Patents by Inventor Ernest Heflin

Ernest Heflin 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: 11903834
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a heart anchor tensioning device includes a main body and an elongate shaft. A tension member or tether may be inserted through a lumen of the elongate shaft to allow the shaft to be advanced over the tension member and within a body while the main body is positioned outside of the body. The device also includes an anchor coupling mechanism that is configured to engage a heart anchor and move the heart anchor into engagement with a first wall of the heart. The anchor coupling mechanism is able to lock the heart anchor to inhibit proximal movement of the heart anchor along the tension member. The device further includes a tension indicating mechanism that provides an indication of a force being applied to the heart anchor by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: BioVentrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Van Bladel, Lon Annest, Ernest Heflin, Gilbert Mata, Jr., Lawrence Crainich, Brian LaRose
  • Patent number: 11399942
    Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two points in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure and often in a minimally invasive manner. An anchor is inserted along an insertion path through a first wall of the heart. An arm of the anchor is deployed and rotationally positioned according to a desired alignment. Application of tension to the anchor may draw the first and second walls of the heart into contact along a desired contour so as to effect a desired change in the geometry of the heart. Additional anchors may be inserted and aligned with the first anchor to close off a portion of a ventricle such that the ventricle is geometrically remodeled and disease progression is reversed, halted, and/or slowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: BioVentrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
  • Publication number: 20200289268
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a heart anchor tensioning device includes a main body and an elongate shaft. A tension member or tether may be inserted through a lumen of the elongate shaft to allow the shaft to be advanced over the tension member and within a body while the main body is positioned outside of the body. The device also includes an anchor coupling mechanism that is configured to engage a heart anchor and move the heart anchor into engagement with a first wall of the heart. The anchor coupling mechanism is able to lock the heart anchor to inhibit proximal movement of the heart anchor along the tension member. The device further includes a tension indicating mechanism that provides an indication of a force being applied to the heart anchor by the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: BioVentrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Van Bladel, Lon S. Annest, Ernest Heflin, Gilbert Mata, JR., Lawrence Crainich, Brian LaRose
  • Publication number: 20200229928
    Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two points in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure and often in a minimally invasive manner. An anchor is inserted along an insertion path through a first wall of the heart. An arm of the anchor is deployed and rotationally positioned according to a desired alignment. Application of tension to the anchor may draw the first and second walls of the heart into contact along a desired contour so as to effect a desired change in the geometry of the heart. Additional anchors may be inserted and aligned with the first anchor to close off a portion of a ventricle such that the ventricle is geometrically remodeled and disease progression is reversed, halted, and/or slowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: BioVentrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
  • Patent number: 10624744
    Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two points in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure and often in a minimally invasive manner. An anchor is inserted along an insertion path through a first wall of the heart. An arm of the anchor is deployed and rotationally positioned according to a desired alignment. Application of tension to the anchor may draw the first and second walls of the heart into contact along a desired contour so as to effect a desired change in the geometry of the heart. Additional anchors may be inserted and aligned with the first anchor to close off a portion of a ventricle such that the ventricle is geometrically remodeled and disease progression is reversed, halted, and/or slowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: BioVentrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
  • Patent number: 10575953
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a heart anchor tensioning device includes a main body and an elongate shaft. A tension member or tether may be inserted through a lumen of the elongate shaft to allow the shaft to be advanced over the tension member and within a body while the main body is positioned outside of the body. The device also includes an anchor coupling mechanism that is configured to engage a heart anchor and move the heart anchor into engagement with a first wall of the heart. The anchor coupling mechanism is able to lock the heart anchor to inhibit proximal movement of the heart anchor along the tension member. The device further includes a tension indicating mechanism that provides an indication of a force being applied to the heart anchor by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: BioVentrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Van Bladel, Lon Annest, Ernest Heflin, Gilbert Mata, Lawrence Crainich, Brian LaRose
  • Publication number: 20190254825
    Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two points in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure and often in a minimally invasive manner. An anchor is inserted along an insertion path through a first wall of the heart. An arm of the anchor is deployed and rotationally positioned according to a desired alignment. Application of tension to the anchor may draw the first and second walls of the heart into contact along a desired contour so as to effect a desired change in the geometry of the heart. Additional anchors may be inserted and aligned with the first anchor to close off a portion of a ventricle such that the ventricle is geometrically remodeled and disease progression is reversed, halted, and/or slowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: BioVentrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
  • Patent number: 9889008
    Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two points in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure and often in a minimally invasive manner. An anchor is inserted along an insertion path through a first wall of the heart. An arm of the anchor is deployed and rotationally positioned according to a desired alignment. Application of tension to the anchor may draw the first and second walls of the heart into contact along a desired contour so as to effect a desired change in the geometry of the heart. Additional anchors may be inserted and aligned with the first anchor to close off a portion of a ventricle such that the ventricle is geometrically remodeled and disease progression is reversed, halted, and/or slowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: BioVentrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
  • Publication number: 20170156865
    Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two points in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure and often in a minimally invasive manner. An anchor is inserted along an insertion path through a first wall of the heart. An arm of the anchor is deployed and rotationally positioned according to a desired alignment. Application of tension to the anchor may draw the first and second walls of the heart into contact along a desired contour so as to effect a desired change in the geometry of the heart. Additional anchors may be inserted and aligned with the first anchor to close off a portion of a ventricle such that the ventricle is geometrically remodeled and disease progression is reversed, halted, and/or slowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: BioVentrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
  • Patent number: 9486206
    Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two points in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure and often in a minimally invasive manner. An anchor is inserted along an insertion path through a first wall of the heart. An arm of the anchor is deployed and rotationally positioned according to a desired alignment. Application of tension to the anchor may draw the first and second walls of the heart into contact along a desired contour so as to effect a desired change in the geometry of the heart. Additional anchors may be inserted and aligned with the first anchor to close off a portion of a ventricle such that the ventricle is geometrically remodeled and disease progression is reversed, halted, and/or slowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: BioVentrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
  • Publication number: 20150238182
    Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two points in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure and often in a minimally invasive manner. An anchor is inserted along an insertion path through a first wall of the heart. An arm of the anchor is deployed and rotationally positioned according to a desired alignment. Application of tension to the anchor may draw the first and second walls of the heart into contact along a desired contour so as to effect a desired change in the geometry of the heart. Additional anchors may be inserted and aligned with the first anchor to close off a portion of a ventricle such that the ventricle is geometrically remodeled and disease progression is reversed, halted, and/or slowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
  • Publication number: 20150066139
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a heart anchor tensioning device includes a main body and an elongate shaft. A tension member or tether may be inserted through a lumen of the elongate shaft to allow the shaft to be advanced over the tension member and within a body while the main body is positioned outside of the body. The device also includes an anchor coupling mechanism that is configured to engage a heart anchor and move the heart anchor into engagement with a first wall of the heart. The anchor coupling mechanism is able to lock the heart anchor to inhibit proximal movement of the heart anchor along the tension member. The device further includes a tension indicating mechanism that provides an indication of a force being applied to the heart anchor by the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin Van Bladel, Lon Annest, Ernest Heflin, Gilbert Mata, Lawrence Crainich, Brian LaRose
  • Patent number: 8968175
    Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two points in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure and often in a minimally invasive manner. An anchor is inserted along an insertion path through a first wall of the heart. An arm of the anchor is deployed and rotationally positioned according to a desired alignment. Application of tension to the anchor may draw the first and second walls of the heart into contact along a desired contour so as to effect a desired change in the geometry of the heart. Additional anchors may be inserted and aligned with the first anchor to close off a portion of a ventricle such that the ventricle is geometrically remodeled and disease progression is reversed, halted, and/or slowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: BioVentrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
  • Publication number: 20140031613
    Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two points in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure and often in a minimally invasive manner. An anchor is inserted along an insertion path through a first wall of the heart. An arm of the anchor is deployed and rotationally positioned according to a desired alignment. Application of tension to the anchor may draw the first and second walls of the heart into contact along a desired contour so as to effect a desired change in the geometry of the heart. Additional anchors may be inserted and aligned with the first anchor to close off a portion of a ventricle such that the ventricle is geometrically remodeled and disease progression is reversed, halted, and/or slowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: BioVentrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
  • Patent number: 8491455
    Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two points in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure and often in a minimally invasive manner. An anchor is inserted along an insertion path through a first wall of the heart. An arm of the anchor is deployed and rotationally positioned according to a desired alignment. Application of tension to the anchor may draw the first and second walls of the heart into contact along a desired contour so as to effect a desired change in the geometry of the heart. Additional anchors may be inserted and aligned with the first anchor to close off a portion of a ventricle such that the ventricle is geometrically remodeled and disease progression is reversed, halted, and/or slowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: BioVentrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
  • Patent number: 8425402
    Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two points in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure and often in a minimally invasive manner. An anchor is inserted along an insertion path through a first wall of the heart. An arm of the anchor is deployed and rotationally positioned according to a desired alignment. Application of tension to the anchor may draw the first and second walls of the heart into contact along a desired contour so as to effect a desired change in the geometry of the heart. Additional anchors may be inserted and aligned with the first anchor to close off a portion of a ventricle such that the ventricle is geometrically remodeled and disease progression is reversed, halted, and/or slowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: BioVentrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
  • Publication number: 20100016655
    Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two points in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure and often in a minimally invasive manner. An anchor is inserted along an insertion path through a first wall of the heart. An arm of the anchor is deployed and rotationally positioned according to a desired alignment. Application of tension to the anchor may draw the first and second walls of the heart into contact along a desired contour so as to effect a desired change in the geometry of the heart. Additional anchors may be inserted and aligned with the first anchor to close off a portion of a ventricle such that the ventricle is geometrically remodeled and disease progression is reversed, halted, and/or slowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicants: Bio Ventrix (a CHF Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
  • Publication number: 20090093670
    Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two points in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure and often in a minimally invasive manner. An anchor is inserted along an insertion path through a first wall of the heart. An arm of the anchor is deployed and rotationally positioned according to a desired alignment. Application of tension to the anchor may draw the first and second walls of the heart into contact along a desired contour so as to effect a desired change in the geometry of the heart. Additional anchors may be inserted and aligned with the first anchor to close off a portion of a ventricle such that the ventricle is geometrically remodeled and disease progression is reversed, halted, and/or slowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: BioVentrix (a CHF Technologies, Inc.)
    Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
  • Publication number: 20080009745
    Abstract: A hand-operated intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) catheter is described for flexed and rotational steering is described for improved catheter operation, control and less trauma on patients. The disclosed catheter assembly includes ultrasound transducers mounted upon a rotatable tip mounted on a distal end of a flexible elongate shaft. A set of steering lines are controlled by a steering actuator to articulate bidirectionally a distal segment of the catheter. Another steering actuator controls rotation of a torque member that, in turn is coupled to the rotatable tip. A user, through the steering actuators, affects repositioning the ultrasonic transducers by repositioning exposed control surfaces of the steering actuators lengthwise along the housing of the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Hossack, Richard Huennekens, Rovil Arcia, Ernest Heflin, Stephen Davies, Richard Klosinski, Blair Walker, Chak Leung
  • Publication number: 20070000498
    Abstract: The present invention provides for pleated bags used with interventional pullback systems, including imaging catheters such as IVUS catheters, as well as for use with other catheters. An exemplary pleated bag of the present invention may be an elongate, sterile bag, having a plurality of pleats near the distal end, and including an orifice proximal to the pleats designed to allow passage of a catheter into the bag. The present invention also provides for a system that includes a pullback device, catheter, and pleated bag. The present invention allows for improved imaging catheter procedures at reduced costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Timothy Glynn, Ernest Heflin, Norman Hossack, Julie Riolo, Blair Walker