Patents Assigned to Abiomed, Inc.
  • Hemostasis valves and related components and methods
    Patent number: 10441771
    Abstract: Hemostasis valves and hemostasis valve assemblies can be coupled to a proximal end of an introducer sheath to prevent blood loss through the proximal end of the introducer sheath. Some hemostasis valve assemblies may include an elastomeric member with a variable-width channel that is designed to form a liquid-tight seal over elongate members of different diameter or a single elongate member of variable diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignees: Merit Medical Systems, Inc., Abiomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Bickhart, Christopher A. Heine, Mary L. Milone, John Murphy
  • Cardiovascular assist system that quantifies heart function and facilitates heart recovery
    Patent number: 10376162
    Abstract: The systems, devices, and methods presented herein use a heart pump to obtain measurements of cardiovascular function. The heart pumps described herein can operate in parallel with and unload the heart. The system can quantify the functioning of the native heart by measuring certain parameters/signals such as pressure or motor current, then calculate and display one or more metrics of cardiovascular function. These metrics, such as left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), left ventricular pressure, and contractility, provide valuable information to a user regarding a patient's state of heart function and recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignees: ABIOMED, INC., MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Elazer Edelman, Brian Chang, Noam Joesphy, Sonya Sanat Bhavsar
  • Blood pump assembly having a sensor and a sensor shield
    Patent number: 10342906
    Abstract: A blood pump assembly can include various components such as a housing and a sensor configured to detect one or more characteristics of the blood. In some embodiments, the sensor can be coupled to the housing and can include a sensor membrane configured to deflect in response to a change in a blood parameter (e.g., pressure). The blood pump assembly can include a shield that covers at least a portion of the sensor membrane so as to protect the sensor from damage when the blood pump assembly is inserted through an introducer and navigated through the patient's vasculature and/or when the blood pump assembly is inserted into the heart in a surgical procedure. One or more protective layers can be deposited over the sensor membrane to prevent the sensor membrane from being dissolved through interactions with the patient's blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: ABIOMED, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph Louis D'Ambrosio, Bruce Adams, Michael Thomas Finnegan, Gerd Spanier, Thorsten Siess
  • Guidewire for cannula placement
    Patent number: 10300249
    Abstract: A guidewire for backloading and inserting a percutaneous pump affixed to a cannula includes a proximal section made of a first material, with a first diameter, a rounded proximal end, and a distal end. The guidewire also includes a distal section made of a second material, with a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter, a distal end, and a proximal end abutting the distal end of the proximal section. The first material of the proximal section is selected to be softer than a material of the percutaneous pump to reduce damage to the pump during backloading. The distal section of the guidewire is configured to be stiffer than the proximal section to insert the percutaneous pump in a desired location without damaging the guidewire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Abiomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenghong Tao, Michael Thomas Finnegan
  • Magnetic fixation apparatus for percutaneous catheter
    Patent number: 10238782
    Abstract: A catheter apparatus can include a first magnet coupled to a catheter and a second magnet configured to couple to a patient's skin. When the catheter and the first magnet are positioned within a patient's body, the second magnet can exert a magnetic force on the first magnet that stabilizes the catheter relative to the second magnet. The second magnet can be directly attached to the patient's skin or secondary devices such as straps can be used to place the second magnet in a fixed position relative to the patient's body. In some implementations, a plurality of magnets can facilitate holding the catheter in a substantially fixed position within the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Abiomed, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent Barry
  • Cannula assembly
    Patent number: 10207037
    Abstract: Cannula assemblies and methods of manufacturing cannula assemblies are provided. The cannula assembly includes a cannula and a pigtail extension coupled to the cannula. The pigtail extension includes a proximal section having a first stiffness and a distal section having a second stiffness, the first stiffness greater than the second stiffness. The proximal section of the pigtail extension is positioned between the cannula and at least a portion of the distal section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: ABIOMED, INC.
