Patents by Inventor Susan M. Mulvaney

Susan M. Mulvaney 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).

  • Suture guard for prosthetic heart valve
    Patent number: 5843179
    Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis for use in a heart includes an orifice defining a lumen therethrough for blood flow. An occluder is carried in the orifice and is movable between an open position which allows blood flow through the lumen and a closed position in which flow through the lumen is blocked. A suture cuff coupled to the orifice extends around an outer circumference of the orifice and is used for attaching the heart valve to a heart tissue annulus using sutures. The sutures are knotted proximate the suture cuff to secure the cuff to the annulus. A suture guard is coupled to the suture cuff and is movable between an open position in which the suture knot is exposed and a closed position in which the suture, suture knot and suture cuff are covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy P. Vanney, Deborah A. Loch, Kimberly A. Anderson, Susan M. Mulvaney, Kurt D. Krueger, Michael J. Girard