Patents by Inventor Arnold M. Escano
Arnold M. Escano has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11950784Abstract: Described here are devices for closing one or more tissues, and handles for controlling these devices. Generally, the devices described here comprise a snare loop assembly, wherein the snare loop assembly comprises a snare and a suture loop, and a handle for controlling the snare loop assembly. In some variations the snare loop assembly may comprise a retention member that may releasably connect the suture loop to the snare. In other variations the devices comprise one or more force-reducing suture locks to help prevent the suture loop from inadvertently disengaging from the snare loop assembly. In still other variations, the excess-suture management features. The handles described here may be configured to remove excess suture from a suture loop, and may also be configured to release the suture loop from the snare loop assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2020Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Gregory W. Fung, Russell A. Seiber, Eduardo Sager, Jr., Gary H. Miller, Maria Garcia, Ryan Douglas Helmuth, Arnold M. Escano, Douglas Todd Ellison, William E. Cohn
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Publication number: 20240081903Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Gregory W. FUNG, Randall J. LEE, Russell PONG, Robert L. CLARK, III, Arnold M. ESCANO
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Patent number: 11844566Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2020Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Gregory W. Fung, Randall J. Lee, Russell Pong, Robert L. Clark, III, Arnold M. Escano
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Patent number: 11844526Abstract: Tissue stabilizing devices and methods for stabilizing, and optionally closing, a target tissue, such as the left atrial appendage, generally include an elongate body with a first lumen and a second lumen, a suction tip coupled to the elongate body, and an injection tip coupled to the elongate body proximal of the suction tip. The suction tip may define a suction aperture and the suction aperture may be in fluid communication with the first lumen to apply suction to the target tissue. The injection tip may be in fluid communication with the second lumen to dispense a contrast fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Gregory W. Fung, Robert L. Clark, III, Russell A. Seiber, Russell Pong, Arnold M. Escano
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Patent number: 11224435Abstract: Closure devices and methods for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage, generally, include an elongate body having a first lumen therethrough, a snare loop assembly, a vacuum tube, and an imaging device. The snare loop assembly may include a snare and a suture loop releasably coupled to the snare and may at least partially extend from a distal end of the elongate body. The vacuum tube may be slidably positioned within the first lumen to extend through the snare loop assembly. The imaging device may be disposed within the lumen of the vacuum tube.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2017Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: SentreHEART LLCInventors: Gregory W. Fung, Robert L. Clark, III, Russell A. Seiber, Russell Pong, Arnold M. Escano
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Patent number: 11207073Abstract: Described here are closure devices and methods for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage. The closure devices may comprise a snare loop assembly comprising a snare and a suture loop releasably attached thereto. The snare may be releasable from an elongate body of the closure device. In some instances, the closure device may comprise one or more markers to allow a user to determine whether the snare loop assembly is twisted.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: SentreHEART LLCInventors: Robert L. Clark, III, Gregory W. Fung, Russell Pong, Arnold M. Escano, Greg Liu
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Publication number: 20210205010Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Gregory W. FUNG, Randall J. LEE, Russell PONG, Robert L. CLARK, III, Arnold M. ESCANO
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Patent number: 11026690Abstract: Described here are closure devices and methods for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage, and tensioning devices and mechanism for actuating these devices. The tensioning mechanisms and devices may allow a user to apply one or more predetermined forces to a suture or other portion of the closure devices. The closure devices may comprise a suture loop releasably attached to a snare loop assembly, and a tensioning mechanism or device may be configured to tighten the suture loop and/or release the suture loop from the snare loop assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: SentreHEART LLCInventors: Gregory W. Fung, Ryan Douglas Helmuth, Arnold M. Escano, Russell A. Seiber, Robert L. Clark, III
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Publication number: 20210137580Abstract: A surgical apparatus and methods for severing and welding tissue, in particular blood vessels. The apparatus includes an elongated shaft having a pair of relatively movable jaws at a distal end thereof. A first heating element on one of the jaws is adapted to heat up to a first temperature and form a welded region within the tissue, while a second heating element on one of the jaws is adapted to heat up to a second temperature and sever the tissue within the welded region. The first and second heating elements may be provided on the same or opposite jaws. A control handle provided on the proximal end of the elongated shaft includes controls for opening and closing the jaws, and may include an actuator for sending current through the first and second heating elements. The first and second heating elements may be electrically connected in series, and the first heating element may be bifurcated such that it conducts about one half of the current as the second heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2020Publication date: May 13, 2021Applicant: MAQUET CARDIOVASCULAR LLCInventors: Liming LAU, Arnold M. ESCANO, Jerry JARRARD, Samuel HO, Ryan C. ABBOTT, Arthur M. LIN, Jesse MCQUISTON, Kenny L. DANG
