Patents by Inventor Rafael Pintor
Rafael Pintor 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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Publication number: 20240122708Abstract: An annuloplasty structure includes a contracting member. A fastener is configured to receive the contracting member therethrough, the fastener including a housing and a clamping structure disposed therein. The fastener has an open state in which the contracting member can pass through the fastener, and is biased toward assuming a closed state in which the clamping structure clamps onto the contracting member disposed through the fastener. A stop is coupled to the fastener in a manner that maintains the fastener in the open state. A tool includes static and dynamic cutting elements, and is configured to (a) apply tension to the contracting member by pulling the contracting member proximally through the fastener, (b) lock the tension in the contracting member by pulling the stop proximally out from the fastener, and (c) sever the contracting member by moving the dynamic cutting element. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Haim Brauon, Tal Sheps, Aviv Galon, Rafael Pintor
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Patent number: 11890191Abstract: A method for use with a heart of a subject includes advancing a tool distally along a flexible elongate contracting member, toward an anchor implanted at the heart. Tension is applied to the contracting member such that the contracting member slides proximally through a fastener disposed at the heart while a stop coupled to the fastener maintains the fastener in an open state. Using the tool, the stop is pulled proximally (i) away from the fastener, such that the fastener responsively clamps to the contracting member, thereby locking the tension in the contracting member, and (ii) against a cutting element of the tool such that the cutting element moves in a manner that severs the contracting member. Other embodiments are also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Innovation (Israel) Ltd.Inventors: Haim Brauon, Tal Sheps, Aviv Galon, Rafael Pintor
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Publication number: 20240004959Abstract: Systems of quickly and easily implanting a quick-connect heart valve prosthesis during a surgical procedure are provided. The heart valve may include a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A safety member disposed between the balloon catheter and handle shaft prevents premature catheter advancement prior to heart valve placement at the annulus, and also may prevent premature balloon inflation prior to full catheter advancement.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Andrew Phung, August R. Yambao, Faisal Kalam, William C. Brunnett, Rafael Pintor, Michael J. Scott
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Patent number: 11775613Abstract: Methods of quickly and easily implanting a quick-connect heart valve prosthesis during a surgical procedure are provided. The heart valve may include a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A safety member disposed between the balloon catheter and handle shaft prevents premature catheter advancement prior to heart valve placement at the annulus, and also may prevent premature balloon inflation prior to full catheter advancement.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATIONInventors: Andrew Phung, August R. Yambao, Faisal Kalam, William C. Brunnett, Rafael Pintor, Michael J. Scott
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Publication number: 20230084393Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The prosthetic valve has a base stent that is deployed at a treatment site, and a valve component configured to quickly connect to the base stent. The base stent may take the form of a self- or balloon-expandable stent that expands outward against the native valve with or without leaflet excision. The valve component has a non-expandable prosthetic valve and a self- or balloon-expandable coupling stent for attachment to the base stent, thereby fixing the position of the valve component relative to the base stent. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available to valve with a sewing ring and the coupling stent attaches to the sewing ring. The system is particularly suited for rapid deployment of heart valves in a conventional open-heart surgical environment. A catheter-based system and method for deployment is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Rafael Pintor, Mark Chau, Travis Zenyo Oba, August R. Yambao, Louis A. Campbell, Tammy Huntley, Qinggang Zeng, Carey L. Cristea, Faisal Kalam
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Publication number: 20230072121Abstract: A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The heart valve includes a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A small number of guide sutures may be provided for aortic valve orientation. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available valve with a sewing ring with the frame attached thereto. The frame may expand from a conical deployment shape to a conical expanded shape, and may include web-like struts connected between axially-extending posts. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A valve holder is stored with the heart valve and the handle shaft easily attaches thereto to improve valve preparation steps.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Rafael Pintor, Michael J. Scott, Thomas Chien, Harvey H. Chen, August R. Yambao, Lawrence J. Farhat, Andrew Phung, William C. Brunnett, Carey L. Cristea, Sara M. Walls, Kevin W. Zheng, Faisal Kalam, Qinggang Zeng
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Patent number: 11504232Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The prosthetic valve has a base stent that is deployed at a treatment site, and a valve component configured to quickly connect to the base stent. The base stent may take the form of a self- or balloon-expandable stent that expands outward against the native valve with or without leaflet excision. The valve component has a non-expandable prosthetic valve and a self- or balloon-expandable coupling stent for attachment to the base stent, thereby fixing the position of the valve component relative to the base stent. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available to valve with a sewing ring and the coupling stent attaches to the sewing ring. The system is particularly suited for rapid deployment of heart valves in a conventional open-heart surgical environment. A catheter-based system and method for deployment is provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2020Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Rafael Pintor, Mark Chau, Travis Zenyo Oba, August R. Yambao, Louis A. Campbell, Tammy Huntley, Qinggang Zeng, Carey L. Cristea, Faisal Kalam
