Ann T Thomas

US Patent:

7494460, Feb 24, 2009

Filed:

Sep 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/675815

Inventors:

Philip J. Haarstad - Chanhassen MN, US
Christopher P. Olig - Eden Prairie MN, US
Paul T. Rothstein - Maple Grove MN, US
Michael J. Hobday - Lino Lakes MN, US
William J. Steinberg - Coon Rapids MN, US
David J. S. Kim - Maple Grove MN, US
Thomas P. Daigle - Corcoran MN, US
Ann M. Thomas - Plymouth MN, US
Brian J. Ross - Maple Grove MN, US
Steven C. Christian - New Brighton MN, US
Robert H. Reetz - Rockford MN, US
Douglas H. Gubbin - Brooklyn Park MN, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61F 2/00

US Classification:

600 37

Abstract:

Suction-assisted tissue-engaging devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that can be employed through minimal surgical incisions to engage tissue during a medical procedure through application of suction to the tissue through a suction member applied to the tissue. A shaft is introduced into a body cavity through a first incision, and a suction head is attached to the shaft via a second incision. The suction head is applied against the tissue by manipulation of the shaft and suction is applied to engage the tissue while the medical procedure is performed through the second incision. A system coupled to the shaft and a fixed reference point stabilizes the shaft and suction head. When the medical procedure is completed, suction is discontinued, the suction head is detached from the shaft and withdrawn from the body cavity through the second incision, and the shaft is retracted through the first incision.

US Patent:

7618364, Nov 17, 2009

Filed:

Oct 5, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/959888

Inventors:

Robert G. Walsh - Lakeville MN, US
Paul Andrew Pignato - Stacy MN, US
Ann Margaret Thomas - Plymouth MN, US

Assignee:

Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61F 13/00

US Classification:

600 37

Abstract:

Method and apparatus are disclosed for treating congestive heart failure by administering a fibrosis-inducing agent to an epicardial surface of the heart in an amount selected to induce the formation of fibrosis on the epicardial surface. The fibrosis-inducing agent may be a drug, metal, abrasive or an electrical stimulation on the epicardial surface.

US Patent:

7727142, Jun 1, 2010

Filed:

Mar 3, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/367758

Inventors:

Aaron J. Hjelle - Champlin MN, US
Paul Andrew Pignato - Stacy MN, US
Robert G. Walsh - Lakeville MN, US
William E. Cohn - Houston TX, US
Ann Margaret Thomas - Plymouth MN, US

Assignee:

Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61F 2/00

US Classification:

600 37, 600 16

Abstract:

A device for delivery of a cardiac support device for treating cardiac disease of a heart includes a multistage deployment mechanism and an actuating mechanism for controlling the positions of the deployment mechanism. The deployment mechanism is operable to change between a retracted state and an extended state, and includes a plurality of independent stages, including, in one embodiment, a first stage including a guide structure for location adjacent a portion of the patient's heart when in the extended state. A second stage is movably coupled to the first stage, and is guided by the guide structure between the retracted and extended states. The second stage further releasably engages and supports the cardiac support device and positions the cardiac support device at the desired implantation location, guided by the guide structure of the stage. In some embodiments, the deployment mechanism may include additional stages. The actuating mechanism drives the deployment mechanism between the retracted and extended states, and independently controls the positions of the multiple stages of the deployment mechanism.

US Patent:

8449449, May 28, 2013

Filed:

Dec 8, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/330033

Inventors:

Philip J. Haarstad - Chanhassen MN, US
Christopher P. Olig - Eden Prairie MN, US
Paul T. Rothstein - Maple Grove MN, US
Michael J. Hobday - Lino Lakes MN, US
William A. Steinberg - Coon Rapids MN, US
David J. S. Kim - Maple Grove MN, US
Thomas P. Daigle - Corcoran MN, US
Ann M. Thomas - Plymouth MN, US
Brian J. Ross - Maple Grove MN, US
Steven C. Christian - New Brighton MN, US
Robert H. Reetz - Rockford MN, US
Douglas H. Gubbin - Brooklyn Park MN, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61F 2/00

