Randy L Graham

US Patent:

6802838, Oct 12, 2004

Filed:

Apr 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/127382

Inventors:

Marvin P. Loeb - Huntington Beach CA
L. Dean Crawford - Irvine CA
James W. Pergl - Lake Forest CA
Randy P. Graham - Irvine CA

Assignee:

Trimedyne, Inc. - Irvine CA

International Classification:

A61B 1820

US Classification:

606 13, 606 15

Abstract:

The invention relates to a catheter device including an optical fiber whose distal end is disposed within a hollow tube with a sharp or syringe shaped distal end, which may be inserted into tissue. The distal end of the optical fiber and the hollow tube are configured so as to emit, by refraction (total internal reflection) or reflection from a metal surface, laser energy at an angle of about 80Â to about 90Â relative to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber and hollow tube. A first fluid channel within the distal end portion of the tube enables fluid to be infused to cool the distal end of the tube and to cool and clean the emission face of the optical fiber. A second, relatively larger diameter fluid channel in the tube enables the fluid, flowing through said first channel along with hot gasses from the vaporization of tissue, to exit the device through a second port in the tube, away from the tissue being treated. A vacuum can be applied to the second fluid channel to more effectively remove the infused, cooling fluid and hot gasses from the tissue being treated. Alternatively, the tube can incorporate a distal end portion which can be articulated to allow the insertion of the device into tissue perpendicular to the tissues surface, from which laser energy can be emitted forwardly.

US Patent:

7306588, Dec 11, 2007

Filed:

Oct 12, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/963213

Inventors:

Marvin P. Loeb - Huntington Beach CA, US
L. Dean Crawford - Irvine CA, US
James W. Pergl - Lake Forest CA, US
Randy P. Graham - Irvine CA, US

Assignee:

Trimedyne, Inc. - Lake Forest CA

International Classification:

A61B 18/20

US Classification:

606 15, 606 2

Abstract:

The invention relates to a catheter device including an optical fiber whose distal end is disposed within a hollow tube with a sharp or needle shaped distal end, which can penetrate tissue. The distal end of the optical fiber and the hollow tube are configured so as to emit, by refraction (total internal reflection) or reflection from a metal surface, laser energy at an angle of about 80 to about 90 relative to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber and hollow tube. The hollow tube is mounted to a housing and may be surrounded by a sheath.

US Patent:

20030060813, Mar 27, 2003

Filed:

Sep 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/961692

Inventors:

Marvin Loeb - Huntington Beach CA, US
L. Crawford - Irvine CA, US
Randy Graham - Irvine CA, US
Mark Siminuk - Lake Forest CA, US

International Classification:

A61B018/24

US Classification:

606/017000, 606/010000, 606/013000

Abstract:

A medical device applies radiant energy to tissue surrounding or underlying the surface of a duct, hollow organ or body cavity. The energy is emitted through an expandable, energy-transmissive balloon in which a fluid coolant is circulated to cool the surface of the duct, hollow organ or body cavity and the tissue immediately underlying the surface of the duct, hollow organ or body cavity. The device includes an elongated transmission line extending through a catheter, having a proximal end portion, which is connectable to a source of radiant energy, and a distal end portion, to which a radiant energy emitter is coupled. The balloon is mounted on the distal end of the catheter and extends over the emitter. The catheter contains an inlet confined fluid passageway and an outlet confined fluid passageway to provide fluid coolant circulation through the balloon. Microscopic albumen microspheres or particles of quartz or silica are suspended in the fluid coolant to more uniformly diffuse the radiant energy.

US Patent:

20030114901, Jun 19, 2003

Filed:

Dec 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/024798

Inventors:

Marvin Loeb - Huntington Beach CA, US
L. Crawford - Irvine CA, US
Randy Graham - Irvine CA, US

International Classification:

A61N005/067

US Classification:

607/089000, 607/101000

Abstract:

A catheter device suitable for shrinking chordae tendineae of the human heart is provided having an energy conduit and a positioning device that facilitates the delivery of thermal energy, including coherent (laser) or non-coherent light, RF, microwave or ultrasound energy, to a predetermined region of the chordae tendineae or other collagen-containing tissue, such as the female urethra or the esophagus near the sphincter. The device comprises a tubular catheter containing an energy conduit, such as a fiber optic cable, adapted for delivering thermal energy to the tissue. The tubular catheter also contain a stabilizing device, disposed at its distal end, such as an asymmetrically shaped balloon or a retractable flexible metal hook. With the distal end of the catheter device positioned within a human heart, application of thermal energy to the chordae tendineae results in a shrinkage of the chordae, providing a treatment for primary mitral valve regurgitation.