ROBERT A GANZ, MD
Osteopathic Medicine in Saint Paul, MN

6464625, Oct 15, 2002

Jun 23, 1999

09/338687

Robert A. Ganz - Minneapolis MN 55416

A61N 500

600 3

A treatment method and apparatus for debilitating or killing or other microorganisms within the body of a patient is especially suited for treating stomach or duodenal ulcers. The present therapeutic method involves the use of ionizing radiation for eliminating pathogenic microorganisms within or supported upon the lining of a body cavity of a patient, e. g. , the stomach. An elongated flexible shaft is provided for insertion into the body in any of various ways selected by the surgeon. It can be placed endoscopically, e. g. , through the esophagus, placed surgically, placed laparoscopically or by CAT scan-guided percutaneous insertion. A radiant energy distribution head is provided at the end of the flexible shaft to transmit ionizing radiation for destroying microorganisms within the body. Radiant energy, e. g. , x-ray, ultraviolet light, beta radiation, gamma radiation, radio waves, microwaves, or infrared energy, is then transferred from the head of the instrument to the epithelium around the head of the instrument in an amount sufficient to debilitate or kill the or other microorganisms in the lining of the body cavity.

6551310, Apr 22, 2003

Nov 16, 2000

09/714344

Robert A. Ganz - Minneapolis MN 55416
Brian D. Zelickson - Minneapolis MN 55416
Roger A. Stern - Cupertino CA 95014

A61B 1818

606 41, 606 34

An ablation catheter system and method of use is provided to endoscopically access portions of the human esophagus experiencing undesired growth of columnar epithelium. The ablation catheter system and method includes controlled depth of ablation features and use of either radio frequency spectrum, non-ionizing ultraviolet radiation, warm fluid or microwave radiation, which may also be accompanied by improved sensitizer agents.

5810807, Sep 22, 1998

Oct 15, 1996

8/732092

Robert A. Ganz - Minneapolis MN
Jonathan Kagan - Minneapolis MN
Ricci D. Smelser - Maple Lake MN
Brian D. Zelickson - Minneapolis MN
Robert D. Mackie - North Oaks MN

A61B 1736

606 47

A sphincterotome adapted to be used in the lumen of an endoscope for cutting a sphincter in a patient's body using a cutting wire energized by an electrosurgical unit. The sphincterotome has a distal end segment and cutting plane orienting mechanism extending through the length of a sphincterotome tubular body between a handle assembly at the proximal end of the sphincterotome body and a distal end segment thereof for shifting the cutting plane laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sphincterotome tubular body exiting the endoscope lumen. The lateral shift is in at least one lateral direction from an un-shifted position of the cutting plane with respect to the longitudinal axis whereby in use during a sphincterotomy, the cutting wire may be oriented into alignment with a particular feature of the sphincter, e. g. the twelve o'clock position of the sphincter of Oddi and papilla of Vater, without having to reposition the endoscope and/or withdraw and reposition the sphincterotome in the endoscope lumen.

7043307, May 9, 2006

Aug 4, 2003

10/633820

Brian D. Zelickson - Minneapolis MN, US
Robert A. Ganz - Minneapolis MN, US

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

A61B 18/18

607101, 607116, 607133, 606 28

A lower esophageal sphincter tightening device for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease which includes an insertion device, an energy source, and an energy transmitting device. The insertion device, by insertion through a body opening, positions the energy transmitting device in the proximity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The energy source generates and transmits energy via the insertion device to the energy transmitting device which directs the transmitted energy onto the lower esophageal sphincter which is comprised largely of collagen. The energy source transmits energy at a level sufficient to cause heating of the sphincter's collagen resulting in a shrinkage of the collagen and a tightening of the sphincter.

7933659, Apr 26, 2011

Jul 19, 2010

12/839112

Brian D. Zelickson - Minneapolis MN, US
Robert A. Ganz - Minneapolis MN, US

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

A61B 12/00, A61B 18/18

607101, 607116, 607133, 606 28

A lower esophageal sphincter tightening device for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease which includes an insertion device, an energy source, and an energy transmitting device. The insertion device, by insertion through a body opening, positions the energy transmitting device in the proximity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The energy source generates and transmits energy via the insertion device to the energy transmitting device which directs the transmitted energy onto the lower esophageal sphincter which is comprised largely of collagen. The energy source transmits energy at a level sufficient to cause heating of the sphincter's collagen resulting in a shrinkage of the collagen and a tightening of the sphincter.

8442645, May 14, 2013

Mar 24, 2011

13/071192

Brian D. Zelickson - Minneapolis MN, US
Robert A. Ganz - Minneapolis MN, US

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

A61B 12/00, A61B 18/18

607101, 607116, 607133, 606 28

A lower esophageal sphincter tightening device for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease which includes an insertion device, an energy source, and an energy transmitting device. The insertion device, by insertion through a body opening, positions the energy transmitting device in the proximity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The energy source generates and transmits energy via the insertion device to the energy transmitting device which directs the transmitted energy onto the lower esophageal sphincter which is comprised largely of collagen. The energy source transmits energy at a level sufficient to cause heating of the sphincter's collagen resulting in a shrinkage of the collagen and a tightening of the sphincter.

2004021, Oct 28, 2004

Jan 9, 2004

10/754445

Robert Ganz - Minneapolis MN, US
Brian Zelickson - Minneapolis MN, US
Roger Stern - Cupertino CA, US
Jerome Jackson - Los Altos CA, US
George Smith - Palo Alto CA, US

BARRx, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

A61F007/00, A61F007/12

607/099000, 607/088000, 607/094000, 607/101000

A system for treating abnormal mucosa in an esophagus comprises an access catheter, an energy delivery structure near a distal end of the access catheter, and a power supply for delivering energy through the energy delivery structure under conditions which injure or ablate the mucosal layer of the esophageal wall without causing substantial injury or heating of the submucosal layer. By injuring or necrosing metaplastic or other abnormal mucosal cells, regrowth of the mucosa substantially free from abnormal cells can be initiated.

6073052, Jun 6, 2000

Nov 15, 1996

8/749723

Brian D. Zelickson - Minneapolis MN
Robert A. Ganz - Minneapolis MN

A61B 1736

607100

A lower esophageal sphincter tightening device for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease which includes an insertion device, an energy source, and an energy transmitting device. The insertion device, by insertion through a body opening, positions the energy transmitting device in the proximity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The energy source generates and transmits energy via the insertion device to the energy transmitting device which directs the transmitted energy onto the lower esophageal sphincter which is comprised largely of collagen. The energy source transmits energy at a level sufficient to cause heating of the sphincter's collagen resulting in a shrinkage of the collagen and a tightening of the sphincter.

5624379, Apr 29, 1997

Oct 13, 1995

8/543180

Robert A. Ganz - Minneapolis MN
Jonathan Kagan - Minneapolis MN
Brian D. Zelickson - Minneapolis MN
Ricci D. Smelser - Maple Lake MN

G. I. Medical Technologies, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

A61B 100

600104

An endoscopic probe has an elongate flexible member and a radially extending tip rotatably mounted on a remote end thereof. A wire extends through the elongate flexible member and into the tip. The wire rotates relative to the elongate flexible member to rotate the radially extending tip to any desired orientation about the axis of the elongate flexible member.