Patents Assigned to Heart & Company
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Publication number: 20110270331Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to combination heart assist systems, methods, and devices that include both an electrical therapy device and a mechanical heart assist device. Various operational modes can be implemented using these embodiments, including a synchronized pacing mode, an internal CPR mode, and an internal workout mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: SUNSHINE HEART COMPANY PTY LTDInventors: William Suttle Peters, Rodney G. Parkin, David Rosa, Daniel M. Lafontaine, William T. Abraham, Benjamin Sun
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Patent number: 8016739Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in assisting a human heart are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an aortic compression means which may be fully implanatable, a fluid reservoir and a pump means adapted to pump a fluid from the reservoir to the aortic compression means so as to actuate the aortic compression means at least partly in counterpulsation with the patient's heart. In addition, the device is adapted to be wholly positioned within the right chest cavity of the patient. The aortic compression means of the device may be curved along its length so as to substantially replicate the curve of the ascending aorta.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2008Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Sunshine Heart Company Pty LtdInventors: William Suttle Peters, Peter Crispin Lawrence Marsh, Geoffrey Hamilton White, Rolf Gunnar Unger, Frederick Paget Milsom, Hans Hansforth Henrichsen, Colin Edward Sullivan
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Patent number: 8002691Abstract: A fluid pressure generating means (10) for a heart assist device having blood pumping means. The pressure generating means (10) includes a housing (11), defining an interior volume (18), and having a substantially rigid first housing portion (12), a substantially rigid second housing portion (14), a flexible third housing portion (16) extending between the first (12) and second (14) housing portions and an inlet/outlet port (15) adapted for fluid communication with the blood pumping means. The pressure generating means (10) also includes a fluid filling the housing and a motor (20) disposed within the housing (11) and connected between the first (12) and second (14) housing portions. Actuation of the motor (20) moves the first (12) and second (14) housing portions relative to one another to generate fluid pressure changes at the inlet/outlet port (15). A related heart assist device and method for the treatment of congestive heart failure, myocardial ischemia and like conditions are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2007Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Sunshine Heart Company Pty Ltd.Inventors: William Suttle Peters, Hans Hansforth Henrichsen, Peter Andrew Watterson
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Publication number: 20110196467Abstract: A wrap (20) for securing about a blood vessel (36) by encasing a section of the vessel. The wrap (20) being of thin flexible construction having two ends (22, 24) and two sides (26, 28). The wrap (20) is more elastic or stretchable at, near, or along at least some of its sides (22, 24) compared to at, near, or along its centre, to provide strain relief from wrapped to unwrapped aorta. The wrap (20) is not inelastic, so that loss of aortic compliance is minimised or enhanced. The wrap (20) is adapted to apply, in use, less compressive force at, near, or along at least some of its sides (22, 24) compared to at, near, or along its centre.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2010Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: Sunshine Heart Company PTY LTDInventors: Scott H. Miller, William Suttle Peters, Gemma De Plater
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Patent number: 7955248Abstract: An actuator (10) for a heart assist device. The actuator (10) includes an inflatable balloon (12) and a shroud or wrap (14). The inflatable balloon (12) has a first body portion (22), a second body portion (26) and a flexure region joining (24) the first (22) and second (26) body portions. The shroud or wrap (14) is positioned adjacent the first body portion (24) and has a peripheral extent at least equal to the peripheral extent of the balloon flexure region (24). The balloon (12) and the shroud or wrap (14) are shaped such that the shroud or wrap (14) restrains a part of the balloon first body portion (22) at or near the flexure region (24) against displacement towards the shroud or wrap (outward displacement) past a predetermined limit but allows unrestrained displacement away from the shroud or wrap (inward displacement).Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2004Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Sunshine Heart Company Pty LtdInventor: Scott Hugh Miller
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Patent number: 7887478Abstract: A percutaneous gas-line (10) for a medical device (14). The gas-line including a first gas-line part (10a) and a second gas-line part (10b). The first gas-line part (10a) is adapted to be wholly implanted in a patient and has a first end (10a?) adapted for sealing connection to the medical device (14) and a second end (10a?) with a connection fitting (20). The second gas-line part (10b) is adapted to be part-implanted and part-external and has a first (external) end (10b?) adapted for sealing connection to an external driver (12) and a second (implanted) end (10b?) adapted for removable sealing connection with the connection fitting (20) on the second end (10a?) of the first gas-line part (10a).Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2004Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Sunshine Heart Company Pty LtdInventor: William Suttle Peters
