Patents by Inventor Michael Walter Kirk

Michael Walter Kirk 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: 20240041470
    Abstract: A recapturable external LAA exclusion clip system includes a clip comprising first and second clip struts, at least one of the struts having a connector interface comprising a first portion of a lock, and a delivery device comprising a handle and an end effector. The handle comprises jaw and lock controls. The end effector is connected to the handle and comprises a clevis and first and second jaws. The jaws are connected to the clevis and operatively connected to the jaw control to actively articulate at least one of the jaws with respect to the other. At least one of the jaws has a connector comprising a second portion of the lock operatively connected to the lock control to removably lock with the first portion of the lock. The first and second portions of the lock have a locked state and are configured to unlock the locked state upon actuation of the lock control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Derek Dee Deville, Matthew A. Palmer, Richard Cartledge, Thomas O. Bales, JR., M. Sean McBrayer, William T. Bales, Michael Walter Kirk, William Ragheb, Eric Petersen, Carlos Rivera, Vincent Turturro
  • Publication number: 20230338140
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve can comprise a stent frame radially movable between a contracted configuration and a maximum expanded configuration. The stent assembly can comprise a plurality of longitudinally extending jack strut assemblies, wherein each jack strut assembly comprises a proximal jack strut comprising a distal surface, a distal jack strut comprising a proximal surface, and a jack screw connecting the proximal jack strut and the distal jack strut. The proximal surface of each distal jack strut does not contact the distal surface of each respective proximal jack strut when the stent assembly is in the contracted configuration. The proximal surface of each distal jack strut contacts the distal surface of each respective proximal jack strut when the stent assembly is in the maximum expanded configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Richard George Cartledge, Kevin W. Smith, Thomas O. Bales, JR., Derek Dee Deville, Korey Kline, Max Pierre Mendez, Matthew A. Palmer, Michael Walter Kirk, Carlos Rivera, Eric Petersen, M. Sean McBrayer
  • Publication number: 20230338042
    Abstract: A surgical clip delivery device end effector that is configured to implant a clip having a pair of opposing clip struts each having a proximal end and a distal end includes a clevis, a pair of jaws connected to the clevis, and a pair of clip-connecting ends configured to removably connect respectively to the pair of clip struts, at least one of the pair of clip-connecting ends connected to at least one of the pair of jaws with two angular degrees of freedom such that, responsive to connection of the clip struts of the clip to the clip-connecting ends, a movement of the jaws in an initial opening action separates the proximal ends of the clip struts before separating the distal ends of the clip struts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Syntheon 2.0, LLC
    Inventors: William T. Bales, Derek Dee Deville, Matthew A. Palmer, Richard Cartledge, Michael Walter Kirk, Thomas O. Bales, JR., M. Sean McBrayer
  • Patent number: 11793524
    Abstract: A recapturable external LAA exclusion clip system includes a clip comprising first and second clip struts, at least one of the struts having a connector interface comprising a first portion of a lock, and a delivery device comprising a handle and an end effector. The handle comprises jaw and lock controls. The end effector is connected to the handle and comprises a clevis and first and second jaws. The jaws are connected to the clevis and operatively connected to the jaw control to actively articulate at least one of the jaws with respect to the other. At least one of the jaws has a connector comprising a second portion of the lock operatively connected to the lock control to removably lock with the first portion of the lock. The first and second portions of the lock have a locked state and are configured to unlock the locked state upon actuation of the lock control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Dee Deville, Matthew A. Palmer, Richard Cartledge, Thomas O. Bales, Jr., M. Sean McBrayer, William T. Bales, Michael Walter Kirk, William Ragheb, Eric Petersen, Carlos Rivera, Vincent Turturro
  • Patent number: 11712249
    Abstract: An LAA exclusion system includes a clip comprising first and second separate clip struts, and a bias device comprising spring portions, and a delivery device having clip-contacting ends. The first clip strut has a first proximal end. The second clip strut has a second proximal end adjacent the first proximal end. The clip struts together define a first exterior surface and an opposing second exterior surface. The first spring portion connects the first clip strut to the second clip strut along the first exterior surface and the second spring portion connects the first clip strut to the second clip strut along the second exterior surface. The spring portions define therebetween a strut-securing area at the first and second proximal ends. The clip-contacting ends are configured to removably connect to the proximal ends of the clip struts through the strut-securing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Syntheon 2.0, LLC
    Inventors: William T. Bales, Derek Dee Deville, Matthew A. Palmer, Richard Cartledge, Michael Walter Kirk, Thomas O. Bales, Jr., M. Sean McBrayer
  • Patent number: 11707356
