U.S. patents available from 1976 to present.
U.S. patent applications available from 2005 to present.

System and methods for electrosurgical treatment of obstructive sleep disorders

Patent 6159208 Issued on December 12, 2000. Estimated Expiration Date: Icon_subject March 15, 2019. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Patent References

2050904

Bipolar cutting electrode for high-frequency surgery
Patent #: 4033351
Issued on: 07/05/1977
Inventor: Hetzel

Electrosurgical method and apparatus for initiating an electrical discharge in an inert gas flow
Patent #: 4040426
Issued on: 08/09/1977
Inventor: Morrison, Jr.

Electrosurgical devices having sesquipolar electrode structures incorporated therein
Patent #: 4043342
Issued on: 08/23/1977
Inventor: Morrison, Jr.

Electro - surgical device
Patent #: 4116198
Issued on: 09/26/1978
Inventor: Roos

Safety circuitry for high frequency cutting and coagulating devices
Patent #: 4184492
Issued on: 01/22/1980
Inventor: Meinke ,   et al.

Bipolar electrosurgical knife
Patent #: 4202337
Issued on: 05/13/1980
Inventor: Hren ,   et al.

Bipolar electrosurgical knife
Patent #: 4228800
Issued on: 10/21/1980
Inventor: Degler, Jr. ,   et al.

Surgical cutting instrument
Patent #: 4232676
Issued on: 11/11/1980
Inventor: Herczog

Surgical cutting instrument
Patent #: 4248231
Issued on: 02/03/1981
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Inventors

Assignee

Application

No. 268616 filed on 03/15/1999

US Classes:

606/41, Applicators128/898, Methods604/114, Electric means606/50, Bipolar electrodes607/99, Localized application607/105, Internally applied607/113Internal application

Examiners

Primary: Cohen, Lee S.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Foreign Patent References

  • 0703461 EP 03/22/1996
  • 0740926 EP 11/22/1996
  • 0754437 EP 01/22/1997
  • 57-117843 JP 07/22/1982
  • 2308980 GB 07/22/1997
  • 2308979 GB 07/22/1997
  • 2308981 GB 07/22/1997
  • 2327352 GB 01/22/1999
  • 2327350 GB 01/22/1999
  • 2327351 GB 01/22/1999
  • WO 90/07303 WO 07/22/1990
  • WO 92/21278 WO 12/22/1992
  • 93/20747 WO 10/22/1993
  • 94/04220 WO 03/22/1994
  • 94/08654 WO 04/22/1994
  • 96/00042 WO 01/22/1996
  • 97/00647 WO 01/22/1997
  • 97/00646 WO 01/22/1997
  • 97/24073 WO 07/22/1997
  • 97/24993 WO 07/22/1997
  • 97/24994 WO 07/22/1997
  • 97/30644 WO 08/22/1997
  • 97/30647 WO 08/22/1997
  • 97/30646 WO 08/22/1997
  • 97/30645 WO 08/22/1997
  • 97/43970 WO 11/22/1997
  • 97/43972 WO 11/22/1997
  • 97/41787 WO 11/22/1997
  • 97/43969 WO 11/22/1997
  • 97/41786 WO 11/22/1997
  • 97/41788 WO 11/22/1997
  • 97/41785 WO 11/22/1997
  • 97/43973 WO 11/22/1997
  • 97/44092 WO 11/22/1997
  • 97/48346 WO 12/22/1997
  • WO 98/27879 WO 07/22/1998
  • 99/08613 WO 02/22/1999

International Class

A61B 018/14

Abstract

The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within the head and neck of a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the ear, nose and throat. The present invention includes a channeling technique in which small holes or channels are formed within tissue structures in the mouth, such as the tonsils, tongue, palate and uvula, and thermal energy is applied to the tissue surface immediately surrounding these holes or channels to cause thermal damage to the tissue surface, thereby stiffening the surrounding tissue structure. Applicant has discovered that such stiffening of certain tissue structures in the mouth and throat helps to prevent the tissue structure from obstructing the patient's upper airway during sleep.

Other References

  • C. Slager et al. (1987) Z. Kardiologie 76(6):67-71
  • C. Slager et al. (1985) JACC 5(6):1382-6
  • P. Nardella (1989) SPIE 1068:42-49
  • Elsasser et al. (1976) Medizinal-Markt/Acta Medicotechnica 24(4):129-134
  • E. Kramolowsky et al. (1991) J. of Urology 146:669-674
  • R. Tucker et al. (1990) Urol. Res. 18:291-294
  • R. Tucker et al. (1989) J. of Urology 141:662-665
  • R. Tucker et al. (1989) Abstract P14-11, 7th World Congress on Endourology and ESWL, Nov. 27-30, 1989, Kyoto, Japan
  • Rand et al. (1985) J. Artho. Surg. 1:242-246
  • J. Pearce Electrosurgery, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 198
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