Michael David Laufer

US Patent:

6338731, Jan 15, 2002

Filed:

Mar 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/271268

Inventors:

Michael D. Laufer - Menlo Park CA
D. Bommi Bommannan - Los Altos CA

Assignee:

Ntero Surgical, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A61B 1804

US Classification:

606 34, 606 41, 606 27, 606 20, 607 96, 607100, 607 98, 604 20

Abstract:

Surgical complications can be minimized by reducing, or eliminating, the release of substances such as TGF- from a surgical site by immediately sealing the edges of a surgically-made puncture or incision site. In one system, a treatment device includes an electrically conductive surface that is connected to a source of electrical energy and which can be placed in contact with the edge of a surgical incision or perforation site such that, when the conductive surface is electrically activated, it operates to heat the cellular material at the edge of the surgical incision or perforation site to inhibit (i. e. , reduce) the formation of complicating connective tissue bridges. The source of electrical energy is, preferably, a radio-frequency generator.

US Patent:

6488673, Dec 3, 2002

Filed:

Jul 8, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/349715

Inventors:

Michael D. Laufer - Menlo Park CA
David P. Thompson - San Jose CA
Bryan E. Loomas - Saratoga CA

Assignee:

Broncus Technologies, Inc. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

A61M 3100

US Classification:

604516

Abstract:

Methods of increasing gas exchange performed by the lung by damaging lung cells, damaging tissue, causing trauma, and/or destroying airway smooth muscle tone with an apparatus inserted into an airway of the lung. The damaging of lung cells, damaging tissue, causing trauma, and destroying airway smooth muscle tone with the apparatus may be any one of or combinations of the following: heating the airway; cooling the airway; delivering a liquid to the airway; delivering a gas to the airway; puncturing the airway; tearing the airway; cutting the airway; applying ultrasound to the airway; and applying ionizing radiation to the airway.

US Patent:

6494888, Dec 17, 2002

Filed:

May 19, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/574424

Inventors:

Michael D. Laufer - Menlo Park CA
Jeffrey C. Cerier - Franklin MA
Amos G. Cruz - Franklin MA

Assignee:

ndo surgical, Inc. - Mansfield MA

International Classification:

A61B 1708

US Classification:

606153, 606139, 600104

Abstract:

An apparatus includes an elongated member configured for transoral placement into a stomach, and a distal end effector including first and second members configured to engage stomach tissue, e. g. , tissue beyond the: esophageal junction. The first and second members are movable relatively toward one another generally in a first plane, and the distal end effector is movable relative to the elongated member in a second plane generally transverse to the first plane. A third member of the distal end effector is configured to engage stomach tissue. The third member is movable in a distal direction relative to the first and second members. A tissue securement member of the apparatus is coupled to at least one of the first and second members for securing together tissue engaged thereby. The tissue securement member includes first and second parts, a suture attached to the first part, and a securing element attached to the suture and configured for engagement with the second part when the first and second members move relatively toward one another to engage tissue, to thereby secure the second part to the first part.

US Patent:

6506196, Jan 14, 2003

Filed:

Mar 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/519945

Inventors:

Michael D. Laufer - Menlo Park CA

Assignee:

NDO Surgical, Inc. - Mansfield IL

International Classification:

A61B 1710

US Classification:

606142, 600141, 2271751

Abstract:

According to one aspect of the invention, a device for performing a medical procedure includes a first elongated member that is adapted to be positioned inside of an esophagus and a stomach, the first elongated member having a distal flexible portion having a first retracted configuration and a second expanded configuration, the second expanded configuration defining an arcuate shape. The device also includes a second elongated member that is located adjacent to the first elongated member and is adapted to be positioned inside of the esophagus and the stomach, the second elongated member having a proximal flexible portion and a distal flexible portion, the proximal flexible portion having a first expanded configuration and a second expanded configuration, the second expanded configuration defining an arcuate shape, the distal flexible portion having a first retracted configuration and a second expanded configuration defining an arcuate shape, the proximal flexible portion and the distal flexible portion being coaxially aligned with each other when in the first retracted configuration.

