Patents by Inventor Michael F. Wei

Michael F. Wei 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: 20230181248
    Abstract: Systems and methods for separating native heart valve leaflets attached together by a fixation device. Systems including an elongate shaft having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the elongate shaft configured for transvascular delivery of the distal end portion to a native heart valve. At least one arm extending from the distal end portion, and a cutter disposed along at least one of the distal end portion and the at least one arm. The at least one arm is configured to extend through an orifice defined between native heart valve leaflets attached together by a fixation device to position the cutter against one of the native heart valve leaflets adjacent the fixation device, the cutter configured to cut through native heart valve leaflet tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: EVALVE, INC.
    Inventor: Michael F. Wei
  • Publication number: 20230131595
    Abstract: Medical delivery system for accessing a tricuspid valve via an inferior vena cava, including an outer guide catheter, an inner guide catheter and an interventional catheter. The first deflection portion of the outer guide catheter is steerable to define a first outer-guide-catheter curve and the second deflection portion of the outer guide catheter is steerable to define a second outer-guide-catheter curve and the first deflection portion of the inner guide catheter is steerable to define a first inner-guide-catheter curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: EVALVE, INC.
    Inventors: Dylan T. Van Hoven, Michael F. Wei
  • Publication number: 20230009891
    Abstract: Systems and methods for augmenting image data during heart valve repair procedures, such as transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) or transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVr). Image data may be obtained from an imaging device, and may be output to a display with one or more reference markers overlaid on the image data to simplify the visual data. Image data may be augmented or replaced with the reference markers. In some cases, reference markers may provide information about objects that are difficult to see in the image data. In other cases, the reference markers may provide clinical recommendations or feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: Evalve, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Wei, Chad J. Abunassar
  • Patent number: 11534303
    Abstract: Medical delivery system for accessing a tricuspid valve via an inferior vena cava, including an outer guide catheter, an inner guide catheter and an interventional catheter. The first deflection portion of the outer guide catheter is steerable to define a first outer-guide-catheter curve and the second deflection portion of the outer guide catheter is steerable to define a second outer-guide-catheter curve and the first deflection portion of the inner guide catheter is steerable to define a first inner-guide-catheter curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: EVALVE, INC.
    Inventors: Dylan T. Van Hoven, Michael F. Wei
  • Publication number: 20220361907
    Abstract: Systems and methods for separating native heart valve leaflets attached together by a fixation device. The system has elongate shaft including a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The elongate shaft is configured for transvascular delivery of the distal end portion to a native heart valve. A balloon is disposed at the distal end portion of the elongate shaft, and the balloon is inflatable from a collapsed condition to an inflated condition. At least one snare lumen extends along at least a portion of the balloon, the at least one snare lumen having an exit port defined therein. A snare is deployable through the exit port from a delivery position within the at least one snare lumen to an extended position extending beyond the exit port. The snare in the extended position is configured to capture the fixation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: EVALVE, INC.
    Inventors: Philip Osterbauer, Tracee Eidenschink, Ted Dale, Richard Childs, Michael F. Wei
  • Patent number: 11491009
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to repair devices for repair of regurgitant mitral valves. A repair device includes a body having a perimeter defining an upper side and a lower side. An annular groove is disposed along a posterior section of the perimeter of the device and is configured to receive posterior rim tissue of a mitral valve annulus. First and second anchors extend from the body in an anterior direction. The first and second anchors are configured to engage with respective commissures of the mitral valve to assist in securing the repair device in position. The repair device is structured to minimize or eliminate imparting or transmitting radially outward forces along an anterior section so as to avoid imparting forces to the septum to avoid hindering the function of the aortic valve and the left ventricular outflow tract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: EVALVE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael F. Wei, Chad J. Abunassar
  • Publication number: 20220168036
    Abstract: An implant removal device having an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate body being resiliently flexible and configured to transmit torque from the proximal end to the distal end with a predetermined turning ratio, and a capture structure extending distally from the distal end and having a capture region, the capture structure being configured to selectively center a deployed implant in relation to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body and the capture region to aid with capture and subsequent removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventor: Michael F. Wei
  • Publication number: 20220104819
    Abstract: The invention provides improved devices, systems, and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The invention provides devices, systems, and methods that may more successfully approximate and repair tissue by improving the capture of tissue into the devices. The invention may be a one-way mechanism that allows tissue to enter the mechanism but not easily exit, such as a leaf-spring, a protrusion, a pivoting arm and one or more frictional elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Michael F. Wei
  • Patent number: 11229435
    Abstract: The invention provides improved devices, systems, and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The invention provides devices, systems, and methods that may more successfully approximate and repair tissue by improving the capture of tissue into the devices. The invention may be a one-way mechanism that allows tissue to enter the mechanism but not easily exit, such as a leaf-spring, a protrusion, a pivoting arm and one or more frictional elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Michael F. Wei
  • Publication number: 20210330454
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to repair devices for repair of regurgitant mitral valves. A repair device includes a body having a perimeter defining an upper side and a lower side. An annular groove is disposed along a posterior section of the perimeter of the device and is configured to receive posterior rim tissue of a mitral valve annulus. First and second anchors extend from the body in an anterior direction. The first and second anchors are configured to engage with respective commissures of the mitral valve to assist in securing the repair device in position. The repair device is structured to minimize or eliminate imparting or transmitting radially outward forces along an anterior section so as to avoid imparting forces to the septum to avoid hindering the function of the aortic valve and the left ventricular outflow tract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: EVALVE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael F. Wei, Chad J. Abunassar
  • Publication number: 20210315695
    Abstract: Medical delivery system for accessing a tricuspid valve via an inferior vena cava, including an outer guide catheter, an inner guide catheter and an interventional catheter. The first deflection portion of the outer guide catheter is steerable to define a first outer-guide-catheter curve and the second deflection portion of the outer guide catheter is steerable to define a second outer-guide-catheter curve and the first deflection portion of the inner guide catheter is steerable to define a first inner-guide-catheter curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: EVALVE, INC.
