and control of electrical surgical tools 50 2002
 
S.D.M.H. PTY. LTD. (3)
7,008,421 Apparatus and method for tissue resection 62 2003
2006/0142,757 Apparatus and method for tissue resection 16 2006
2006/0217,707 Thermal hemostasis and/or coagulation of tissue 14 2006
 
SORIN GROUP USA, INC. (3)
6,740,102 Vessel harvesting retractor with bilateral electrosurgical ligation 25 2001
6,695,840 Electrosurgical instrument with a longitudinal element for conducting RF energy and moving a cutting element 147 2002
6,835,195 Surgical device for applying radio frequency energy to a portion of a captured vessel 14 2002
 
SURGINETICS INC. (3)
2006/0241,587 Multielectrode Electrosurgical Instrument 22 2006
2006/0241,588 Multielectrode Electrosurgical Blade 25 2006
2006/0241,589 Battery Powered Electrosurgical System 26 2006
 
THERMAL CORP. (3)
6,800,077 Heat pipe for cautery surgical instrument 17 2002
6,905,499 Heat pipe for cautery surgical Instrument 14 2002
2006/0004,356 Cooling Element for electrosurgery 15 2005
 
TUBARC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC (3)
6,766,817 Fluid conduction utilizing a reversible unsaturated siphon with tubarc porosity action 616 2002
6,918,404 Irrigation and drainage based on hydrodynamic unsaturated fluid flow 369 2004
7,066,586 Ink refill and recharging system 355 2004
 
TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP LP (3)
5,433,708 Method and device for thermal ablation having improved heat transfer 334 1993
5,542,928 Method and device for thermal ablation having improved heat transfer 241 1994
5,653,692 Method and system for direct heating of fluid solution in a hollow body organ 187 1995
 
XOMED, INC. (3)
4,548,207 Disposable coagulator 240 1982
5,009,656 Bipolar electrosurgical instrument 367 1989
5,925,045 Bipolar electrosurgical instrument 61 1997
 
2000 INJECTX, INC. (2)
5,861,002 Endoscopic surgical instrument 99 1996
6,231,591 Method of localized fluid therapy 61 1998
 
APPLIED MEDICAL RESOURCES CORPORATION (2)
5,080,660 Electrosurgical electrode 450 1990
2005/0165,444 Tissue fusion/welder apparatus corporation 14 2004
 
APSARA MEDICAL CORPORATION (2)
2006/0030,912 System, method and apparatus for evaluating tissue temperature 14 2005
2006/0095,103 Aesthetic thermal sculpting of skin 21 2005
 
BARRX MEDICAL, INC. (2)
2004/0215,235 Methods and systems for determining physiologic characteristics for treatment of the esophagus 29 2004
2004/0215,296 System and method for treating abnormal epithelium in an esophagus 36 2004
 
BIOSENSE, INC. (2)
5,718,241 Apparatus and method for treating cardiac arrhythmias with no discrete target 273 1995
6,266,551 Catheter calibration and usage monitoring system 104 1999
 
CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC. (2)
6,666,862 Radio frequency ablation system and method linking energy delivery with fluid flow 21 2001
2003/0204,185 System and method for monitoring use of disposable catheters 25 2002
 
CODMAN & SHURTLEFF, INC. (2)
6,929,645 Electro-surgical bipolar forceps 14 2003
6,860,882 Electro-surgical bipolar forceps 15 2003
 
ELLIQUENCE, LLC (2)
6,352,533 Electrosurgical handpiece for treating tissue 34 2000
2006/0217,700 Electrosurgical instrument with enhanced capability 26 2005
 
ENDOSCOPIC CONCEPTS, INC. (ECI) (2)
6,371,956 Monopolar electrosurgical end effectors 52 1999
6,312,430 Bipolar electrosurgical end effectors 26 1999
 
ENERGY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF (2)
4,326,529 Corneal-shaping electrode 369 1979
4,381,007 Multipolar corneal-shaping electrode with flexible removable skirt 366 1981
 
ENVISION SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC. (2)
5,401,272 Multimodality probe with extendable bipolar electrodes 248 1994
5,441,498 Method of using a multimodality probe with extendable bipolar electrodes 52 1994
 
ERBE ELEKTROMEDIZIN GMBH (2)
6,210,410 Coagulation device for coagulating biological tissues 19 1999
7,166,106 Bipolar clamp 25 2002
 
