Patents Assigned to St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.
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Patent number: 8382784Abstract: A catheter-based system for accessing specific body cavities percutaneously and minimizing patient trauma is provided. In the preferred embodiment, in order to create an aperture at an access site in a patient's existing tubular body organ structure, a delivery sheath is passed axially along the interior of a portion of the existing tubular body organ structure to place a distal end of the delivery sheath near the access site. A centering wire is passed axially along the interior of the delivery sheath, piercing through from inside to outside of the patient's existing tubular body organ structure at the access site by causing an end portion of the centering wire to emerge from the distal end of the delivery sheath. A cutting catheter is passed substantially coaxially over the centering wire and axially along the interior of the delivery sheath.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2007Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: Todd Allen Berg, Christopher M. Prigge
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Patent number: 8114102Abstract: A temporary hemostatic plug apparatus for use in a patient includes a plug structure configured to be placed within a patient's tubular body structure. The plug structure may be configured to be placed in an incision to create a bloodless operating field for a surgeon to operate, for example to perform an anastomosis. This may be done by deploying the plug structure out from within the lumen to create a hemostatic seal around the incision. Once the surgeon has completed the operation, the plug apparatus may be removed from the lumen through the incision, or through any other point of access in the lumen.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2004Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: Jason A. Galdonik, Gregory Alan Boldenow
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Patent number: 8109947Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering and installing a new length of tubing between two sections of a patient's existing body organ tubing and at least partly outside of that existing structure. For example, the new length of tubing may be for the purpose of providing the patient with a coronary bypass. The new tubing may be an artificial graft, a natural graft (harvested elsewhere from the patient), or both. The new tubing is installed at the operative site primarily by providing at least one graft location with instrumentation inserted through the patient's existing tubular body organ structure. Assistance in installing the new tubing may be provided by minimally invasive surgical access openings in the patient's chest. The tubing may be delivered through the patient's existing tubular body structure or, alternatively, through the surgical access openings.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2005Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: Todd A Berg, Daniel J Sullivan, William J Swanson, Paul J Hindrichs
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Patent number: 7850705Abstract: A body tissue graft for use in a patient includes a frame structure made of a first elastic material, a covering of a second elastic material on the frame structure, the covering substantially filling openings in the frame structure, and a connector connected to the frame structure. Projections are secured to the connector structure. The projections facilitate attachment of the tubular graft in a patient by securing the graft to the body tissue with which the graft is employed. The connector selectively circumferentially expands and the projections selectively circumferentially expand. This may be done using an inflatable balloon to circumferentially expand the projections. A restraining member may be provided to restrain the projections in a cone shape so that an end of the graft may be used to open an aperture through a side wall of existing body organ tubing and a portion of the projections may enter the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Bachinski, David S. Goldsteen, Daniel J. Sullivan
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Patent number: 7578829Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering and installing a new length of tubing between two sections of a patient's existing body organ tubing and at least partly outside of that existing structure. For example, the new length of tubing may be for the purpose of providing the patient with a coronary bypass. The new tubing may be an artificial graft, a natural graft (harvested elsewhere from the patient), or both. The new tubing is delivered to and installed at the operative site primarily by working through the patient's existing tubular body organ structure. This avoids the need for any significant surgery on the patient. The artificial grafts may have shapes other than tubular. Certain procedural and apparatus aspects of the invention have uses other than in connection with grafting in general or tubular grafting in particular.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2003Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: David S. Goldsteen, Thomas J. Bachinski, Rudy Mazzocchi, Daniel J. Sullivan
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Patent number: 7575586Abstract: A medical graft connector or plug is made, for example, by cutting end portions of a tube of highly elastic material axially at numerous locations spaced circumferentially around the tube to produce a plurality of fingers which extend axially from each end of an uncut medial portion of the tube. The fingers are deflected radially outwardly from the medial portion and set in that condition. For a graft connector, the medial portion is coaxially connected to an end portion of a tubular graft. The connector is then installed through an aperture in the side wall of a patient's tubular body conduit, for example, by using a delivery tube in which the fingers are elastically deflected back to approximately their initial positions. When the delivery conduit is withdrawn from the connector, the fingers spring out to engage the inner and outer surfaces of the body conduit wall.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2003Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: Todd A Berg, Alex A Peterson, Mark D Wahlberg, Jon P St. Germain
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Patent number: 7569072Abstract: Heart valve attachment apparatus and methods that significantly reduce attachment times are provided. The apparatus and methods utilize a connector band to form an interface between a uni-directional valve and a tissue annulus. The connector band is secured to the tissue annulus by retention fingers.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2005Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: Todd A Berg, William J Swanson, Jerry Grudem