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Patent number: 10959734Abstract: Described herein are tissue closure devices and methods for ligating a target tissue, such as the left atrial appendage. The tissue closure devices may have an elongate body, a snare at least partially housed within the elongate body, a suture at least partially housed within the elongate body, and a tightening element coupled to the suture. The suture may have a suture loop, and the tightening element may be configured to decrease the size of the suture loop when the area of a tissue within the suture loop decreases.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2018Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: SentreHEART LLCInventors: Gregory W. Fung, Alan L. Bradley, Russell Pong, Robert L. Clark, III, Arnold M. Escano
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Patent number: 10959752Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for accessing the pericardial space through the pericardium. The access devices may include a plurality of elongate members having lumens that may be advanced together through the body to the pericardium. The elongate members may have different lengths and may be slideably positioned one within the lumen of another. At least one of the elongate members may comprise a distal tip configured to pierce tissue. In some instances, the access devices may also comprise a locking member to constrain the position of one elongate member relative to another.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: SentreHEART LLCInventors: Gregory W. Fung, Arnold M. Escano
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Publication number: 20210030461Abstract: A surgical apparatus and methods for severing and welding tissue, in particular blood vessels. The apparatus includes an elongated shaft having a pair of relatively movable jaws at a distal end thereof. A first heating element on one of the jaws is adapted to heat up to a first temperature and form a welded region within the tissue, while a second heating element on one of the jaws is adapted to heat up to a second temperature and sever the tissue within the welded region. The first and second heating elements may be provided on the same or opposite jaws. A control handle provided on the proximal end of the elongated shaft includes controls for opening and closing the jaws, and may include an actuator for sending current through the first and second heating elements. The first and second heating elements may be electrically connected in series, and the first heating element may be bifurcated such that it conducts about one half of the current as the second heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2020Publication date: February 4, 2021Applicant: MAQUET CARDIOVASCULAR LLCInventors: Liming LAU, Arnold M. ESCANO, Jerry JARRARD, Samuel HO, Ryan C. ABBOTT, Arthur M. LIN, Jesse MCQUISTON
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Publication number: 20210015483Abstract: Described here are devices for closing one or more tissues, and handles for controlling these devices. Generally, the devices described here comprise a snare loop assembly, wherein the snare loop assembly comprises a snare and a suture loop, and a handle for controlling the snare loop assembly. In some variations the snare loop assembly may comprise a retention member that may releasably connect the suture loop to the snare. In other variations the devices comprise one or more force-reducing suture locks to help prevent the suture loop from inadvertently disengaging from the snare loop assembly. In still other variations, the excess-suture management features. The handles described here may be configured to remove excess suture from a suture loop, and may also be configured to release the suture loop from the snare loop assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2020Publication date: January 21, 2021Inventors: Gregory W. FUNG, Russell A. SEIBER, Eduardo SAGER, JR., Gary H. MILLER, Maria GARCIA, Ryan Douglas HELMUTH, Arnold M. ESCANO, Douglas Todd ELLISON, William E. COHN
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Patent number: 10856927Abstract: A surgical apparatus and methods for severing and welding tissue, in particular blood vessels. The apparatus includes an elongated shaft having a pair of relatively movable jaws at a distal end thereof. A first heating element on one of the jaws is adapted to heat up to a first temperature and form a welded region within the tissue, while a second heating element on one of the jaws is adapted to heat up to a second temperature and sever the tissue within the welded region. The first and second heating elements may be provided on the same or opposite jaws. A control handle provided on the proximal end of the elongated shaft includes controls for opening and closing the jaws, and may include an actuator for sending current through the first and second heating elements. The first and second heating elements may be electrically connected in series, and the first heating element may be bifurcated such that it conducts about one half of the current as the second heating element.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2017Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: MAQUET CARDIOVASCULAR LLCInventors: Liming Lau, Arnold M. Escano, Jerry Jarrard, Samuel Ho, Ryan C. Abbott, Arthur M. Lin, Jesse McQuiston, Kenny L. Dang
