Grace Y Schulz

US Patent:

6613045, Sep 2, 2003

Filed:

Feb 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/495667

Inventors:

Michael D. Laufer - Menlo Park CA
Brian E. Farley - Los Altos CA
Grace Y. Schulz - San Carlos CA
Arthur W. Zikorus - San Jose CA
Mark P. Parker - San Jose CA

Assignee:

VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

A61B 1804

US Classification:

606 27, 604 20, 604113, 606 32

Abstract:

A catheter delivers an electrode within a vein for a minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins and venous insufficiency using RF energy. The catheter is introduced into a patient and positioned within the section of the vein to be treated. The electrode radiates high frequency energy towards the vein, and the surrounding venous tissue becomes heated and begins to shrink. The catheter includes a controllable member for limiting the amount of shrinkage of the vein to the diameter of the member. The electrode remains active until there has been sufficient shrinkage of the vein. The extent of shrinkage of the vein may be detected by fluoroscopy. After treating one section of the vein, the catheter and the electrode can be repositioned intraluminally within the vein to treat different sections of the vein until all desired venous sections and valves are repaired and rendered functionally competent.

US Patent:

6638273, Oct 28, 2003

Filed:

Nov 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/724248

Inventors:

Brian E. Farley - Los Altos CA
Grace Y. Schulz - San Carlos CA
Dawn A. Henderson - Palo Alto CA
Mark P. Parker - San Jose CA
Arthur W. Zikorus - San Jose CA
Gary H. Miller - Milpitas CA
Jay S. Daulton - San Jose CA
Douglas Portnow - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

A61B 1804

US Classification:

606 27, 606 32

Abstract:

A catheter having expandable electrodes for applying energy to a hollow anatomical structure such as a vein. When used on a vein, the catheter is useful for a minimally invasive treatment of venous insufficiency. The catheter includes conductive end rings to which the electrodes are attached, for mechanically connecting and electrically tying electrodes together to provide for a single wire electrical connection points, for transmitting energy while more evenly spacing the electrodes. Expandable arms are formed of electrically conductive material and insulated along their length except for an intermediate section that functions as the electrode. The arms are tapered to allow more room for wiring and to reduce the possibility of shorting between the ends of the arms. The catheter further includes thermocouples in the electrodes for measuring temperatures on the outer surface of the electrode. Slots are formed in the arms for mounting the thermocouples.

US Patent:

7641633, Jan 5, 2010

Filed:

Mar 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/396672

Inventors:

Michael D. Laufer - Menlo Park CA, US
Brian E. Farley - Los Altos CA, US
Grace Y. Schulz - San Carlos CA, US
Arthur W. Zikorus - San Jose CA, US
Mark P. Parker - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Tyco Healthcare Group, LP - Mansfield MA

International Classification:

A61F 7/12

US Classification:

604114, 604 27, 604105, 604113

Abstract:

A catheter delivers an electrode within a vein for a minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins and venous insufficiency using RF energy. The catheter is introduced into a patient and positioned within the section of the vein to be treated. The electrode radiates high frequency energy towards the vein, and the surrounding venous tissue becomes heated and begins to shrink. The catheter includes a controllable member for limiting the amount of shrinkage of the vein to the diameter of the member. The electrode remains active until there has been sufficient shrinkage of the vein. The extent of shrinkage of the vein may be detected by fluoroscopy. After treating one section of the vein, the catheter and the electrode can be repositioned intraluminally within the vein to treat different sections of the vein until all desired venous sections and valves are repaired and rendered functionally competent.

US Patent:

7967782, Jun 28, 2011

Filed:

Dec 28, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/648242

Inventors:

Michael D. Laufer - Menlo Park CA, US
Brian E. Farley - Los Altos CA, US
Grace Y. Schulz - San Carlos CA, US
Arthur W. Zikorus - San Jose CA, US
Mark P. Parker - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Tyco Healthcare Group LP - Mansfield MA

International Classification:

A61M 29/00

US Classification:

604105, 604 27, 604106, 604113

Abstract:

A catheter delivers an electrode within a vein for a minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins and venous insufficiency using RF energy. The catheter is introduced into a patient and positioned within the section of the vein to be treated. The electrode radiates high frequency energy towards the vein, and the surrounding venous tissue becomes heated and begins to shrink. The catheter includes a controllable member for limiting the amount of shrinkage of the vein to the diameter of the member. The electrode remains active until there has been sufficient shrinkage of the vein. The extent of shrinkage of the vein may be detected by fluoroscopy. After treating one section of the vein, the catheter and the electrode can be repositioned intraluminally within the vein to treat different sections of the vein until all desired venous sections and valves are repaired and rendered functionally competent.