I.C. MEDICAL, INC. (2)
7,083,601 Automatic fluid control system for use in open and laparoscopic laser surgery and electrosurgery and method therefor 16 1998
6,702,812 Multifunctional telescopic monopolar/bipolar surgical device and method therefor 34 2001
 
IMAGYN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (2)
5,322,503 Endoscopic surgical instrument 111 1991
5,460,629 Electrosurgical device and method 220 1994
 
INTACT MEDICAL CORPORATION (2)
6,740,079 Electrosurgical generator 109 2001
7,041,101 Electrosurgical accessing of tissue with controlled collateral thermal phenomena 14 2003
 
INTEGRA ME GMBH (2)
5,976,128 Electrosurgical high frequency generator 110 1997
6,210,411 High frequency surgical instrument with a fluid infeed passage 35 1999
 
INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC. (2)
5,891,142 Electrosurgical forceps 258 1997
6,086,586 Bipolar tissue grasping apparatus and tissue welding method 288 1998
 
KIMBERLY-CLARK INC. (2)
2005/0159,797 Electrosurgical device with improved visibility 15 2005
2006/0106,376 Methods of treating the sacroilac region of a patient's body 17 2005
 
LINVATEC CORPORATION (2)
4,943,290 Electrolyte purging electrode tip 370 1989
7,150,746 Electrosurgical ablator with integrated aspirator lumen and method of making same 18 2004
 
MEDICAL SCIENTIFIC, INC. (2)
5,713,896 Impedance feedback electrosurgical system 207 1995
6,174,309 Seal & cut electrosurgical instrument 343 1999
 
MEDTRONIC VIDAMED, INC. (2)
6,887,237 Method for treating tissue with a wet electrode and apparatus for using same 26 2002
2005/0085,804 Method for treating tissue with a wet electrode and apparatus for using same 38 2004
 
MEGADYNE MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC. (2)
6,685,704 Utilization of an active catalyst in a surface coating of an electrosurgical instrument 45 2002
6,951,559 Utilization of a hybrid material in a surface coating of an electrosurgical instrument 31 2002
 
NOVASYS MEDICAL, INC. (2)
6,425,877 Treatment of tissue in the digestive circulatory respiratory urinary and reproductive systems 90 1999
6,743,197 Treatment of discrete tissues in respiratory, urinary, circulatory, reproductive and digestive systems 37 1999
 
NUSURG MEDICAL, INC. (2)
5,217,460 Multiple purpose forceps 352 1991
5,300,087 Multiple purpose forceps 247 1993
 
OLYMPUS CORPORATION (2)
2004/0172,111 Electric surgery apparatus for supplying electric power suitable for subject tissue 13 2004
2005/0283,147 Surgical treatment device and surgical treatment system 13 2005
 
SEEDLING ENTERPRISES, INC. (2)
5,647,871 Electrosurgery with cooled electrodes 331 1995
6,074,389 Electrosurgery with cooled electrodes 80 1997
 
SHERWOOD SERVICES AG (2)
6,224,593 Tissue sealing using microwaves 184 1999
6,932,810 Apparatus and method for sealing and cutting tissue 161 2001
 
SMITH & NEPHEW, INC. (2)
7,150,747 Electrosurgical cutter 31 2003
2004/0030,330 Electrosurgery systems 250 2003
 
STORZ ENDOSKOP GMBH (2)
6,814,714 Instrument that can be inserted into the human body 23 1997
6,864,686 High-frequency surgical device and operation monitoring device for a high-frequency surgical device 69 2002
 
STRYKER CORPORATION (2)
5,637,110 Electrocautery surgical tool with relatively pivoted tissue engaging jaws 212 1995
2006/0235,377 Electrosurgical tool 17 2005
 
SYMBIOSIS CORPORATION (2)
5,417,709 Endoscopic instrument with end effectors forming suction and/or irrigation lumens 154 1994
5,569,243 Double acting endoscopic scissors with bipolar cautery capability 229 1994
 
SYNERGETICS USA, INC. (2)
7,041,096 Electrosurgical generator apparatus 58 2002
2006/0184,164 Electrosurgical Generator Apparatus 14 2006
 
SYNERON MEDICAL LTD. (2)
5,569,242 Method and apparatus for controlled contraction of soft tissue 510 1995
2005/0187,599 Method and apparatus for controlled contraction of soft tissue 13 2005
 
