Robert M Rioux, 73State College, PA

6494855, Dec 17, 2002

May 16, 2001

09/858789

Robert F. Rioux - Ashland MA
Christopher R. OKeefe - Holliston MA

Scimed Life Systems, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

A61F 1300

602 67, 602 71, 602 73

A urethral prosthesis with prostatic and bulbar segments connected by two types of ties allows the prosthesis to assume at least two configurations different with inter-segmental distances adapted to situations where the patient either has or does not have normal control of the external sphincter. This is particularly useful for a patient undergoing an anesthetic procedure that affects the external sphincter muscles. When the muscles are anesthetized, the prosthesis may provide constant urine voiding, and when the anesthetic effects wear off, the prosthesis may assume a different configuration to allow the sphincter to reassert control over urinary voiding.

6576008, Jun 10, 2003

Jul 6, 2001

09/899112

Marian A. Devonec - Miribel, FR
Robert F. Rioux - Ashland MA
Kimberly A. Paddock - Newton MA
John W. Lehman - Wayland MA

SciMed Life Systems, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

A61F 206

623 116, 623 2364

A stent device and methods for inserting and removing a stent to and from an anatomical tract of a living being. The stent includes a distal segment and a proximal segment joined by a flexible connection structure. The stent is inserted using components comprising a delivery assembly such that the stent proceeds through the anatomical tract and seats the flexible connection structure of the stent in a natural constricting structure of the anatomical tract. The flexible quality of the connection structure permits the natural constricting functions of the anatomical tract to occur. The natural closure of the anatomical constricting structure stops the flow of fluid, for example, from a target organ which indicates that the stent is properly placed within the anatomical tract.

6702741, Mar 9, 2004

Jul 19, 2002

10/198856

Robert F. Rioux - West Bridgewater MA
Raymond Rackley - Shaker Heights OH

SciMed Life Systems, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

A61B 132

600233, 600225

A medical device for retracting tissue allows access to the inside of the body by âprying openâ an existing or created opening in a body. The device comprises a substantially transparent head having first and second head halves defining a substantially conical surface including a gap when the first and second head halves are joined. Angular motion of the first and second head halves enlarges the existing or created opening and provides an area of access to the inside of the body. The substantially transparent nature of the device allows it to function as a light pipe so that the operator can see the body cavity or tract opened by the device. The device has scissors-like handles to allow an operator to open or close the device with one hand.

6926713, Aug 9, 2005

Dec 11, 2002

10/317796

Robert F. Rioux - Ashland MA, US
Christopher J. Elliott - Hopkinton MA, US

Boston Scientific SciMed, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

A61B018/18

606 41

Ablation device for creating a lesion within tissue includes an angle indexing apparatus. The angle indexing apparatus includes an index-key and an indexer. The index-key is secured to the ablation device. The indexer is secured in a position relative to which the index-key can move. The index-key is adapted to mate with the indexer in a plurality of positions, thereby allowing operation of the ablation device in a plurality of orientations.

6929663, Aug 16, 2005

Mar 26, 2003

10/400200

Robert Rioux - Ashland MA, US
Ken Daignault - Holden MA, US

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

A61F002/04
A61F011/00
A61F002/00
A61M005/00

623 2364, 606108, 606198, 604 8, 604106, 600 29

A stent for maintaining an open passageway through a body lumen, such as the prostatic urethra of a male patient, includes an elongated segment including a flexible polymer material bridging a plurality of hoops. The elongated segment defines a lumen extending therethrough and has a distal end. A retention structure may be coupled to the distal end of the elongated segment to inhibit the distal end from migrating when the stent is placed within a body of a patient. The flexible polymer material is disposed between the plurality of hoops, thereby creating hinged members that allow for the spaces between the hoops to expand and contract longitudinally to accommodate prostatic swelling when the stent is placed within the prostatic urethra of the patient. A plurality of ridges is disposed along the elongated segment at locations where the flexible material circumscribes the hoops, and these inhibit migration of the stent and facilitate longitudinal expansion by frictionally engaging adjacent tissue, such as the inner wall of the prostatic urethra.

6958064, Oct 25, 2005

Nov 14, 2003

10/713357

Robert F. Rioux - Ashland MA, US
Robert Garabedian - Tyngsboro MA, US
Jerry Jarrard - Sunnyvale CA, US

Boston Scientific SciMed, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

A61B018/18

606 41, 606 42, 607102

A system for treating tissue includes first and second ablation devices each including a plurality of wire electrodes and coupled to a generator in parallel. In one embodiment, the generator includes first and second terminals coupled in parallel to one another, and the first and second ablation devices are connected to the first and second terminals, respectively. Alternatively, the first and second ablation devices are coupled to a single terminal of the generator using a “Y” cable. A ground electrode is coupled to the generator opposite the first and second ablation devices for monopolar operation. The first and second arrays of electrodes are inserted into first and second sites adjacent one another within a tissue region. Energy is simultaneously delivered to the first and second arrays to generate lesions at the first and second sites preferably such that the first and second lesions overlap.

6960208, Nov 1, 2005

Jun 30, 2003

10/611222

George Bourne - Southborough MA, US
Robert Rioux - Ashland MA, US
Robert Garabedian - Tyngsboro MA, US

Boston Scientific SciMed, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

A61B018/18

606 41, 606 45

An apparatus for delivering energy to a target site within bone includes a hollow needle extending from a handle that terminates in a tissue piercing distal tip. A drill within a lumen of the needle is extendable beyond the distal tip, and includes a cutting element and an electrically conductive region. An RF generator may be coupled to the drill for delivering energy to the electrically conductive region, and a driver or actuator may be coupled to the drill for rotating and/or advancing the drill axially. During use, the needle is inserted through a patient's skin to a hard tissue structure, e. g. , a bone, including a target site therein, e. g. , a tumor. The drill is advanced from the needle, a hole is drilled into the bone until the drill reaches the tumor, and electrical energy is delivered via the electrically conductive region to destroy the tumor.

6961620, Nov 1, 2005

Sep 16, 2003

10/665110

Robert F. Rioux - Ashland MA, US
Robert Garabedian - Tyngsboro MA, US

Boston Scientific SciMed, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

A61F007/00

607 99, 600 9

A system for treating tissue includes a source of conductive and/or magnetic beads, a first member, e. g. , a catheter or cannula, coupled to the source of magnetic beads, and a second member, e. g. , a catheter or cannula, carrying a magnet on its distal end. The system is used for ablating or otherwise treating tissue within a target tissue region including a blood vessel contacting or passing therethrough. Magnetic beads are introduced into the target tissue region, e. g. , using the first member, and a magnetic field is generated within the target tissue region, e. g. , using the second member, to cause the magnetic beads to migrate towards a wall of the vessel. Energy is delivered into the target tissue region, e. g. , to heat tissue therein, and the magnetic beads may attenuate or enhance treatment of tissue adjacent to the vessel.