Dennis M O'Brien

US Patent:

6979329, Dec 27, 2005

Filed:

Dec 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/307709

Inventors:

Robert R. Burnside - Mountain View CA, US
Russell B. Thompson - Los Altos CA, US
David Dueiri - San Jose CA, US
Dennis M. O'Brien - Carlsbad CA, US

Assignee:

Scimed Life Systems, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

A61B018/18

US Classification:

606 41

Abstract:

Systems and methods for reducing the number of temperature measurement wires in multiple temperature sensor ablation systems are described. In a preferred embodiment, temperature sensors capable of measuring the temperature of body tissue and transmitting the temperature data digitally are incorporated in a catheter or probe ablation system that also includes electrodes in operative contact with the sensors. The sensors are connected in parallel to a common electrical bus, thereby allowing the system to operate using a reduced number of electrical paths as compared to conventional ablation systems. The present invention is also directed to ablation systems that incorporate analog sensors rather than digital sensors. In this embodiment, the system utilizes digital switching, filtering circuits, or oscillators to reduce the number of wires required to operate the sensors.

US Patent:

7008438, Mar 7, 2006

Filed:

Jul 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/618987

Inventors:

Dennis O'Brien - Oceanside CA, US

Assignee:

SciMed Life Systems, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

A61B 17/22

US Classification:

606159, 606194, 60610308

Abstract:

A catheter is provided having a system for anchoring an inflatable balloon at a treatment site. The system includes a flexible member having a substantially cylindrical shaped wall that defines a longitudinal axis. The outer surface of the cylindrical wall is formed with a plurality of protuberances that each project radially outward from the wall. With this structure, the wall seamlessly interconnects the protuberances together. In one embodiment, the flexible member constitutes a portion of a dilatation balloon. In another embodiment, the flexible member is formed as a jacket that is placed over and bonded to a dilatation balloon. The protuberances are sized, shaped and spaced on the wall of the flexible member to allow each protuberance to penetrate and become embedded in a lesion at a treatment site during inflation of the balloon. Once embedded, the protuberances anchor the balloon at the treatment site.

US Patent:

7070576, Jul 4, 2006

Filed:

Apr 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/836008

Inventors:

Dennis O'Brien - Oceanside CA, US
James Hantske - Murrieta CA, US

Assignee:

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

A61M 29/00

US Classification:

604 9601

Abstract:

A directional cutting balloon for incising an eccentric lesion in a body conduit includes an inflatable balloon having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal balloon end is attached to a distal tube and the proximal balloon end is attached to a proximal tube. The distal tube is formed with a guidewire lumen and substantially centered along a guidewire axis. The balloon, which is typically formed with a cylindrical working section that defines a balloon axis, is offset from the guidewire axis. Specifically, when the balloon is inflated, the balloon axis is aligned parallel to and offset from the guidewire axis. One or more elongated incising elements are mounted longitudinally on the balloon. During a balloon inflation, the balloon expands eccentrically relative to the guidewire axis to thereby advance the incising element in a pre-selected direction and into an eccentric lesion.

US Patent:

7799043, Sep 21, 2010

Filed:

Dec 1, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/725178

Inventors:

Dennis O'Brien - Oceanside CA, US
Carl Yee - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

A61B 17/22
A61B 17/32
A61M 29/00

US Classification:

606159

Abstract:

A cutting balloon for use in a PTCA atherectomy procedure includes an elongated balloon that defines a longitudinal axis and is inflatable from a first deflated configuration to a second radially expanded configuration. One or more incising elements are mounted on the inflatable balloon. Compressible sheaths made of a relatively low durometer, flexible material are mounted on the balloon to protect the operative cutting surface of a respective incising element during assembly of the cutting balloon and transit of the cutting balloon to the treatment site. Each sheath extends farther from the longitudinal axis than the corresponding incising element and makes first contact with the tissue during a balloon inflation. Once contact has been established between the tissue and the sheath, further balloon inflation causes the sheath to radially compress between the tissue and the inflatable balloon exposing the operative cutting surface for tissue incision.

