Douglas Homer Stephens

US Patent:

6457365, Oct 1, 2002

Filed:

Feb 9, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/501106

Inventors:

Douglas N. Stephens - Davis CA
Matthew ODonnell - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

EndoSonics Corporation - Rancho Cordova CA

International Classification:

G01N 2924

US Classification:

73626, 73628, 73641, 600447, 600459, 600462, 600463, 600466, 600472

Abstract:

An ultrasound transducer array ( ) includes at least one transducer element ( ) having a first ( ) and second ( ) portions separated by an acoustical discontinuity ( ). The first portion ( ) has the desired length to form a half-wave k31 resonance, while the second portion ( ) has a resonant length for an undesired very low frequency out-of-band k31 resonance. The thickness of the transducer element ( ) is designed for k33 half-resonance. Given the design, the transducer element ( ) can operate and provide for both forward-looking ( ) and side looking ( ) elevation apertures. A method is also disclosed for using the disclosed ultrasound transducer ( ) in ultrasound imaging.

US Patent:

6780157, Aug 24, 2004

Filed:

Jun 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/174412

Inventors:

Douglas N. Stephens - Davis CA
Matthew ODonnell - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Volcano Therapeutics, Inc. - Laguna Hills CA

International Classification:

A61B 814

US Classification:

600466, 600437, 600459, 73626, 73628, 73641

Abstract:

An ultrasound transducer array ( ) includes at least one transducer element ( ) having a first ( ) and second ( ) portions separated by an acoustical discontinuity ( ). The first portion ( ) has the desired length to form a half-wave k resonance, while the second portion ( ) has a resonant length for an undesired very low frequency out-of-band k resonance. The thickness of the transducer element ( ) is designed for k half-resonance. Given the design, the transducer element ( ) can operate and provide for both forward-looking ( ) and side looking ( ) elevation apertures. A method is also disclosed for using the disclosed ultrasound transducer ( ) in ultrasound imaging.

US Patent:

7736317, Jun 15, 2010

Filed:

Sep 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/243823

Inventors:

Douglas N. Stephens - Davis CA, US
Matthew O'Donnell - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

Volcano Corporation - Rancho Cordova CA

International Classification:

A61B 8/12

US Classification:

600467, 600439, 600471

Abstract:

An ultrasound transducer array () includes at least one transducer element () having a first () and second () portions separated by an acoustical discontinuity (). The first portion () has the desired length to form a half-wave k31 resonance, while the second portion () has a resonant length for an undesired very low frequency out-of-band k31 resonance. The thickness of the transducer element () is designed for k33 half-resonance. Given the design, the transducer element () can operate and provide for both forward-looking () and side looking () elevation apertures. A method is also disclosed for using the disclosed ultrasound transducer () in ultrasound imaging.

US Patent:

20040054287, Mar 18, 2004

Filed:

Aug 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/233870

Inventors:

Douglas Stephens - Davis CA, US

International Classification:

A61B008/14

US Classification:

600/459000

Abstract:

A sensor for an ultrasound imaging catheter and methods of fabrication are provided. The sensor may be based on a flex circuit on which a block of piezoelectric sensor array transducer material is mounted. The flex circuit may include electrical conductors that are electrically connected to electrodes on the piezoelectric blocks. A matching layer may be formed on the piezoelectric blocks between the blocks and the flex circuit substrate. Individual transducer array elements may be formed by dividing a piezoelectric block into a plurality of individual transducer elements after the matching layer has been formed. Cuts may be formed in the flex circuit substrate between adjacent transducer array elements to acoustically decouple adjacent elements. The flex circuit substrate and matching layers may have relatively high impedances to facilitate acoustic impedance matching between the sensor and the imaging environment.

US Patent:

20100068260, Mar 18, 2010

Filed:

Jul 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/508076

Inventors:

Dustin E. Kruse - Woodland CA, US
Claude Meares - Davis CA, US
Katherine W. Ferrara - Davis CA, US
Eric Paoli - Los Altos CA, US
Douglas N. Stephens - Davis CA, US
Jeffrey Day - , US

International Classification:

A61K 9/127
A61N 7/02

US Classification:

424450, 601 3

Abstract:

A composition coupled to an agent with a cleavable linker is provided. Specifically, the composition is used for releasing the agent through a temperature-sensitive mechanism at a targeted location in a subject with heat. It is advantageous to applications where there is a need to accurately deploy an agent in a targeted location to reduce adverse side effects or increase efficacy of the agent. A device and method for providing heat at the targeted location in the subject is also provided. The device and method allows release of the agents in a targeted manner and prevents overheating of the targeted location or the tissue surrounding the targeted location. It is advantageous to applications where there is a need to accurately control the temperature in a targeted location in a biological body, for instance, to deploy an agent in the targeted location.

US Patent:

20110201973, Aug 18, 2011

Filed:

Feb 2, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/019690

Inventors:

Douglas N. STEPHENS - Davis CA, US
Alan DE LA RAMA - Cerritos CA, US
Peter C. CHEN - Irvine CA, US

Assignee:

ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61N 7/00

US Classification:

601 2

Abstract:

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an ultrasound compatible ablation electrode for use in ultrasound imaging guidance of ablation therapy using RF or the like. In one embodiment, an ultrasound compatible ablation catheter comprises a catheter body having a distal end and an ultrasonic transducer directing ultrasonic beams for imaging a target; and an ablation electrode connected to the catheter body, the ablation electrode having a plastic shell and a metallic coating on the plastic shell which are disposed in a path of the ultrasonic beams of the ultrasonic transducer between the ultrasonic transducer and the target, the metallic coating of the ablation electrode to be energized for ablation.

US Patent:

62245864, May 1, 2001

Filed:

Sep 4, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/391071

Inventors:

Douglas N. Stephens - Davis CA

Assignee:

EndoSonics Corporation - Rancho Cordova CA

International Classification:

A61M 2500

US Classification:

604523

Abstract:

A catheter position guide (100) includes a first open channel (104) along the length of the position guide (100) designed to receive a catheter (202). An optional second channel (112) substantially on the opposite side of the first channel (104) is designed to receive a guide wire (204). One or more hubs (106, 108) help retain the catheter position guide's proximal end (110) to a pullback device (310).

US Patent:

20200078607, Mar 12, 2020

Filed:

Nov 20, 2017

Appl. No.:

16/348320

Inventors:

- Los Angeles CA, US
- Oakland CA, US
Katherine W. FERRARA - Davis CA, US
Douglas N. STEPHENS - Davis CA, US

Assignee:

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center - Los Angeles CA
The Regents of The University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

A61N 7/00

Abstract:

An ultrasound transmitter device for treating a patient is provided. The ultrasound transmitter device includes an imaging probe; an imaging array; and a therapeutic ultrasound device, wherein the imaging probe is configured to guide the therapeutic ultrasound device to the patients treatment site by use of ultrasound imaging with the imaging array, wherein the therapeutic ultrasound device is configured to produce a controlled intensity of ultrasound energy for treating the patients treatment site, and wherein the imaging probe and the therapeutic ultrasound device are configured to work in conjunction with one another to apply therapeutic ultrasound to tissue or bone graft sites in the patient.