Daren Lyle Stewart

US Patent:

6358273, Mar 19, 2002

Filed:

Apr 9, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/289459

Inventors:

Bruno Strul - Portola Valley CA
Hugh R. Sharkey - Woodside CA
Daren L. Stewart - Belmont CA

Assignee:

Oratec Inventions, Inc. - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

A61F 700

US Classification:

607 96, 607 98, 607101, 607105

Abstract:

A medical probe for the heating of soft tissue, such as collagen tissue, wherein the medical probe has an elongated body with a proximal and distal end, a heating source, an RF electrode. Optional components include a thermocouple, and an insulative sleeve. The probes elongated body is preferably hollow and flexible. The RF electrode and the heating source are powered by independently controlled power sources and cooperate to maintain a constant and smooth temperature to the distal end of the RF electrode. The heating source may be a contained liquid, such as saline, or an electrothermal mass, such as a ferrite, a toroid, a resistive element, or the like. Current induced from the conductor to the heating source creates heat in the heating source. The thermocouple measures the temperature of the heating source and adjusts the power to the conductor to maintain the heating sources temperature.

US Patent:

6379350, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Oct 5, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/412878

Inventors:

Hugh R. Sharkey - Woodside CA
Bruno Strul - Portola Valley CA
Daren L. Stewart - Belmont CA
John Ashley - San Francisco CA
Ramiro L. Reyes - Union City CA

Assignee:

Oratec Interventions, Inc. - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

A61B 1818

US Classification:

606 41, 606 48, 606 49, 606 50

Abstract:

An electrosurgical aspiration instrument that permits aspiration of an area being treated by the instrument. The instrument is coupled at a proximal end to a power source and includes an energy application surface area at a distal end. The power source supplied energy to the energy application surface area such that the distal end of the instrument may apply energy to the treatment area to modify the characteristics of biological material, such as biological tissue in the area. An aspiration lumen is formed through the instrument with an opening through the energy application surface area. The energy application surface area is configured to reduce blockage of the opening. Accordingly, aspiration may be performed simultaneously with electrosurgical treatment whereby unwanted matter such as by-products, biological debris and excess fluid is removed from the treatment area. The electrosurgical aspiration instrument also permits both functions to be performed at different times, with the advantage of not requiring instruments to be switched on during the treatment procedure or removed from the treatment site.

US Patent:

6391028, May 21, 2002

Filed:

May 16, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/572709

Inventors:

Gary S. Fanton - Portola Valley CA
Hugh R. Sharkey - Woodside CA
Daren L. Stewart - Belmont CA
Lee Weissman - San Jose CA

Assignee:

Oratec Interventions, Inc. - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

A61B 1814

US Classification:

606 45, 606 38, 606 39, 606 48

Abstract:

An arthroscopic probe with a distally orientated concave curve which constrains tissue is disclosed. It is particularly adapted to cutting ligaments and tendons. Also disclosed is a thermal energy delivery apparatus that includes (a) a probe with a distal end and a proximal end, (b) a first electrode positioned at the distal end of the probe and (c) a cabling coupled to the proximal end of the probe.

US Patent:

6540694, Apr 1, 2003

Filed:

Oct 16, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/690321

Inventors:

Kevin H. Van Bladel - Pleasanton CA
Shigeru Tanaka - Halfmoon Bay CA
Daren L. Stewart - Pleasanton CA

Assignee:

Sanarus Medical, Inc. - Pleasanton CA

International Classification:

A61B 1000

US Classification:

600564

Abstract:

A device and method of use for securing and coring of tumors within the body during a biopsy of the tumor, specifically breast tumors. An adhesion probe for securing the tumor is described. The probe secures the tumor by piercing the tumor and providing a coolant to the distal tip to cool the tip. The cooled tip adheres to the tumor. A coring instrument adapted for cutting a core sample of the tumor is described. The instrument is provided with a cannula that can cut a core sample of the tumor. The instrument is adapted for use with the probe with the probe fitting within the cannula. The instrument can be used in conjunction with the probe to secure and core a sample of the tumor for biopsy.

US Patent:

6551255, Apr 22, 2003

Filed:

May 3, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/847931

Inventors:

Kevin H. Van Bladel - Pleasanton CA
Shigeru Tanaka - Halfmoon Bay CA
Daren L. Stewart - Pleasanton CA

Assignee:

Sanarus Medical, Inc. - Pleasanton CA

International Classification:

A61B 500

US Classification:

600584

Abstract:

A device and method of use for securing and coring of tumors within the body during a biopsy of the tumor, specifically breast tumors. An adhesion probe for securing the tumor is described. The probe secures the tumor by piercing the tumor and providing a coolant to the distal tip to cool the tip. The cooled tip adheres to the tumor. A coring instrument adapted for cutting a core sample of the tumor is described. The instrument is provided with a cannula that can cut a core sample of the tumor. The instrument is adapted for use with the probe with the probe fitting within the cannula. The instrument can be used in conjunction with the probe to secure and core a sample of the tumor for biopsy.

US Patent:

7311672, Dec 25, 2007

Filed:

Apr 22, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/421598

Inventors:

Kevin H. Van Bladel - Pleasanton CA, US
Shigeru Tanaka - Halfmoon Bay CA, US
Daren L. Stewart - Pleasanton CA, US

Assignee:

Sanarus Medical, Inc. - Pleasanton CA

International Classification:

A61B 10/00

US Classification:

600564

Abstract:

A device and method of use for securing and coring of tumors within the body during a biopsy of the tumor, specifically breast tumors. An adhesion probe for securing the tumor is described. The probe secures the tumor by piercing the tumor and providing a coolant to the distal tip to cool the tip. The cooled tip adheres to the tumor. A coring instrument adapted for cutting a core sample of the tumor is described. The instrument is provided with a cannula that can cut a core sample of the tumor. The instrument is adapted for use with the probe with the probe fitting within the cannula. The instrument can be used in conjunction with the probe to secure and core a sample of the tumor for biopsy.

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.