Patents by Inventor Hengchu Cao
Hengchu Cao 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).
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Patent number: 11969346Abstract: In one embodiment, a leaflet capture device for improving the coaptation of heart valve leaflets is provided. The leaflet capture device can include a clip having a coupling member and a leaflet engagement portion. The coupling member has a lumen extending therethrough. The leaflet engagement portion is moveable toward and away from the coupling member. The leaflet capture device can be delivered by a support catheter, an inner shaft, and an actuating connector. Extending an end of the inner shaft away from the coupling member of the clip pulls the actuating connector to move the leaflet engagement portion away from the coupling member.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATIONInventor: Hengchu Cao
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Publication number: 20240041483Abstract: A method and device for advancing a guidewire past a calcified leaflet of a heart valve are described. A dual guidewire device includes a primary guidewire, a secondary guidewire, and a sheath. The primary guidewire is configured to advance past a heart valve while the secondary guidewire is configured to pull open the calcified leaflet of the heart valve while the primary guidewire advances past the heart valve. The catheter can contain both the primary guidewire and the secondary guidewire.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Sakyasingh Tripathy, Hengchu Cao, Nima V. Nia, Douglas Thomas Dominick, Bingquan Su, Amanda Tjipta Sugijoto
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Publication number: 20230405279Abstract: A system for delivering a guidewire through a heart valve comprises a delivery catheter configured to pass through a blood flow pathway of a heart, an inner catheter having an inner lumen, a guidewire configured to pass through the inner lumen of the inner catheter, and a positioning device crimped onto an outer surface of the inner catheter. wherein. The delivery catheter is configured to receive the inner catheter, guidewire, and positioning device and is configured to prevent expansion of the positioning device. The positioning device is configured to expand upon removal from the delivery catheter.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Bingquan Su, Nima V. Nia, Douglas Thomas Dominick, Sakyasingh Tripathy, Hengchu Cao, Rene Santana
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Patent number: 11806001Abstract: Disclosed is a delivery device, kit, system, method, etc. for localized fusion of leaflets of a tissue valve, for example, a native heart valve, using an adhesive. The delivery device can have one or more capture features for capturing separate leaflets, for example, the anterior and posterior mitral leaflets. An applicator can be configured to apply a biocompatible adhesive between the captured leaflets, and one or more curing elements can be configured to cure the applied biocompatible adhesive. The kit can have the aforementioned delivery device, and the biocompatible adhesive used therewith. The method can include positioning the aforementioned delivery device adjacent the anterior and posterior mitral leaflets, capturing the mitral leaflets between the paddles of the delivery device, applying a biocompatible adhesive between the captured mitral leaflets via the applicator, and curing the applied biocompatible adhesive via the energy elements to locally fuse the mitral leaflets.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATIONInventors: Hengchu Cao, Shih-Hwa Shen, Holly Kung Jung Hsu, Krystal Ya-Fong Lai
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Patent number: 11759200Abstract: Some disclosed suture securement devices comprise a flat, thin, generally planar body that has one or more suture engagement slots extending into the body from a perimeter inlet for receiving sutures laterally into the device. The slots can be resiliently widened to receive a suture and then released to clamp onto the suture. Some embodiments include two or more such suture engagement slots that independently receive and secure different sutures. Some embodiments include one or more locking tabs that have a closed position that retains the slots against widening and blocks the inlet to the slot. In some embodiment two or more slots are position next to each other on the same side of the device, while in other embodiments slots are positioned on opposite sides of the device. Other types of suture securement devices are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2019Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATIONInventors: Manouchehr A. Miraki, Hengchu Cao, Ralph Schneider
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Publication number: 20230181316Abstract: Disclosed prosthetic valves can comprise a sewing ring configured to secure the valve to an implantation site. Some disclosed valves comprise a resiliently collapsible frame having a neutral configuration and a collapsed deployment configuration. Some disclosed frames can self-expand to the neutral configuration when released from the collapsed deployment configuration. Collapsing a disclosed valve can provide convenient access to the sewing ring, such as for securing the valve to the implantation site, as well as for the insertion of the valve through relatively small surgical incisions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2023Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Hengchu Cao, Brian S. Conklin, Paul A. Schmidt, Grace Myong Kim, James A. Davidson, Hoa Trinh Tran, Kristy Luong Tam