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a frame, a valve, and an expansion element. The frame is movable between contracted and expanded configurations and includes first struts and second struts non-hingedly coupled together. The second struts are configured to pivot relative to the first struts as the frame moves between the contracted and expanded configurations. The valve is coupled to the frame and includes leaflets. The expansion element extends through a lumen of the first struts. The expansion element is slidable relative to the lumen of the first struts and is configured to move the frame incrementally from the contracted configuration and the expanded configuration and from the expanded configuration to the contracted configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CardiAQ LLC
    Inventors: Richard George Cartledge, Kevin W. Smith, Thomas O. Bales, Jr., Derek Dee Deville, Korey Kline, Max Pierre Mendez, Matthew A. Palmer, Michael Walter Kirk, Carlos Rivera, Eric Petersen, M. Sean McBrayer
  • Publication number: 20220071619
    Abstract: A multiple-firing clip device includes a hollow shaft defining a lateral opening communicating with an environment and a distal shaft portion between the lateral opening and a distal end opening. A shuttle longitudinally moves on the shaft and comprises a shuttle body defining a lumen surrounding the shaft, a snare, and a snare-extender slide defining a snare track to form a snare travel path in which the snare is disposed from the body and through the track and a portion of the body. The slide moves along a given extent defining a slide distance and a distal end and movement of the slide to the distal end shortens the snare travel path to extend the snare portion through the lateral opening, through the distal shaft portion, and distally out from a distal side of the body longer than the given extent to secure a suture with the snare.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Derek Dee Deville, Kevin W. Smith, Michael Walter Kirk, Carlos Rivera, George Nunez, Thomas O. Bales, JR., Korey Kline, Matthew A. Palmer, M. Sean McBrayer, Richard George Cartledge, Max Pierre Mendez, Kevin K. Dang, Bryan A. Janish, Manouchehr A. Miraki
  • Patent number: 11191547
    Abstract: An external LAA exclusion clip comprises a clipping assembly comprising first and second opposing clip struts each of the clip struts having a tissue-contacting surface and first and second bias surfaces, a bias assembly connecting the first clip strut to the second clip strut to align the first and second clip struts in a strut plane passing through the tissue-contacting surface. The bias assembly comprises at least one first bias spring connected to the first bias surface of the first clip strut and to the first bias surface of the second clip strut and at least one second bias spring connected to the second bias surface of the first clip strut and the second bias surface of the second clip strut. The first bias spring and the second bias spring are configured to permit movement of the first and second clip struts in the strut plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Syntheon 2.0, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Dee Deville, Matthew A. Palmer, Richard Cartledge, Thomas O. Bales, Jr., M. Sean McBrayer, Eric Petersen, Tyler Bond, William T. Bales, Michael Walter Kirk
  • Patent number: 11172924
    Abstract: A multiple-firing clip device includes a hollow shaft defining a lateral opening communicating with an environment and a distal shaft portion between the lateral opening and a distal end opening. A shuttle longitudinally moves on the shaft and comprises a shuttle body defining a lumen surrounding the shaft, a snare, and a snare-extender slide defining a snare track to form a snare travel path in which the snare is disposed from the body and through the track and a portion of the body. The slide moves along a given extent defining a slide distance and a distal end and movement of the slide to the distal end shortens the snare travel path to extend the snare portion through the lateral opening, through the distal shaft portion, and distally out from a distal side of the body longer than the given extent to secure a suture with the snare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences AG
    Inventors: Derek Dee Deville, Kevin W. Smith, Michael Walter Kirk, Carlos Rivera, George Nunez, Thomas O. Bales, Jr., Korey Kline, Matthew A. Palmer, M. Sean McBrayer, Richard George Cartledge, Max Pierre Mendez, Kevin K. Dang, Bryan A. Janish, Manouchehr A. Miraki
  • Publication number: 20210205079
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a frame, a valve, and an expansion element. The frame is movable between contracted and expanded configurations and includes first struts and second struts non-hingedly coupled together. The second struts are configured to pivot relative to the first struts as the frame moves between the contracted and expanded configurations. The valve is coupled to the frame and includes leaflets. The expansion element extends through a lumen of the first struts. The expansion element is slidable relative to the lumen of the first struts and is configured to move the frame incrementally from the contracted configuration and the expanded configuration and from the expanded configuration to the contracted configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: Edwards Lifesciences CardiAQ LLC
    Inventors: Richard George Cartledge, Kevin W. Smith, Thomas O. Bales, Jr., Derek Dee Deville, Korey Kline, Max Pierre Mendez, Matthew A. Palmer, Michael Walter Kirk, Carlos Rivera, Eric Petersen, M. Sean McBrayer
  • Publication number: 20210169489