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Patent number: 10813681Abstract: A surgical apparatus and methods for severing and welding tissue, in particular blood vessels. The apparatus includes an elongated shaft having a pair of relatively movable jaws at a distal end thereof. A first heating element on one of the jaws is adapted to heat up to a first temperature and form a welded region within the tissue, while a second heating element on one of the jaws is adapted to heat up to a second temperature and sever the tissue within the welded region. The first and second heating elements may be provided on the same or opposite jaws. A control handle provided on the proximal end of the elongated shaft includes controls for opening and closing the jaws, and may include an actuator for sending current through the first and second heating elements. The first and second heating elements may be electrically connected in series, and the first heating element may be bifurcated such that it conducts about one half of the current as the second heating element.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2017Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: MAQUET CARDIOVASCULAR LLCInventors: Liming Lau, Arnold M. Escano, Jerry Jarrard, Samuel Ho, Ryan C. Abbott, Arthur M. Lin, Jesse McQuiston
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Patent number: 10799241Abstract: Described here are devices for closing one or more tissues, and handles for controlling these devices. Generally, the devices described here comprise a snare loop assembly, wherein the snare loop assembly comprises a snare and a suture loop, and a handle for controlling the snare loop assembly. In some variations the snare loop assembly may comprise a retention member that may releasably connect the suture loop to the snare. In other variations the devices comprise one or more force-reducing suture locks to help prevent the suture loop from inadvertently disengaging from the snare loop assembly. In still other variations, the excess-suture management features. The handles described here may be configured to remove excess suture from a suture loop, and may also be configured to release the suture loop from the snare loop assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2015Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: SENTREHEART LLCInventors: Gregory W. Fung, Russell A. Seiber, Eduardo Sager, Jr., Gary H. Miller, Maria Garcia, Ryan Douglas Helmuth, Arnold M. Escano, Douglas Todd Ellison, William E. Cohn
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Patent number: 10799288Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2019Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: SentreHEART LLCInventors: Gregory W. Fung, Randall J. Lee, Russell Pong, Robert L. Clark, III, Arnold M. Escano
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Publication number: 20190298382Abstract: Tissue stabilizing devices and methods for stabilizing, and optionally closing, a target tissue, such as the left atrial appendage, generally include an elongate body with a first lumen and a second lumen, a suction tip coupled to the elongate body, and an injection tip coupled to the elongate body proximal of the suction tip. The suction tip may define a suction aperture and the suction aperture may be in fluid communication with the first lumen to apply suction to the target tissue. The injection tip may be in fluid communication with the second lumen to dispense a contrast fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Gregory W. FUNG, Robert L. CLARK, III, Russell A. SEIBER, Russell PONG, Arnold M. ESCANO
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Publication number: 20190274690Abstract: Described here are closure devices and methods for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage. The closure devices may comprise a snare loop assembly comprising a snare and a suture loop releasably attached thereto. The snare may be releasable from an elongate body of the closure device. In some instances, the closure device may comprise one or more markers to allow a user to determine whether the snare loop assembly is twisted.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Robert L. CLARK, III, Gregory W. FUNG, Russell PONG, Arnold M. ESCANO, Greg LIU
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Patent number: 10405919Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for affecting tissue within a body to form a lesion. Some systems comprise tissue-affecting devices, devices that guide the advancement of the tissue-affecting elements to a target tissue region, devices that locate and secure tissue, and devices that help position the tissue-affecting devices along the target tissue. The methods described here comprise advancing a first tissue-affecting device to a first surface of a target tissue, advancing a second tissue-affecting device to a second surface of the target tissue, and positioning the first and second devices so that a lesion may be formed in the tissue between them. In some variations, the devices, systems, and methods described here are used to treat atrial fibrillation by ablating fibrillating tissue from an endocardial surface and an epicardial surface of a heart. Methods of closing, occluding, and/or removing the left atrial appendage are also described.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2015Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: SentreHEART, Inc.Inventors: Gregory W. Fung, Russell A. Seiber, Robert Strasser, Arnold M. Escano, Ryan Douglas Helmuth