Patents by Inventor Gregory D. Nieminen

Gregory D. Nieminen 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: 20040220654
    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: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Cardiac Dimensions, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Mathis, Gregory D. Nieminen, Nathan Aronson, Garrett Beget
  • Patent number: 6797001
    Abstract: A mitral valve therapy device effects the condition of a mitral valve annulus of a heart. The device includes an elongated member dimensioned to be placed in the coronary sinus of the heart adjacent the mitral valve annulus. The elongated member is flexible when placed in the heart in a first orientation to position the device in the coronary sinus adjacent the mitral valve annulus and relatively inflexible when rotated into a second orientation after the device is positioned in the coronary sinus adjacent to the mitral valve annulus to substantially straighten and increase the radius of curvature of the mitral valve annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Cardiac Dimensions, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Mathis, Gregory D. Nieminen
  • Patent number: 6793673
    Abstract: An assembly for effecting the condition of a mitral valve annulus includes a mitral valve therapy device, a coupling structure carried by the device, a catheter, a second coupling structure, and a locking member. To implant the device, the device is first releasably locked to a pushing member by the coupling structures and the locking member. When the device is positioned within the coronary sinus adjacent the mitral valve annulus and deployed, the coupling structures may be released from each other by the release of the locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Cardiac Dimensions, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Kowalsky, Gregory D. Nieminen, Ryan H. Braxtan, Mark L. Mathis
  • Publication number: 20040127980
    Abstract: An assembly for effecting the condition of a mitral valve annulus includes a mitral valve therapy device, a coupling structure carried by the device, a catheter, a second coupling structure, and a locking member. To implant the device, the device is first releasably locked to a pushing member by the coupling structures and the locking member. When the device is positioned within the coronary sinus adjacent the mitral valve annulus and deployed, the coupling structures may be released from each other by the release of the locking member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Cardiac Dimensions, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Kowalsky, Gregory D. Nieminen, Ryan H. Braxtan, Mark L. Mathis
  • Publication number: 20030225454
    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: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: Cardiac Dimensions, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Mathis, Gregory D. Nieminen, David G. Reuter
  • Publication number: 20030171806
    Abstract: A mitral valve therapy device effects the condition of a mitral valve annulus of a heart. The device includes an elongated member dimensioned to be placed in the coronary sinus of the heart adjacent the mitral valve annulus. The elongated member is flexible when placed in the heart in a first orientation to position the device in the coronary sinus adjacent the mitral valve annulus and relatively inflexible when rotated into a second orientation after the device is positioned in the coronary sinus adjacent to the mitral valve annulus to substantially straighten and increase the radius of curvature of the mitral valve annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Cardiac Dimensions, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Mathis, Gregory D. Nieminen
  • Publication number: 20030144697
    Abstract: A device effects the mitral valve annulus geometry of a heart. The device includes a first anchor configured to be positioned within and anchored to the coronary sinus of the heart adjacent the mitral valve annulus within the heart and a second anchor configured to be positioned within the coronary sinus of the heart proximal to the first anchor and adjacent the mitral valve annulus within the heart. The second anchor, when deployed, anchors against distal movement and is moveable in a proximal direction. The device further includes a connecting member having a fixed length permanently attached to the first and second anchors. As a result, when the first and second anchors are within the coronary sinus with the first anchor anchored in the coronary sinus, the second anchor may be displaced proximally to effect the geometry of the mitral valve annulus and released to maintain the effect on the mitral valve geometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Cardiac Dimensions, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Mathis, Gregory D. Nieminen, David G. Reuter