Patents by Inventor Hung Ly Lam
Hung Ly Lam 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: 8518108Abstract: Prosthetic heart valve suture rings having a suturable annulus of a compliant internal member and a cloth covering. Three evenly spaced upwardly opening depressions formed on an internal circumference of the suturable annulus receive downwardly-directed cusps of a stent structure of the heart valve. The suture ring may include a silicone sponge waffle annulus having a walled lip on an inner circumference thereof. The lip is contoured to include the three depressions, and a ring washer mounts on the annulus surrounding the walled lip for added stiffness.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2005Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Van Le Huynh, Than Nguyen, Hung Ly Lam, Xiaoming G. Guo, Ralph Kafesjian
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Patent number: 7993393Abstract: A highly flexible tissue-type heart valve is disclosed having a structural stent in a generally cylindrical configuration with cusps and commissures that are permitted to move radially. The stent commissures are constructed so that the cusps are pivotably or flexibly coupled together at the commissures to permit relative movement therebetween. The stent may be cloth-covered and may be a single element or may be made in three separate elements for a three cusp valve, each element having a cusp portion and two commissure portions; adjacent commissure portions for each pair of adjacent stent element combining to form the stent commissures. If the stent has separate elements their commissure portions may be pivotably or flexible coupled, or may be designed to completely separate into independent leaflets at bioresorbable couples. The cloth covering may have an outwardly projecting flap that mates with valve leaflets (e.g., pericardial leaflets) along the cusps and commissures.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2009Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Alain F. Carpentier, Stefan G. Schreck, Richard S. Rhee, Diana Nguyen-Thien-Nhon, Hung Ly Lam, William J. Recktenwald, Robert Frater
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Publication number: 20100057193Abstract: A highly flexible tissue-type heart valve is disclosed having a structural stent in a generally cylindrical configuration with cusps and commissures that are permitted to move radially. The stent commissures are constructed so that the cusps are pivotably or flexibly coupled together at the commissures to permit relative movement therebetween. The stent may be cloth-covered and may be a single element or may be made in three separate elements for a three cusp valve, each element having a cusp portion and two commissure portions; adjacent commissure portions for each pair of adjacent stent element combining to form the stent commissures. If the stent has separate elements their commissure portions may be pivotably or flexible coupled, or may be designed to completely separate into independent leaflets at bioresorbable couples. The cloth covering may have an outwardly projecting flap that mates with valve leaflets (e.g., pericardial leaflets) along the cusps and commissures.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2009Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Alain F. Carpentier, Stefan G. Schreck, Richard S. Rhee, Diana Nguyen-Thien-Nhon, Hung Ly Lam, William J. Recktenwald, Robert Frater
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Patent number: 7481838Abstract: A highly flexible tissue-type heart valve is disclosed having a structural stent in a generally cylindrical configuration with cusps and commissures that are permitted to move radially. The stent commissures are constructed so that the cusps are pivotably or flexibly coupled together at the commissures to permit relative movement therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2003Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Alain F. Carpentier, Stefan G. Schreck, Richard S. Rhee, Diana Nguyen-Thien-Nhon, Hung Ly Lam, William Recktenwald
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Patent number: 6964682Abstract: An improved holder, system and method for implanting a tissue-type prosthetic mitral heart valve that prevents suture looping and may also constrict the commissure posts of the valve. The holder may include two relatively movable plates, one of which attaches to the valve sewing on the inflow end of the valve ring and the other which attaches via sutures or similar expedient to the valve commissures on the outflow end. Separation of the plates places the sutures in tension and constricts the commissures. The sutures may be strands or filaments, or may be wider bands of flexible biocompatible material. If bands are used, they desirably cover the commissure post tips to further help prevent suture looping thereover. The flexible lengths of material extend directly between commissures of the valve, or may extending radially inward from each commissure to a central upstanding member.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2000Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Diana Nguyen-Thien-Nhon, Myron Howanec, Jr., Ralph Kafesjian, Delos M. Cosgrove, Robert Stobie, Hung Ly Lam