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Patent number: 11471279Abstract: A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The heart valve includes a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A small number of guide sutures may be provided for aortic valve orientation. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available valve with a sewing ring with the frame attached thereto. The frame may expand from a conical deployment shape to a conical expanded shape, and may include web-like struts connected between axially-extending posts. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A valve holder is stored with the heart valve and the handle shaft easily attaches thereto to improve valve preparation steps.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Rafael Pintor, Michael J. Scott, Thomas Chien, Harvey H. Chen, August R. Yambao, Lawrence J. Farhat, Andrew Phung, William C. Brunnett, Carey L. Cristea, Sara M. Walls, Kevin W. Zheng, Faisal Kalam, Qinggang Zeng
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Patent number: 11412954Abstract: An orifice-expanding device for measuring an expanded heart valve. The device includes a proximal handle having a shaft and an orifice-expanding device with a hub mounted to a distal end of the shaft and a plurality of arms evenly spaced around the axis and connected to the hub and extending therefrom in a distal direction to distal ends of the arms. The distal end of each arm has an expanding portion with an outer surface, the expanding portions being configured to move radially outward with respect to each other, wherein expansion of the expanding portions causes the distal ends of the arms to flex outward. A pressure-measuring device measures a pressure applied to the aortic valve annulus, and a size-measuring device measures a dimension of the aortic valve annulus after the annulus has been expanded.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Louis A. Campbell, Travis Zenyo Oba, Rafael Pintor
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Publication number: 20220211492Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an expandable stent modified to reduce the impact on the adjacent conduction system of the heart. A plurality of flexible leaflets arranged to close together along a flow axis through the valve prevent blood flow in one direction, and a support frame surrounds and supports the leaflets. The stent is defined by a plurality of connected struts arranged around a circumference. A pattern of the struts is consistent around the circumference except in a modified region on one side so that when converted to the expanded configuration the stent on the one side expands radially outward a smaller distance and/or has larger cells defined between the struts than around a remainder of the circumference. The stent may be connected to a non-collapsible valve member or the entire valve may be expandable. The valve may be for implant at the aortic annulus and the modified region may be centered at a commissure post of the support frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2022Publication date: July 7, 2022Inventors: Rafael Pintor, Sai Prasad Uppalapati
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Publication number: 20220183842Abstract: A method for use with a heart of a subject includes advancing a tool distally along a flexible elongate contracting member, toward an anchor implanted at the heart. Tension is applied to the contracting member such that the contracting member slides proximally through a fastener disposed at the heart while a stop coupled to the fastener maintains the fastener in an open state. Using the tool, the stop is pulled proximally (i) away from the fastener, such that the fastener responsively clamps to the contracting member, thereby locking the tension in the contracting member, and (ii) against a cutting element of the tool such that the cutting element moves in a manner that severs the contracting member. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2021Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Haim Brauon, Tal Sheps, Rafael Pintor, Aviv Galon
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Publication number: 20220172001Abstract: Methods of quickly and easily implanting a quick-connect heart valve prosthesis during a surgical procedure are provided. The heart valve may include a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A safety member disposed between the balloon catheter and handle shaft prevents premature catheter advancement prior to heart valve placement at the annulus, and also may prevent premature balloon inflation prior to full catheter advancement.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Andrew Phung, August R. Yambao, Faisal Kalam, William C. Brunnett, Rafael Pintor, Michael J. Scott
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Publication number: 20220151779Abstract: Methods of implanting a hybrid prosthetic aortic heart valve having a valve member and a generally tubular plastically-expandable anchoring skirt attached to and projecting in an inflow direction therefrom. The anchoring skirt has an inflow end with an initial tapered shape with a lower (inflow/leading) end defining a smaller orifice. For implant, the heart valve is advanced with the anchoring skirt at the leading end, and ultimately a balloon catheter expands within the anchoring skirt to force it into contact with a subvalvular aspect of the aortic valve annulus. To facilitate advancement of the heart valve, the anchoring skirt is further crimped after removal from a storage container such as a jar. The crimping is done after removal from the storage container to preserve an initial manufactured orifice diameter at inflow/leading end of the anchoring skirt for passage of a delivery adapter used in the delivery process.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2022Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventor: Rafael Pintor
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Patent number: 11311378Abstract: Packaging for prosthetic heart valves including an assembly for securely retaining a heart valve within a jar and facilitating retrieval therefrom. The assembly includes a packaging sleeve that fits closely within the jar and has a clip structure for securing a valve holder. Contrary to previous designs, in one embodiment the valve holder is directed downward into the jar, and the valve is retained with an inflow end upward. The valve may have flexible leaflets, and a leaflet parting member on the end of the shaft extends through the leaflets and couples with the valve holder. The assembly of the packaging sleeve, valve, and holder can then be removed from the jar and a valve delivery tube connected with the holder, or to the leaflet parting member. The packaging sleeve may be bifurcated into two halves connected at a living hinge to facilitate removal from around the valve/holder subassembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Frederic B. Hodshon, Rafael Pintor, August R. Yambao, Abhishek Gautam, Louis A. Campbell, Lawrence J. Farhat, Tammy Huntley, Faisal Kalam, Travis Zenyo Oba, Qinggang Zeng
