Daniel P Conley

US Patent:

6849075, Feb 1, 2005

Filed:

Oct 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/272446

Inventors:

Art Bertolero - Danville CA, US
Tamer Ibrahim - Oakland CA, US
Daniel J. Conley - Santa Rosa CA, US

Assignee:

Estech, Inc. - Danville CA

International Classification:

A61B 1818

US Classification:

606 41, 128898, 607130

Abstract:

Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Although the devices and methods are often be used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of at least one pulmonary vein, various embodiments may be used to ablate other cardiac tissues in other locations on a heart. Devices generally include at least one tissue contacting member for contacting epicardial tissue and securing the ablation device to the epicardial tissue, and at least one ablation member for ablating the tissue. Various embodiments include features, such as suction apertures, which enable the device to attach to the epicardial surface with sufficient strength to allow the tissue to be stabilized via the device. For example, some embodiments may be used to stabilize a beating heart to enable a beating heart ablation procedure. Many of the devices may be introduced into a patient via minimally invasive introducer devices and the like.

US Patent:

7226448, Jun 5, 2007

Filed:

Apr 8, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/410618

Inventors:

Arthur A. Bertolero - Danville CA, US
Tamer Ibrahim - Oakland CA, US
Daniel J. Conley - Santa Rosa CA, US

Assignee:

ESTECH, Inc. (Endoscopic Technologies, Inc.) - Danville CA

International Classification:

A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606 41, 607130, 128898

Abstract:

Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Although the devices and methods are often be used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of at least one pulmonary vein, various embodiments may be used to ablate other cardiac tissues in other locations on a heart. Devices generally include at least one tissue contacting member for contacting epicardial tissue and securing the ablation device to the epicardial tissue, and at least one ablation member for ablating the tissue. Various embodiments include features, such as suction apertures, which enable the device to attach to the epicardial surface with sufficient strength to allow the tissue to be stabilized via the device. For example, some embodiments may be used to stabilize a beating heart to enable a beating heart ablation procedure. Many of the devices may be introduced into a patient via minimally invasive introducer devices and the like.

US Patent:

7819867, Oct 26, 2010

Filed:

Jun 8, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/148611

Inventors:

Art Bertolero - Danville CA, US
Tamer Ibrahim - Oakland CA, US
Daniel J. Conley - Santa Rosa CA, US

Assignee:

ESTECH, Inc. (Endoscopic Technologies, Inc.) - San Ramon CA

International Classification:

A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606 41, 606 45

Abstract:

Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Although the devices and methods are often be used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of at least one pulmonary vein, various embodiments may be used to ablate other cardiac tissues in other locations on a heart. Devices generally include at least one tissue contacting member for contacting epicardial tissue and securing the ablation device to the epicardial tissue, and at least one ablation member for ablating the tissue. Various embodiments include features, such as suction apertures, which enable the device to attach to the epicardial surface with sufficient strength to allow the tissue to be stabilized via the device. For example, some embodiments may be used to stabilize a beating heart to enable a beating heart ablation procedure. Many of the devices may be introduced into a patient via minimally invasive introducer devices and the like.

US Patent:

8535307, Sep 17, 2013

Filed:

Oct 21, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/255076

Inventors:

Art Bertolero - Danville CA, US
Tamer Ibrahim - Oakland CA, US
Daniel J. Conley - Santa Rosa CA, US

Assignee:

Estech, Inc. (Endoscopic Technologies, Inc.) - Danville CA

International Classification:

A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606 41, 606 37, 606 45, 606 49, 607101, 607102, 607122

Abstract:

Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Although the devices and methods are often be used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of at least one pulmonary vein, various embodiments may be used to ablate other cardiac tissues in other locations on a heart. Devices generally include at least one tissue contacting member for contacting epicardial tissue and securing the ablation device to the epicardial tissue, and at least one ablation member for ablating the tissue. Various embodiments include features, such as suction apertures, which enable the device to attach to the epicardial surface with sufficient strength to allow the tissue to be stabilized via the device. For example, some embodiments may be used to stabilize a beating heart to enable a beating heart ablation procedure. Many of the devices may be introduced into a patient via minimally invasive introducer devices and the like.

