Keith I Myers

US Patent:

6682559, Jan 27, 2004

Filed:

Jan 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/772526

Inventors:

Keith Myers - Lake Forest CA
Christine Nguyen - Garden Grove CA

Assignee:

3F Therapeutics, Inc. - Lake Forest CA

International Classification:

A61F 206

US Classification:

623 213, 623 212

Abstract:

A tubular prosthetic semilunar or atrioventricular heart valve is formed by cutting flat, flexible leaflets according to a pattern. The valve is constructed by aligning the side edges of adjacent leaflets so that the leaflet inner faces engage each other, and then suturing the leaflets together with successive stitches along a fold line adjacent the side edges. During operation, when the leaflets open and close, the leaflets fold along the fold line. Distal tabs extend beyond the distal end of each leaflet. The tab portions of adjacent leaflets are folded over each other and sewn together to form commissural attachment tabs. The commissural tabs provide commissural attachment points to accommodate sutures and the like in order to secure the tab to a vessel wall, if a semilunar valve, and papillary muscles and/or chordae tendineae, if an atrioventricular valve.

US Patent:

6872226, Mar 29, 2005

Filed:

Jul 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/207438

Inventors:

Douglas S. Cali - Mission Viejo CA, US
Keith E. Myers - Lake Forest CA, US

Assignee:

3F Therapeutics, Inc. - Lake Forest CA

International Classification:

A61F002/24

US Classification:

623 213, 623 212

Abstract:

A method of cutting material for use in an implantable medical device employs a plotted laser cutting system. The laser cutting system is computer controlled and includes a laser combined with a motion system. The laser precisely cuts segments out of source material according to a predetermined pattern as designated by the computer. The segments are used in constructing implantable medical devices. The cutting energy of the laser is selected so that the cut edges of the segments are melted to discourage delamination or fraying, but communication of thermal energy into the segment beyond the edge is minimized to avoid damaging the segment adjacent the edge.

US Patent:

6911043, Jun 28, 2005

Filed:

Jan 5, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/751549

Inventors:

Keith Myers - Lake Forest CA, US
Christine Nguyen - Garden Grove CA, US

Assignee:

3F Therapeutics, Inc. - Lake Forest CA

International Classification:

A61F002/06

US Classification:

623 213, 623 21

Abstract:

A tubular prosthetic semilunar or atrioventricular heart valve is formed by cutting flat, flexible leaflets according to a pattern. The valve is constructed by aligning the side edges of adjacent leaflets so that the leaflet inner faces engage each other, and then suturing the leaflets together with successive stitches along a fold line adjacent the side edges. The stitches are placed successively from a proximal in-flow end of each leaflet toward a distal out-flow end. During operation, when the leaflets open and close, the leaflets fold along the fold line. Distal tabs extend beyond the distal end of each leaflet. The successive stitches terminate proximal of the distal tab portion so that no locked stitches are placed along the distal portion of the fold line. The tab portions of adjacent leaflets are folded over each other and sewn together to form commissural attachment tabs. The commissural tabs provide commissural attachment points to accommodate sutures and the like in order to secure the tab to a vessel wall, if a semilunar valve, and papillary muscles and/or chordae tendineae if an atrioventricular valve.

US Patent:

7037333, May 2, 2006

Filed:

Jan 5, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/751799

Inventors:

Keith Myers - Lake Forest CA, US
Christine Nguyen - Garden Grove CA, US

Assignee:

3F Therapeutics, Inc. - Lake Forest CA

International Classification:

A61F 2/06

US Classification:

623 213, 623 212

Abstract:

A tubular prosthetic semilunar or atrioventricular heart valve is formed by cutting flat, flexible leaflets according to a pattern. The valve is constructed by aligning the side edges of adjacent leaflets so that the leaflet inner faces engage each other, and then suturing the leaflets together with successive stitches along a fold line adjacent the side edges. The stitches are placed successively from a proximal in-flow end of each leaflet toward a distal out-flow end. During operation, when the leaflets open and close, the leaflets fold along the fold line. Distal tabs extend beyond the distal end of each leaflet. The successive stitches terminate proximal of the distal tab portion so that no locked stitches are placed along the distal portion of the fold line. The tab portions of adjacent leaflets are folded over each other and sewn together to form commissural attachment tabs. The commissural tabs provide commissural attachment points to accommodate sutures and the like in order to secure the tab to a vessel wall, if a semilunar valve, and papillary muscles and/or chordae tendineae if an atrioventricular valve.