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Patent number: 7862499Abstract: A wrap (20) for securing about a blood vessel (36) by encasing a section of the vessel. The wrap (20) being of thin flexible construction having two ends (22, 24) and two sides (26, 28). The wrap (20) is more elastic or stretchable at, near, or along at least some of its sides (22, 24) compared to at, near, or along its center, to provide strain relief from wrapped to unwrapped aorta. The wrap (20) is not inelastic, so that loss of aortic compliance is minimized or enhanced. The wrap (20) is adapted to apply, in use, less compressive force at, near, or along at least some of its sides (22, 24) compared to at, near, or along its center.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2004Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Sunshine Heart Company Pty LtdInventors: Scott Hugh Miller, William Suttle Peters, Gemma Leigh De Plater
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Publication number: 20100324354Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a pulsatile heart assist device (14) in a patient (10). The method consisting of utilizing sounds produced by the heart (12) to control the operation of the heart assist device (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: Sunshine Heart Company Pty Ltd.Inventors: William Suttle Peters, Rodney G. Parkin
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Patent number: 7357771Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in assisting a human heart are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an aortic compression means which may be fully implanatable, a fluid reservoir and a pump means adapted to pump a fluid from the reservoir to the aortic compression means so as to actuate the aortic compression means at least partly in counterpulsation with the patient's heart. In addition, the device is adapted to be wholly positioned within the right chest cavity of the patient. The aortic compression means of the device may be curved along its length so as to substantially replicate the curve of the ascending aorta.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2004Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Sunshine Heart Company Pty LimitedInventors: William Suttle Peters, Peter Crispin Lawrence Marsh, Geoffrey Hamilton White, Rolf Gunnar Unger, Frederick Paget Milsom, Hans Hansforth Henrichsen, Colin Edward Sullivan
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Patent number: 7347811Abstract: The present invention relates to providing counter-pulsation heart assist by deforming the aorta. In a preferred embodiment, the deformation pressure is applied by cyclically, preferably in synchrony with the diastolic period of the heart. The deformation pressure may be applied to the outer wall of the aorta or to a patch covering a resected opening in the wall of the aorta.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2003Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Sunshine Heart Company Pty Ltd.Inventors: William Suttle Peters, Scott Hugh Miller, Peter Andrew Watterson
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Patent number: 7306558Abstract: A fluid pressure generating means (10) for a heart assist device having blood pumping means. The pressure generating means (10) includes a housing (11), defining an interior volume (18), and having a substantially rigid first housing portion (12), a substantially rigid second housing portion (14), a flexible third housing portion (16) extending between the first (12) and second (14) housing portions and an inlet/outlet port (15) adapted for fluid communication with the blood pumping means. The pressure generating means (10) also includes a fluid filling the housing and a motor (20) disposed within the housing (11) and connected between the first (12) and second (14) housing portions. Actuation of the motor (20) moves the first (12) and second (14) housing portions relative to one another to generate fluid pressure changes at the inlet/outlet port (15). A related heart assist device and method for the treatment of congestive heart failure, myocardial ischemia and like conditions are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2002Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Sunshine Heart Company Pty Ltd.Inventors: William Suttle Peters, Hans Hansforth Henrichsen, Peter Andrew Watterson
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Patent number: 7201021Abstract: Jewelry articles having magnetic elements and interchangeable settings are disclosed. In one aspect, the jewelry articles include magnetically coupling body portions and interchangeable settings. The body portions magnetically couple together to hold the interchangeable settings. For example, the body portions can magnetically couple together using rare earth magnets to form a composite ring. Preferably, at least one of the body portions is rotatable to tangentially break the magnetic coupling between the body portions to interchange the setting. In another aspect of the present invention, magnetic elements are used to magnetically suspend a movable setting on a jewelry article. An longitudinal member has at least one end connected to the jewelry article. The setting is movably disposed on the longitudinal member. A first magnetic element adjacent an end of the longitudinal member magnetically repels a second magnetic element on the setting.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Heart & CompanyInventor: Ronald W Hartgrove
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Publication number: 20070060787Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a pulsatile heart assist device (14) in a patient (10). The method consisting of utilising sounds produced by the heart (12) to control the operation of the heart assist device (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2004Publication date: March 15, 2007Applicant: Sunshine Heart Company Pty Ltd.Inventors: William Peters, Rodney Parkin
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Patent number: 7143607Abstract: A jewelry article includes an interchangeable setting, a shank or body, and a capture module. The shank defines a mounting area that holds the setting on the shank except substantially along one axis when the setting is positioned in the mounting area. The capture module couples on the shank. For example, the module can include a slot fitting on a portion of the shank. When the module is coupled on the shank, the module prevents removal of the setting from the mounting area substantially along the one axis. When worn by a wearer, the finger of the wearer, for example, maintains the module coupled to the shank so that the setting is captured on the jewelry article.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2003Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Heart & CompanyInventor: Ronald W Hartgrove