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Patent number: 11197757Abstract: Methods of quickly and easily implanting a quick-connect heart valve prosthesis during a surgical procedure are provided. The heart valve may include a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A safety member disposed between the balloon catheter and handle shaft prevents premature catheter advancement prior to heart valve placement at the annulus, and also may prevent premature balloon inflation prior to full catheter advancement.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2020Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Andrew Phung, August R. Yambao, Faisal Kalam, William C. Brunnett, Rafael Pintor, Michael J. Scott
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Publication number: 20210244539Abstract: An annuloplasty ring assembly includes an annuloplasty ring configured to be secured to an annulus of a heart valve and a ring holder having a template and a handle attachment assembly. The template includes an upper proximal face, a lower distal face, and a peripheral edge portion configured to receive the annuloplasty ring in conformal contact therewith. The handle attachment assembly includes a flexible shaft and a rigid handle adapter. The flexible shaft has a distal end attached to the template and a proximal end attached to the rigid handle adapter. The flexible shaft is rigid enough to maintain the shape of the annuloplasty ring assembly at a plurality of different positions during implantation while permitting the user to bend the flexible shaft to facilitate access and positioning of the annuloplasty ring on the annulus of the heart valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventor: Rafael Pintor
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Publication number: 20210077255Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The prosthetic valve has a base stent that is deployed at a treatment site, and a valve component configured to quickly connect to the base stent. The base stent may take the form of a self- or balloon-expandable stent that expands outward against the native valve with or without leaflet excision. The valve component has a non-expandable prosthetic valve and a self- or balloon-expandable coupling stent for attachment to the base stent, thereby fixing the position of the valve component relative to the base stent. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available to valve with a sewing ring and the coupling stent attaches to the sewing ring. The system is particularly suited for rapid deployment of heart valves in a conventional open-heart surgical environment. A catheter-based system and method for deployment is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventors: Rafael Pintor, Mark Chau, Travis Zenyo Oba, August R. Yambao, Louis A. Campbell, Tammy Huntley, Qinggang Zeng, Carey L. Cristea, Faisal Kalam
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Patent number: 10835378Abstract: Packaging for prosthetic heart valves including an assembly for securely retaining a heart valve within a jar and facilitating retrieval therefrom. The assembly includes a packaging sleeve that fits closely within the jar and has a clip structure for securing a valve holder. Contrary to previous designs, in one embodiment the valve holder is directed downward into the jar, and the valve is retained with an inflow end upward. The valve may have flexible leaflets, and a leaflet parting member on the end of the shaft extends through the leaflets and couples with the valve holder. The assembly of the packaging sleeve, valve, and holder can then be removed from the jar and a valve delivery tube connected with the holder, or to the leaflet parting member. The packaging sleeve may be bifurcated into two halves connected at a living hinge to facilitate removal from around the valve/holder subassembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Frederic B. Hodshon, Rafael Pintor, August R. Yambao, Abhishek Gautam, Louis A. Campbell, Lawrence J. Farhat, Tammy Huntley, Faisal Kalam, Travis Zenyo Oba, Qinggang Zeng
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Publication number: 20200352713Abstract: A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The heart valve includes a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A small number of guide sutures may be provided for aortic valve orientation. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available valve with a sewing ring with the frame attached thereto. The frame may expand from a conical deployment shape to a conical expanded shape, and may include web-like struts connected between axially-extending posts. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A valve holder is stored with the heart valve and the handle shaft easily attaches thereto to improve valve preparation steps.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventors: Rafael Pintor, Michael J. Scott, Thomas Chien, Harvey H. Chen, August R. Yambao, Lawrence J. Farhat, Andrew Phung, William C. Brunnett, Carey L. Cristea, Sara M. Walls, Kevin W. Zheng, Faisal Kalam, Qinggang Zeng
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Patent number: 10799346Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The prosthetic valve has a base stent that is deployed at a treatment site, and a valve component configured to quickly connect to the base stent. The base stent may take the form of a self- or balloon-expandable stent that expands outward against the native valve with or without leaflet excision. The valve component has a non-expandable prosthetic valve and a self- or balloon-expandable coupling stent for attachment to the base stent, thereby fixing the position of the valve component relative to the base stent. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available to valve with a sewing ring and the coupling stent attaches to the sewing ring. The system is particularly suited for rapid deployment of heart valves in a conventional open-heart surgical environment. A catheter-based system and method for deployment is provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2019Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Rafael Pintor, Mark Chau, Travis Zenyo Oba, August R. Yambao, Louis A. Campbell, Tammy Huntley, Qinggang Zeng, Carey L. Cristea, Faisal Kalam