VNUS MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES (2)
6,036,687 Method and apparatus for treating venous insufficiency 107 1996
2006/0084,968 Electrosurgical instrument and method 20 2005
 
A.T.C.T. ADVANCED THERMAL CHIPS TECHNOLOGIES LTD. (1)
2004/0030,327 Surgical cauterizing instrument particularly useful as a cauterizing scalpel 13 2003
 
ACUEITY HEALTHCARE, INC. (1)
2004/0162,554 Systems and methods for cutting tissue 32 2003
 
ADVANCED CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC. (1)
5,417,672 Connector for coupling an ultrasound transducer to an ultrasound catheter 88 1993
 
AESCULAP AG (1)
6,743,230 Bipolar grasping instrument 114 2002
 
ALLEGIANCE HEALTHCARE CORPORATION (1)
5,395,312 Surgical tool 317 1993
 
ALOKA CO., LTD. (1)
5,167,659 Blood coagulating apparatus 219 1991
 
ALTO DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (1)
4,932,952 Antishock, anticlog suction coagulator 68 1988
 
ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC. (1)
6,780,177 Conductive interstitial thermal therapy device 36 2002
 
ARQOS SURGICAL, INC. (1)
2005/0228,372 Voltage threshold ablation apparatus 15 2005
 
ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA (1)
6,190,384 Endoscopic high-frequency treatment tool 54 1999
 
ATOSSA GENETICS, INC. (1)
6,712,816 Methods and systems for treating breast tissue 28 2002
 
BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC. (1)
5,156,613 Collagen welding rod material for use in tissue welding 323 1991
 
BAYLIS MEDICAL COMPANY INC. (1)
2005/0177,209 Bipolar tissue treatment system 31 2005
 
BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE (1)
6,699,242 Methods and devices for intraosseous nerve ablation 23 2001
 
BIOJECT INC. (1)
5,993,412 Injection apparatus 87 1997
 
BRONCUS MEDICAL INC. (1)
5,957,919 Bleb reducer 59 1997
 
CABOT TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION (1)
5,458,598 Cutting and coagulating forceps 280 1993
 
CARDIORHYTHM A CA CORPORATION (1)
5,573,533 Method and system for radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissue 225 1992
 
CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER CORPORATION (1)
6,761,718 Direction-oriented and spatially controlled bipolar coagulator for in-situ cauterization of adherent cranial tissue occluding a ventricular catheter previously implanted in-vivo 59 2001
 
CIRCON CORPORATION (1)
4,532,924 Multipolar electrosurgical device and method 498 1982
 
CLINICON CORPORATION (1)
6,974,452 Cutting and cauterizing surgical tools 15 2000
 
CONWAY STUART MEDICAL, INC. (1)
6,358,245 Graphical user interface for association with an electrode structure deployed in contact with a tissue region 142 1999
 
COOPER COMPANIES, INC., THE (1)
4,301,802 Cauterizing tool for ophthalmological surgery 133 1980
 
CREDITANSTALT BANKVEREIN (1)
4,355,642 Multipolar electrode for body tissue 48 1980
 
CURON MEDICAL, INC. (1)
2002/0115,991 Gerd treatment apparatus and method 23 2001
 
CYTYC CORPORATION (1)
2006/0247,614 Hemostasis device 18 2005
 
DAIG CORPORATION (1)
5,722,400 Guiding introducers for use in the treatment of left ventricular tachycardia 58 1995
 
DATASCOPE CORP. (1)
2004/0097,919 Surgical device for clamping, ligating, and severing tissue 53 2003
 
DATASCOPE INVESTMENT CORP. (1)
4,276,874 Elongatable balloon catheter 218 1978
 
DELMA ELEKTRO-UND MEDIZINISCHE APPARATEBAU GESELLSCHAFT MBH (1)
5,269,780 Electro-surgical devices 164 1991
 
DEVICOR MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC. (1)
6,083,237 Biopsy instrument with tissue penetrating spiral 88 1998
 
DICKENS, DUANE (1)
5,895,355 Over-the-wire EP catheter 65 1997
 
DIPOLAR LIMITED (1)
6,786,906 Electrosurgical cutting tool 16 2000
 
DORSAL MED INTERNATIONAL (1)
5,514,130 RF apparatus for controlled depth ablation of soft tissue 511 1994
 
