Patents by Inventor Clifton Alferness

Clifton Alferness 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).

  • Publication number: 20080004638
    Abstract: Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together. The fasteners include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. The first and second members are substantially parallel to each other. The fasteners may be deployed in limited spaces and in various applications including the restoration of a gastroesophageal flap valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Steve Baker, Brett Carter, Stefan Kraemer, Clifton Alferness, John Adams
  • Publication number: 20070299408
    Abstract: A disposable infusion device comprises a base arranged to adhere to a patient's skin, a cannula arranged to extend from the base to beneath the patient's skin to deliver a liquid medicament to the patient, and a source arranged to provide the cannula with a liquid medicament. The source includes a compressible tube that pumps the liquid medicament to the cannula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Clifton Alferness, John Adams, Daniel Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20070299401
    Abstract: A disposable infusion device comprises a base, a cannula arranged to extend from the base to beneath the patient's skin to deliver a liquid medicament to the patient, and a source arranged to provide the cannula with a liquid medicament. The source comprises a piston pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Clifton Alferness, John Adams, Daniel Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20070299397
    Abstract: A disposable infusion device comprises a base arranged to adhere to a patient's skin, a cannula arranged to extend from the base to beneath the patient's skin to deliver a liquid medicament to the patient, and a source arranged to provide the cannula with a liquid medicament. The source includes a reservoir that holds the liquid medicament and a pressurizer that pressurizes the liquid medicament from within the reservoir to provide a flow of the liquid medicament to the cannula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Clifton Alferness, John Adams, Daniel Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20070299398
    Abstract: A disposable infusion device comprises a base arranged to adhere to a patient's skin and a cannula arranged to extend from the base to beneath the patient's skin to deliver a liquid medicament to the patient. The device further includes a first source arranged to provide the cannula with a first liquid medicament and a second source arranged to provide the cannula with a second liquid medicament.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Clifton Alferness, John Adams, Daniel Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20070299400
    Abstract: A disposable infusion device comprises a base arranged to adhere to a patient's skin, a cannula arranged to extend from the base to beneath the patient's skin to deliver a liquid medicament to the patient, and a source arranged to provide the cannula with a liquid medicament. The source includes a pump arranged to be driven by the patient that pumps the liquid medicament to the cannula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Clifton Alferness, John Adams, Daniel Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20070299399
    Abstract: A disposable infusion device comprises a base arranged to adhere to a patient's skin, a cannula arranged to extend from the base to beneath the patient's skin to deliver a liquid medicament to the patient, and a source arranged to provide the cannula with a liquid medicament. The device further includes an actuator that actuates the source to provide the liquid medicament to the cannula. The source is arranged to provide, with each actuation, a fixed volume of medicament to the cannula. A control sets the fixed volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Clifton Alferness, John Adams, Daniel Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20070287960
    Abstract: A wearable infusion device delivers a liquid medicament, such as insulin, to a patient. The device comprises a base that contacts a patient's skin, a reservoir arranged to contain a liquid medicament to be delivered to beneath a patient's skin, a pump that causes the medicament to flow from the reservoir, and a level indicator that provides an indication of medicament level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: John Adams, Clifton Alferness, Daniel Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20070225547
    Abstract: A cardiac support device and placement tool assembly. The cardiac support device has a flexible jacket with an open base end. The placement tool includes a cannula having an open end, a collapsible support on the end of the cannula releasably connected to the cardiac support device at a plurality of locations around the base end, and an acutuator. The collapsible support is movable between a collapsed state in a retracted position at which the collapsible support and cardiac support device are within the end of the cannula, and an open state in an extended position at which the collapsible support and cardiac support device are outside of the cannula with the collapsible support holding the base end of the cardiac support device in an open position for placement onto a patient's heart. The actuator moves the collapsible support between the collapsed and open states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifton Alferness
  • Publication number: 20070208211
    Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for treating congestive heart disease. The material of the device is secured to the heart proximate the septal wall. The material covering the ventricles may or may not have the same tension and or compliance. The device can be constructed as a unitary “jacket” that is slipped over the apex of the heart. Alternately, the device implanted as one, two or more separate components. In one embodiment, the material covers both the left and right ventricles. In another embodiment, the material covers only one ventricle. The device may include at least one adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the tension of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: James Shapland, Clifton Alferness, Donald Palme, Michael Girard, Donald Rohrbaugh