US Patent:

20020193822, Dec 19, 2002

Filed:

Mar 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/108993

Inventors:

David Hung - Belmont CA, US
Philip Olsen - Cupertino CA, US
Grace Schulz - San Carlos CA, US
Tina Patel - San Mateo CA, US

Assignee:

Pro Duct Health, Inc. - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

A61M029/00

US Classification:

606/198000, 606/191000, 606/108000

Abstract:

An expandable medical dilator used for dilating a body opening during or in preparation for the performance of a medical procedure. The dilator comprises an outer wall for positioning against an inner surface of the body opening as the opening is dilated and an inner wall defining an internal lumen for receiving a medical instrument used to perform the medical procedure. The dilator also includes at least one expansion region. In one embodiment, the expansion region extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the dilator. In another embodiment, the expansion region extends from a position along the length of the dilator to the distal end. In either embodiment, the expansion region can include at least one opening or a plurality of spaced perforations.

US Patent:

20050234497, Oct 20, 2005

Filed:

Jun 16, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/154170

Inventors:

David Hung - Belmont CA, US
Phillip Olsen - Cupertino CA, US
Grace Schulz - San Carlos CA, US
Tina Patel - San Mateo CA, US

International Classification:

A61M029/00

US Classification:

606191000

Abstract:

An expandable medical dilator used for dilating a body opening during or in preparation for the performance of a medical procedure. The dilator comprises an outer wall for positioning against an inner surface of the body opening as the opening is dilated and an inner wall defining an internal lumen for receiving a medical instrument used to perform the medical procedure. The dilator also includes at least one expansion region. In one embodiment, the expansion region extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the dilator. In another embodiment, the expansion region extends from a position along the length of the dilator to the distal end. In either embodiment, the expansion region can include at least one opening or a plurality of spaced perforations.

US Patent:

58369570, Nov 17, 1998

Filed:

Feb 26, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/807822

Inventors:

Grace Y. Schulz - San Carlos CA
Gerri Chatelain - Pleasanton CA
Mark E. Deem - San Francisco CA
Ferolyn T. Powell - San Carlos CA

Assignee:

Devices For Vascular Intervention, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

A61B 1722

US Classification:

606159

Abstract:

A side-cutting atherectomy catheter with a housing containing a tissue-removal means, a window on one side, and a large volume inflatable support on the opposite side. The large volume inflatable support has a maximum diameter larger than the diameter of the cutter housing, generating a greater degree of contact with a blood vessel's interior diameter than conventional balloon-housing configurations. This feature stabilizes the cutter housing and improves tissue-removal during the atherectomy procedure. Large volume inflatable supports have a maximum inflated diameter at least 1. 1 times, and preferably 1. 35 times, greater than the diameter of the housing. The supports may be formed from either elastic or inelastic materials. When formed from inelastic materials, the supports have slack material when uninflated which can extend into and become entangled with the cutter window. To prevent this problem, the large volume inflatable support is constrained when uninflated.

US Patent:

55077951, Apr 16, 1996

Filed:

Apr 29, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/236485

Inventors:

Andrew L. Chiang - Fremont CA
Jeffrey W. Krier - El Granada CA
Ron R. Hundertmark - San Mateo CA
Robert T. Chang - Belmont CA
Grace Y. Schulz - San Carlos CA

Assignee:

Devices for Vascular Intervention, Inc. - Redwood City CA

International Classification:

A61B 1732
A61B 1714

US Classification:

606167

Abstract:

Improved atherectomy catheters and methods of use are disclosed. The catheter includes a flexible body with a longitudinal passage therethrough. A housing is mounted at the distal end, with an elongated aperture formed in a lateral side. A drive cable is disposed in the passage of the catheter body, and a working element is disposed in the housing, attached to the distal end of the drive cable. Passages and openings are provided for flowing blood into the housing and for flowing blood from a proximal to a distal side of the cutting blade. An impeller can be provided proximal to the cutting blade to impel blood into the housing and past the blade. Blood flows through the housing and past the blade so as to perfuse tissue downstream from the device.