US Patent:

6520185, Feb 18, 2003

Filed:

Sep 1, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/388363

Inventors:

D. Bommi Bommannan - Mountain View CA
Michael D. Laufer - Menlo Park CA

Assignee:

Ntero Surgical, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A61B 1900

US Classification:

128898, 606 41, 606 42, 607101

Abstract:

The present invention provides systems and methods for applying RF energy to injured tissue, particularly the peritoneum, in order to prevent harmful post-surgical adhesions. One aspect of the invention is RF energy delivery systems employing trocars, which are designed for use in laparotomies and laparoscopies. Another aspect of the invention is an RF delivery system comprising a surgical sheet with one or more electrodes for delivering the RF energy to the injured tissue resulting from conventional surgical incisions into the abdominal wall. Additionally, another aspect of the invention provides methods for controlling the treatment dosage of RF heat to the injured tissue using parameters such as treatment time, change in tissue temperature, and change in tissue impedance.

US Patent:

6546934, Apr 15, 2003

Filed:

Aug 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/651435

Inventors:

Frank Ingle - Palo Alto CA
Garry L. Carter - Pleasanton CA
Robert J. Laird - Richmond CA
Paul Do - San Jose CA
Brian J. Mosel - Dublin CA
Michael D. Laufer - Menlo Park CA
Loren L. Roy - Scotts Valley CA

Assignee:

SURx, Inc. - Livermore CA

International Classification:

A61B 1900

US Classification:

128898, 606 41, 607138

Abstract:

The invention provides improved devices, methods, and systems for shrinking of collagenated tissues, particularly for treating urinary incontinence in a noninvasive manner by directing energy to a patients own support tissues. The energy can be applied intermittently, often between a pair of large plate electrodes having cooled flat electrode surfaces, the electrodes optionally being supported by a clamp structure. Such cooled plate electrodes are capable of directing electrical energy through an intermediate tissue and into fascia while the cooled electrode surface prevents injury to the intermediate tissue, particularly where the electrode surfaces are cooled before, during, and after an intermittent heating cycle.

US Patent:

6577902, Jun 10, 2003

Filed:

Apr 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/293436

Inventors:

Michael D. Laufer - Menlo Park CA 94025
Suresh K. Wadhwani - Mission Viejo CA
Edward J. Nance - Corona CA
Payam Adlparvar - Lake Forest CA
Thomas F. Kordis - Rancho Santa Fe CA

Assignee:

Tony R. Brown - Anaheim CA
Michael D. Laufer - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

A61F 700

US Classification:

607102, 607 99, 607113, 606 31

Abstract:

A device and method for treating an infarct scar on a heart comprising an electric cable with proximal and distal ends; a handle with proximal and distal ends with the proximal end connected to the distal end of the cable; a stem with proximal and distal ends with the proximal end of the stem connected to the distal end of the handle; a heating element with a first surface for contacting infarct scar tissue connected to the distal end of the stem wherein the heating element comprises at least two electrodes and at least one temperature sensor positioned on the first surface for sensing a temperature of infarct scar tissue adjacent to the sensor; an energy source connected to the electrodes via the electric cable; and a regulator connected to the energy source and the temperature sensor of the infarct scar tissue, for controlling the temperature of the infarct scar tissue from about 60 degrees C. to about 99 degrees C. Once the heart has been treated, a restraint is disclosed that allows for the shrinkage to be maintained over time.

US Patent:

6587731, Jul 1, 2003

Filed:

Jun 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/598076

Inventors:

Frank Ingle - Palo Alto CA
Garry Carter - Pleasanton CA
Michael D. Laufer - Menlo Park CA

Assignee:

SURx, Inc. - Pleasanton CA

International Classification:

A61B 1818

US Classification:

607101, 606 41, 606 50

Abstract:

Devices, systems, and method for treating urinary incontinence generally rely on energy delivered to a patients own pelvic support tissue to selectively contract or shrink at least a portion of that pelvic support tissue so as to reposition the bladder. The energy will preferably be applied to the endopelvic fascia and/or an arcus tendineus fascia pelvis. The invention provides a variety of devices and methods for applying gentle resistive heating of these and other tissues to cause them to contract without imposing significant injury on the surrounding tissue structures. Alternatively, heat-applying probes are configured to heat tissue structures which comprise or support a patients urethra. By applying sufficient energy over a predetermined time, the tissue can be raised to a temperature which results in contraction without significant necrosis or other tissue damage. By selectively contracting the support tissues, the bladder neck, sphincter, and other components of the urinary tract responsible for the control of urinary flow can be reconfigured or supported in a manner which reduces urinary leakage.