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Patent number: 6945997Abstract: Improved, adaptable tissue-type heart valves and methods for their manufacture are disclosed wherein a dimensionally stable, pre-aligned tissue leaflet subassembly is formed and its peripheral edge clamped between and attached to an upper shaped wireform and a lower support stent. A variety of adaptable structural interfaces including suture rings, flanges, and conduits may be attached to the support stent with or without an outlet conduit disposed about the wireform to provide a tissue-type heart valve adaptable for use in either a natural heart or in mechanical pumping devices. The methods include forming individual leaflets with a template and using the template to attach the leaflets together to form a tissue leaflet subassembly. The template and leaflets include a straight edge terminating in oppositely directed tabs, and a curvilinear cusp edge extending opposite the straight edge.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2003Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Van Le Huynh, Than Nguyen, Hung Ly Lam, Xiaoming G. Guo, Ralph Kafesjian
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Patent number: 6837902Abstract: Heart valve leaflet selection methods and apparatuses which subject individual leaflets to loads and measure the resulting deflection to more reliably group leaflets of similar physical characteristics for later assembly in prosthetic heart valves. The deflection testing may be accomplished using a variety of test set ups which are designed to impart a load on the leaflet which simulates the actual loading within a heart valve. The results from a number of deflection tests are used to categorize individual leaflets, which data can be combined with other data regarding the characteristics of the leaflet to better select leaflets for assembly into a multi-leaflet heart valve. In one embodiment, the deflection test is combined with an intrinsic load test, and leaflets having similar deflection and intrinsic load values used in the same heart valve.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2003Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Than Nguyen, Hung Ly Lam, Jianbo Zhou, Carlos M. Romero, Ralph Kafesjian, Xiaoming G. Guo, Van Le Huynh
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Publication number: 20040148018Abstract: A highly flexible tissue-type heart valve is disclosed having a structural stent in a generally cylindrical configuration with cusps and commissures that are permitted to move radially. The stent commissures are constructed so that the cusps are pivotably or flexibly coupled together at the commissures to permit relative movement therebetween. The stent may be cloth-covered and may be a single element or may be made in three separate elements for a three cusp valve, each element having a cusp portion and two commissure portions; adjacent commissure portions for each pair of adjacent stent element combining to form the stent commissures. If the stent has separate elements their commissure portions may be pivotably or flexible coupled, or may be designed to completely separate into independent leaflets at bioresorbable couples. The cloth covering may have an outwardly projecting flap that mates with valve leaflets (e.g., pericardial leaflets) along the cusps and commissures.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventors: Alain F. Carpentier, Stefan G. Schreck, Richard S. Rhee, Diana Nguyen-Thien-Nhon, Hung Ly Lam, William Recktenwald
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Publication number: 20040082991Abstract: Heart valve leaflet selection methods and apparatuses which subject individual leaflets to loads and measure the resulting deflection to more reliably group leaflets of similar physical characteristics for later assembly in prosthetic heart valves. The deflection testing may be accomplished using a variety of test set ups which are designed to impart a load on the leaflet which simulates the actual loading within a heart valve. The results from a number of deflection tests are used to categorize individual leaflets, which data can be combined with other data regarding the characteristics of the leaflet to better select leaflets for assembly into a multi-leaflet heart valve. In one embodiment, the deflection test is combined with an intrinsic load test, and leaflets having similar deflection and intrinsic load values used in the same heart valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventors: Than Nguyen, Hung Ly Lam, Jianbo Zhou, Carlos M. Romero, Ralph Kafesjian, Xiaoming G. Guo, Van Le Huynh
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Publication number: 20030195620Abstract: Improved, adaptable tissue-type heart valves and methods for their manufacture are disclosed wherein a dimensionally stable, pre-aligned tissue leaflet subassembly is formed and its peripheral edge clamped between and attached to an upper shaped wireform and a lower support stent. A variety of adaptable structural interfaces including suture rings, flanges, and conduits may be attached to the support stent with or without an outlet conduit disposed about the wireform to provide a tissue-type heart valve adaptable for use in either a natural heart or in mechanical pumping devices. The methods include forming individual leaflets with a template and using the template to attach the leaflets together to form a tissue leaflet subassembly. The template and leaflets include a straight edge terminating in oppositely directed tabs, and a curvilinear cusp edge extending opposite the straight edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventors: Van Le Huynh, Than Nguyen, Hung Ly Lam, Xiaoming G. Guo, Ralph Kafesjian