US Classification:

600 37

Abstract:

Suction-assisted tissue-engaging devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that can be employed through minimal surgical incisions to engage tissue during a medical procedure through application of suction to the tissue through a suction member applied to the tissue. A shaft is introduced into a body cavity through a first incision, and a suction head is attached to the shaft via a second incision. The suction head is applied against the tissue by manipulation of the shaft and suction is applied to engage the tissue while the medical procedure is performed through the second incision. A system coupled to the shaft and a fixed reference point stabilizes the shaft and suction head. When the medical procedure is completed, suction is discontinued, the suction head is detached from the shaft and withdrawn from the body cavity through the second incision, and the shaft is retracted through the first incision.

US Patent:

20050095268, May 5, 2005

Filed:

Dec 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/014328

Inventors:

Robert Walsh - Lakeville MN, US
Paul Pignato - Stacy MN, US
Ann Thomas - Plymouth MN, US

International Classification:

A61K038/18
A61K048/00

US Classification:

424426000, 514012000, 514044000

Abstract:

Method and apparatus are disclosed for treating congestive heart failure. The method includes relieving wall stress on a diseased heart by an amount to decrease a rate of myocardial cell loss. Further, the method includes pharmacologically encouraging a myocardial cell gain. Cell gain may be encouraged by cell replication, cell recruitment or inhibition of cell death. Further embodiments of the method include a passive cardiac constraint selected to reduce wall stress on the heart. An apparatus of the present invention includes a passive cardiac constraint and a pharmacological agent to encourage cell gain.

US Patent:

20070043412, Feb 22, 2007

Filed:

Aug 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/207682

Inventors:

Herve Janssens - Gent, BE
Robert Walsh - Lakeville MN, US
Paul Pignato - Stacy MN, US
Ann Thomas - Plymouth MN, US

International Classification:

A61N 1/05

US Classification:

607119000

Abstract:

A cardiac electrode assembly includes an electrode lead with a plurality of electrical conductors in a common lead jacket. The electrical conductors include a primary conductor and at least a first secondary conductor. At a proximal end of the lead, the conductors terminate at a connector having a plurality of exposed electrical contacts. The contacts include a primary contact connected to the primary conductor and a secondary contact connected to the secondary conductor. A plurality of cardiac electrodes is mechanically connected to the distal end of the lead. The plurality includes a primary cardiac electrode and at least a secondary cardiac electrode (more preferably, at least two secondary cardiac electrodes) connected to one or more secondary conductors. In still preferred embodiments of the invention, multiple secondary conductors with separate leads in the common jacket are connected to the distal end of the common lead jacket.

US Patent:

20070208215, Sep 6, 2007

Filed:

Mar 3, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/367759

Inventors:

Aaron J. Hjelle - Champlin MN, US
Paul Andrew Pignato - Stacy MN, US
Robert G. Walsh - Lakeville MN, US
Ann Margaret Thomas - Plymouth MN, US
Holly J. Hicks - West St. Paul MN, US

Assignee:

Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61F 2/00
A61F 13/00

US Classification:

600 37

Abstract:

A cardiac support device including a jacket and elastic securing structure for self-securing the jacket to a heart. The securing structures can include undulating metal and polymer elements, a silicone band and elastomeric filaments.

US Patent:

20070208216, Sep 6, 2007

Filed:

Mar 3, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/368034

Inventors:

Paul Andrew Pignato - Stacy MN, US
Robert G. Walsh - Lakeville MN, US
Aaron J. Hjelle - Champlin MN, US
Ann Margaret Thomas - Plymouth MN, US
Holly J. Hicks - West St. Paul MN, US

Assignee:

Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61F 13/00
A61F 2/00

US Classification:

600 37

Abstract:

A cardiac support device including a jacket and elastic self-fitting structures between base and apex ends of the jacket. The fitting structures can include undulating metal and polymer elements and a silicone panel between the base and apex ends of the jacket.