Patents Assigned to Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20050197528
    Abstract: A cardiac constraint jacket is formed of flexible material defining a volume between an open upper end and a lower end. The jacket is dimensioned for an apex of a patient's heart to be inserted into the volume through the open upper end and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. A delivery device is used to place the jacket on the heart. The delivery device includes a plurality of attachment locations. Each of the attachment locations is releasably secured to separate positions surrounding a periphery of the open upper end of the jacket. The delivery device also includes a control arrangement which is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. The control arrangement is connected to the attachment locations such that the attachment locations are in a compact array urging the open upper end of the jacket into a collapsed configuration when the control member is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: John Vanden Hoek, Jody Rivers
  • Publication number: 20050171590
    Abstract: This invention relates to implantable heart sack that can be equipped with pacemaker leads and/or defibrillation leads for the treatment of cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy tachycardia, bradycardia, ventricular fibrillation, atrial fibrillation etc. The hear sack was prepared from biocompatible, biostable, implantable polyetherurethane, polycarbonateurethane, silicone, polysiloxaneurethane, polyfluoroethylene, or hydrogenated poly(styrene-butadiene) copolymer. The heart sack is equipped with attached sutures to make it easier to attach onto the heart. The heart sack can be made semipermeable or perforated to have numerous holes. The heart sack can be reinforce with fiber or filament. Ordinary pacemaker leads can be attached to the inner side of the heart sack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuzi Okuzumi
  • Patent number: 6908426
    Abstract: A cardiac constraint device comprising a jacket of biological compatible material and an adjustment member. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole. The adjustment mechanism is configured to alter the internal volume defined by the jacket after the jacket is secured to the heart. The invention also provides a method for treating cardiac disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Edward Shapland, Robert G. Walsh, John David Dockter, John C. Vanden Hoek
  • Patent number: 6902522
    Abstract: A device for treating cardiac disease of a heart having an upper portion and a lower portion divided by an A–V groove, the device including a jacket adapted to be secured to the heart, and a delivery source for the delivery of one or more therapeutic agents to the surface of the heart. The jacket is fabricated from a flexible material defining a volume between an upper and a lower end, the jacket being adapted to be adjusted on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and permit substantially unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole. As a result of the flexible material, the jacket allows unimpeded diastolic filling of the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Walsh, J. Edward Shapland, II, Donald G. Rohrbaugh, Donald F. Palme, II
  • Patent number: 6902524
    Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton A. Alferness, Donald G. Rohrbaugh, J. Edward Shapland, Michael J. Girard, Donald F. Palme, II, James E. Cox
  • Patent number: 6896652
    Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton A. Alferness, Jai Shankar Raman, John Melmouth Power
  • Patent number: 6893392
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a cardiac reinforcement device (CRD) and method for the treatment of cardiomyopathy. The CRD provides for reinforcement of the walls of the heart by constraining cardiac expansion, beyond a predetermined limit, during diastolic expansion of the heart. A CRD of the invention can be applied to the epicardium of the heart to locally constrain expansion of the cardiac wall or to circumferentially constrain the cardiac wall during cardiac expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifton A. Alferness
  • Publication number: 20050085688
    Abstract: A highly compliant and elastic cardiac support device is provided. The device is constructed from a biocompatible material is applied to an external surface of a heart. The device can be used to resist dilatation of the heart, to provide acute wall support, or to enhance reduction in the size of the heart using stored potential energy, without interfering with systolic contraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Girard, J. Shapland, Donald Palme
  • Patent number: 6881185
    Abstract: A cardiac constraint jacket is formed of flexible material defining a volume between an open upper end and a lower end. The jacket is dimensioned for an apex of a patient's heart to be inserted into the volume through the open upper end and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. A delivery device is used to place the jacket on the heart. The delivery device includes a plurality of attachment locations. Each of the attachment locations is releasably secured to separate positions surrounding a periphery of the open upper end of the jacket. The delivery device also includes a control arrangement which is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. The control arrangement is connected to the attachment locations such that the attachment locations are in a compact array urging the open upper end of the jacket into a collapsed configuration when the control member is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Vanden Hock, Jody L. Rivers
  • Patent number: 6876887
    Abstract: This invention relates to implantable heart sack that can be equipped with pacemaker leads and/or defibrillation leads for the treatment of cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, tachycardia, bradycardia, ventricular fibrillation, atrial fibrillation etc. The hear sack was prepared from biocompatible, biostable, implantable polyetherurethane, polycarbonateurethane, silicone, polysiloxaneurethane, polyfluoroethylene, or hydrogenated poly(styrene-butadiene) copolymer. The heart sack is equipped with attached sutures to make it easier to attach onto the heart. The heart sack can be made semipermeable or perforated to have numerous holes. The heart sack can be reinforce with fiber or filament. Ordinary pacemaker leads can be attached to the inner side of the heart sack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuzi Okuzumi
  • Publication number: 20050004428
    Abstract: A device for treating cardiac disease of a heart having an upper portion and a lower portion divided by an A-V groove, the device including a jacket adapted to be secured to the heart, and a non-adherent material in association with the jacket. The jacket is fabricated from a flexible material defining a volume between an upper and a lower end, the jacket being adapted to be adjusted on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and permit substantially unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole. As a result of the flexible material, the jacket allows unimpeded diastolic filling of the heart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: James Cox, Michael Girard, Donald Palme, Donald Rohrbaugh, Hani Sabbah, J. Shapland, Robert Walsh
  • Publication number: 20040186342
    Abstract: A cardiac constraint jacket is formed of flexible material defining a volume between an open upper end and a lower end. The jacket is dimensioned for an apex of a patient's heart to be inserted into the volume through the open upper end and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. A delivery device is used to place the jacket on the heart. The delivery device includes a plurality of attachment locations. Each of the attachment locations is releasably secured to separate positions surrounding a periphery of the open upper end of the jacket. The delivery device also includes a control arrangement which is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. The control arrangement is connected to the attachment locations such that the attachment locations are in a compact array urging the open upper end of the jacket into a collapsed configuration when the control member is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Vanden Hock, Jody L. Rivers
  • Publication number: 20040181123
    Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton A. Alferness, Jai Shankar Raman, John Melmouth Power
  • Publication number: 20040181125
    Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton A. Alferness, Jai Shankar Raman, John Melmouth Power
  • Publication number: 20040181124
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a cardiac reinforcement device (CRD) and method for the treatment of cardiomyopathy. The CRD provides for reinforcement of the walls of the heart by constraining cardiac expansion, beyond a predetermined limit, during diastolic expansion of the heart. A CRD of the invention can be applied to the epicardium of the heart to locally constrain expansion of the cardiac wall or to circumferentially constrain the cardiac wall during cardiac expansion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifton A. Alferness
  • Publication number: 20040181122
    Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton A. Alferness, Jai Shankar Raman, John Melmouth Power
  • Publication number: 20040181121
    Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton A. Alferness, Jai Shankar Raman, John Melmouth Power
  • Publication number: 20040171908
    Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton A. Alferness, Jai Shankar Raman, John Melmouth Power
  • Publication number: 20040171907
    Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton A. Alferness, Jai Shankar Raman, John Melmouth Power
  • Publication number: 20040133069
    Abstract: A cardiac constraint device comprising a jacket of biological compatible material and an adjustment member. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole. The adjustment mechanism is configured to alter the internal volume defined by the jacket after the jacket is secured to the heart. The invention also provides a method for treating cardiac disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Edward Shapland, Robert G. Walsh, John David Dockter, John C. Vanden Hoek