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Patent number: 11571299Abstract: Disclosed prosthetic valves can comprise a sewing ring configured to secure the valve to an implantation site. Some disclosed valves comprise a resiliently collapsible frame having a neutral configuration and a collapsed deployment configuration. Some disclosed frames can self-expand to the neutral configuration when released from the collapsed deployment configuration. Collapsing a disclosed valve can provide convenient access to the sewing ring, such as for securing the valve to the implantation site, as well as for the insertion of the valve through relatively small surgical incisions.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2020Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Hengchu Cao, Brian S. Conklin, Paul A. Schmidt, Grace Myong Kim, James A. Davidson, Hoa Trinh Tran, Kristy Luong Tam
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Publication number: 20220241072Abstract: A method comprises anchoring a first suture to a first papillary muscle, anchoring the first suture to a ventricle wall, and cinching the first suture to cause the first papillary muscle to move closer to the ventricle wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: Bingquan Su, Nima V. Nia, Amanda Tjipta Sugijoto, Hengchu Cao, Sakyasingh Tripathy, Douglas Thomas Dominick
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Publication number: 20220226110Abstract: An expandable docking station includes an annular valve seat having an end, an annular outer wall comprising struts disposed around the valve seat, and links that connect the end of the annular valve seat to the annular outer wall. Each of the links extends from the struts of the annular outer wall directly toward a longitudinal axis that runs longitudinally through a center of the docking station, and to a corresponding one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending legs at least partially defining the annular valve seat. The outer wall is configured to conform to an interior shape of a blood vessel, when expanded inside the blood vessel, such that the outer wall can expand in multiple locations to conform to multiple bulges of the blood vessel and can contract in multiple locations to conform to multiple narrowed regions of the blood vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventors: Liron Tayeb, Eran Goldberg, David Maimon, Adi Carmi, Arie Tylis, Ralph Schneider, Mohammad Jafari, Hengchu Cao, Eitan Atias
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Publication number: 20220183825Abstract: A low pressure gradient prosthetic heart valve for implant in a human. The valve includes a support frame with undulating inflow cusps and outflow commissure posts to which flexible leaflets attach and coapt in a flow area. The commissure posts angle outward in a neutral state to widen the outflow orifice area. Also, the leaflets are designed to fit within the support frame and expand outward in a valve open state without creating a shelf or belly that would restrict flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Hengchu Cao, Wei Sun
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Patent number: 11291540Abstract: Docking stations for transcatheter valves are described. The docking stations can include an expandable frame, at least one sealing portion, and a valve seat. The expandable frame can be configured to conform to an interior shape of a portion of the circulatory system when expanded inside the circulatory system. The sealing portion can be configured to contact an interior surface of the circulatory system to create a seal. The valve seat can be connected to the expandable frame and can be configured to support an expandable transcatheter valve. The docking stations are adaptable to different anatomies/locations to allow implantation of a transcatheter valve in a variety of anatomies/locations.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Liron Tayeb, Eran Goldberg, David Maimon, Adi Carmi, Arie Tylis, Ofir Witzman, Ralph Schneider, Mohammad Jafari, Hengchu Cao, Eason Michael Abbott, Dustin P. Armer, Michael D. Franklin, Tomer Saar, Anatoly Dvorsky, John J. Desrosiers, Daniel James Murray, Michael G. Valdez, Assaf Bash, Amir Blumenfeld, Noa Axelrod, Eitan Atias
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Patent number: 11266497Abstract: A low pressure gradient prosthetic heart valve for implant in a human. The valve includes a support frame with undulating inflow cusps and outflow commissure posts to which flexible leaflets attach and coapt in a flow area. The commissure posts angle outward in a neutral state to widen the outflow orifice area. Also, the leaflets are designed to fit within the support frame and expand outward in a valve open state without creating a shelf or belly that would restrict flow.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Hengchu Cao, Wei Sun
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Publication number: 20220039954Abstract: A heart valve repair system includes an implantable device and a connector. The implantable device is configured to attach to at least two leaflets of a native heart valve of a patient and hold the at least two leaflets in a relatively fixed position. The connector is separate from the implantable device and includes first and second tissue anchors. The connector is configured to be attached to the at least two leaflets of the native valve when the at least two leaflets are held by the implantable device in the relatively fixed position. The implantable device is configured to be detached from the at least two leaflets and removed from the patient with the connector remaining attached to the at least two leaflets.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventors: Nima V. Nia, Hengchu Cao, Bingquan Su, Douglas Thomas Dominick, Sakyasingh Tripathy