DORSAL ORTHOPEDIC CORPORATION (1)
5,458,596 Method and apparatus for controlled contraction of soft tissue 535 1994
 
EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION (1)
5,904,711 Expandable thoracoscopic defibrillation catheter system and method 174 1996
 
EMCISION LIMITED (1)
2005/0171,534 Surgical resection device 13 2004
 
ENTERIC MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (1)
2002/0193,851 Energy treatment apparatus for treating gastrointestinal tract and method for using same 19 2001
 
ERBE ELEKTROMEDIZIN GMBH & CO. KG (1)
4,244,371 High-frequency surgical apparatus 53 1979
 
ESC MEDICAL SYSTEMS LTD. (1)
5,437,664 Apparatus and method for venous ligation 234 1994
 
GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P. (1)
2005/0267,468 Moisture transport system for contact electrocoagulation 14 2005
 
GRANITE ADVISORY SERVICES, INC. (1)
2006/0074,411 Biomedical dispersive electrode 30 2005
 
GRUS MEDICAL LIMITED (1)
2004/0030,333 Electrosurgical system and method 31 2003
 
GYNECARE, INC. (1)
6,056,747 Apparatus and method for treatment of body tissues 57 1997
 
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED (1)
5,456,684 Multifunctional minimally invasive surgical instrument 369 1994
 
IMPERIAL COLLEGE INNOVATIONS LIMITED (1)
6,694,984 Liver surgery 13 2002
 
INNOVATECH, LLC (1)
7,147,634 Electrosurgical electrode and method of manufacturing same 26 2005
 
INTEGRA LIFESCIENCES (IRELAND) LTD. (1)
4,931,047 Method and apparatus for providing enhanced tissue fragmentation and/or hemostasis 467 1987
 
JTC TRUSTEES LIMITED (1)
2004/0015,218 Apparatus for thermal treatment of an intervertebral disc 23 2000
 
KAMIYAMA, HIROYASU (1)
5,151,102 Blood vessel coagulation/stanching device 365 1990
 
KAUFMAN, DAVID I. (1)
5,234,428 Disposable electrocautery/cutting instrument with integral continuous smoke evacuation 82 1991
 
KHARKOVSKY NAUCHNO-ISSLEDOVATELSKY INSTITUT OBSCHEI I NEOTLOZHNOI KHIRURGII, USSR, KHARKOV (1)
4,671,274 Bipolar electrosurgical instrument 269 1985
 
LAUFER, MICHAEL D., M.D. (1)
6,577,902 Device for shaping infarcted heart tissue and method of using the device 20 1999
 
LIGHTWAVE ABLATIOIN SYSTEMS (1)
5,500,012 Ablation catheter system 587 1994
 
LINA MEDICAL APS (1)
6,679,882 Electrosurgical device for coagulating and for making incisions, a method of severing blood vessels and a method of coagulating and for making incisions in or severing tissue 175 2000
 
LIVE TISSUE CONNECT, INC. (1)
6,733,498 System and method for control of tissue welding 233 2002
 
LIVNEH, STEVE (1)
2006/0259,070 FORCEPS FOR PERFORMING ENDOSCOPIC OR ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY 15 2006
 
LSI SOLUTIONS, INC. (1)
2004/0162,572 Instrument for surgically cutting tissue and method of use 24 2003
 
MEDSOL, CORP. (1)
6,015,391 Biopsy needle structure 52 1998
 
MEDTRONIC CRYOCATH LP (1)
5,281,215 Cryogenic catheter 380 1992
 
MICROSURGE, INC. (1)
5,318,589 Surgical instrument for endoscopic surgery 353 1992
 
MIKAMI, TAKESHI (1)
2006/0276,785 BIPOLAR FORCEPS 14 2006
 
MOSI MEDIA, LLC (1)
6,440,130 Tissue sealing electrosurgery device and methods of sealing tissue 91 2000
 
NATIONAL PENN BANK (1)
2005/0085,809 Heat pipe for cautery surgical instrument 14 2004
 
NELLCOR PURITAN BENNETT INCORPORATED (1)
2008/0066,752 Method and system for circulatory delay compensation in closed-loop control of a medical device 9 2006
 
NEOMEDIX CORPORATION (1)
2007/0010,812 Electrosurgical devices and methods for selective cutting of tissue 17 2004
 
