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).

  • Patent number: 11058539
    Abstract: An implantable prosthetic device includes a coaption portion, paddles, and clasps. The paddles are extendable from a folded closed position to an open position. A clasp is attached to each of the paddles. The clasps have a fixed arm attached to the paddle and a moveable arm. The moveable arm has a barbed portion, a first eyelet, and a second eyelet. The hinge portion connects the fixed arm to the moveable arm. A first intermediate suture loop is attached to the first eyelet and a second intermediate suture loop is attached to the second eyelet. At least one actuation suture is attached to the first and second intermediate suture loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Robert Dixon, Jensen Chen, Guillermo W. Moratorio, Hengchu Cao, Douglas Thomas Dominick, Sergio Delgado
  • Publication number: 20210145582
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventor: Hengchu Cao
  • Patent number: 10940005
    Abstract: An implantable prosthetic device includes a coaption portion, paddles, and clasps. The paddles are extendable from a folded closed position to an open position. A clasp is attached to each of the paddles. Each clasp has a fixed arm attached to the inner portion of the paddle and a moveable arm having a barbed portion. A hinge portion connects the fixed arm to the moveable arm. A cover wraps around at least a portion of the moveable arm of the clasp. At least one actuation suture is attached to the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Robert Dixon, Jensen Chen, Guillermo W. Moratorio, Hengchu Cao, Douglas Thomas Dominick, Sergio Delgado
  • Patent number: 10932908
    Abstract: An implantable prosthetic has a coaption portion, paddles, and clasps. The paddles are extendable from a folded closed position to an open position. A clasp has a fixed arm attached to the paddle. The clasps also have a moveable arm having a barbed portion and an end that is rounded. A hinge portion connects the fixed arm to the moveable arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Robert Dixon, Jensen Chen, Guillermo W. Moratorio, Hengchu Cao, Douglas Thomas Dominick, Sergio Delgado, Lauren R. Freschauf
  • Patent number: 10905552
    Abstract: An implantable prosthetic device includes a coaption portion, paddles, and clasps. The paddles having an outer portion and inner portion. The paddles are extendable from a folded closed position to an open position. A clasp is attached to each of the paddles. The clasps have a fixed arm attached to the inner portion of the paddle and a hoop-shaped moveable arm having a barbed portion. A hinge portion connects the fixed arm to the moveable arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Robert Dixon, Jensen Chen, Guillermo W. Moratorio, Hengchu Cao, Douglas Thomas Dominick, Sergio Delgado
  • Patent number: 10905554
    Abstract: A device for repairing a heart valve includes at least one hollow inner portion, a first flexible outer portion, and a second flexible outer portion. The first flexible outer portion and the second flexible outer portion are connected to the at least one hollow inner portion. The first flexible outer portion and the second flexible outer portion each include a frame formed from a loop of metal. The frames each have a central longitudinal section formed by substantially straight parallel segments and a shaped portion that connects the substantially straight parallel segments. The first flexible outer portion and the at least one hollow inner portion are configured to compress tissue of a first heart valve leaflet therebetween. The second flexible outer portion and the at least one hollow inner portion are configured to compress tissue of a second heart valve leaflet therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventor: Hengchu Cao
  • Patent number: 10898327
    Abstract: An implantable prosthetic device includes a coaption portion, paddles, and clasps. The paddles have an outer portion and an inner portion. The paddles are extendable from a folded closed position to an open position. A clasp is attached to each of the plurality of paddles. The clasps have a concave upper surface and a convex lower surface. The clasps include a fixed arm attached to the inner portion of the paddle, a moveable arm having a barbed portion, and a hinge portion connecting the fixed arm to the moveable arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Robert Dixon, Jensen Chen, Guillermo W. Moratorio, Hengchu Cao, Douglas Thomas Dominick, Sergio Delgado
  • Patent number: 10874514
    Abstract: An implantable prosthetic device has a coaption portion, paddles, and clasps. The paddles are extendable from a folded closed position to an open position. A clasp is attached to each of the paddles. The clasps comprise a fixed arm attached and a plurality of moveable arms each having a barbed portion. A plurality of hinge portions connect the fixed arm to the plurality of moveable arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Robert Dixon, Jensen Chen, Guillermo W. Moratorio, Hengchu Cao, Douglas Thomas Dominick, Sergio Delgado, Lauren R. Freschauf
  • Publication number: 20200330226
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Hengchu Cao, Brian S. Conklin, Paul A. Schmidt, Grace Myong Kim, James A. Davidson, Hoa Trinh Tran, Kristy Luong Tam
  • Publication number: 20200237357
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Hengchu Cao, Shih-Hwa Shen, Holly Kung Jung Hsu, Krystal Ya-Fong Lai
  • Patent number: 10702383
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Hengchu Cao, Brian S. Conklin, Paul A. Schmidt, Grace M. Kim, James A. Davidson, Hoa T. Tran, Kristy L. Tam
  • Patent number: 10667912
    Abstract: An implantable prosthetic device includes a coaption portion, paddles, and clasps. The paddles are extendable from a folded closed position to an open position. A clasp is attached to each of the paddles. Each clasp has a fixed arm attached to the paddle and a moveable arm having a barbed portion. A hinge portion connects the fixed arm to the moveable arm. The device does not include catch points when the paddles are in the open position and the clasps are in a closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Robert Dixon, Jensen Chen, Guillermo W. Moratorio, Hengchu Cao, Douglas Thomas Dominick, Sergio Delgado, Lauren R. Freschauf
  • Publication number: 20200078011
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Manouchehr A. Miraki, Hengchu Cao, Ralph Schneider
  • Publication number: 20200060812
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Hengchu Cao, Wei Sun
  • Publication number: 20200030085
    Abstract: 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 naitive valve, such as a native mitral valve. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Eric Robert Dixon, Sergio Delgado, Jensen Chen, Guillermo W. Moratorio, Hengchu Cao, Douglas Thomas Dominick
  • Patent number: 10470759
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Manouchehr A. Miraki, Hengchu Cao, Ralph Schneider
  • Patent number: 10463480
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Hengchu Cao, Wei Sun
  • Publication number: 20190151093
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Yaron Keidar, Nima V. Nia, Stanton J. Rowe, Hengchu Cao, Tal Reich
  • Publication number: 20190000615
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: RE47209
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of suture securement devices that replace the need to tie knots in sutures. Some embodiments comprise an annular outer body and one or more suture engagement tabs extending inwardly from the outer body. The devices can comprise a superelastic and/or shape-memory material and have a generally in-plane initial configuration. The suture engagement portions are deformable out-of-plane to an active configuration with the outer body compressed and the tabs interlocked with each other. The device can be heat-set in the deformed configuration. The interlocked tabs exert a pinching force on sutures passing between them that restricts the sutures from sliding through the opening in one longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Mohammad Jafari, Ming H. Wu, Hengchu Cao, Ralph Schneider, Manouchehr A. Miraki