Patents by Inventor Mark Krans

Mark Krans 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: 12667720
    Abstract: A biostimulator delivery system having a tether cable, is described. A connector can be mounted on the tether cable to connect to a biostimulator. The connector can be a protuberance that lodges within the biostimulator, or a threaded connector that screws into the biostimulator. The tether cable has a stranded cable configuration, including several strands extending about a core strand in a helical direction. The stranded cable structure resists breaking under bending stresses typically seen during a tether mode used during delivery of the biostimulator. The tether cable reliably secures the biostimulator to the delivery system in the tether mode. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2026
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernhard Arnar, Keith Victorine, Shawn X. Chen, Mike Sacha, Mark Krans, Andy Servi, Jeremiah Blue, Adam Weber
  • Publication number: 20250360323
    Abstract: A biostimulator transport system includes a biostimulator coupling along a central axis, and one or more location guides. The location guides are deployable radially outward from the central axis. When deployed, the location guides engage anatomical landmarks. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2025
    Publication date: November 27, 2025
    Inventors: Bernhard Arnar, Aaron Jackson, Mark Krans
  • Publication number: 20220409885
    Abstract: A biostimulator delivery system having a tether cable, is described. A connector can be mounted on the tether cable to connect to a biostimulator. The connector can be a protuberance that lodges within the biostimulator, or a threaded connector that screws into the biostimulator. The tether cable has a stranded cable configuration, including several strands extending about a core strand in a helical direction. The stranded cable structure resists breaking under bending stresses typically seen during a tether mode used during delivery of the biostimulator. The tether cable reliably secures the biostimulator to the delivery system in the tether mode. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Bernhard Arnar, Keith Victorine, Shawn X. Chen, Mike Sacha, Mark Krans, Andy Servi, Jeremiah Blue, Adam Weber
  • Patent number: 11369470
    Abstract: A loading tool for loading a collapsible prosthetic heart valve into a delivery device may include a body extending in a longitudinal direction between a proximal end and a distal end, an extension on the distal end of the body, and a slot extending through the extension from a free end of the extension toward the distal end of the body. The body may include a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the body lumen having a first diameter. The extension may have a lumen coaxial with the body lumen, the extension lumen having a second diameter less than the first diameter so as to define a shelf surface between the proximal end of the body and the free end of the extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Krans, Theodore Paul Dale, Andrea N. Para, Mathias Charles Glimsdale, Thomas M. Benson, Peter N. Braido
  • Patent number: 10856974
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an inflow end and an outflow end includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a plurality of commissure features, a plurality of first struts and a plurality of second struts. The plurality of first struts define a substantially cylindrical portion and the plurality of second struts have first ends attached to the cylindrical portion and free ends projecting radially outward from the cylindrical portion and configured to couple to adjacent heart tissue to anchor the stent. A collapsible and expandable valve assembly disposed within the stent has a plurality of leaflets coupled to the commissure features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter N. Braido, Mina S. Fahim, Thomas M. Benson, Theodore Paul Dale, Andrea N. Para, Mark Krans, Mathias Charles Glimsdale
  • Patent number: 10743992
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an inflow end and an outflow end includes a stent having a collapsed condition, an expanded condition, and a plurality of cells arranged in circumferential rows. The stent may include one or more securement features. One securement feature may be an anchor arm having a body portion and a free end extending from the body portion, the body portion being coupled to a perimeter of one of the plurality of cells, with the free end extending toward the inflow end in an expanded condition of the anchor arm. Another securement feature may include a flange formed of a braided mesh and having a body portion coupled to the stent and a flared portion adjacent the inflow end of the prosthetic heart valve. A valve assembly is disposed within the stent and has a plurality of leaflets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Krans, Theodore Paul Dale, Andrea N. Para, Mathias Charles Glimsdale, Thomas M. Benson, Peter N. Braido
  • Publication number: 20200146822
    Abstract: A loading tool for loading a collapsible prosthetic heart valve into a delivery device may include a body extending in a longitudinal direction between a proximal end and a distal end, an extension on the distal end of the body, and a slot extending through the extension from a free end of the extension toward the distal end of the body. The body may include a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the body lumen having a first diameter. The extension may have a lumen coaxial with the body lumen, the extension lumen having a second diameter less than the first diameter so as to define a shelf surface between the proximal end of the body and the free end of the extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Krans, Theodore Paul Dale, Andrea N. Para, Mathias Charles Glimsdale, Thomas M. Benson, Peter N. Braido