US Patent:

7993358, Aug 9, 2011

Filed:

Mar 24, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/409680

Inventors:

Dennis O'Brien - Oceanside CA, US

Assignee:

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

A61M 17/32
A61M 25/10

US Classification:

606159, 60410308

Abstract:

A cutting balloon catheter and method of using the same. The cutting balloon catheter may include a catheter shaft having a balloon coupled thereto. One or more cutting members or blades may be coupled to the balloon. The balloon may include one or more discrete points or areas of flexibility to enhance flexibility of the cutting balloon catheter. A break in the one or more cutting members may be aligned with the one or more discrete points of flexibility in the balloon.

US Patent:

20060184191, Aug 17, 2006

Filed:

Feb 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/057300

Inventors:

Dennis O'Brien - Oceanside CA, US

International Classification:

A61M 29/00

US Classification:

606192000

Abstract:

A cutting balloon catheter and method of using the same. The cutting balloon catheter may include a catheter shaft having a balloon coupled thereto. One or more cutting members or blades may be coupled to the balloon. The balloon may include one or more discrete points or areas of flexibility to enhance flexibility of the cutting balloon catheter. A break in the one or more cutting members may be aligned with the one or more discrete points of flexibility in the balloon.

US Patent:

20100312264, Dec 9, 2010

Filed:

Aug 16, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/857272

Inventors:

Dennis O'Brien - Oceanside CA, US
Carl Yee - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC. - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

A61B 17/22

US Classification:

606159

Abstract:

A cutting balloon for use in a PTCA atherectomy procedure includes an elongated balloon that defines a longitudinal axis and is inflatable from a first deflated configuration to a second radially expanded configuration. One or more incising elements are mounted on the inflatable balloon. Compressible sheaths made of a relatively low durometer, flexible material are mounted on the balloon to protect the operative cutting surface of a respective incising element during assembly of the cutting balloon and transit of the cutting balloon to the treatment site. Each sheath extends farther from the longitudinal axis than the corresponding incising element and makes first contact with the tissue during a balloon inflation. Once contact has been established between the tissue and the sheath, further balloon inflation causes the sheath to radially compress between the tissue and the inflatable balloon exposing the operative cutting surface for tissue incision.

US Patent:

20200015876, Jan 16, 2020

Filed:

Oct 11, 2017

Appl. No.:

16/335893

Inventors:

- Carlsbad CA, US
Marcus Frederick JULIAN - Vista CA, US
Steven Anthony YON - San Diego CA, US
Randell L. WERNETH - Eagle ID, US
Alexander HIGGINS - San Diego CA, US
Ricardo ROMAN - Chula Vista CA, US
Alexander J. ASCONEGUY - Murrieta CA, US
Christoph SCHARF - Horgen, CH
Dennis O'BRIEN - Oceanside CA, US
Rob Andre PESCAR - San Diego CA, US
Ahmed FALAHATPISHEH - San Marcos, US
Tom ESBECK - Carlsbad CA, US
Gerald M. STOBBS III - Alpine CA, US
Leo MARIAPPAN - Oceanside CA, US
James Calvin ALLAN - Boise ID, US
Michael C. OLIVEIRA - San Marcos CA, US
Daniel WELSH - Encinitas CA, US
R. Maxwell FLAHERTY - Topsfield MA, US
J. Christopher FLAHERTY - Auburndale FL, US

International Classification:

A61B 18/00

Abstract:

An ablation system comprises: an ablation catheter and a console. The ablation catheter comprises: a shaft including a proximal end, a distal portion and a distal end; an ablation element configured to deliver energy to tissue; and a force maintenance assembly comprising a force maintenance element and configured to control and/or assess contact force between the ablation element and cardiac tissue. The console is configured to operably attach to the ablation catheter and comprises: an energy delivery assembly configured to provide energy to the ablation element. Methods of ablating tissue are also provided.