David J Lentz

Address:

3055 Elk Run Dr, Park City, UT 84098

VIN:

1J8HR682X7C503277

Make:

JEEP

Model:

GRAND CHEROKEE

Year:

2007

US Patent:

6796979, Sep 28, 2004

Filed:

Dec 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/317844

Inventors:

David J. Lentz - La Jolla CA

Assignee:

Cryocor, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

A61B 1818

US Classification:

606 21, 606 23

Abstract:

A system for cryoablating target tissue at a treatment site includes an annular shaped balloon attached to the distal end of a first catheter. A cryo-element is attached to the distal end of a second catheter and the second catheter is disposed in the lumen of the first catheter. The cryo-element is positioned at the treatment site using the second catheter. Next, the first catheter is used to advance the balloon over the second catheter to the treatment site where the annular shaped balloon is Interposed between the cryo-element and the target tissue. Saline solution is pumped into the balloon to expand the balloon into contact with the cryo-element and the surrounding target tissue. Next, a refrigerant is expanded to cool the cryo-element, which in turn, freezes the saline solution. The resulting âice ballâ extracts heat from surrounding tissue resulting in the cryoablation of a substantially circumferential portion of tissue.

US Patent:

6824543, Nov 30, 2004

Filed:

Dec 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/317842

Inventors:

David J. Lentz - La Jolla CA

Assignee:

CryoCor, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

A61B 1818

US Classification:

606 21, 604 9504, 604533, 600585

Abstract:

A system for guiding a cryocatheter through the vasculature of a patient includes a guidewire positioned in the vasculature across a predetermined site. A connector is attached to the distal end of the cryocatheter and is configured to receive the guidewire. The connector is then placed over the guidewire to guide the cryocatheter through the vasculature along the guidewire to the predetermined site. The tip of the cryocatheter can then be used at the predetermined site to cryoablate the tissue or otherwise remove heat from the predetermined site.

US Patent:

6893433, May 17, 2005

Filed:

Dec 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/318284

Inventors:

David J. Lentz - La Jolla CA, US

Assignee:

CryoCor, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

A61B018/02

US Classification:

606 23, 606 20, 600113

Abstract:

A system for cryoablating target tissue at a treatment site includes a cryo-element mounted at the distal end of a cryo-catheter. A balloon catheter is provided having a U-shaped balloon attached thereon. The cryo-element is threaded onto a pre-positioned guidewire and advanced within the patient's vasculature until the cryo-element is positioned at the treatment site. Next, the balloon is threaded onto the guidewire and advanced within the patient's vasculature using the balloon catheter. At the treatment site, the U-shaped balloon is interposed between the cryo-element and the target tissue. Saline solution is pumped into the balloon causing the U-shaped balloon to expand and contact both the cryo-element and the surrounding target tissue. Next, a refrigerant is expanded to cool the cryo-element, which in turn, freezes the saline solution. The resulting “ice ball” extracts heat from surrounding tissue resulting in the cryoablation of a substantially circumferential portion of tissue.

US Patent:

6905493, Jun 14, 2005

Filed:

Apr 1, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/405131

Inventors:

David J. Lentz - La Jolla CA, US

Assignee:

CryoCor, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

A61B018/04

US Classification:

606 21, 606 23

Abstract:

A system and method for cryoablating tissue at a target site in a patient includes a cryotip attached to the distal end of a catheter tube. The cryotip is made of a conductive polymer material that is heat set into a spiral configuration. Inside the cryotip is a configuration lumen. The cryotip assumes a straight configuration when a straightening member is positioned in the configuration lumen, and it assumes the spiral configuration when the straightening member is absent from the configuration lumen. The cryotip in the straight configuration is guided through the vasculature of a patient to the target site. At the target site, the straightening member is removed to configure the cryotip into the spiral configuration to contact the cryotip with circumferential tissue around the target site. A refrigerant fluid is then introduced into the expansion chamber of the cryotip to cool the tip to cryoablate the circumferential tissue.

US Patent:

6926711, Aug 9, 2005

Filed:

Jul 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/631024

Inventors:

David J. Lentz - La Jolla CA, US
Steven W. Kovalcheck - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

CryoCor, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

A61B018/18

US Classification:

606 21, 604 9504

Abstract:

A catheter usable for cryogenic ablation of tissues is described. The catheter has a deflectable segment with a reduced diameter and a tip portion with a diameter greater than the reduced diameter. A resilient element allows for bending of the deflectable segment preferentially in one plane, and an actuator is used to control the bending of the deflectable segment.

US Patent:

6955673, Oct 18, 2005

Filed:

Aug 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/222770

Inventors:

David J. Lentz - La Jolla CA, US

Assignee:

CryoCor, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

A61B018/18

US Classification:

606 21

Abstract:

A heat transfer segment for a cryoablation catheter includes a member, at least a portion of which is made of a thermally conductive composite material. The composite material includes a polymeric matrix material such as a polyether block amide (PEBA) and a filler material which can include metals, metal alloys, ceramics, carbon and combinations thereof. One particular composition for the composite material includes approximately twenty weight percent of filler material, with the balance being polymeric matrix material. The composite has a thermal conductivity that is significantly increased relative to the polymeric matrix material and a flexibility that is not significantly reduced relative to the polymeric matrix material. In use, the heat transfer segment is disposed within a patient's body and positioned adjacent target tissue. A refrigerant is then introduced into the heat transfer segment causing heat to flow from the target tissue, through the member and into the refrigerant.

US Patent:

6981382, Jan 3, 2006

Filed:

Jul 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/626887

Inventors:

David J. Lentz - La Jolla CA, US
Matt M. Riordan - Saratoga CA, US
Eric Ryba - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

CryoCor, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

F25D 15/00
A61B 18/02

US Classification:

62119, 606 22, 606 23, 606 25

Abstract:

A system and method for transferring heat requires a supply tube connected in fluid communication with a capillary tube. A tip member is positioned to surround the distal end of the capillary tube to create a cryo-chamber. In operation, a liquid refrigerant is introduced into the supply tube at a working pressure (e. g. 450 psia). The pressure is then significantly reduced on the liquid refrigerant as it transits through the capillary tube. The refrigerant then exits the distal end of the capillary tube, still in its liquid state. Inside the cryo-chamber, at a pressure of less than about one atmosphere, the refrigerant transitions into its gaseous state. The resultant refrigeration causes heat to transfer into the cryo-chamber.

US Patent:

7004936, Feb 28, 2006

Filed:

Sep 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/243997

Inventors:

Eric Ryba - San Diego CA, US
David J. Lentz - La Jolla CA, US
Ravikumar Kudaravalli - Florence SC, US

Assignee:

CryoCor, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606 20, 606 22, 606 24

Abstract:

A catheter-based system for performing a cryoablation procedure uses a precooler to lower the temperature of a fluid refrigerant to a sub-cool temperature (−40 C. ) at a working pressure (400 psi). The sub-cooled fluid is then introduced into a supply line of the catheter. Upon outflow of the primary fluid from the supply line, and into a tip section of the catheter, the fluid refrigerant boils at an outflow pressure of approximately one atmosphere, at a temperature of about −88 C. In operation, the working pressure is computer controlled to obtain an appropriate outflow pressure for the coldest possible temperature in the tip section.