Ross Debra L Tsukashima

US Patent:

6338345, Jan 15, 2002

Filed:

Mar 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/524478

Inventors:

George M. Johnson - Santa Ana CA
Ross Tsukashima - San Diego CA
Matthew Thomas Yurek - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Endonetics, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

A61B 1900

US Classification:

128897, 600114

Abstract:

Disclosed is a delivery device for controllably delivering a prosthetic bulking device below a tissue surface such as below the mucosa to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease. The delivery device may be embodied in a deployment catheter, an endoscope, or an endoscope attachment. The bulking device cooperates with residual lower esophageal sphincter (LES) function to increase LES closing pressure. Methods are also disclosed.

US Patent:

6401718, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Aug 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/651751

Inventors:

George M. Johnson - Santa Ana CA
Ross Tsukashima - San Diego CA
Matthew Thomas Yurek - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Endonetics, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

A61B 1900

US Classification:

128897

Abstract:

Disclosed is an esophageal bulking device for implantation below the mucosa in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter. Preferably, the bulking device comprises an expandable hydrogel implant. Also disclosed are methods of treating gastroesophageal reflux disease, by implanting an expandable bulking device below the mucosa in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The bulking device may be subsequently explanted from the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter.

US Patent:

6689056, Feb 10, 2004

Filed:

Apr 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/544373

Inventors:

John T. Kilcoyne - San Diego CA
Ross Tsukashima - San Diego CA
George M. Johnson - Santa Ana CA
Christopher Klecher - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Medtronic Endonetics, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61B 500

US Classification:

600300, 128898

Abstract:

Disclosed is an ambulatory system for monitoring one or more physiological parameters in a body lumen, such as the esophagus. The system includes an implantable probe having a sensor for the physiological parameter and a transmitter for transmitting data to an external receiver. The probe may be used for monitoring any of various physiological parameters, including pH, temperature, and pressure, within the esophagus or other body lumens. Methods and deployment catheters are also disclosed.

US Patent:

6725866, Apr 27, 2004

Filed:

Jun 7, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/165518

Inventors:

George M. Johnson - Santa Ana CA
Ross Tsukashima - San Diego CA
Matthew Thomas Yurek - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Medtronic Endonetics, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61B 1900

US Classification:

128897

Abstract:

Disclosed is an esophageal bulking device for implantation below the mucosa in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter. Preferably, the bulking device comprises an expandable hydrogel implant. Also disclosed are methods of treating gastroesophageal reflux disease, by implanting an expandable bulking device below the mucosa in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The bulking device may be subsequently explanted from the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter.

US Patent:

7101341, Sep 5, 2006

Filed:

Apr 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/413701

Inventors:

Ross Tsukashima - Poway CA, US
Jeffery D. Schipper - Poway CA, US
Erich H. Wolf - Poway CA, US

International Classification:

A61B 5/00

US Classification:

600532, 73 233, 422 84

Abstract:

Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring, diagnosing, and treating certain respiratory conditions, such as asthma. The system includes a mask apparatus fitted with a pH sensor and thermocouple, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, a processing receiver, and a therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device. The mask apparatus, CPAP device and therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device are connected by a pneumatic means. The pH sensor and the thermocouple are in electrical communication with the processing receiver that controls, through an electronic means, the CPAP device and therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device. The electrical communications can be in the form of a plurality of wires or employ wireless means.

US Patent:

7185657, Mar 6, 2007

Filed:

Oct 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/702002

Inventors:

George M. Johnson - Santa Ana CA, US
John T. Kilcoyne - San Diego CA, US
Ross Tsukashima - San Diego CA, US
Matthew T. Yurek - San Diego CA, US
Scott Harris - San Diego CA, US
Philip J. Simpson - Escondido CA, US

International Classification:

A61B 19/00

US Classification:

128898, 600 29

Abstract:

Disclosed is a delivery device for controllably delivering a prosthetic bulking device below a tissue surface such as below the mucosa to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease. The delivery device may be embodied in a deployment catheter, an endoscope, or an endoscope attachment. The bulking device may additionally be explanted from beneath the mucosa. In one embodiment, the bulking device comprises a hydrogel.

US Patent:

7206624, Apr 17, 2007

Filed:

May 25, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/137459

Inventors:

Ross Tsukashima - San Diego CA, US
Erich H. Wolf - Vista CA, US
Jeffery D. Schipper - Ramona CA, US
Charles S. Bankert - Oceanside CA, US
Leo R. Roucher - Rancho Santa Fe CA, US
Thomas Germain Wallner - San Marcos CA, US

Assignee:

Sierra Medical Technology, Inc. - Poway CA

International Classification:

A61B 5/05
A61B 5/00
G01N 27/416
G01N 27/26
G01N 33/50

US Classification:

600361, 600306, 600300, 600301, 324438, 436 68, 204433, 2042286

Abstract:

The present invention pertains to an apparatus for evaluating the signal strength from the pH sensor to determine whether the sensor is hydrated sufficiently to accurately measure pH. This is accomplished by utilizing circuitry that periodically sends a low voltage signal to a suitable pH sensor and then receiving the resulting waveforms which are analyzed by a processing receiver. The electrical connection between a suitable pH sensor and hydration monitoring circuitry is generally hard wired. In one embodiment, a processing receiver is coupled with the hydration monitoring circuitry as a single apparatus. In a second embodiment, the processing receiver can be independent and located remote from the hydration monitoring circuitry. In this embodiment, the hydration monitoring circuitry and the processing receiver are electrically connected using either hard wired techniques or wireless technology. In addition, the processing receiver can include data recording capability.

US Patent:

7297120, Nov 20, 2007

Filed:

Oct 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/693115

Inventors:

Ross Tsukashima - San Diego CA, US
Jeffery D. Schipper - Ramona CA, US
Erich H. Wolf - Vista CA, US

Assignee:

Sierra Medical Technology, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

A61B 5/05
G01N 1/22
G01N 31/00
G01N 33/497
B32B 5/02
B32B 27/04
B32B 27/12

US Classification:

600532, 73 233, 422 84

Abstract:

Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring, diagnosing, and treating certain medical conditions, such as asthma, gastroesophageal reflux or laryngopharyngeal reflux. The system includes a mask apparatus or sensor module fitted with a pH sensor and thermocouple, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, a processing receiver, and a therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device. The mask apparatus, CPAP device and therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device are connected by a pneumatic means. The pH sensor and the thermocouple are in electrical communication with the processing receiver that controls, through an electronic means, the CPAP device and therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device. The electrical communications can be in the form of a plurality of wires or employ wireless means.