  • Patent number: 10531954
    Abstract: A loading tool for loading a collapsible prosthetic heart valve into a delivery device may include a body extending in a longitudinal direction between a proximal end and a distal end, an extension on the distal end of the body, and a slot extending through the extension from a free end of the extension toward the distal end of the body. The body may include a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the body lumen having a first diameter. The extension may have a lumen coaxial with the body lumen, the extension lumen having a second diameter less than the first diameter so as to define a shelf surface between the proximal end of the body and the free end of the extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Krans, Theodore Paul Dale, Andrea N. Para, Mathias Charles Glimsdale, Thomas M. Benson, Peter N. Braido
  • Patent number: 10456256
    Abstract: A device for repairing a native heart valve includes a reinforcing structure configured to couple to a portion of the native heart valve to remodel a geometry of the native heart valve, and at least one supporting member connected to the reinforcing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc
    Inventors: Peter N. Braido, Mina S. Fahim, Thomas M. Benson, Theodore Paul Dale, Andrea N. Para, Mark Krans, Mathias Charles Glimsdale
  • Publication number: 20190110894
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an inflow end and an outflow end includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a plurality of commissure features, a plurality of first struts and a plurality of second struts. The plurality of first struts define a substantially cylindrical portion and the plurality of second struts have first ends attached to the cylindrical portion and free ends projecting radially outward from the cylindrical portion and configured to couple to adjacent heart tissue to anchor the stent. A collapsible and expandable valve assembly disposed within the stent has a plurality of leaflets coupled to the commissure features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Applicant: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter N. Braido, Mina S. Fahim, Thomas M. Benson, Theodore Paul Dale, Andrea N. Para, Mark Krans, Mathias Charles Glimsdale
  • Patent number: 10179042
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an inflow end and an outflow end includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a plurality of commissure features, a plurality of first struts and a plurality of second struts. The plurality of first struts define a substantially cylindrical portion and the plurality of second struts have first ends attached to the cylindrical portion and free ends projecting radially outward from the cylindrical portion and configured to couple to adjacent heart tissue to anchor the stent. A collapsible and expandable valve assembly disposed within the stent has a plurality of leaflets coupled to the commissure features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter N. Braido, Mina S. Fahim, Thomas M. Benson, Theodore Paul Dale, Andrea N. Para, Mark Krans, Mathias Charles Glimsdale
  • Patent number: 10070954
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an inflow end and an outflow end includes a collapsible and expandable stent including a plurality of cells arranged in rows extending around a circumference of the stent, at least one of the rows forming a flared portion having a diameter that is larger than diameters of others of the rows. The stent further includes engaging arms disposed adjacent the outflow end and extending toward the inflow end, the engaging arms being configured to couple to heart tissue to anchor the stent. A collapsible and expandable valve assembly has a plurality of leaflets disposed within the stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter N. Braido, Mina S. Fahim, Thomas M. Benson, Theodore Paul Dale, Andrea N. Para, Mark Krans, Mathias Charles Glimsdale
  • Publication number: 20180177595
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an inflow end and an outflow end includes a stent having a collapsed condition, an expanded condition, and a plurality of cells arranged in circumferential rows. The stent may include one or more securement features. One securement feature may be an anchor arm having a body portion and a free end extending from the body portion, the body portion being coupled to a perimeter of one of the plurality of cells, with the free end extending toward the inflow end in an expanded condition of the anchor arm. Another securement feature may include a flange formed of a braided mesh and having a body portion coupled to the stent and a flared portion adjacent the inflow end of the prosthetic heart valve. A valve assembly is disposed within the stent and has a plurality of leaflets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Krans, Theodore Paul Dale, Andrea N. Para, Mathias Charles Glimsdale, Thomas M. Benson, Peter N. Braido
  • Patent number: 9962260
