Paul Stephen Kratoska, Age 658670 Emerson Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55444

2007017, Aug 2, 2007

Jan 31, 2006

11/343921

Paul Kratoska - Brooklyn Park MN, US
Ahmed Elmouelhi - Minneapolis MN, US

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

A61B 18/18

606032000, 606041000

The disclosure describes a method and a system that may be used to provide feedback on the progress of ablation therapy. The system includes a first needle that penetrates a target tissue to deliver radio frequency energy, with or without a conductive fluid, that heats and ablates the target tissue and a second needle that penetrates the target tissue and detects a tissue property indicative of the ablation progress. Temperature, impedance, or another parameter may be the tissue property detected and measured by the system. In addition, more than one sensor may be positioned on the first or second needle. The system may provide real-time monitoring of the tissue property or use the tissue property measurement to automatically terminate the ablation therapy. In particular, the system may be used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy.

2008026, Oct 30, 2008

Apr 26, 2007

11/789996

Ahmed Elmouelhi - Minneapolis MN, US
Paul S. Kratoska - Brooklyn Park MN, US

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

A61B 18/18

606 41

The disclosure describes a method and a system that may be used to provide feedback regarding the flow of fluid during ablation therapy. The system includes a generator that generates energy to ablate at least a portion of a target tissue, a needle that delivers the energy to the target tissue, a return electrode that receives energy dispersed from the needle, a catheter that houses at least a portion of the needle, a pump that delivers a fluid to the target tissue via the catheter, a sensor that detects a fluid parameter indicative of at least one of flow or pressure of the fluid, and a processor that analyzes the fluid parameter detected by the sensor. The sensor may be located between the pump and the target tissue. The fluid parameter detected by the system may be pressure or flow. In particular, the system may be used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy.

2008027, Nov 6, 2008

May 3, 2007

11/799785

Paul S. Kratoska - Brooklyn Park MN, US
Thomas R. Skwarek - Shoreview MN, US

A61B 18/18

606 41

This disclosure is directed to a method of providing feedback regarding the outcome of ablation therapy. Measuring one or more tissue properties after the ablation procedure may allow the clinician to verify the size of the lesion formed or other therapy results. In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward a method for providing feedback regarding the results of tissue ablation, the method comprising deploying one or more needles from a catheter into a target tissue, delivering energy via at least one of the one or more needles to ablate at least a portion of the target tissue to form a lesion, stopping energy delivery via the at least one of the one or more needles, and measuring a tissue property via at least one of the one or more needles after the energy delivery has been stopped. The measured tissue property may be temperature or impedance. Also, the measured tissue property may be used to determine a volume of the lesion formed by ablation therapy.

2012027, Nov 1, 2012

Apr 25, 2012

13/455735

Paul S. Kratoska - Brooklyn Park MN, US
Robert L. Olson - Vadnais Heights MN, US
Bruce A. Behymer - Grant MN, US
Alan O. Fung - Mansfield, AU

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

A61B 19/00

606129

A medical device assembly includes a tunneler having a proximal end and a distal end and a carrier element fixed to the distal end of the tunneler. In various embodiments the carrier element is configured to be slidably disposed within a lead connection lumen. In various embodiments the carrier element includes a plurality of recesses configured to engage a lead extension set screw. In various embodiments the carrier element can freely rotate relative to the rest of the tunneler.

6264921, Jul 24, 2001

Apr 30, 1996

8/641187

Bruce C. Johnson - Loretto MN
Dennis Norgon - Andover MN
Paul Kratoska - Brooklyn Park MN

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

A61K 912

424 45

A fluid delivery system and a propellant therefor. The propellant comprises a mixture of a plurality of substances, the precise by-weight or by-molar combination of which is used to set the propellant pressure within a desirable pressure range. At least one of the plurality of propellant substances is a relatively higher vapor pressure fluid; and at least one of the plurality of propellant substances is a relatively lower vapor pressure fluid.

5443450, Aug 22, 1995

Apr 29, 1994

8/235442

Paul S. Kratoska - Brooklyn Park MN
Chris C. Christiansen - Oakdale MN

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

A61M 5152

604141

A medication delivery device having a particularly compact size due to the bulged configuration of the cover. The device includes a housing having a base and a cover. The cover includes a side portion and a substantially planer surface joined by a curved portion. The curved portion is bulged outwardly in a manner such that the area of the internal cavity bounded by the side portion, the substantially planer surface and the base includes substantially all of the area which would be formed if the side portion and the substantially planer surface were extended and joined in the absence of the curved portion. This enables the entire vertical space of the internal cavity to be utilized and allows the thickness of the device to be minimized.

5445616, Aug 29, 1995

Apr 29, 1994

8/235038

Paul S. Kratoska - Brooklyn Park MN
Raymond F. McMullen - Shorewood MN

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

A61M 5152

604141

A medication delivery device having a particularly compact size. The compact size is achieved by arranging the components of the device so that the reservoir refill port is positioned laterally adjacent a bellows medication reservoir. Preferably, the medication reservoir is doughnut shaped and the refill port is positioned in a centrally located aperture.

6228050, May 8, 2001

Apr 30, 1999

9/303006

James M. Olsen - Plymouth MN
Reginald D. Robinson - Plymouth MN
Chris Christiansen - Oakdale MN
Paul Kratoska - Brooklyn Park MN

Medtronic Inc. - Minneapolis MN

A61M 1100

604 9301

The displacement of refill valves in an implantable drug delivery device is reduced to permit the housings of a drug delivery device to remain compact in size while permitting reservoirs of increased depth to be used. In a preferred embodiment, a collapsible link is provided as a telescoping member incorporating a coil spring. As the valve is pulled into contact with its seat, a detectable pressure increase is sensed in the refill device. In accordance with the invention, as the drug supply contained in the reservoir depletes, the reservoir surface moves towards a collapsed position, compressing the coil spring and eventually contacting the valve stem, thereby lifting the valve from its seat. By virtue of telescoping link, the valve stem length and therefore the valve travel may be reduced as compared to prior art devices, thus eliminating the need for increased housing depth when deeper reservoirs are used. The collapsible link may be comprised of a second spring combined with a telescoping link.