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Patent number: 7422602Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making an anastomotic connection between first and second tubular fluid conduits are provided. For example, a connector may be configured for attachment to the first and second tubular fluid conduits and have an interior thereof substantially accessible to the interior of the first tubular fluid conduit. The connector may be configured for annular enlargement. An expandable structure is provided having a first portion configured to annularly enlarge the connector by engaging the interior of the connector. A second portion may be configured to extend through an opening in the medial portion of the first tubular fluid conduit.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2005Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: Jerry Grudem, William J Swanson, Todd A Berg
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Patent number: 7361181Abstract: Apparatus and methods for creating anastomoses are provided. An incision tool for creating an incision having a controlled length in a side wall of a patient's body tissue conduit is provided. A delivery device for inserting a hollow annular connector into an incision in a side wall of a patient's body tissue conduit is provided. The delivery device may include first and second anvil structures around which the connector may be disposed. By moving the first anvil structure away from the second anvil structure, the connector may expand to a desired configuration (e.g., non-round) within the aperture. In one example, the connector may be inserted into the aperture to hold the aperture open prior to attachment of a graft conduit to the aperture, thereby allowing a physician to inspect the aperture and the surrounding tissue.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2003Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: Paul J Hindrichs, Michael P Brenzel, Richard G Cornelius, William J Swanson
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Publication number: 20070173868Abstract: A body tissue graft for use in a patient includes a frame structure made of a first elastic material, a covering of a second elastic material on the frame structure, the covering substantially filling openings in the frame structure, and a connector connected to the frame structure. Projections are secured to the connector structure. The projections facilitate attachment of the tubular graft in a patient by securing the graft to the body tissue with which the graft is employed. The connector selectively circumferentially expands and the projections selectively circumferentially expand. This may be done using an inflatable balloon to circumferentially expand the projections. A restraining member may be provided to restrain the projections in a cone shape so that an end of the graft may be used to open an aperture through a side wall of existing body organ tubing and a portion of the projections may enter the aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2007Publication date: July 26, 2007Applicant: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Bachinski, David Goldsteen, Daniel Sullivan
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Patent number: 7211095Abstract: A body tissue graft for use in a patient includes a frame structure made of a first elastic material, a covering of a second elastic material on the frame structure, the covering substantially filling openings in the frame structure, and a connector connected to the frame structure. Projections are secured to the connector structure. The projections facilitate attachment of the tubular graft in a patient by securing the graft to the body tissue with which the graft is employed. The connector selectively circumferentially expands and the projections selectively circumferentially expand. This may be done using an inflatable balloon to circumferentially expand the projections. A restraining member may be provided to restrain the projections in a cone shape so that an end of the graft may be used to open an aperture through a side wall of existing body organ tubing and a portion of the projections may enter the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2005Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J Bachinski, David S Goldsteen, Daniel J Sullivan
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Patent number: 7147663Abstract: Heart valve attachment apparatus and methods that significantly reduce attachment times are provided. The apparatus and methods utilize a connector band to form an interface between a uni-directional valve and a tissue annulus. The connector band is secured to the tissue annulus by retention fingers.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2000Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: Todd Allen Berg, William J. Swanson, Jerry Grudem
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Patent number: 7094248Abstract: A body tissue graft for use in a patient includes a frame structure made of a first elastic material, a covering of a second elastic material on the frame structure, the covering substantially filling openings in the frame structure, and a connector connected to the frame structure. Projections are secured to the connector structure. The projections facilitate attachment of the tubular graft in a patient by securing the graft to the body tissue with which the graft is employed. The connector selectively circumferentially expands, and the projections selectively circumferentially expand. This may be done using an inflatable balloon to circumferentially expand the projections. A restraining member may be provided to restrain the projections in a cone shape so that an end of the graft may be used to open an aperture through a side wall of existing body organ tubing, and a portion of the projections may enter the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2004Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J Bachinski, David S Goldsteen, Daniel J Sullivan
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Patent number: 6994713Abstract: A medical graft connector or plug is made, for example, by cutting end portions of a tube of highly elastic material axially at numerous locations spaced circumferentially around the tube to produce a plurality of fingers which extend axially from each end of an uncut medial portion of the tube. The fingers are deflected radially outwardly from the medial portion and set in that condition. For a graft connector, the medial portion is coaxially connected to an end portion of a tubular graft. The connector is then installed through an aperture in the side wall of a patient's tubular body conduit, for example, by using a delivery tube in which the fingers are elastically deflected back to approximately their initial positions. When the delivery conduit is withdrawn from the connector, the fingers spring out to engage the inner and outer surfaces of the body conduit wall.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2002Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: Todd Allen Berg, Alex Alden Peterson, Mark D. Wahlberg, Jon Patrick St. Germain