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Patent number: 11234822Abstract: An implantable prosthetic device includes a coaption portion, paddles, and clasps. The paddles are moveable from a closed position to an open position. The clasps are also moveable from an open position to a closed position. The implantable prosthetic device can be used to repair a native valve, such as a native mitral valve. Other embodiments are also described.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Eric Robert Dixon, Sergio Delgado, Jensen Chen, Guillermo W. Moratorio, Hengchu Cao, Douglas Thomas Dominick
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Publication number: 20220023047Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for treating a heart are provided. Methods can include obtaining and using an implant. One or more catheters can be used to properly position and attach the implant in a desired location in a chamber of the heart, for example, such that (i) a first portion of the implant is anchored to a first site on a wall of the chamber, (ii) a second portion of the implant is anchored to a second site on the wall of the chamber, (iii) a mid-portion of the implant extends in a curved path along the wall of the chamber between the first site and the second site, and (iv) an elongate contraction member of the implant cuts across the chamber between the first site and the second site. Other embodiments are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Yaron Keidar, Nima V. Nia, Stanton J. Rowe, Hengchu Cao, Tal Reich
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Publication number: 20220008233Abstract: Described herein are artificial valves that have a frame and leaflets that grow or expand with a patient. Upon placing the valve inside the patient, the valve expands as the annulus of the patient expands. The frame of the valve is configured to expand which in turn causes the leaflets to expand (e.g., to grow). The valve includes a thin undulating wire embedded inside the leaflets. As the annulus of the patient grows, the frame expands, and as the frame expands, the leaflets grow. The growth or expansion of the leaflets is configured so that the valve continues to operate properly (e.g., the leaflets continue to coapt) with expansion of the annulus. The change in size of the valve can be configured to accommodate changes in size of the annulus from an infant or child to an adult.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2021Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventors: Nima V. Nia, Hengchu Cao, Sakyasingh Tripathy, Douglas Thomas Dominick, Bingquan Su, Behnood Miri, Zahra Moyedi
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Publication number: 20210378817Abstract: A double heart valve anchoring system can include a first anchor having at least a portion configured to be secured within a first trans-septal opening in an interventricular septum, a tricuspid valve device coupled to the first anchor, and a mitral valve device coupled to the first anchor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: Nima V. Nia, Hengchu Cao, Sakyasingh Tripathy, Douglas Thomas Dominick, Bingquan Su
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Publication number: 20210310840Abstract: Described herein are thermal mass flow sensors that combine calorimetric and anemometric (e.g., hot-wire) elements to provide a hybrid approach to determining flow rate of a liquid. The flow probes or flow sensors are configured to use a heater to apply heat to a thermally-conducting material in contact with the flowing liquid, to measure a temperature of the thermally-conducting material upstream of the heater and downstream or at the heater, to adjust power to the heater to achieve a targeted temperature difference, and to determine a flow rate based at least in part on the power supplied to the heater and the measured temperatures. This approach provides flow rate due at least in part to the fluid cooling the thermally-conductive material proportionate to flow rate with non-linear effects. This hybrid approach can provide accurate readings of flow rates of liquids delivered through an IV line to a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Cole Emerson Feagler, Sakyasingh Tripathy, Brian Ray Hipszer, Feras Al Hatib, Hengchu Cao
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Patent number: 11135062Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for treating a heart are provided. Methods can include obtaining and using an implant. One or more catheters can be used to properly position and attach the implant in a desired location in a chamber of the heart, for example, on a ventricular wall of the left ventricle between one or more papillary muscles of the left ventricle and the annulus. Then a distance along the implant or a region of the heart, for example, between the papillary muscle and the annulus, can be reduced by contracting the implant along its longitudinal axis by applying tension to a contraction member of the implant. Other embodiments are described.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2018Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Valtech Cardio Ltd.Inventors: Yaron Keidar, Nima V. Nia, Stanton J. Rowe, Hengchu Cao, Tal Reich
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Patent number: 11096784Abstract: An implantable prosthetic device includes a coaption portion, paddles, and clasps. The paddles are extendable from a folded closed position to an open position. The clasps each have a fixed arm and a plurality of moveable arms each having a barbed portion. A plurality of hinge portions connect the moveable arms to the fixed arm.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2018Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Eric Robert Dixon, Hengchu Cao, Douglas Thomas Dominick, Lauren R. Freschauf