US Patent:

20140012254, Jan 9, 2014

Filed:

Sep 11, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/024434

Inventors:

Tamer Ibrahim - Danville CA, US
Daniel J. Conley - Santa Rosa CA, US

Assignee:

ESTECH, Inc. (Endoscopic Technologies, Inc.) - San Ramon CA

International Classification:

A61B 18/14
A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606 33

Abstract:

Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Although the devices and methods are often be used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of at least one pulmonary vein, various embodiments may be used to ablate other cardiac tissues in other locations on a heart. Devices generally include at least one tissue contacting member for contacting epicardial tissue and securing the ablation device to the epicardial tissue, and at least one ablation member for ablating the tissue. Various embodiments include features, such as suction apertures, which enable the device to attach to the epicardial surface with sufficient strength to allow the tissue to be stabilized via the device. For example, some embodiments may be used to stabilize a beating heart to enable a beating heart ablation procedure. Many of the devices may be introduced into a patient via minimally invasive introducer devices and the like. Although devices and methods of the invention may be used to ablate epicardial tissue to treat atrial fibrillation, they may also be used in veterinary or research contexts, to treat various heart conditions other than atrial fibrillation and/or to ablate cardiac tissue other than the epicardium.

US Patent:

56699204, Sep 23, 1997

Filed:

Mar 20, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/618943

Inventors:

Daniel J. Conley - Redwood City CA
Mark E. Deem - San Francisco CA
Kent D. Dell - Redwood City CA
Bernard H. Andreas - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Devices for Vascular Intervention, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

A61B 1722

US Classification:

606159

Abstract:

An improved atherectomy catheter and methods of making and using a catheter are disclosed. In one embodiment, the catheter comprises a housing shaft having a torsionally-reinforced outer layer concentrically disposed over a polymeric inner layer, with an inflation tube disposed concentrically over the housing shaft to define an annular inflation lumen. A housing is attached to the distal end of the housing shaft, and may contain interventional means such as a cutting blade. The balloon for urging the housing against a vessel wall, such as a balloon, is attached to the housing opposite the interventional means and is in communication with the inflation lumen. A drive shaft may be rotatably disposed through a longitudinal lumen in the housing shaft, the drive shaft being coupled at its distal end to the interventional balloon. The method of the invention facilitates construction of a catheter shaft through the steps of forming a flexible tubular polymeric outer layer with a first melting point over a tubular polymeric inner layer with a second melting point, the first melting point being lower than the second melting point; heating the outer layer to at least the first melting point and less than the second melting point, and impregnating a wire braid into the outer layer up to the inner layer. In a preferred embodiment, the inner layer is a fluorocarbon polymer, and the outer layer is a thermoplastic elastomer which is stable near body temperatures, impregnated with one or more layers of a stainless steel wire braid.

US Patent:

55273254, Jun 18, 1996

Filed:

Dec 1, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/348289

Inventors:

Daniel J. Conley - Redwood City CA
Mark E. Deem - San Francisco CA
Kent D. Dell - Redwood City CA
Bernard H. Andreas - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Device for Vascular Intervention, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

A61B 1722

US Classification:

606159

Abstract:

An improved atherectomy catheter and methods of making and using a catheter are disclosed. In one embodiment, the catheter comprises a housing shaft having a torsionally-reinforced outer layer concentrically disposed over a polymeric inner layer, with an inflation tube disposed concentrically over the housing shaft to define an annular inflation lumen. A housing is attached to the distal end of the housing shaft, and may contain an interventional device such as a cutting blade. Apparatus for urging the housing against a vessel wall, such as a balloon, is attached to the housing opposite the an interventional device and is in communication with the inflation lumen. A drive shaft may be rotatably disposed through a longitudinal lumen in the housing shaft, the drive shaft being coupled at its distal end to the interventional device. The method of the invention facilitates construction of a catheter shaft through the steps of forming a flexible tubular polymeric outer layer with a first melting point over a tubular polymeric inner layer with a second melting point, the first melting point being lower than the second melting point; heating the outer layer to at least the first melting point and less than the second melting point, and impregnating a wire braid into the outer layer up to the inner layer. In a preferred embodiment, the inner layer is a fluorocarbon polymer, and the outer layer is a thermoplastic elastomer which is stable near body temperatures, impregnated with one or more layers of a stainless steel wire braid.