NEW WORLD PAWDSIGN LTD (1)
6,032,077 Ablation catheter with electrical coupling via foam drenched with a conductive fluid 125 1997
 
NIDUS MEDICAL, INC. (1)
6,626,899 Apparatus and methods for treating tissue 249 2001
 
NOVARTIS AG (1)
2005/0209,621 Method of controlling a surgical system based on irrigation flow 31 2005
 
NOVIAN HEALTH, INC. (1)
6,603,988 Apparatus and method for delivering ablative laser energy and determining the volume of tumor mass destroyed 29 2001
 
NTERO SURGICAL, INC. (1)
6,775,575 System and method for reducing post-surgical complications 123 2002
 
NUORTHO SURGICAL, INC. (1)
7,066,932 Biologically enhanced irrigants 19 2002
 
OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD. (1)
6,280,440 Cautery apparatus 25 1999
 
PCN, INC. (1)
6,193,715 Device for converting a mechanical cutting device to an electrosurgical cutting device 51 1999
 
PERFECT SURGICAL TECHNIQUES, INC. (1)
6,682,527 Method and system for heating tissue with a bipolar instrument 184 2001
 
PHILADELPHIA HEART INSTITUTE (1)
5,718,701 Ablation electrode 177 1996
 
PLASMA SURGICAL INVESTMENTS LIMITED (1)
7,361,175 Plasma surgical device 16 2003
 
PLASMOGEN INC. (1)
2005/0256,519 Tissue resurfacing 18 2005
 
PLC MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. (1)
5,893,848 Gauging system for monitoring channel depth in percutaneous endocardial revascularization 250 1996
 
PRIVASYS, INC. (1)
2003/0061,168 Method for generating customer secure card numbers 2 2001
 
PRORHYTHM, INC. (1)
2004/0078,034 Coagulator and spinal disk surgery 34 2003
 
REFRACTEC, INC. (1)
2005/0273,092 Method and apparatus for shrinking tissue 20 2004
 
REPRO-MED SYSTEMS, INC. (1)
6,926,706 Mechanical variable rate flow control for a constant pressure IV delivery system 14 2003
 
RICHARD WOLF GMBH (1)
4,985,030 Bipolar coagulation instrument 274 1990
 
RIVERVEST VENTURES PARTNERS I LLC (1)
2006/0079,888 Device and method for ablating tissue 112 2005
 
S.L.T. JAPAN CO., LTD. (1)
6,221,069 Apparatus for medical treatment 16 1997
 
SERENE MEDICAL, INC. (1)
2005/0283,148 Ablation apparatus and system to limit nerve conduction 61 2004
 
SMITH, PAUL C. (1)
5,195,959 Electrosurgical device with suction and irrigation 348 1991
 
SORING GMBH (1)
2006/0111,705 Device for destruction of tumor tissue 14 2005
 
SPIDER VEIN SOLUTIONS, INC. (1)
7,125,406 Electrocautery instrument 13 2002
 
SPINAL RESTORATION, INC. (1)
2006/0095,075 Injection of fibrin sealant using reconstituted components in spinal applications 15 2005
 
SPINE WAVE, INC. (1)
2005/0130,929 System and method for the pretreatment of the endplates of an intervertebral disc 19 2005
 
SPINECO, INC. (1)
2004/0034,340 Smart dissector 15 2003
 
ST-ERICSSON SA (1)
2005/0059,966 Fluid-assisted medical devices, systems and methods 20 2004
 
STARION INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION (1)
6,821,273 Combined dissecting, cauterizing, and stapling device 107 2003
 
STRYKER NV OPERATIONS LIMITED (1)
6,019,757 Endoluminal electro-occlusion detection apparatus and method 75 1995
 
STRYKER SALES CORPORATION (1)
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Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cites

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
HS WEST INVESTMENTS, LLC (2)
8,361,065 Electrosurgical instrument with an ablation mode and a coagulation mode 0 2008
8,394,088 Electrosurgical instrument with an ablation mode and a coagulation mode 0 2010
 
COVIDIEN LP (1)
8,286,339 Two piece tube for suction coagulator 0 2009
 
ST. JUDE MEDICAL, ATRIAL FIBRILLATION DIVISION, INC. (1)
8,348,937 Irrigated ablation catheter 0 2008

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