  • Publication number: 20070203445
    Abstract: In a method for substantially isolating cardiac circulation from systemic circulation, flow between the coronary sinus and the right atrium is occluded. A venous collection device having a collection lumen and a support structure is located in the coronary sinus. The support structure is used to maintain patency of the coronary sinus during collection of fluid through the collection lumen. An artificial flow path is provided between the collection lumen and the one or more coronary arteries, thus isolating the cardiac circulation. According to the method, cardiac pumping for systemic circulation can be maintained during isolation of the cardiac circulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: V-KARDIA PTY LTD
    Inventors: David Kaye, Clifton Alferness, John Power, Adam Bilney
  • Publication number: 20070191870
    Abstract: A gastric reduction pouch of a stomach is formed by gathering stomach tissue circumferentially from within the stomach to form a reduced diameter stomach section. A plurality of fasteners are deployed within the gathered stomach tissue to maintain the reduced diameter stomach portion. The gathering step may include folding the stomach tissue to produce a plurality of stomach tissue folds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Steve Baker, Raymond Wolniewicz, Sean Totten, Clifton Alferness
  • Publication number: 20070055293
    Abstract: An intravascular support device includes a support or reshaper wire, a proximal anchor and a distal anchor. The support wire engages a vessel wall to change the shape of tissue adjacent the vessel in which the intravascular support is placed. The anchors and support wire are designed such that the vessel in which the support is placed remains open and can be accessed by other devices if necessary. The device provides a minimal metal surface area to blood flowing within the vessel to limit the creation of thrombosis. The anchors can be locked in place to secure the support within the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Clifton Alferness, John Adams, Mark Mathis, David Reuter, Cruz Beeson, Leonard Kowalsky
  • Publication number: 20070004962
    Abstract: A cardiac support device comprising a jacket of flexible and biocompatible material having a first axis for alignment generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of a patient's heart and a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. The material exhibits an amount of expansion in response to a force applied to the material along the first axis that is different than an amount of expansion in response to the force applied to the material along the second axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton Alferness, Jai Raman, John Power
  • Publication number: 20060235265
    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: June 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton Alferness, Jai Raman, John Power
  • Publication number: 20060190018
    Abstract: A transoral gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device includes a tissue gripper which is guidable by one of a first and second member. The first and second members form a tissue shaper carried on a longitudinal member that shapes stomach tissue into the flap of a restored gastroesophageal flap valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Steve Baker, Brett Carter, Clifton Alferness
  • Publication number: 20060184088
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for use in endovascular and intraoperative procedures providing arterial blood-flow for perfusion of ischemic myocardium. Aspects of the present invention provide a conduit between a non-coronary sinus of the aorta and a coronary vein. The conduit traverses a portion of the right atrium and the coronary sinus, and is located entirely within the heart and aorta. Arterial blood flows from the aorta through the conduit and into the coronary venous circulation towards the ischemic region of the heart. All procedures described herein may be performed endovascularly, and further may be performed while the patient's heart is beating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Van Bibber, Scott Wolf, Clifton Alferness, John Adams
  • Publication number: 20060148742
    Abstract: A method for delivering a polynucleotide to cardiac tissue, including substantially isolating the coronary venous circulation from systemic circulation, and introducing a polynucleotide into the isolated coronary venous circulation to effect localized transfection of cardiac tissue. The polynucleotide advantageously produces a therapeutic effect, such as increasing or decreasing the expression level of a protein in the cardiac tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: David Kaye, John Power, Clifton Alferness, Adam Bilney, Kenneth Chien, Athanasios Preovolos
  • Publication number: 20060142854
    Abstract: An intravascular support device includes a support or reshaper wire, a proximal anchor and a distal anchor. The support wire engages a vessel wall to change the shape of tissue adjacent the vessel in which the intravascular support is placed. The anchors and support wire are designed such that the vessel in which the support is placed remains open and can be accessed by other devices if necessary. The device provides a minimal metal surface area to blood flowing within the vessel to limit the creation of thrombosis. The anchors can be locked in place to secure the support within the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Clifton Alferness, John Adams, Mark Mathis, David Reuter, Cruz Beeson, Leonard Kowalsky
  • Publication number: 20060111607
    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: January 10, 2006
    Publication date: May 25, 2006
    Applicant: Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton Alferness, Jai Raman, John Power