Alex L Lim

US Patent:

6972016, Dec 6, 2005

Filed:

May 1, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/847181

Inventors:

Alex L. Lim - Santa Clara CA, US
Tim Huynh - Santa Clara CA, US

Assignee:

CaRDiMa, Inc. - Fremont CA

International Classification:

A61B018/14

US Classification:

606 41, 607 99, 607113, 607122

Abstract:

An electrophysiology (EP) device suitable for ablating tissue within a patient's body lumen. The EP device of the invention generally comprises an elongated shaft having a distal shaft section with a helical shape and at least one electrode on an exterior portion thereof. One aspect of the invention comprises a method of performing a medical procedure, such as treating a patient for atrial arrhythmia, by forming a lesion using an EP device embodying features of the invention.

US Patent:

6989486, Jan 24, 2006

Filed:

Oct 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/961962

Inventors:

Paul A. Lovoi - Saratoga CA, US
Peter C. Smith - Half Moon Bay CA, US
Alex Lim - Santa Clara CA, US

Assignee:

Xoft microTube, Inc. - Fremont CA

International Classification:

H01B 7/34
H01B 7/00

US Classification:

174 28, 174110 R, 174113 R

Abstract:

In a miniature x-ray tube, which may be on the order of approximately 1 mm in diameter or even less, a high voltage cable is provided in various embodiments for conducting current to the cathode of the x-ray tube and for conducting high voltage to the cathode and anode of the tube. In various embodiments of the cable, two conductors occupy a center region of the cable, packed as closely together as possible, in various shapes that are compact and present as smooth as possible an external shape for maximizing dielectric properties against the exterior high voltage ground, surrounding and generally concentric with the inner conductors. The inner conductors, which carry high voltage in opposition to the outer ground, can be in opposed D shapes, coaxial, two flattened conductors side by side, or simply a pair of cylindrical wires positioned as closely as possible. The space between the inner conductors and the outer ground can be occupied by a glass insulator, polymer, successive layers of polymers and adhesive, air, gas, vacuum or other dielectrics. A partially conductive region can surround the inner conductors.

US Patent:

7127033, Oct 24, 2006

Filed:

Feb 28, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/789653

Inventors:

Paul A. Lovoi - Saratoga CA, US
John Rieke - Mercer Island WA, US
Alex Lim - Santa Clara CA, US
Peter C. Smith - Half Moon Bay CA, US
Thomas W. Rusch - Hopkins MN, US

Assignee:

Xoft, Inc. - Fremont CA

International Classification:

H01J 35/32

US Classification:

378130, 378199, 378200

Abstract:

A miniature x-ray tube is cooled using a catheter preferably having multiple small lumens for inflow and outflow of coolant. Inflow may be through an outer lumen(s) in a concentric-extrusion catheter, the liquid turning back at the distal end of the catheter to a proximal flow over the anode end of the x-ray tube and through an inner lumen within which the x-ray tube is positioned. A coolant distribution head may engage with the anode end of the x-ray tube, with small orifices so as to distribute coolant essentially evenly over the anode surface. Temperature and flow rate of the inflowing coolant liquid are balanced so as to optimize heat transfer while efficiently carrying coolant through small lumens without the need for high pressures. Some embodiments use the inflation liquid in an applicator balloon as the coolant, with the liquid actively flowing or, in a simplified system, with the liquid static.

US Patent:

7338430, Mar 4, 2008

Filed:

Dec 30, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/323346

Inventors:

Alex Lim - Santa Clara CA, US
Paul A. Lovoi - Saratoga CA, US
Heike Hausen - Menlo Park CA, US
Daren L. Stewart - Belmont CA, US

Assignee:

Xoft, Inc. - Fremont CA

International Classification:

A61M 36/00

US Classification:

600 7

Abstract:

A vaginal brachytherapy applicator is versatile to different anatomies and more comfortable to the patient than prior applicators. An inflatable balloon on a shaft may be inelastic or elastic. In one embodiment the shaft is rotatable relative to the balloon for enabling a ring or band of dose delivery, for versatility in radiation placement. Alternatively, the source can be rotated and pulled back within a stationary shaft. An adjustment is provided for reducing the length of balloon that inflates, to accommodate different anatomies and positions. Although isotope radiation sources can be used in the applicator, an electronic source is preferred, and the system and method include procedures for using the applicator with an electronic source.

