US Patent No: 8,066,766

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

Methods and devices for termination

Stats

ALSO PUBLISHED AS: 20080051837
ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)
 

Importance

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Abstract

Devices and methods used in termination of a tissue tightening procedure are described. Termination includes the cinching of a tether to tighten the tissue, locking the tether to maintain tension, and cutting excess tether. In procedures involving anchors secured to the tissue, the tether is coupled to the anchors and the tissue is tightened via tension applied to the anchors by cinching the tether. In general, the devices and methods can be used in minimally invasive surgical procedures, and can be applied through small incisions or intravascularly. A method for tightening tissue by fixedly coupling a first anchor to a tether and slidably coupling a second anchor to the tether, securing both anchors to the tissue, applying tension to the tether intravascularly, fixedly coupling the tether to the second anchor, and cutting the tether is described. The tissue to be tightened can comprise heart tissue, in particular heart valve annulus tissue. Various devices and methods for locking the tether in place and cutting excess tether are described.

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First Claim

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddressTotal Patents
GUIDED DELIVERY SYSTEMS INC.SANTA CLARA, CA28

International Classification(s)

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  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Calhoun, Tenny C Mountain View, CA 12 127
Starksen, Niel F Los Altos, CA 61 1695
Tang, Brian 1328 W. El Camino Real, Ste. #1, Mountain View, CA 94040 18 159
To, John Sunnyvale, CA 69 1425

Cited Art

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
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VIACOR, INC. (1)
7,241,310 Method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation 22 2003
 
VOYAGE MEDICAL, INC. (1)
2005/0228,452 Steerable catheters and methods for using them 36 2005
 
WALLACE, GEORGE (1)
5,782,861 Percutaneous hemostasis device 149 1996
 
WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY (1)
5,312,341 Retaining apparatus and procedure for transseptal catheterization 108 1992
 
WHITEBOX CAPITAL ARBITRAGE PARTNERS L.P. (1)
6,733,509 Suture cutter 36 2001
 
ZIMMER GMBH (1)
6,616,667 Surgical instrument for tensioning a cable-like tensioning element 24 2000
 
OTHER [CHECK PATENT PROFILE FOR ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION] (32)
4,290,151 Adjustable annular prosthesis for cardiac surgery 43 1980
4,726,371 Surgical cutting instrument 22 1982
4,494,542 Suture cutter, extractor and method to cut and remove sutures 25 1982
4,489,446 Heart valve prosthesis 94 1982
4,510,934 Suture 81 1983
4,784,133 Working well balloon angioscope and method 181 1987
4,848,341 Suture cutter 42 1987
4,961,738 Angioplasty catheter with illumination and visualization within angioplasty balloon 106 1987
4,976,710 Working well balloon method 182 1988
5,053,047 Suture devices particularly useful in endoscopic surgery and methods of suturing 221 1989
5,035,701 Device and method to check the tension of a suture during a surgical operation 15 1989
5,078,731 Suture clip 193 1990
5,221,255 Reinforced multiple lumen catheter 178 1991
5,437,680 Suturing method, apparatus and system for use in endoscopic procedures 172 1993
5,346,500 Suture cutting scissor apparatus 19 1993
5,474,572 Clip for suture 144 1994
5,584,835 Soft tissue to bone fixation device and method 230 1994
5,665,109 Methods and apparatus for suturing tissue 167 1994
5,524,630 Acoustic imaging catheter and the like 43 1995
5,810,853 Knotting element for use in suturing anatomical tissue and methods therefor 152 1996
5,752,964 Surgical knot pusher with flattened spatulated tip 63 1996
5,810,848 Suturing system 170 1996
5,725,542 Multifunctional spring clips and cartridges and applicators therefor 88 1997
5,752,966 Exovascular anastomotic device 82 1997
5,919,208 Suture block for surgical sutures 58 1998
6,648,903 Medical tensioning system 60 1998
2003/0225,420 Surgical coils and methods of deploying 55 2003
2004/0204,724 Medical clip and apparatus for the application of such a clip 16 2004
2004/0210,238 Suture cutter 17 2004
2007/0156,172 Multipurpose knot pusher 3 2006
2007/0032,820 Patent foramen ovale closure device 15 2006
2010/0082,098 DELIVERY DEVICES AND METHODS FOR HEART VALVE REPAIR 6 2009

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cites

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
GUIDED DELIVERY SYSTEMS INC. (3)
8,287,555 Devices and methods for heart valve repair 0 2003
8,287,557 Methods and devices for termination 0 2007
8,343,173 Delivery devices and methods for heart valve repair 0 2008

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