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an inflow end and an outflow end includes a stent having a collapsed condition, an expanded condition, and a plurality of cells arranged in circumferential rows. The stent may include one or more securement features. One securement feature may be an anchor arm having a body portion and a free end extending from the body portion, the body portion being coupled to a perimeter of one of the plurality of cells, with the free end extending toward the inflow end in an expanded condition of the anchor arm. Another securement feature may include a flange formed of a braided mesh and having a body portion coupled to the stent and a flared portion adjacent the inflow end of the prosthetic heart valve. A valve assembly is disposed within the stent and has a plurality of leaflets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Krans, Theodore Paul Dale, Andrea N. Para, Mathias Charles Glimsdale, Thomas M. Benson, Peter N. Braido
  • Publication number: 20160361161
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an inflow end and an outflow end includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a plurality of commissure features, a plurality of first struts and a plurality of second struts. The plurality of first struts define a substantially cylindrical portion and the plurality of second struts have first ends attached to the cylindrical portion and free ends projecting radially outward from the cylindrical portion and configured to couple to adjacent heart tissue to anchor the stent. A collapsible and expandable valve assembly disposed within the stent has a plurality of leaflets coupled to the commissure features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter N. Braido, Mina S. Fahim, Thomas M. Benson, Theodore Paul Dale, Andrea N. Para, Mark Krans, Mathias Charles Glimsdale
  • Patent number: 9486348
    Abstract: A delivery device and method for deploying a stent-graft within a body lumen of a patient are provided. According to one embodiment, the delivery device includes a tubular member lock that couples an outer tubular member of the device with an inner tubular member, such that as the outer tubular member is retracted to deploy the stent-graft, the distal-most end of the delivery device is also retracted. In one embodiment, the delivery device also includes a stent lock disposed on an intermediate tubular member that is configured to releasably couple the stent-graft and the intermediate tubular member. The inner tubular member and the outer tubular member are configured to be coupled to one another such that movement of the outer tubular member results in movement of the inner tubular member with respect to the intermediate tubular member so as to deploy the stent-graft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: S. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew C. Heidner, Bryan Patrick, Grant Abraham Mauch, Mark Krans
  • Publication number: 20160278923
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an inflow end and an outflow end includes a stent having a collapsed condition, an expanded condition, and a plurality of cells arranged in circumferential rows. The stent may include one or more securement features. One securement feature may be an anchor arm having a body portion and a free end extending from the body portion, the body portion being coupled to a perimeter of one of the plurality of cells, with the free end extending toward the inflow end in an expanded condition of the anchor arm. Another securement feature may include a flange formed of a braided mesh and having a body portion coupled to the stent and a flared portion adjacent the inflow end of the prosthetic heart valve. A valve assembly is disposed within the stent and has a plurality of leaflets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Krans, Theodore Paul Dale, Andrea N. Para, Mathias Charles Glimsdale, Thomas M. Benson, Peter N. Braido
  • Publication number: 20160278922
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an inflow end and an outflow end includes a collapsible and expandable stent including a plurality of cells arranged in rows extending around a circumference of the stent, at least one of the rows forming a flared portion having a diameter that is larger than diameters of others of the rows. The stent further includes engaging arms disposed adjacent the outflow end and extending toward the inflow end, the engaging arms being configured to couple to heart tissue to anchor the stent. A collapsible and expandable valve assembly has a plurality of leaflets disposed within the stent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter N. Braido, Mina S. Fahim, Thomas M. Benson, Theodore Paul Dale, Andrea N. Para, Mark Krans, Mathias Charles Glimsdale
  • Publication number: 20160278920
    Abstract: A device for repairing a native heart valve includes a reinforcing structure configured to couple to a portion of the native heart valve to remodel a geometry of the native heart valve, and at least one supporting member connected to the reinforcing structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter N. Braido, Mina S. Fahim, Thomas M. Benson, Theodore Paul Dale, Andrea N. Para, Mark Krans, Mathias Charles Glimsdale
  • Publication number: 20160270914
    Abstract: A loading tool for loading a collapsible prosthetic heart valve into a delivery device may include a body extending in a longitudinal direction between a proximal end and a distal end, an extension on the distal end of the body, and a slot extending through the extension from a free end of the extension toward the distal end of the body. The body may include a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the body lumen having a first diameter. The extension may have a lumen coaxial with the body lumen, the extension lumen having a second diameter less than the first diameter so as to define a shelf surface between the proximal end of the body and the free end of the extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Krans, Theodore Paul Dale, Andrea N. Para, Mathias Charles Glimsdale, Thomas M. Benson, Peter N. Braido