James E Windheuser

US Patent:

6582401, Jun 24, 2003

Filed:

Dec 27, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/472582

Inventors:

James E. Windheuser - Hopkinton MA
Fernando Alvarez de Toledo - Concord MA

Assignee:

SciMed Life Sytems, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

A61M 5178

US Classification:

60416405, 604523

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a multi-size catheter for use in biliary endoscopic procedures. The multi-size catheter comprises an outer diameter defined by a plurality of superimposed peelable layers. The peelable layers allow the multi-size catheter to function as a single operator exchange catheter without the need, and additional expense, of an endoscope sheath. Before positioning the multi-size catheter within the working channel of an endoscope, the peelable layers may be selectively removed in order to obtain an outer diameter for the catheter that is less than, but approximate to, the inner diameter of the working channel of the endoscope. The resulting fit eliminates the potential for a guidewire to slip out of the guidewire channel and become pinched between the catheter and the endoscope working channel. With an incorrect fit, a pinched guidewire would restrict the desired movements of both the guidewire and the catheter.

US Patent:

6606515, Aug 12, 2003

Filed:

May 14, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/312438

Inventors:

James E. Windheuser - Hopkinton MA
James Yearick - Shrewsbury MA
Oscar Carrillo, Jr. - Attleboro MA
Robert C. Allman - Wakefield MA
Fernando Alvarez de Toledo - Concord MA
Stephen C. Evans - Westford MA
Norman C. May - Franklin MA

Assignee:

SciMed Life Systems, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

A61M 2500

US Classification:

600434, 600585

Abstract:

An insertion tool and method for easily inserting a guide wire into a guide wire lumen of a catheter, particularly a rapid exchange catheter, for use in an endoscope. The insertion tool includes a main body having a main lumen and a funnel-shaped extension having a funnel lumen that merges with the main lumen. The funnel lumen has a first large opening and a second smaller opening aligned with the guide wire lumen of the catheter such that, when the catheter is disposed in the main lumen, the guide wire may be easily inserted into the large opening of the funnel-shaped extension and into the guide wire lumen of the catheter. The insertion tool may include a tongue or key disposed in the main lumen that is sized to fit in a slot of the catheter to thereby maintain alignment between the funnel lumen and the slot of the catheter. The insertion tool may alternatively include a non-round surface disposed in the main lumen that engages a non-round surface on the exterior of the catheter to thereby maintain alignment between the funnel lumen and the slot of the catheter. The insertion tool may further include a longitudinal slot in the funnel-shaped extension and/or main body to allow removal of the guide wire from the insertion tool while the guide wire remains in the guide wire lumen of the catheter.

US Patent:

6869416, Mar 22, 2005

Filed:

May 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/447489

Inventors:

James E. Windheuser - Hopkinton MA, US
Fernando Alvarez de Toledo - Concord MA, US

Assignee:

SciMed Life Systems, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

A61M005/178
A61M025/00

US Classification:

60416405, 604523

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a multi-size catheter for use in biliary endoscopic procedures. The multi-size catheter comprises an outer diameter defined by a plurality of superimposed peelable layers. The peelable layers allow the multi-size catheter to function as a single operator exchange catheter without the need, and additional expense, of an endoscope sheath. Before positioning the multi-size catheter within the working channel of an endoscope, the peelable layers may be selectively removed in order to obtain an outer diameter for the catheter that is less than, but approximate to, the inner diameter of the working channel of the endoscope. The resulting fit eliminates the potential for a guidewire to slip out of the guidewire channel and become pinched between the catheter and the endoscope working channel. With an incorrect fit, a pinched guidewire would restrict the desired movements of both the guidewire and the catheter.