    Inventors: Scott C. Corbett, Caitlyn Hastie
  • Graft anchor devices, systems and methods
    Patent number: 10143571
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides medical devices, systems and methods and in particular to devices and methods useful for anchoring graft materials to bodily structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: ABIOMED, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Spence, Rob Dowling, Robert T.V. Kung, Caitlyn Hastie, Thorsten Siess, Eric Gratz, Gerd Spanier
  • Counterpulsation device driver apparatus, method and system
    Patent number: 9950102
    Abstract: A method of operating a counterpulsation device (CPD) in a human or animal subject is disclosed, the method including: receiving a heart beat signal indicative of the heart beat of the subject; providing counterpulsation therapy by controlling the pressure supplied to a CPD drive line in pneumatic communication with the CPD to cause the CPD to alternately fill with blood and eject blood with a timing that is determined at least in part based on the heart beat signal; while providing counterpulsation therapy, receiving a CPD drive line pressure signal indicative of the pressure in the CPD drive line; and adjusting the pressure supplied to the drive line based at least in part on the drive line pressure signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Abiomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Spence, Rob Dowling, Robert T. V. Kung, Thorsten Siess, Eric Gratz, Gerd Spanier
  • Devices, methods and systems for counterpulsation and blood flow conduit connection
    Patent number: 9919086
    Abstract: A blood flow conduit includes a first conduit portion defining a first portion of a lumen; and a second conduit portion defining a second portion of a lumen. At least one of the first or second conduit portions may include a tip portion and the other of the first or second conduit portions may include an enlarged area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Abiomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Dowling, Robert T. V. Kung, Paul Spence, Thorsten Siess, Gerd Spanier, Eric Gratz, Caitlyn Hastie
  • Percutaneous valve deployment
    Patent number: 9833314
    Abstract: A polymeric heart valve is disclosed including: a valve body having a central axis having a body fluid pathway extending along the central axis from an inflow end to an outflow end; a flexible stent disposed about an outer circumference of the body and including at least three flexible stent posts each extending in the axial direction to a tip; and at least three flexible leaflets extending from the stent, each of the leaflets having an attached edge defining an attachment curve along the stent extending between a respective pair of stent posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Abiomed, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott C. Corbett
  • Guidewire for cannula placement
    Patent number: 9821146
    Abstract: A guidewire for backloading and inserting a percutaneous pump affixed to a cannula includes a proximal section made of a first material, with a first diameter, a rounded proximal end, and a distal end. The guidewire also includes a distal section made of a second material, with a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter, a distal end, and a proximal end abutting the distal end of the proximal section. The first material of the proximal section is selected to be softer than a material of the percutaneous pump to reduce damage to the pump during backloading. The distal section of the guidewire is configured to be stiffer than the proximal section to insert the percutaneous pump in a desired location without damaging the guidewire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Abiomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenghong Tao, Michael Thomas Finnegan
  • Blood pump housing component
    Patent number: 9821100
    Abstract: Blood pump assemblies and methods of manufacturing and operating blood pump assemblies are provided. The blood pump assembly includes a pump and an impeller blade rotatably coupled to the pump. The blood pump assembly also includes a pump housing component sized for passage through a body lumen and coupled to the pump. The pump housing component includes a peripheral wall extending about a rotation axis of the impeller blade. The peripheral wall includes an inner peripheral wall surface and an outer peripheral wall surface. The peripheral wall also includes one or more blood exhaust apertures. Each blood exhaust aperture in the one or more blood exhaust apertures is defined by an inner aperture edge and an outer aperture edge. Each inner aperture edge is chamfered between the inner peripheral wall surface and the outer peripheral wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Abiomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Corbett, Zhongwei Qi, Kar Lee
  • Anatomic fit of a percutaneous VAD for right heart support
    Patent number: 9814813
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including: a cannula having a shape closely matched to the anatomy of the right ventricle of the human heart, where the cannula has an outflow port configured to be located proximal the pulmonary artery and an inflow port located proximal the inferior vena cava. In some embodiments, the cannula is a close fit to the anatomy of at least 90%, 95%, or more of the population.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Abiomed, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott C. Corbett
  • Cannula assembly
    Patent number: 9814814
