Patents by Inventor Ann Margaret Thomas

Ann Margaret Thomas 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).

  • Patent number: 10806580
    Abstract: A cardiac support device includes a jacket and elastic attachment structure for self-securing the jacket to a heart. The attachment structures can include undulating metal and polymer elements, a silicone band and elastomeric filaments on a base end of the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Mardil, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Walsh, Aaron J. Hjelle, Paul Andrew Pignato, Ann Margaret Thomas, Hani N. Sabbah, Noreen Walen Thompson, Holly J. Hermeling
  • Publication number: 20180028316
    Abstract: A cardiac support device includes a jacket and elastic attachment structure for self-securing the jacket to a heart. The attachment structures can include undulating metal and polymer elements, a silicone band and elastomeric filaments on a base end of the jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Robert G. Walsh, Aaron J. Hjelle, Paul Andrew Pignato, Ann Margaret Thomas, Hani N. Sabbah, Noreen Walen Thompson, Holly J. Hicks
  • Patent number: 9737403
    Abstract: A cardiac support device including a jacket and elastic attachment structure for self-securing the jacket to a heart. The attachment structures can include undulating metal and polymer elements, a silicone band and elastomeric filaments on a base end of the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Mardil, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Walsh, Paul Andrew Pignato, Aaron J. Hjelle, Ann Margaret Thomas, Hani N. Sabbah, Noreen Walen Thompson, Holly J. Hicks
  • Patent number: 8870744
    Abstract: A device for delivery of a cardiac support device for treating cardiac disease of a heart includes a multistage deployment mechanism and an actuating mechanism for controlling the positions of the deployment mechanism. The deployment mechanism is operable to change between a retracted state and an extended state, and includes a plurality of independent stages, including, in one embodiment, a first stage including a guide structure for location adjacent a portion of the patient's heart when in the extended state. A second stage is movably coupled to the first stage, and is guided by the guide structure between the retracted and extended states. The second stage further releasably engages and supports the cardiac support device and positions the cardiac support device at the desired implantation location, guided by the guide structure of the stage. In some embodiments, the deployment mechanism may include additional stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Mardil, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron J. Hjelle, Paul Andrew Pignato, Robert G. Walsh, William E. Cohn, Ann Margaret Thomas
  • Publication number: 20110166412
    Abstract: A cardiac support device including a jacket and elastic attachment structure for self-securing the jacket to a heart. The attachment structures can include undulating metal and polymer elements, a silicone band and elastomeric filaments on a base end of the jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: MARDIL, INC.
    Inventors: Robert G. WALSH, Aaron J. HJELLE, Paul Andrew PIGNATO, Ann Margaret THOMAS, Hani N. SABBAH, Noreen Walen THOMPSON, Holly J. HICKS
  • Publication number: 20100268019
    Abstract: A device for delivery of a cardiac support device for treating cardiac disease of a heart includes a multistage deployment mechanism and an actuating mechanism for controlling the positions of the deployment mechanism. The deployment mechanism is operable to change between a retracted state and an extended state, and includes a plurality of independent stages, including, in one embodiment, a first stage including a guide structure for location adjacent a portion of the patient's heart when in the extended state. A second stage is movably coupled to the first stage, and is guided by the guide structure between the retracted and extended states. The second stage further releasably engages and supports the cardiac support device and positions the cardiac support device at the desired implantation location, guided by the guide structure of the stage. In some embodiments, the deployment mechanism may include additional stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: ACORN CARDIOVASCULAR, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron J. HJELLE, Paul A. PIGNATO, Robert G. WALSH, William E. COHN, Ann Margaret THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20100261957
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for treating congestive heart failure. The method includes relieving wall stress on a diseased heart by an amount to decrease a rate of myocardial cell loss. Further, the method includes pharmacologically encouraging a myocardial cell gain. Cell gain may be encouraged by cell replication, cell recruitment or inhibition of cell death. Further embodiments of the method include a passive cardiac constraint selected to reduce wall stress on the heart. An apparatus of the present invention includes a passive cardiac constraint and a pharmacological agent to encourage cell gain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: ACORN CARDIOVASCULAR, INC.