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Patent number: 6960219Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making an anastomotic connection between first and second tubular fluid conduits are provided. For example, a connector may be configured for attachment to the first and second tubular fluid conduits and have an interior thereof substantially accessible to the interior of the first tubular fluid conduit. The connector may be configured for annular enlargement. An expandable structure is provided having a first portion configured to annularly enlarge the connector by engaging the interior of the connector. A second portion may be configured to extend through an opening in the medial portion of the first tubular fluid conduit.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2002Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: Jerry Grudem, William J. Swanson, Todd Allen Berg
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Patent number: 6920882Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering and installing a new length of tubing between two sections of a patient's existing body organ tubing and at least partly outside of that existing structure. For example, the new length of tubing may be for the purpose of providing the patient with a coronary bypass. The new tubing may be an artificial graft, a natural graft (harvested elsewhere from the patient), or both. The new tubing is installed at the operative site primarily by providing at least one graft location with instrumentation inserted through the patient's existing tubular body organ structure. Assistance in installing the new tubing may be provided by minimally invasive surgical access openings in the patient's chest. The tubing may be delivered through the patient's existing tubular body structure or, alternatively, through the surgical access openings.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2002Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: Todd Allen Berg, Daniel J. Sullivan, William J. Swanson, Paul J. Hindrichs
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Patent number: 6866674Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making an anastomotic connection between a first conduit and a second conduit. A connector structure having a first end portion and a second end portion is positioned about a balloon catheter, which when pressurized, expands to a significant extent at the distal end thereof. The balloon enlarges the connector structure when positioned at the distal end portion of the balloon to create the anastomosis, and at the same time reduces the axial length of the connector, thereby compressing the first conduit to the second conduit, creating a hemodynamic seal and a firm attachment of the two conduits. After enlargement, the connector structure remains in place and adds structure to the anastomosis. During introduction, the second end portion of the connector is covered by a nosecone assembly to prevent trauma to the second conduit while the apparatus is being introduced.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2002Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: Jason A. Galdonik, William J. Swanson, Paul J. Hindrichs, Gregory A. Boldenow, Todd A. Berg, Rick Cornelius, Luis Bonilla
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Publication number: 20040193192Abstract: A body tissue graft for use in a patient includes a frame structure made of a first elastic material, a covering of a second elastic material on the frame structure, the covering substantially filling openings in the frame structure, and a connector connected to the frame structure. Projections are secured to the connector structure. The projections facilitate attachment of the tubular graft in a patient by securing the graft to the body tissue with which the graft is employed. The connector selectively circumferentially expands, and the projections selectively circumferentially expand. This may be done using an inflatable balloon to circumferentially expand the projections. A restraining member may be provided to restrain the projections in a cone shape so that an end of the graft may be used to open an aperture through a side wall of existing body organ tubing, and a portion of the projections may enter the aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Bachinski, David S. Goldsteen, Daniel J. Sullivan
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Publication number: 20040116946Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering and installing a new length of tubing between two sections of a patient's existing body organ tubing and at least partly outside of that existing structure. For example, the new length of tubing may be for the purpose of providing the patient with a coronary bypass. The new tubing may be an artificial graft, a natural graft (harvested elsewhere from the patient), or both. The new tubing is delivered to and installed at the operative site primarily by working through the patient's existing tubular body organ structure. This avoids the need for any significant surgery on the patient. The artificial grafts may have shapes other than tubular. Certain procedural and apparatus aspects of the invention have uses other than in connection with grafting in general or tubular grafting in particular.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: David S. Goldsteen, Thomas J. Bachinski, Rudy Mazzocchi, Daniel J. Sullivan
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Publication number: 20040078053Abstract: A medical graft connector or plug is made, for example, by cutting end portions of a tube of highly elastic material axially at numerous locations spaced circumferentially around the tube to produce a plurality of fingers which extend axially from each end of an uncut medial portion of the tube. The fingers are deflected radially outwardly from the medial portion and set in that condition. For a graft connector, the medial portion is coaxially connected to an end portion of a tubular graft. The connector is then installed through an aperture in the side wall of a patient's tubular body conduit, for example, by using a delivery tube in which the fingers are elastically deflected back to approximately their initial positions. When the delivery conduit is withdrawn from the connector, the fingers spring out to engage the inner and outer surfaces of the body conduit wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Applicant: St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc.Inventors: Todd Allen Berg, Alex Alden Peterson, Mark D. Wahlberg, Jon Patrick St. Germain