    Abstract: Cannula assemblies and methods of manufacturing cannula assemblies are provided. The cannula assembly includes a cannula and a pigtail extension coupled to the cannula. The pigtail extension includes a proximal section having a first stiffness and a distal section having a second stiffness, the first stiffness greater than the second stiffness. The proximal section of the pigtail extension is positioned between the cannula and at least a portion of the distal section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Abiomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Corbett, Caitlyn Hastie
  • Loading guide lumen
    Patent number: 9750861
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including: an intracardiac pump device having a path for a guidewire extending through the pump device from a first opening to a second opening; and a lumen which extends from a first end located outside of the pump device, into the pump device through the first opening in the pump device, along the path for the guidewire, out of the pump device through the second opening, and to a second end located outside of the pump device. The lumen is configured to receive the guidewire such that when the guidewire passes through the lumen from the first end to the second end, the guidewire is positioned along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Abiomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Caitlyn Hastie, Frank Kirchhoff, Thorsten Siess
  • Counterpulsation device driver apparatus, method and system
    Patent number: 9566374
    Abstract: A method of operating a counterpulsation device (CPD) in a human or animal subject is disclosed, the method including: receiving a heart beat signal indicative of the heart beat of the subject; providing counterpulsation therapy by controlling the pressure supplied to a CPD drive line in pneumatic communication with the CPD to cause the CPD to alternately fill with blood and eject blood with a timing that is determined at least in part based on the heart beat signal; while providing counterpulsation therapy, receiving a CPD drive line pressure signal indicative of the pressure in the CPD drive line; and adjusting the pressure supplied to the drive line based at least in part on the drive line pressure signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Abiomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Spence, Rob Dowling, Robert T. V. Kung, Thorsten Siess, Eric Gratz, Gerd Spanier
  • Purge-free miniature rotary pump
    Patent number: 9486566
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the circulation of blood using a purge-free miniature pump. In one embodiment, a pump is provided that may comprise a housing including a rotor and a stator within a drive unit. In this embodiment, the pump may establish a primary blood flow through the space between the drive unit and the housing and a secondary blood flow between the rotor and stator. In another embodiment, a pump establishes a primary blood flow outside the housing and a secondary blood flow between the rotor and stator. In yet another embodiment, a method is provided for introducing the pump into the body and circulating blood using the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: ABIOMED, INC.
    Inventor: Thorsten Siess
  • Heart valve prosthesis with open stent
    Patent number: 9456898
    Abstract: A prosthetic apparatus is disclosed including: a tubular stent disposed about a longitudinal axis and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the stent defining a tubular passage between the ends. The tubular stent has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a middle portion located between the proximal and distal portions. The proximal and distal portions each comprise a mesh of support struts forming at least one ring of open elements disposed about the longitudinal axis. The middle portion features open regions which reduce or eliminate blockage of sensitive anatomical features at an implantation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: ABIOMED, INC.
    Inventors: Terrence Gerard Barnes, Scott Corbett
  • Devices, methods and systems for counterpulsation and blood flow conduit connection
    Patent number: 9440013
    Abstract: A blood flow conduit includes a first conduit portion defining a first portion of a lumen; and a second conduit portion defining a second portion of a lumen. At least one of the first or second conduit portions may include a tip portion and the other of the first or second conduit portions may include an enlarged area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: ABIOMED, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Dowling, Robert T.V. Kung, Paul Spence, Thorsten Siess, Gerd Spanier, Eric Gratz, Caitlyn Hastie
  • Blood pump housing component
    Patent number: 9433713
    Abstract: Blood pump assemblies and methods of manufacturing and operating blood pump assemblies are provided. The blood pump assembly includes a pump and an impeller blade rotatably coupled to the pump. The blood pump assembly also includes a pump housing component sized for passage through a body lumen and coupled to the pump. The pump housing component includes a peripheral wall extending about a rotation axis of the impeller blade. The peripheral wall includes an inner peripheral wall surface and an outer peripheral wall surface. The peripheral wall also includes one or more blood exhaust apertures. Each blood exhaust aperture in the one or more blood exhaust apertures is defined by an inner aperture edge and an outer aperture edge. Each inner aperture edge is chamfered between the inner peripheral wall surface and the outer peripheral wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Abiomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Corbett, Zhongwei Qi, Kar Lee