    Inventors: Robert G. Walsh, Paul Andrew Pignato, Ann Margaret Thomas
  • Publication number: 20100137678
    Abstract: A cardiac support device including a jacket and elastic attachment structure for self-securing the jacket to a heart. The attachment structures can include undulating metal and polymer elements, a silicone band and elastomeric filaments on a base end of the jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: ACORN CARDIOVASCULAR, INC.
    Inventors: Robert G. WALSH, Aaron J. HJELLE, Paul Andrew PIGNATO, Ann Margaret THOMAS, Hani N. SABBAH, Noreen Walen THOMPSON, Holly J. HICKS
  • Patent number: 7727142
    Abstract: A device for delivery of a cardiac support device for treating cardiac disease of a heart includes a multistage deployment mechanism and an actuating mechanism for controlling the positions of the deployment mechanism. The deployment mechanism is operable to change between a retracted state and an extended state, and includes a plurality of independent stages, including, in one embodiment, a first stage including a guide structure for location adjacent a portion of the patient's heart when in the extended state. A second stage is movably coupled to the first stage, and is guided by the guide structure between the retracted and extended states. The second stage further releasably engages and supports the cardiac support device and positions the cardiac support device at the desired implantation location, guided by the guide structure of the stage. In some embodiments, the deployment mechanism may include additional stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron J. Hjelle, Paul Andrew Pignato, Robert G. Walsh, William E. Cohn, Ann Margaret Thomas
  • Patent number: 7618364
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for treating congestive heart failure by administering a fibrosis-inducing agent to an epicardial surface of the heart in an amount selected to induce the formation of fibrosis on the epicardial surface. The fibrosis-inducing agent may be a drug, metal, abrasive or an electrical stimulation on the epicardial surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Walsh, Paul Andrew Pignato, Ann Margaret Thomas
  • Publication number: 20080125622
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for treating congestive heart failure. The method includes relieving wall stress on a diseased heart by an amount to decrease a rate of myocardial cell loss. Further, the method includes pharmacologically encouraging a myocardial cell gain. Cell gain may be encouraged by cell replication, cell recruitment or inhibition of cell death. Further embodiments of the method include a passive cardiac constraint selected to reduce wall stress on the heart. An apparatus of the present invention includes a passive cardiac constraint and a pharmacological agent to encourage cell gain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: ACORN CARDIOVASCULAR, INC
    Inventors: Robert G. Walsh, Paul Andrew Pignato, Ann Margaret Thomas
  • Publication number: 20070208214
    Abstract: A device for delivery of a cardiac support device for treating cardiac disease of a heart includes a multistage deployment mechanism and an actuating mechanism for controlling the positions of the deployment mechanism. The deployment mechanism is operable to change between a retracted state and an extended state, and includes a plurality of independent stages, including, in one embodiment, a first stage including a guide structure for location adjacent a portion of the patient's heart when in the extended state. A second stage is movably coupled to the first stage, and is guided by the guide structure between the retracted and extended states. The second stage further releasably engages and supports the cardiac support device and positions the cardiac support device at the desired implantation location, guided by the guide structure of the stage. In some embodiments, the deployment mechanism may include additional stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron J. Hjelle, Paul A. Pignato, Robert G. Walsh, William E. Cohn, Ann Margaret Thomas
  • Publication number: 20070208215
    Abstract: A cardiac support device including a jacket and elastic securing structure for self-securing the jacket to a heart. The securing structures can include undulating metal and polymer elements, a silicone band and elastomeric filaments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron J. Hjelle, Paul Andrew Pignato, Robert G. Walsh, Ann Margaret Thomas, Holly J. Hicks
  • Publication number: 20070208216
    Abstract: A cardiac support device including a jacket and elastic self-fitting structures between base and apex ends of the jacket. The fitting structures can include undulating metal and polymer elements and a silicone panel between the base and apex ends of the jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Pignato, Robert G. Walsh, Aaron J. Hjelle, Ann Margaret Thomas, Holly J. Hicks
  • Publication number: 20070208217
    Abstract: A cardiac support device including a jacket and elastic attachment structure for self-securing the jacket to a heart. The attachment structures can include undulating metal and polymer elements, a silicone band and elastomeric filaments on a base end of the jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Walsh, Aaron J. Hjelle, Paul Andrew Pignato, Ann Margaret Thomas, Hani N. Sabbah, Noreen Walen Thompson, Holly J. Hicks