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Patent number: 6585766Abstract: Improved, adaptable tissue-type heart valves and methods for their manufacture are disclosed wherein a dimensionally stable, pre-aligned tissue leaflet subassembly is formed and its peripheral edge clamped between and attached to an upper shaped wireform and a lower support stent. A variety of adaptable structural interfaces including suture rings, flanges, and conduits may be attached to the support stent with or without an outlet conduit disposed about the wireform to provide a tissue-type heart valve adaptable for use in either a natural heart or in mechanical pumping devices. The methods include forming individual leaflets with a template and using the template to attach the leaflets together to form a tissue leaflet subassembly. The template and leaflets include a straight edge terminating in oppositely directed tabs, and a curvilinear cusp edge extending opposite the straight edge.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2000Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Van Le Huynh, Than Nguyen, Hung Ly Lam, Xiaoming G. Guo, Ralph Kafesjian
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Patent number: 6558418Abstract: A highly flexible tissue-type heart valve is disclosed having a structural stent in a generally cylindrical configuration with cusps and commissures that are permitted to move radially. The stent commissures are constructed so that the cusps are pivotably or flexibly coupled together at the commissures to permit relative movement therebetween. The stent may be cloth-covered and may be a single element or may be made in three separate elements for a three cusp valve, each element having a cusp portion and two commissure portions; adjacent commissure portions for each pair of adjacent stent element combining to form the stent commissures. If the stent has separate elements their commissure portions may be pivotably or flexible coupled, or may be designed to completely separate into independent leaflets at bioresorbable couples. The cloth covering may have an outwardly projecting flap that mates with valve leaflets (e.g., pericardial leaflets) along the cusps and commissures.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1999Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Alain F. Carpentier, Stefan G. Schreck, Richard S. Rhee, Diana Nguyen-Thien-Nhon, Hung Ly Lam, William Recktenwald
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Publication number: 20030074059Abstract: Heart valve leaflet selection methods and apparatuses which subject individual leaflets to loads and measure the resulting deflection to more reliably group leaflets of similar physical characteristics for later assembly in prosthetic heart valves. The deflection testing may be accomplished using a variety of test set ups which are designed to impart a load on the leaflet which simulates the actual loading within a heart valve. The results from a number of deflection tests are used to categorize individual leaflets, which data can be combined with other data regarding the characteristics of the leaflet to better select leaflets for assembly into a multi-leaflet heart valve. In one embodiment, the deflection test is combined with an intrinsic load test, and leaflets having similar deflection and intrinsic load values used in the same heart valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2002Publication date: April 17, 2003Inventors: Than Nguyen, Hung Ly Lam, Jianbo Zhou, Carlos M. Romero, Ralph Kafesjian, Xiaoming G. Guo, Van Le Huynh
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Patent number: 6539984Abstract: A system and method for forming a three-dimensional wireform for heart valves from a two-dimensional starting shape. The wireform has multiple arcuate cusps and oppositely directed commissure tips therebetween, the cusps and commissure tips being oriented generally in a tube about an axis. The two-dimensional wire has three cusps and two commissure tips, with two free ends having bent segments. The wireforming system and process holds the commissure tips, or one commissure tip and one bent segment, and forms the cusp therebetween. The wire is held by two axially-parallel mandrels and cooperating clamps which axially rotate and move toward one another. A forming surface on each mandrel bends one half of the cusp, the forming surfaces being mirror images of one another. The forming surface has a complex curvature specifically designed to shape a particular size of wireform into a desired final three-dimensional shape.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventor: Hung Ly Lam
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Patent number: 6413275Abstract: Heart valve leaflet selection methods and apparatuses which subject individual leaflets to loads and measure the resulting deflection to more reliably group leaflets of similar physical characteristics for later assembly in prosthetic heart valves. The deflection testing may be accomplished using a variety of test set ups which are designed to impart a load on the leaflet which simulates the actual loading within a heart valve. The results from a number of deflection tests are used to categorize individual leaflets, which data can be combined with other data regarding the characteristics of the leaflet to better select leaflets for assembly into a multi-leaflet heart valve. In one embodiment, the deflection test is combined with an intrinsic load test, and leaflets having similar deflection and intrinsic load values used in the same heart valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2000Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Than Nguyen, Hung Ly Lam, Jianbo Zhou, Carlos M. Romero, Ralph Kafesjian, Xiaoming G. Guo, Van Le Huynh