    Abstract: A recapturable external LAA exclusion clip system includes a clip comprising first and second clip struts, at least one of the struts having a connector interface comprising a first portion of a lock, and a delivery device comprising a handle and an end effector. The handle comprises jaw and lock controls. The end effector is connected to the handle and comprises a clevis and first and second jaws. The jaws are connected to the clevis and operatively connected to the jaw control to actively articulate at least one of the jaws with respect to the other. At least one of the jaws has a connector comprising a second portion of the lock operatively connected to the lock control to removably lock with the first portion of the lock. The first and second portions of the lock have a locked state and are configured to unlock the locked state upon actuation of the lock control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: Syntheon 2.0, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Dee Deville, Matthew A. Palmer, Richard Cartledge, Thomas O. Bales, JR., M. Sean McBrayer, William T. Bales, Michael Walter Kirk, William Ragheb, Eric Petersen, Carlos Rivera, Vincent Turturro
  • Patent number: 10980650
    Abstract: A delivery apparatus can include a handle portion and at least one rotatable drive shaft. The handle portion has an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism includes a motor and one or more actuators. The rotatable drive shaft has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion is coupled to the motor, and the distal end portion is configured to be releasably coupled to a prosthetic heart valve. The actuation mechanism is configured to control and monitor expansion of the prosthetic heart valve. The handle is configured for actuating the actuation mechanism, tracking a response of native tissue when the prosthetic heart valve is in contact with the native tissue, and stopping expansion of the prosthetic heart valve once a rate of change of expansion of the prosthetic heart valve declines below a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CardiAQ LLC
    Inventors: Richard George Cartledge, Kevin W. Smith, Thomas O. Bales, Jr., Derek Dee Deville, Korey Kline, Max Pierre Mendez, Matthew A. Palmer, Michael Walter Kirk, Carlos Rivera, Eric Petersen, M. Sean McBrayer
  • Patent number: 10925615
    Abstract: A recapturable external LAA exclusion clip system includes a clip comprising first and second clip struts, at least one of the struts having a connector interface comprising a first portion of a lock, and a delivery device comprising a handle and an end effector. The handle comprises jaw and lock controls. The end effector is connected to the handle and comprises a clevis and first and second jaws. The jaws are connected to the clevis and operatively connected to the jaw control to actively articulate at least one of the jaws with respect to the other. At least one of the jaws has a connector comprising a second portion of the lock operatively connected to the lock control to removably lock with the first portion of the lock. The first and second portions of the lock have a locked state and are configured to unlock the locked state upon actuation of the lock control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Syntheon 2.0, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Dee Deville, Matthew A. Palmer, Richard Cartledge, Thomas O. Bales, Jr., M. Sean McBrayer, William T. Bales, Michael Walter Kirk, William Ragheb, Eric Petersen, Carlos Rivera, Vincent Turturro
  • Patent number: 10918392
    Abstract: An LAA exclusion clip includes first and second clip struts and a bias device. The clip struts together define a heart-proximate side, a heart-distal side, bias and open clip ends, each strut having a tissue-contacting surface disposed opposite one another. The bias device includes a first biasing portion connecting the first and second clip struts, disposed on the heart-proximate side of the clip struts, and crossing over from the first clip strut to the second clip strut at the heart-proximate side of the first and second clip struts adjacent the bias clip end. The bias device includes a second biasing portion connecting the first and second clip struts, disposed on the heart-distal side of the first and second clip struts, and crossing over from the first clip strut to the second clip strut at the heart-distal side of the first and second clip struts adjacent the bias clip end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Syntheon 2.0, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Dee Deville, Matthew A. Palmer, Richard Cartledge, Thomas O. Bales, Jr., M. Sean McBrayer, William T. Bales, Michael Walter Kirk
  • Publication number: 20210038226
    Abstract: An LAA exclusion system includes a clip comprising first and second separate clip struts, and a bias device comprising spring portions, and a delivery device having clip-contacting ends. The first clip strut has a first proximal end. The second clip strut has a second proximal end adjacent the first proximal end. The clip struts together define a first exterior surface and an opposing second exterior surface. The first spring portion connects the first clip strut to the second clip strut along the first exterior surface and the second spring portion connects the first clip strut to the second clip strut along the second exterior surface. The spring portions define therebetween a strut-securing area at the first and second proximal ends. The clip-contacting ends are configured to removably connect to the proximal ends of the clip struts through the strut-securing area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Syntheon 2.0, LLC
    Inventors: William T. Bales, Derek Dee Deville, Matthew A. Palmer, Richard Cartledge, Michael Walter Kirk, Thomas O. Bales, JR., M. Sean McBrayer
  • Patent number: 10874508