US Patent:

7783006, Aug 24, 2010

Filed:

Oct 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/962247

Inventors:

Daren L. Stewart - Belmont CA, US
Paul A. Lovoi - Saratoga CA, US
Thomas W. Rusch - Hopkins MN, US
Alex Lim - Santa Clara CA, US
Darius Francescatti - Barrington IL, US

Assignee:

Xoft, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

G21K 5/00

US Classification:

378 64, 600 1, 600 2, 600 3, 600 4, 378 65, 378119

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus are described for irradiating living tissue via a cavity or lumen, using an inflatable balloon applicator. In a preferred embodiment the applicator balloon has a balloon skin with x-ray contrast material in relatively low concentration, so that an outline of the balloon will appear sharply when imaged externally. In another preferred embodiment the balloon catheter has a drain for withdrawing liquids from the cavity, which may include channels or texture on the exterior of the balloon. Methods are described for using a switchable miniature x-ray tube, variable as to voltage and current, to achieve accuracy in an isodose profile.

US Patent:

7885382, Feb 8, 2011

Filed:

Jun 18, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/820238

Inventors:

Daren L. Stewart - Belmont CA, US
Paul A. Lovoi - Saratoga CA, US
Thomas W. Rusch - Hopkins MN, US
Alex Lim - Santa Clara CA, US
Darius Francescatti - Barrington IL, US

Assignee:

Xoft, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

G21K 5/00

US Classification:

378 64, 378 65, 378119, 600 1, 600 2, 600 3, 600 4, 600 5, 600 6, 600 7, 600 8, 600452, 600459, 128897, 128898, 128899

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus are described for irradiating living tissue via a cavity or lumen, using an inflatable balloon applicator. In a preferred embodiment the applicator balloon has a balloon skin with x-ray contrast material in relatively low concentration, so that an outline of the balloon will appear sharply when imaged externally. In another preferred embodiment the balloon catheter has a drain for withdrawing liquids from the cavity, which may include channels or texture on the exterior of the balloon. Methods are described for using a switchable miniature x-ray tube, variable as to voltage and current, to achieve accuracy in an isodose profile.

US Patent:

7918778, Apr 5, 2011

Filed:

Mar 3, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/074468

Inventors:

Alex Lim - Santa Clara CA, US
Paul A. Lovoi - Saratoga CA, US
Heike Hausen - Menlo Park CA, US
Daren L. Stewart - Belmont CA, US

Assignee:

Xoft, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61N 5/00

US Classification:

600 6

Abstract:

A vaginal brachytherapy applicator is versatile to different anatomies and more comfortable to the patient than prior applicators. An inflatable balloon on a shaft may be inelastic or elastic. In one embodiment the shaft is rotatable relative to the balloon for enabling a ring or band of dose delivery, for versatility in radiation placement. Alternatively, the source can be rotated and pulled back within a stationary shaft. An adjustment is provided for reducing the length of balloon that inflates, to accommodate different anatomies and positions. Although isotope radiation sources can be used in the applicator, an electronic source is preferred, and the system and method include procedures for using the applicator with an electronic source.

US Patent:

20050015084, Jan 20, 2005

Filed:

Aug 2, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/909668

Inventors:

Richard Hill - Berkeley CA, US
Alex Lim - Santa Clara CA, US
Tim Huynh - Santa Clara CA, US
Eric Chan - Newark CA, US

International Classification:

A61B018/14

US Classification:

606041000

Abstract:

An electrophysiology (EP) device suitable for ablating tissue within a patient's body lumen. The EP device of the invention generally comprises an elongated shaft having a distal shaft section with a helical shape and at least one electrode on an exterior portion thereof. One aspect of the invention comprises a method of performing a medical procedure, such as treating a patient for atrial arrhythmia, by forming a lesion using an EP device embodying features of the invention.