Patents by Inventor Niel F. Starksen
Niel F. Starksen 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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Publication number: 20210220139Abstract: Devices and methods provide enhanced treatment of a cardiac valve annulus. Methods generally involve contacting an anchor delivery device with the valve annulus and releasing a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus. Anchors, which in some embodiments are super-elastic or shape memory self-securing anchors, are then drawn together to tighten the annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having a housing at or near the distal end for releasably housing a plurality of coupled anchors. The housing may be flexible, may conform to a valve annulus, and in some embodiments may be coupled with an expandable member to enhance contact of the housing with annular tissue. In one embodiment, self-securing anchors lie approximately flat within the delivery device housing, allowing anchors with relatively large deployed shapes to be housed in and deployed from a relatively narrow delivery device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Niel F. STARKSEN, John TO
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Publication number: 20210022739Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for guide elements configured with variable stiffness, with one or more flexible portions and one or more stiff portions. The flexible portion is be used as a tensioning element of a cinchable implant to tighten or compress tissues while the stiff portion is used to facilitate the insertion or withdrawal of portions of the implant or instruments acting on the implant. The guide element is further configured to be separated or severed between the flexible and stiff portions so that a flexible portion is left within the body as part of the implant, while the stiff portion is withdrawn from the body after implantation is completed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Niel F. STARKSEN, Joe EDER
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Patent number: 10898328Abstract: Devices and methods provide enhanced treatment of a cardiac valve annulus. Methods generally involve contacting an anchor delivery device with the valve annulus and releasing a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the-annulus. Anchors, which in some embodiments are super-clastic or shape memory self-securing anchors, are then drawn together to tighten the annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having a housing at or near the distal end for releasably housing a plurality of coupled anchors. The housing may be flexible, may conform to a valve annulus, and in some embodiments may be coupled with an expandable member to enhance contact of the housing with annular tissue. In one embodiment, self-securing anchors lie approximately flat with the delivery device housing, allowing anchors with relatively large deployed shapes to be housed in and deployed from a relatively narrow delivery device.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Ancora Heart, Inc.Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, John To
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Patent number: 10709449Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for guide elements configured with variable stiffness, with one or more flexible portions and one or more stiff portions. The flexible portion is be used as a tensioning element of a cinchable implant to tighten or compress tissues while the stiff portion is used to facilitate the insertion or withdrawal of portions of the implant or instruments acting on the implant. The guide element is further configured to be separated or severed between the flexible and stiff portions so that a flexible portion is left within the body as part of the implant, while the stiff portion is withdrawn from the body after implantation is completed.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2012Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Ancora Heart, Inc.Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, Joe Eder
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Publication number: 20200138399Abstract: A stethoscope system includes a wearable stethoscope patch to be worn by a user that includes a substrate, an accelerometer in the substrate, the accelerometer configured to sense acoustic pressure waves in the user's body to produce a first electrical signal, and an antenna over the substrate and in electric communication with the accelerometer, wherein the antenna is configured to wirelessly transmit measurement data based on the first electrical signal. The wearable stethoscope patch also includes a control device that receives the measurement data wirelessly from the antenna and produces stethoscopic data based on the measurement data.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Jiang Li, Niel F. Starksen, Quoi V. Huynh
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Patent number: 10624741Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Ancora Heart, Inc.Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, John To, Mariel Fabro, Michael F. Wei, Rodolfo A. Morales
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Publication number: 20190091023Abstract: Devices and methods provide enhanced treatment of a cardiac valve annulus. Methods generally involve contacting an anchor delivery device with the valve annulus and releasing a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the-annulus. Anchors, which in some embodiments are super-clastic or shape memory self-securing anchors, are then drawn together to tighten the annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having a housing at or near the distal end for releasably housing a plurality of coupled anchors. The housing may be flexible, may conform to a valve annulus, and in some embodiments may be coupled with an expandable member to enhance contact of the housing with annular tissue. In one embodiment, self-securing anchors lie approximately flat with the delivery device housing, allowing anchors with relatively large deployed shapes to be housed in and deployed from a relatively narrow delivery device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Niel F. STARKSEN, John TO
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Patent number: 10092402Abstract: Devices and methods provide enhanced treatment of a cardiac valve annulus. Methods generally involve contacting an anchor delivery device with the valve annulus and releasing a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus. Anchors, which in some embodiments are super-elastic or shape memory self-securing anchors, are then drawn together to tighten the annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having a housing at or near the distal end for releasably housing a plurality of coupled anchors. The housing may be flexible, may conform to a valve annulus, and in some embodiments may be coupled with an expandable member to enhance contact of the housing with annular tissue. In one embodiment, self-securing anchors lie approximately flat within the delivery device housing, allowing anchors with relatively large deployed shapes to be housed in and deployed from a relatively narrow delivery device.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2016Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Ancora Heart, Inc.Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, John To
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Publication number: 20180228609Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Niel F. STARKSEN, John TO, Mariel FABRO, Michael F. WEI, Rodolfo A. MORALES
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Patent number: 9949829Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Ancora Heart, Inc.Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, John To, Mariel Fabro, Michael F. Wei, Rodolfo A. Morales