US Patent:

7044966, May 16, 2006

Filed:

Oct 6, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/680068

Inventors:

Oleg Svanidze - Laguna Hills CA, US
Keith E. Myers - Lake Forest CA, US

Assignee:

3F Therapeutics, Inc. - Lake Forest CA

International Classification:

A61F 2/24

US Classification:

623 21, 623 217, 623 136

Abstract:

Methods and systems for minimally invasive replacement of a valve. The system includes a collapsible valve and anchoring structure, devices and methods for expanding the valve anchoring structure, adhesive means to seal the valve to the surrounding tissue, a catheter-based valve sizing and delivery system, native valve removal means, and a temporary valve and filter assembly to facilitate removal of debris material. The valve assembly comprises a valve and anchoring structure for the valve, dimensioned to fit substantially within the valve sinus.

US Patent:

7101396, Sep 5, 2006

Filed:

Oct 6, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/680071

Inventors:

Jason Artof - Huntington Beach CA, US
Tuoc Tan Nguyen - Irvine CA, US
Keith E. Myers - Lake Forest CA, US

Assignee:

3F Therapeutics, Inc. - Lake Forest CA

International Classification:

A61F 2/24

US Classification:

623 218, 623 214

Abstract:

Methods and systems for minimally invasive replacement of a valve. The system includes a collapsible valve and anchoring structure, devices and methods for expanding the valve anchoring structure, adhesive means to seal the valve to the surrounding tissue, a catheter-based valve sizing and delivery system, native valve removal means, and a temporary valve and filter assembly to facilitate removal of debris material. The valve assembly comprises a valve and anchoring structure for the valve, dimensioned to fit substantially within the valve sinus.

US Patent:

7594974, Sep 29, 2009

Filed:

Dec 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/007732

Inventors:

Douglas S. Cali - Mission Viejo CA, US
Keith E. Myers - Lake Forest CA, US

Assignee:

3F Therapeutics, Inc. - Lake Forest CA

International Classification:

B32B 37/00

US Classification:

156 64, 156251, 623 212, 623 213

Abstract:

A method of cutting material for use in an implantable medical device employs a plotted laser cutting system. The laser cutting system is computer controlled and includes a laser combined with a motion system. The laser precisely cuts segments out of source material according to a predetermined pattern as designated by the computer. The segments are used in constructing implantable medical devices. The cutting energy of the laser is selected so that the cut edges of the segments are melted to discourage delamination or fraying, but communication of thermal energy into the segment beyond the edge is minimized to avoid damaging the segment adjacent the edge.

US Patent:

RE42818, Oct 11, 2011

Filed:

Apr 22, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/765449

Inventors:

Douglas S. Cali - Mission Viejo CA, US
Keith E. Myers - Lake Forest CA, US

Assignee:

3F Therapeutics, Inc. - Lake Forest CA

International Classification:

B32B 37/00

US Classification:

156 64, 156251, 623 212, 623 213

Abstract:

A method of cutting material for use in an implantable medical device employs a plotted laser cutting system. The laser cutting system is computer controlled and includes a laser combined with a motion system. The laser precisely cuts segments out of source material according to a predetermined pattern as designated by the computer. The segments are used in constructing implantable medical devices. The cutting energy of the laser is selected so that the cut edges of the segments are melted to discourage delamination or fraying, but communication of thermal energy into the segment beyond the edge is minimized to avoid damaging the segment adjacent the edge.