US Patent:

6879854, Apr 12, 2005

Filed:

May 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/447370

Inventors:

James E. Windheuser - Hopkinton MA, US
James Yearick - Shrewsbury MA, US
Oscar Carrillo, Jr. - Attleboro MA, US
Robert C. Allman - Wakefield MA, US
Fernando Alvarez de Toledo - Concord MA, US
Stephen C. Evans - Westford MA, US
Norman C. May - Franklin MA, US

Assignee:

SciMed Life Systems, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

A61B006/00
A61M025/00

US Classification:

600434, 600585, 604523

Abstract:

An insertion tool and method for easily inserting a guide wire into a guide wire lumen of a catheter, particularly a rapid exchange catheter, for use in an endoscope. The insertion tool includes a main body having a main lumen and a funnel-shaped extension having a funnel lumen that merges with the main lumen. The funnel lumen has a first large opening and a second smaller opening aligned with the guide wire lumen of the catheter such that, when the catheter is disposed in the main lumen, the guide wire may be easily inserted into the large opening of the funnel-shaped extension and into the guide wire lumen of the catheter. Also, a re-insertion tool and method for re-inserting a guide wire into a channel of a catheter. The re-insertion tool is particularly useful in combination with an endoscope and an SOE catheter disposed therein.

US Patent:

7037293, May 2, 2006

Filed:

Nov 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/298313

Inventors:

Oscar Carrillo - Attleboro MA, US
James E. Windheuser - Hopkinton MA, US
M. Kevin Richardson - Hopkinton MA, US

Assignee:

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

A61M 5/178
A61M 29/00
A61M 25/01

US Classification:

60416413, 60410304, 604528

Abstract:

A rapid exchange catheter extends from a proximal portion which remains outside of a patient's body during use to a distal portion which, during use, is located within a body lumen adjacent to a target area to be treated, wherein the proximal and distal portions are coupled by a medial portion. The catheter comprises a guide wire lumen extending longitudinally through the distal portion and a guide wire receiving channel formed by an outer surface of the medial portion, wherein the guide wire lumen is open to a distal end of the channel.

US Patent:

7076285, Jul 11, 2006

Filed:

Apr 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/100946

Inventors:

James E. Windheuser - Hopkinton MA, US
James Yearick - Shrewsbury MA, US
Oscar Carrillo, Jr. - Attleboro MA, US
Robert C. Allman - Wakefield MA, US
Fernando Alvarez de Toledo - Concord MA, US
Stephen C. Evans - Westford MA, US
Norman C. May - Franklin MA, US

Assignee:

SciMed Life Systems, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

A61M 25/00

US Classification:

600434, 600585

Abstract:

An insertion tool for use in inserting a guide wire into a guide wire lumen of a catheter for use in a lumen of an endoscope. The insertion tool includes a main body having a main lumen and a funnel-shaped extension connected to and disposed atop the main body. The funnel-shaped extension having a funnel lumen. The funnel lumen has a top opening and a bottom opening. The funnel lumen tapering from the top opening to the bottom opening. The bottom opening positioned and sized to communicate with the guide wire lumen of the catheter such that, when the catheter is disposed in the main lumen, the guide wire may be easily inserted into the top opening of the funnel lumen and into the guide wire lumen of the catheter.

US Patent:

7186224, Mar 6, 2007

Filed:

Apr 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/426134

Inventors:

James E. Windheuser - Hopkinton MA, US

Assignee:

Scimed Life Systems, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

A61B 5/00
A61M 25/00

US Classification:

600585

Abstract:

A guidewire torque device formed from a single piece that may be either molded or machined. The device includes an insertion slot for receiving a guidewire, such that the device does not have to be backloaded over the end of the guidewire. Two rotation slots, provided in opposite sides of the device, allow the device to be rotated so as to secure the guidewire within the device. The rotation slots terminate at a hole in the center of the device that is sized to secure a guidewire of a selected diameter. The device can be operated by a physician with a single hand, and is particularly useful during rapid exchange procedures.

US Patent:

7534223, May 19, 2009

Filed:

Oct 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/268135

Inventors:

Michael P. Boutilette - Waltham MA, US
James E. Windheuser - Hopkinton MA, US
Oscar Carrillo - Attleboro MA, US

Assignee:

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

A61M 29/00
A61M 25/00

US Classification:

60410304, 600434

Abstract:

A rapid exchange catheter comprises a guide wire lumen including a substantially sealed portion in which a lumen wall extends around an entire periphery thereof and a channel portion including a channel opening the lumen to an exterior of the catheter, wherein a width of the channel is less than a maximum width of the channel portion. A guide wire ramp extends into the channel portion, with the ramp extending further into the lumen of the channel portion as a distal end of the ramp is approached.