    Inventors: Dylan T. Van Hoven, Michael F. Wei
  • Patent number: 11109863
    Abstract: The invention provides improved devices, systems, and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The invention provides devices, systems, and methods that may more successfully approximate and repair tissue by improving the capture of tissue into the devices. The invention may be a one-way mechanism that allows tissue to enter the mechanism but not easily exit, such as a leaf-spring, a protrusion, a pivoting arm and one or more frictional elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael F. Wei
  • Publication number: 20210196454
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to repair devices for repair of regurgitant mitral valves. A repair device includes a body having a perimeter defining an upper side and a lower side. An annular groove is disposed along a posterior section of the perimeter of the device and is configured to receive posterior rim tissue of a mitral valve annulus. First and second anchors extend from the body in an anterior direction. The first and second anchors are configured to engage with respective commissures of the mitral valve to assist in securing the repair device in position. The repair device is structured to minimize or eliminate imparting or transmitting radially outward forces along an anterior section so as to avoid imparting forces to the septum to avoid hindering the function of the aortic valve and the left ventricular outflow tract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: EVALVE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael F. Wei, Chad J. Abunassar
  • Patent number: 11006956
    Abstract: The invention provides improved devices, systems, and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The invention provides devices, systems, and methods that may more successfully approximate and repair tissue by improving the capture of tissue into the devices. The invention may be a one-way mechanism that allows tissue to enter the mechanism but not easily exit, such as a leaf-spring, a protrusion, a pivoting arm and one or more frictional elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Michael F. Wei
  • Publication number: 20210128303
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes tissue gripping devices, systems, and methods for gripping mitral valve tissue during treatment of a mitral valve and while a tissue fixation device is implanted in the mitral valve. The tissue gripping device includes a flexible member and one or more tissue gripping members coupled to one or more arms of the flexible member. The flexible member is formed from a shape-memory material, such as nitinol, and the tissue gripping member(s) are formed from a material that is more rigid than the shape-memory material. The tissue gripping member(s) are attached to the flexible member by threading or looping suture lines around and/or through the tissue gripping member(s) and the flexible member and/or by applying a cover material to the tissue gripping device to hold the tissue gripping member(s) against the flexible member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael F. Wei
  • Patent number: 10945842
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to repair devices for repair of regurgitant mitral valves. A repair device includes a body having a perimeter defining an upper side and a lower side. An annular groove is disposed along a posterior section of the perimeter of the device and is configured to receive posterior rim tissue of a mitral valve annulus. First and second anchors extend from the body in an anterior direction. The first and second anchors are configured to engage with respective commissures of the mitral valve to assist in securing the repair device in position. The repair device is structured to minimize or eliminate imparting or transmitting radially outward forces along an anterior section so as to avoid imparting forces to the septum to avoid hindering the function of the aortic valve and the left ventricular outflow tract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Evalve, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Wei, Chad J. Abunassar
  • Patent number: 10893941
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes tissue gripping devices, systems, and methods for gripping mitral valve tissue during treatment of a mitral valve and while a tissue fixation device is implanted in the mitral valve. The tissue gripping device includes a flexible member and one or more tissue gripping members coupled to one or more arms of the flexible member. The flexible member is formed from a shape-memory material, such as nitinol, and the tissue gripping member(s) are formed from a material that is more rigid than the shape-memory material. The tissue gripping member(s) are attached to the flexible member by threading or looping suture lines around and/or through the tissue gripping member(s) and the flexible member and/or by applying a cover material to the tissue gripping device to hold the tissue gripping member(s) against the flexible member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael F. Wei
  • Patent number: 10856985
    Abstract: A device for adjusting a shape of a coronary sinus in a heart of a patient, the device comprising a flexible tube having: an outer wall extending between a proximal end and a distal end; a first bore extending from the proximal end to the distal end; a proximal flange attached to the proximal end; a distal flange attached to the distal end; wherein, the outer wall includes at least one accordion-like hinge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Michael F. Wei
  • Publication number: 20200367871
    Abstract: Medical delivery system for accessing a tricuspid valve via an inferior vena cava, including an outer guide catheter, an inner guide catheter and an interventional catheter. The first deflection portion of the outer guide catheter is steerable to define a first outer-guide-catheter curve and the second deflection portion of the outer guide catheter is steerable to define a second outer-guide-catheter curve and the first deflection portion of the inner guide catheter is steerable to define a first inner-guide-catheter curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Applicant: EVALVE, INC.
    Inventors: Dylan T. Van Hoven, Michael F. Wei
  • Patent number: 10779829
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes interventional devices, systems, and methods for closing a regurgitant gap in a cardiac valve. Interventional devices are configured to be deployed between two previously placed implants or between a previously placed implant and a valve commissure. The interventional devices compress captured leaflet tissue and/or apply a tensioning force along the line of coaptation to assist in closing the gap and reducing regurgitant flow through the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: EVALVE, INC.
    Inventor: Michael F. Wei