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Publication number: 20170224489Abstract: Devices and methods provide enhanced treatment of a cardiac valve annulus. Methods generally involve contacting an anchor delivery device with the valve annulus and releasing a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus. Anchors, which in some embodiments are super-elastic or shape memory self-securing anchors, are then drawn together to tighten the annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having a housing at or near the distal end for releasably housing a plurality of coupled anchors. The housing may be flexible, may conform to a valve annulus, and in some embodiments may be coupled with an expandable member to enhance contact of the housing with annular tissue. In one embodiment, self-securing anchors lie approximately flat within the delivery device housing, allowing anchors with relatively large deployed shapes to be housed in and deployed from a relatively narrow delivery device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2016Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: Niel F. STARKSEN, John TO
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Patent number: 9636107Abstract: Methods and devices provide constriction of a heart valve annulus to treat cardiac valve regurgitation and other conditions. Embodiments typically include a device for attaching a cinching or tightening apparatus to a heart valve annulus to reduce the circumference of the annulus, thus reducing valve regurgitation. Tightening devices may include multiple tethered clips, multiple untethered crimping clips, stabilizing devices, visualization devices, and the like. In one embodiment, a plurality of tethered clips is secured circumferentially to a valve annulus, and the tether coupling the clips is cinched to reduce the circumference of at least a portion of the annulus. Methods and devices may be used in open heart surgical procedures, minimally invasive procedures, catheter-based procedures, and/or procedures on beating hearts or stopped hearts.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Ancora Heart, Inc.Inventors: Rodolfo A. Morales, Niel F. Starksen
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Patent number: 9468528Abstract: Devices and methods provide enhanced treatment of a cardiac valve annulus. Methods generally involve contacting an anchor delivery device with the valve annulus and releasing a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus. Anchors, which in some embodiments are super-elastic or shape memory self-securing anchors, are then drawn together to tighten the annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having a housing at or near the distal end for releasably housing a plurality of coupled anchors. The housing may be flexible, may conform to a valve annulus, and in some embodiments may be coupled with an expandable member to enhance contact of the housing with annular tissue. In one embodiment, self-securing anchors lie approximately flat within the delivery device housing, allowing anchors with relatively large deployed shapes to be housed in and deployed from a relatively narrow delivery device.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Guided Delivery Systems, Inc.Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, John To
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Patent number: 9226825Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2004Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Guided Delivery Systems, Inc.Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, John To, Mariel Fabro, Michael F. Wei, Rodolfo A. Morales
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Publication number: 20150335430Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for improving the hemodynamic function of a patient. In particular, a first device adapted to reshape an atrio-ventricular valve is used in combination with a second device configured to further alter the blood flow through the valve. The first device is typically an implant positioned in the subvalvular space of a ventricle. The second device may be an annuloplasty implant, a non-annulus valve apparatus implant, a ventriculoplasty implant, or a cardiac rhythm management device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2015Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: Didier LOULMET, Niel F. STARKSEN, Mariel FABRO, Eugene SERINA
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Patent number: 9125632Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for improving the hemodynamic function of a patient. In particular, a first device adapted to reshape an atrio-ventricular valve is used in combination with a second device configured to further alter the blood flow through the valve. The first device is typically an implant positioned in the subvalvular space of a ventricle. The second device may be an annuloplasty implant, a non-annulus valve apparatus implant, a ventriculoplasty implant, or a cardiac rhythm management device.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2008Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Guided Delivery Systems, Inc.Inventors: Didier Loulmet, Niel F. Starksen, Mariel Fabro, Eugene Serina
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Patent number: 9072513Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2008Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Guided Delivery Systems Inc.Inventors: John To, Niel F. Starksen, Tenny C. Calhoun, Brian Tang
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Publication number: 20150182216Abstract: Methods and devices provide constriction of a heart valve annulus to treat cardiac valve regurgitation and other conditions. Embodiments typically include a device for attaching a cinching or tightening apparatus to a heart valve annulus to reduce the circumference of the annulus, thus reducing valve regurgitation. Tightening devices may include multiple tethered clips, multiple untethered crimping clips, stabilizing devices, visualization devices, and the like. In one embodiment, a plurality of tethered clips is secured circumferentially to a valve annulus, and the tether coupling the clips is cinched to reduce the circumference of at least a portion of the annulus. Methods and devices may be used in open heart surgical procedures, minimally invasive procedures, catheter-based procedures, and/or procedures on beating hearts or stopped hearts.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2015Publication date: July 2, 2015Inventors: Rodolfo A. MORALES, Niel F. STARKSEN
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Publication number: 20150164639Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2015Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Niel F. STARKSEN, John TO, Mariel FABRO, Michael F. WEI, Rodolfo A. MORALES
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Publication number: 20140194976Abstract: Devices and methods provide enhanced treatment of a cardiac valve annulus. Methods generally involve contacting an anchor delivery device with the valve annulus and releasing a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus. Anchors, which in some embodiments are super-elastic or shape memory self-securing anchors, are then drawn together to tighten the annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having a housing at or near the distal end for releasably housing a plurality of coupled anchors. The housing may be flexible, may conform to a valve annulus, and in some embodiments may be coupled with an expandable member to enhance contact of the housing with annular tissue. In one embodiment, self-securing anchors lie approximately flat within the delivery device housing, allowing anchors with relatively large deployed shapes to be housed in and deployed from a relatively narrow delivery device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: GUIDED DELIVERY SYSTEMS INC.Inventors: Niel F. STARKSEN, John TO