    Abstract: An assembly includes a prosthetic heart valve and a delivery apparatus. The prosthetic heart valve has a plurality of pivotably connected struts and one or more adjustable elements rotatably coupled to the struts. Rotating the adjustable elements in a first direction relative to the struts radially expands the prosthetic heart valve. Rotating the adjustable elements in a second direction relative to the struts radially contracts the prosthetic heart valve. The delivery apparatus includes one or more motors, one or more drive wires coupled to the motors, and a memory. The drive wires are coupled to the adjustable elements of the prosthetic heart valve. The motors are configured to rotate the drive wires and the adjustable elements to expand and contract the prosthetic heart valve. The memory is configured for storing one or more characteristics of the motors, the drive wires, or the prosthetic heart valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CardiAQ LLC
    Inventors: Richard Cartledge, Kevin W. Smith, Thomas O. Bales, Jr., Derek Dee Deville, Korey Kline, Max Pierre Mendez, Matthew A. Palmer, Michael Walter Kirk, Carlos Rivera, Eric Petersen, Sean McBrayer
  • Publication number: 20200345375
    Abstract: A recapturable external LAA exclusion clip system includes a clip comprising first and second clip struts, at least one of the struts having a connector interface comprising a first portion of a lock, and a delivery device comprising a handle and an end effector. The handle comprises jaw and lock controls. The end effector is connected to the handle and comprises a clevis and first and second jaws. The jaws are connected to the clevis and operatively connected to the jaw control to actively articulate at least one of the jaws with respect to the other. At least one of the jaws has a connector comprising a second portion of the lock operatively connected to the lock control to removably lock with the first portion of the lock. The first and second portions of the lock have a locked state and are configured to unlock the locked state upon actuation of the lock control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Syntheon 2.0, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Dee Deville, Matthew A. Palmer, Richard Cartledge, Thomas O. Bales, JR., M. Sean McBrayer, William T. Bales, Michael Walter Kirk, William Ragheb, Eric Petersen, Carlos Rivera, Vincent Turturro
  • Publication number: 20200197014
    Abstract: An LAA exclusion clip includes first and second clip struts and a bias device. The clip struts together define a heart-proximate side, a heart-distal side, bias and open clip ends, each strut having a tissue-contacting surface disposed opposite one another. The bias device includes a first biasing portion connecting the first and second clip struts, disposed on the heart-proximate side of the clip struts, and crossing over from the first clip strut to the second clip strut at the heart-proximate side of the first and second clip struts adjacent the bias clip end. The bias device includes a second biasing portion connecting the first and second clip struts, disposed on the heart-distal side of the first and second clip struts, and crossing over from the first clip strut to the second clip strut at the heart-distal side of the first and second clip struts adjacent the bias clip end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: Syntheon 2.0, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Dee Deville, Matthew A. Palmer, Richard Cartledge, Thomas O. Bales, JR., M. Sean McBrayer, William T. Bales, Michael Walter Kirk
  • Patent number: 10624630
    Abstract: A multiple-fire securing device includes a hollow outer shaft, a reloader, a reloader movement assembly, a rail, and securing structures each defining an inner securing orifice. The reloader longitudinally moves within the outer shaft and has a distal end shaped to temporarily contact one of the securing structures. The rail is disposed within the reloader and has an installing location. The securing structures are disposed on the rail. The reloader movement assembly moves the reloader longitudinally in a distal direction to deliver a first securing structure to the installing location from a first proximal position and moves the reloader proximally away from the installing location without the first securing structure to a position in which the distal end of the reloader temporarily contacts a second one of the securing structures. The second and successive securing structures are moved one at a time to the installing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences AG
    Inventors: Derek Dee Deville, Kevin W. Smith, Michael Walter Kirk, Carlos Rivera, George Nunez, Thomas O. Bales, Jr., Korey Kline, Matthew A. Palmer, M. Sean McBrayer, Richard Cartledge, Max Pierre Mendez, Kevin K. Dang, Bryan A. Janish, Manouchehr A. Miraki
  • Publication number: 20200008797
    Abstract: A multiple-firing clip device includes a hollow shaft defining a lateral opening communicating with an environment and a distal shaft portion between the lateral opening and a distal end opening. A shuttle longitudinally moves on the shaft and comprises a shuttle body defining a lumen surrounding the shaft, a snare, and a snare-extender slide defining a snare track to form a snare travel path in which the snare is disposed from the body and through the track and a portion of the body. The slide moves along a given extent defining a slide distance and a distal end and movement of the slide to the distal end shortens the snare travel path to extend the snare portion through the lateral opening, through the distal shaft portion, and distally out from a distal side of the body longer than the given extent to secure a suture with the snare.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Derek Dee Deville, Kevin W. Smith, Michael Walter Kirk, Carlos Rivera, George Nunez, Thomas O. Bales, JR., Korey Kline, Matthew A. Palmer, M. Sean McBrayer, Richard George Cartledge, Max Pierre Mendez, Kevin K. Dang, Bryan A. Janish, Manouchehr A. Miraki