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Publication number: 20050044891Abstract: A jewelry article includes an interchangeable setting, a shank or body, and a capture module. The shank defines a mounting area that holds the setting on the shank except substantially along one axis when the setting is positioned in the mounting area. The capture module couples on the shank. For example, the module can include a slot fitting on a portion of the shank. When the module is coupled on the shank, the module prevents removal of the setting from the mounting area substantially along the one axis. When worn by a wearer, the finger of the wearer, for example, maintains the module coupled to the shank so that the setting is captured on the jewelry article.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2003Publication date: March 3, 2005Applicant: Heart & CompanyInventor: Ronald Hartgrove
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Patent number: 6851279Abstract: Jewelry articles having magnetic elements and interchangeable settings are disclosed. In one aspect, the jewelry articles include magnetically coupling body portions and interchangeable settings. The body portions magnetically couple together to hold the interchangeable settings. For example, the body portions can magnetically couple together using rare earth magnets to form a composite ring. Preferably, at least one of the body portions is rotatable to tangentially break the magnetic coupling between the body portions to interchange the setting. In another aspect of the present invention, magnetic elements are used to magnetically suspend a movable setting on a jewelry article. An longitudinal member has at least one end connected to the jewelry article. The setting is movably disposed on the longitudinal member. A first magnetic element adjacent an end of the longitudinal member magnetically repels a second magnetic element on the setting.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: Heart & CompanyInventor: Ronald W. Hartgrove
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Patent number: 6808484Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in assisting a human heart are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an aortic compression means which may be fully implantable, a fluid reservoir and a pump means adapted to pump a fluid from the reservoir to the aortic compression means so as to actuate the aortic compression means at least partly in counterpulsation with the patient's heart. In addition, the device is adapted to be wholly positioned within the right chest cavity of the patient. The aortic compression means of the device may be curved along its length so as to substantially replicate the curve of the ascending aorta.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2001Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: Sunshine Heart Company Pty LtdInventors: William Suttle Peters, Peter Crispin Lawrence Marsh, Geoffrey Hamilton White, Rolf Gunnar Unger, Frederick Paget Milsom, Hans Hansforth Henrichsen, Colin Edward Sullivan
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Publication number: 20040097784Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing a heart assist function by use of intraluminal inflatable counter-pulsation balloon or chamber. The apparatus includes means to hold the balloon or chamber in place against an inner wall of a blood vessel. The balloon or chamber is connected to a source of pressure which expands and contracts the balloon in counter-pulsation with the heart.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2003Publication date: May 20, 2004Applicant: SUNSHINE HEART COMPANY PTY LTD.Inventors: William Suttle Peters, Hans Hansforth Henrichsen, Scott Hugh Miller, Rodney Gordon Parkin
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Publication number: 20040079111Abstract: Jewelry articles having magnetic elements and interchangeable settings are disclosed. In one aspect, the jewelry articles include magnetically coupling body portions and interchangeable settings. The body portions magnetically couple together to hold the interchangeable settings. For example, the body portions can magnetically couple together using rare earth magnets to form a composite ring. Preferably, at least one of the body portions is rotatable to tangentially break the magnetic coupling between the body portions to interchange the setting. In another aspect of the present invention, magnetic elements are used to magnetically suspend a movable setting on a jewelry article. An longitudinal member has at least one end connected to the jewelry article. The setting is movably disposed on the longitudinal member. A first magnetic element adjacent an end of the longitudinal member magnetically repels a second magnetic element on the setting.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Applicant: Heart & CompanyInventor: Ronald W. Hartgrove
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Publication number: 20040074259Abstract: Jewelry articles having magnetic elements and interchangeable settings are disclosed. In one aspect, the jewelry articles include magnetically coupling body portions and interchangeable settings. The body portions magnetically couple together to hold the interchangeable settings. For example, the body portions can magnetically couple together using rare earth magnets to form a composite ring. Preferably, at least one of the body portions is rotatable to tangentially break the magnetic coupling between the body portions to interchange the setting. In another aspect of the present invention, magnetic elements are used to magnetically suspend a movable setting on a jewelry article. An longitudinal member has at least one end connected to the jewelry article. The setting is movably disposed on the longitudinal member. A first magnetic element adjacent an end of the longitudinal member magnetically repels a second magnetic element on the setting.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Applicant: Heart & CompanyInventor: Ronald W. Hartgrove