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Publication number: 20020082686Abstract: An improved holder, system and method for implanting a tissue-type prosthetic mitral heart valve that prevents suture looping and may also constrict the commissure posts of the valve. The holder may include two relatively movable plates, one of which attaches to the valve sewing on the inflow end of the valve ring and the other which attaches via sutures or similar expedient to the valve commissures on the outflow end. Separation of the plates places the sutures in tension and constricts the commissures. The sutures may be strands or filaments, or may be wider bands of flexible biocompatible material. If bands are used, they desirably cover the commissure post tips to further help prevent suture looping thereover. The flexible lengths of material extend directly between commissures of the valve, or may extending radially inward from each commissure to a central upstanding member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2000Publication date: June 27, 2002Inventors: Diana Nguyen-Thien-Nhon, Myron Howanec, Ralph Kafesjian, Delos M. Cosgrove, Robert Stobie, Hung Ly Lam
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Publication number: 20020055775Abstract: A highly flexible tissue-type heart valve is disclosed having a structural stent in a generally cylindrical configuration with cusps and commissures that are permitted to move radially. The stent commissures are constructed so that the cusps are pivotably or flexibly coupled together at the commissures to permit relative movement therebetween. The stent may be cloth-covered and may be a single element or may be made in three separate elements for a three cusp valve, each element having a cusp portion and two commissure portions; adjacent commissure portions for each pair of adjacent stent element combining to form the stent commissures. If the stent has separate elements their commissure portions may be pivotably or flexible coupled, or may be designed to completely separate into independent leaflets at bioresorbable couples. The cloth covering may have an outwardly projecting flap that mates with valve leaflets (e.g., pericardial leaflets) along the cusps and commissures.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 1999Publication date: May 9, 2002Inventors: ALAIN F. CARPENTIER, STEFAN G. SCHRECK, RICHARD S. RHEE, DIANA NGUYEN-THIEN-NHON, HUNG LY LAM, WILLIAM RECKTENWALD
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Publication number: 20020035860Abstract: A system and method for forming a three-dimensional wireform for heart valves from a two-dimensional starting shape. The wireform has multiple arcuate cusps and oppositely directed commissure tips therebetween, the cusps and commissure tips being oriented generally in a tube about an axis. The two-dimensional wire has three cusps and two commissure tips, with two free ends having bent segments. The wireforming system and process holds the commissure tips, or one commissure tip and one bent segment, and forms the cusp therebetween. The wire is held by two axially-parallel mandrels and cooperating clamps which axially rotate and move toward one another. A forming surface on each mandrel bends one half of the cusp, the forming surfaces being mirror images of one another. The forming surface has a complex curvature specifically designed to shape a particular size of wireform into a desired final three-dimensional shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2001Publication date: March 28, 2002Inventor: Hung Ly Lam
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Patent number: 6245105Abstract: Heart valve leaflet selection methods and apparatuses which subject individual leaflets to loads and measure the resulting deflection to more reliably group leaflets of similar physical characteristics for later assembly in prosthetic heart valves. The deflection testing may be accomplished using a variety of test set ups which are designed to impart a load on the leaflet which simulates the actual loading within a heart valve. The results from a number of deflection tests are used to categorize individual leaflets, which data can be combined with other data regarding the characteristics of the leaflet to better select leaflets for assembly into a multi-leaflet heart valve. In one embodiment, the deflection test is combined with an intrinsic load test, and leaflets having similar deflection and intrinsic load values used in the same heart valve.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1998Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Than Nguyen, Hung Ly Lam, Jianbo Zhou, Carlos M. Romero, Ralph Kafesjian, Xiaoming G. Guo, Van Le Huynh
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Patent number: 6231602Abstract: An infra-annular annuloplasty prosthesis is disclosed including a flexibly semi-rigid frame, a portion of which is shaped to conform to the scalloped configuration of the normal circumference of an arterial heart valve annulus. Axially projecting legs spaced circumferentially to correspond to the location of tissue adjacent to the valve commissures are provided for support and anchoring of the annulus-conforming portion to the dense fibrous tissues adjacent each commissure. The prosthesis includes a one-or two-part frame having scalloped upper and lower edges defining peaks and valleys. The upper edge is shaped to follow the contour of the tissue underneath the valve leaflets, and thus supports the leaflets and aortic wall from below. The lower edge is similarly scallop-shaped, but with less pronounced peaks and valleys than the upper edge, and is thus shaped to conform to the aortic annulus shape and provide support directly thereto.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1999Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Alain Carpentier, Hung Ly Lam, Than Nguyen