| St. Jude Medical, Inc. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120121657 | ENHANCING BIOCOMPATIBILITY OF A MEDICAL DEVICE - The present invention relates to a medical device comprising both pyrolytic carbon and an NO generator, methods of making same, and methods of using same. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120083874 | DEVICE FOR COLLAPSING AND LOADING A HEART VALVE INTO A MINIMALLY INVASIVE DELIVERY SYSTEM - A device is provided for collapsing a stented bioprosthetic valve, including first section and second sections, each spanning between first and second ends of the device. The second section of the device is associated with the first section to at least partially enclose an internal cavity formed by the first and second sections, the internal cavity tapering from an open insertion portion at a first end of the device to an open exit portion at a second end of the device. The insertion portion has a larger dimension than the exit portion. When the first section and second section are substantially enclosing the internal cavity, a stented bioprosthetic valve may be inserted into the insertion portion and collapsed as it is moved toward and through the exit portion. The valve may then be loaded on an apparatus for insertion into the body. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120078359 | ADJUSTABLE ANNULOPLASTY RING SUPPORT - A support for an adjustable annuloplasty ring generally includes a body and a groove. The body has a first end, a second end and an outer surface. The body may also include an inner surface defining a longitudinal bore. The outer surface is configured to slidably receive an annuloplasty ring and a length of adjustable suture. The groove is formed along at least a portion of the outer surface of the body and is dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the suture. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120078352 | STAGED DEPLOYMENT DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TRANSCATHETER HEART VALVE DELIVERY SYSTEMS - A delivery device for a collapsible heart valve includes an operating handle, including a frame defining a movement space therein, a carriage assembly moveable within the movement space, and a first resheathing lock having a locked position and an unlocked position. The delivery device further includes a catheter assembly, including a first shaft around which a valve-receiving compartment is defined, the first shaft being fixedly connected to one of the frame or the carriage assembly, and a distal sheath operatively connected to the carriage assembly. The distal sheath is moveable between a closed condition adapted to maintain the valve in the compartment and an open condition adapted to fully deploy the valve. With the resheathing lock in the locked position, the distal sheath is unable to move to the open condition to fully deploy the valve. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120078351 | DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR COLLAPSIBLE HEART VALVE - A delivery system for delivering a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a valve support structure for supporting a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, and a distal sheath movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the valve support structure between a first position in which the distal sheath is adapted to surround a collapsible prosthetic heart valve supported on the valve support structure, and a second position in which the distal sheath is adapted to expose the collapsible prosthetic heart valve for deployment. The distal sheath is at least partially formed of an inner polymer layer, an outer polymer layer, and a tubular supporting member sandwiched between the inner polymer layer and the outer polymer layer. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120078350 | RETAINERS FOR TRANSCATHETER HEART VALVE DELIVERY SYSTEMS - A delivery device for an implantable medical device having at least one retention member at an end thereof includes a shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, an elongated sheath surrounding a longitudinal portion of the shaft, a compartment defined inside of the sheath and adapted to receive the medical device in an assembled condition, a retainer positioned at one end of the compartment, and at least one acceptance in the retainer adapted to receive the retention member of the medical device in the assembled condition. The sheath is slidable relative to the shaft in the longitudinal direction to uncover and deploy the medical device. The retainer may be rotatable relative to the shaft to reduce torsional forces in the medical device during delivery and deployment. The retainer may have at least one recess facing the compartment for receiving a strut at an end of a stent of the medical device. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120078347 | STENT FEATURES FOR COLLAPSIBLE PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES - A prosthetic heart valve includes a stent having an expanded condition and a collapsed condition. The stent includes a plurality of distal cells, a plurality of proximal cells, a plurality of support struts coupling the proximal cells to the distal cells, and at least one support post connected to a plurality of proximal cells. The proximal cells are longitudinally spaced apart from the distal cells. Various strut configurations and connections of the struts to the proximal cells and of the proximal cells to the support post improve stent flexibility and reduce stress in the valve leaflets. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120078237 | TIP FOR MEDICAL IMPLANT DELIVERY SYSTEM - A delivery system for delivering and deploying a medical implant, such as a prosthetic heart valve, includes an elongated support member, a sheath, and a tip. The sheath is movable relative to the elongated support member between a distal position overlying the medical implant and a proximal position exposing the medical implant for release from the delivery system. The tip is attached to the elongated support member and is positioned at a distal end of the sheath when the sheath is in the distal position. The tip has a compressed condition and an expanded condition, and a maximum diameter in the expanded condition that is larger than the outer diameter of the sheath. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120071968 | ROBOTIC HEART VALVE ANNULUS SIZER - A heart valve annulus sizer is provided for measuring a valve to be fitted with an annuloplasty ring. The sizer may include a body having a peripheral portion defining an opening, at least one rib disposed within the opening and dividing the opening into at least a first opening and a second opening, and an anchor disposed on and projecting from the body. The sizer may include a length of suture connected to the body. The anchor may include an aperture adapted to receive the length of suture. A method of using the sizer is provided that includes grasping the sizer with an instrument and positioning the sizer adjacent to a valve into a position suitable to allow for measurement of the valve. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20110313417 | ABLATION CATHETER HAVING FLEXIBLE TIP WITH MULTIPLE FLEXIBLE ELECTRODE SEGMENTS - A catheter apparatus comprises an elongated catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one fluid lumen extending longitudinally therein; and a plurality of flexible electrode segments on a distal portion of the catheter body adjacent the distal end, each pair of neighboring flexible electrode segments being spaced from each other longitudinally by a corresponding electrically nonconductive segment. Each flexible electrode segment comprises a sidewall provided with one or more elongated stiffness reductions extending through the sidewall, the one or more elongated stiffness reductions providing flexibility in the sidewall for bending movement relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter body. The electrically nonconductive segment is substantially smaller in length than each of the corresponding pair of neighboring flexible electrode segments. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110301703 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR COLLAPSING PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES - A crimping tool for use with a collapsible prosthetic valve having a stent frame with a plurality of cell openings, and a valve structure assembled in the stent frame. The crimping tool includes a plurality of resilient tines defining an array around a longitudinal axis of the crimping tool. The array has a first cross-section in an expanded state and a second cross-section less than the first cross-section in a collapsed state. The plurality of tines are adapted to intersect the plurality of cell openings in an assembled position of the crimping tool on the prosthetic valve to prevent pinching of the valve structure by the stent frame as the prosthetic valve is collapsed. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110282424 | PERCUTANEOUS LEAD WITH DISTAL FIXATION - A lead includes an elongated body and an anchor segment disposed between the distal end of the body and electrodes on a distal portion of the body. The anchor segment has lobes which are separated by slits and movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. A positioning mechanism is disposed inside the hollow interior of the body and at least partially within the anchor segment. The positioning mechanism has a distal positioning portion attached to the distal end of the body and a proximal positioning portion. A control member is connected with the proximal positioning portion to control the positioning mechanism to pull the distal end toward the proximal end so as to move the lobes from the collapsed position to the expanded position and to push the distal end away from the proximal end so as to move the lobes from the expanded to the collapsed position. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110282383 | BIOADHESIVE APPLICATOR AND METHODS OF SEALING TISSUE PUNCTURES USING SAME - A closure device includes a delivery member, a sealing material applicator, and an expandable member. The delivery member is insertable through a tissue tract to a vessel puncture. The sealing material applicator is configured to supply a volume of sealing material to the delivery member and includes first and second multi-chamber devices and a valve assembly. Each chamber of the first and second multi-chamber devices holds a component of the sealing material, and operating the valve assembly permits mixing of at least some of the components prior to connecting the sealing material applicator to the delivery member. The expandable member is positionable within the vessel to temporarily seal closed the vessel puncture from within the vessel. The closure device is operable to deliver the sealing material from the sealing material applicator, through the delivery member, and to the tissue tract to seal closed the vessel puncture from outside the vessel. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110282287 | TRANSAPICAL MINI-INTRODUCER HOMEOSTASIS VALVE AND PUNCH - An introducer for providing access to the interior of the heart generally includes a valve, a shaft, and a piercing element. The valve has a substantially closed state in the absence of an instrument inside the valve and an open state in the presence of the instrument inside the valve. The shaft has first and second ends. The piercing element is located at the first end of the shaft. The shaft is removably positioned inside the valve in an assembled condition. The valve is dimensioned to receive the instrument therein upon removal of the shaft from the valve. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110257734 | COLLAPSIBLE/ EXPANDABLE PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHODS - A system for delivering a medical implant includes an expandable member at least partially positioned inside the medical implant and operable to radially expand at least a portion of the medical implant to an expanded condition, first and second grasping mechanisms each adapted to grasp a portion of the medical implant, and a displacement mechanism operatively coupled to the first and second grasping mechanisms and configured to move the first and second grasping mechanisms between an inner position in which the first and second grasping mechanisms are relatively close to one another, and an outer position in which the first and second grasping mechanisms are relatively distant to one another. The movement of the first and second grasping mechanisms from the outer position to the inner position at least partially collapses the medical implant from the expanded condition to enable the medical implant to be repositioned if necessary. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110238170 | HEART VALVE ANNULOPLASTY PROSTHESIS SEWING CUFFS AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME - An annuloplasty prosthesis for a heart valve has a sewing cuff added to the conventional structure. The sewing cuff is preferably an extension of the fabric cover that is provided around the core of the prosthesis. The sewing cuff preferably extends radially outwardly from cross sections of the remainder of the prosthesis. Methods of making such a sewing cuff are also disclosed. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110201973 | ULTRASOUND COMPATIBLE RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION ELECTRODE - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an ultrasound compatible ablation electrode for use in ultrasound imaging guidance of ablation therapy using RF or the like. In one embodiment, an ultrasound compatible ablation catheter comprises a catheter body having a distal end and an ultrasonic transducer directing ultrasonic beams for imaging a target; and an ablation electrode connected to the catheter body, the ablation electrode having a plastic shell and a metallic coating on the plastic shell which are disposed in a path of the ultrasonic beams of the ultrasonic transducer between the ultrasonic transducer and the target, the metallic coating of the ablation electrode to be energized for ablation. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110166595 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SEALING PERCUTANEOUS PUNCTURES - A puncture closure device operable to seal closed a vessel puncture in a vessel. The puncture closure device includes a delivery member insertable through a tissue tract to the vessel puncture, a sealing material, and an expandable member. The sealing material is deliverable through the delivery member to the vessel puncture and configured to seal closed the vessel puncture from outside the vessel. The expandable member is positionable within the vessel through a vessel access distinct from the vessel puncture and is operable to temporarily seal closed the vessel puncture from within the vessel to restrict passage of the sealing material into the vessel. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110137298 | ULTRASOUND ABLATION APPARATUS WITH DISCRETE STAGGERED ABLATION ZONES - An ablation apparatus comprises an ultrasonic transducer which includes a piezoelectric element having a cylindrical shape; a plurality of external electrodes disposed on the outer surface of the piezoelectric element; and at least one internal electrode disposed on the inner surface of the piezoelectric element. The at least one internal electrode provides corresponding internal electrode portions that are disposed opposite the external electrodes with respect to the piezoelectric element, the external electrodes and the at least one internal electrode to be energized to apply an electric field across the piezoelectric element. The ultrasonic ablation zones of the external electrodes are distributed in a staggered configuration so as to span one or more open arc segments around the longitudinal axis, and the ultrasound ablation zones of all external electrodes projected longitudinally onto any lateral plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis span a substantially closed loop around the longitudinal axis. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110118726 | ASSEMBLY OF STAGGERED ABLATION ELEMENTS - An ablation catheter comprises a catheter body extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis; and an ablation element assembly comprising ablation elements connected to the catheter body, each ablation element to be energized to produce an ablation zone. The ablation elements are distributed in a staggered configuration such that the ablation zones of the ablation elements span one or more open arc segments around the longitudinal axis, but the ablation zones of all ablation elements projected longitudinally onto any lateral plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis span a substantially closed loop around the longitudinal axis. Since the ablation zones do not form a closed loop, the risk of renal artery/vein stenosis is reduced or eliminated. Since the ablation zones of all ablation elements projected longitudinally onto any lateral plane span a substantially closed loop, substantially complete renal denervation is achieved. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110015671 | Percutaneous Puncture Sealing System - A method of sealing percutaneous punctures in a patient's body that open into an internal body cavity using a sealing material such as a fibrin adhesive while preventing the sealing material from entering the body cavity. An apparatus for delivering the sealing material is also disclosed. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20100185277 | COLLAPSIBLE PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES - Prosthetic heart valves, which are collapsible to a relatively small circumferential size for less invasive delivery into a patient and which then re-expand to operating size at an implant site in the patient, include a collapsible/expandable stent-like supporting structure and various components of flexible, sheet-like material that are attached to the supporting structure. For example, these sheet-like other components may include prosthetic valve leaflets, layers of buffering material, cuff material, etc. Improved structures and techniques are provided for securing such other components to the stent-like supporting structure of the valve. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100161040 | CARDIOVASCULAR VALVE AND VALVE HOUSING APPARATUSES AND SYSTEMS - A cardiovascular valve assembly is disclosed including a housing assembly comprising a first portion and a second portion removably attached to the first portion. A valve may be positioned within the housing assembly. The valve, which may be a mechanical valve, a biological tissue valve, or a polymeric valve, may be structured to allow fluid to flow through the housing assembly in a single direction. In certain embodiments, the valve assembly may further include at least one coupling structure provided on the second portion and at least one aperture defined in the first portion, with the aperture structured to receive the coupling structure to couple the first portion to the second portion. Corresponding systems incorporating cardiovascular valve assemblies are also disclosed. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100160939 | SYSTEMS, APPARATUSES, AND METHODS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR CUTTING DEVICES AND VALVES - A system comprising a tube with a first end dimension to be positioned against a cardiovascular organ. The system may comprise a cutting member adapted to cut an opening in the cardiovascular organ. The system may also comprise a first valve positioned inside the tube. The first valve may be adapted to open to allow the cutting member to pass through the first valve to the cardiovascular organ. The first valve may be adapted to close after the cardiovascular coring device is retracted through the first valve. A cardiovascular coring apparatus is also disclosed. The cardiovascular coring apparatus may comprise a cutting member, a tissue retraction member, and a valve positioned inside the cutting member. A method for inserting a cutting member through a valve is disclosed. A method for inserting a tissue retraction member through a valve in a cutting member is also disclosed. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100160832 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING BLOOD VESSELS - An apparatus comprising a blood vessel measuring device is disclosed. The blood vessel measuring device may comprise a handle. A measuring member may be attached to the handle. The measuring member may be dimensioned to wrap around a blood vessel to measure a size of the blood vessel. The blood vessel measuring device may comprise an extension, and a first end of the extension may be attached to the handle. The blood vessel measuring device may comprise a connector attached to a second end of the extension. A method is also disclosed. The method may comprise inserting a measuring device into an incision in a patient. The measuring device may comprise a measuring member. The method may also comprise wrapping the measuring member around a blood vessel of the patient and measuring a dimension of the blood vessel with the measuring member. | 06-24-2010 |
