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: 11903834Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 16, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: BioVentrix, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Van Bladel, Lon Annest, Ernest Heflin, Gilbert Mata, Jr., Lawrence Crainich, Brian LaRose
-
Patent number: 11399942Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 2, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: BioVentrix, Inc.Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
-
Publication number: 20200289268Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2020Publication date: September 17, 2020Applicant: BioVentrix, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Van Bladel, Lon S. Annest, Ernest Heflin, Gilbert Mata, JR., Lawrence Crainich, Brian LaRose
-
Publication number: 20200229928Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Applicant: BioVentrix, Inc.Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
-
Patent number: 10624744Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 12, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: BioVentrix, Inc.Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
-
Patent number: 10575953Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: BioVentrix, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Van Bladel, Lon Annest, Ernest Heflin, Gilbert Mata, Lawrence Crainich, Brian LaRose
-
Publication number: 20190254825Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2018Publication date: August 22, 2019Applicant: BioVentrix, Inc.Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
-
Patent number: 9889008Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 2, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: BioVentrix, Inc.Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
-
Publication number: 20170156865Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2016Publication date: June 8, 2017Applicant: BioVentrix, Inc.Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
-
Patent number: 9486206Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 2, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: BioVentrix, Inc.Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
-
Publication number: 20150238182Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
-
Publication number: 20150066139Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Kevin Van Bladel, Lon Annest, Ernest Heflin, Gilbert Mata, Lawrence Crainich, Brian LaRose
-
Patent number: 8968175Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 23, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: BioVentrix, Inc.Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
-
Publication number: 20140031613Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: BioVentrix, Inc.Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
-
Patent number: 8491455Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 3, 2008Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: BioVentrix, Inc.Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
-
Patent number: 8425402Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 21, 2009Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: BioVentrix, Inc.Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
-
Publication number: 20100016655Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2009Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicants: Bio Ventrix (a CHF Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
-
Publication number: 20090093670Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2008Publication date: April 9, 2009Applicant: BioVentrix (a CHF Technologies, Inc.)Inventors: Lon S. Annest, Claudio Argento, William Butler, Ernest Heflin
-
Publication number: 20080009745Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2007Publication date: January 10, 2008Applicant: Volcano CorporationInventors: Norman Hossack, Richard Huennekens, Rovil Arcia, Ernest Heflin, Stephen Davies, Richard Klosinski, Blair Walker, Chak Leung
-
Publication number: 20070000498Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2006Publication date: January 4, 2007Inventors: Timothy Glynn, Ernest Heflin, Norman Hossack, Julie Riolo, Blair Walker