Lucien A Couvillon

US Patent:

20030236445, Dec 25, 2003

Filed:

Jun 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/176977

Inventors:

Lucien Couvillon - Concord MA, US

International Classification:

A61B001/00

US Classification:

600/114000

Abstract:

A guide catheter apparatus that comprises the following: (a) a guide catheter portion that includes a plurality of electroactive polymer actuators disposed along its axial length and (b) a control unit coupled to the actuators and sending control signals to the actuators. The actuators change the shape of the guide catheter portion based upon the control signals that are received from the control unit. In another aspect of the present invention, a method of introducing a guide catheter into a body lumen is provided. The method comprises: (a) providing a guide catheter apparatus like that above, and (b) inserting the guide catheter portion of the guide catheter apparatus into the body lumen, while using the control unit to control the shape of the guide catheter portion.

US Patent:

20030236531, Dec 25, 2003

Filed:

Jun 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/177838

Inventors:

Lucien Couvillon - Concord MA, US

International Classification:

A61B017/24

US Classification:

606/113000

Abstract:

A novel capture device apparatus comprising: (a) a capture device portion, at least a part of which is adaptable for insertion into a patient and (b) a control unit. The capture device portion comprises one or more apertures and one or more electroactive polymer actuators that open and close the one or more apertures based on control signals sent from the control unit. In another aspect of the present invention, a method of capturing a specimen within a patient's body of provided. The method comprises (a) providing a capture device apparatus like that above, (b) inserting at least a portion of the capture device portion of the apparatus into the patient such that the capture device portion is adjacent the specimen; and (c) closing the one or more apertures using the control unit, thereby capturing the specimen.

US Patent:

20040068161, Apr 8, 2004

Filed:

Oct 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/262829

Inventors:

Lucien Couvillon - Concord MA, US

International Classification:

A61B017/32

US Classification:

600/143000, 606/007000, 606/015000, 600/108000, 604/095050

Abstract:

A thrombolysis catheter apparatus is disclosed comprising: (a) an elongated thrombolysis catheter portion comprising a plurality of independently controllable electroactive polymer actuators, which provide a curvature to the thrombolysis catheter based upon received control signals; (b) a control unit coupled to the plurality of actuators and sending the control signals to the plurality of actuators; and (c) an occlusion removal device. Also disclosed is a method of treating an arterial occlusion by advancing the thrombolysis catheter portion through the arterial vasculature of a patient to a position proximate the occlusion, while controlling the shape of the thrombolysis catheter portion using the control unit. The occlusion is then removed using the occlusion removal device.

US Patent:

20040068224, Apr 8, 2004

Filed:

Oct 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/262991

Inventors:

Lucien Couvillon - Concord MA, US
Pete Nicholas - Boston MA, US
Michael Banik - Boston MA, US

International Classification:

A61M031/00

US Classification:

604/067000, 604/133000, 604/891100

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a drug delivery pump apparatus, which comprises: (a) an expandable and contractible enclosure having an interior volume that defines a medication reservoir; (b) one or more electroactive polymer actuators; (c) a medication outlet port providing fluid communication between the interior volume of the contractible and expandable enclosure and an exterior of the delivery pump apparatus; and (d) a control unit electrically coupled to the one or more actuators and sending control signals to the same. The one or more electroactive polymer actuators act to reduce the interior volume of the contractible and expandable enclosure based upon the received control signals. The present invention is also directed to a method of delivering a liquid therapeutic agent to a patient. The method comprises: (a) providing the above infusion pump apparatus; (b) placing the outlet port of the infusion pump apparatus in fluid communication with a patient; and (c) sending the control signals to the one or more actuators to reduce the internal volume of the contractible and expandable enclosure, thereby forcing a portion of the liquid therapeutic agent within the medication reservoir through the outlet port and into the patient.

US Patent:

20040143160, Jul 22, 2004

Filed:

Jan 5, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/751544

Inventors:

Lucien Couvillon - Concord MA, US

International Classification:

A61B001/00

US Classification:

600/114000

Abstract:

A guide catheter apparatus that comprises the following: (a) a guide catheter portion that includes a plurality of electroactive polymer actuators disposed along its axial length and (b) a control unit coupled to the actuators and sending control signals to the actuators. The actuators change the shape of the guide catheter portion based upon the control signals that are received from the control unit. In another aspect of the present invention, a method of introducing a guide catheter into a body lumen is provided. The method comprises: (a) providing a guide catheter apparatus like that above, and (b) inserting the guide catheter portion of the guide catheter apparatus into the body lumen, while using the control unit to control the shape of the guide catheter portion.

US Patent:

20040167375, Aug 26, 2004

Filed:

Feb 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/373940

Inventors:

Lucien Couvillon - Concord MA, US

International Classification:

A61N001/362

US Classification:

600/017000

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a cardiac assist device for assisting with the function of a heart. The assist device includes a compressor positioned adjacent the epicardial wall of the heart. The compressor is driven by one or more electroactive polymer actuators. The pressure exerted against the heart improves heart function.

US Patent:

20040199052, Oct 7, 2004

Filed:

Apr 1, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/406149

Inventors:

Michael S. Banik - Bolton MA, US
Dennis Boulais - Danielson CT, US
Lucien Couvillon - Concord MA, US
Albert Chin - Newton MA, US
Ian Hunter - Lincoln MA, US

Assignee:

SCIMED Life Systems, Inc.

International Classification:

A61B001/00

US Classification:

600/142000

Abstract:

An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.

US Patent:

20050027198, Feb 3, 2005

Filed:

Jul 31, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/631872

Inventors:

Lucien Couvillon - Concord MA, US

International Classification:

A61B008/14

US Classification:

600466000

Abstract:

An ultrasonic imaging catheter apparatus and a method of using the same to scan the inner wall of a body lumen. The ultrasonic imaging catheter apparatus comprises: (a) a flexible elongate element adapted for insertion into a body lumen, the elongate element having distal and proximal ends; (b) an ultrasonic transducer generating and detecting ultrasonic energy disposed proximate the distal end of the elongate element; (c) a reflective member disposed proximate the ultrasonic transducer and optionally rotatable with respect to an axis of the body lumen, wherein the reflective member is adapted to reflect (i) ultrasonic energy generated by the ultrasonic transducer to a wall of the body lumen and (ii) ultrasonic energy reflected by the wall back to the transducer; and (d) an actuator, for example, an electroactive polymer actuator, adapted to change the angle of incidence of the ultrasonic energy relative to the reflective member.