Patents by Inventor Robert S. Schwartz

Robert S. Schwartz 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: 20160213313
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for controlled sympathectomy procedures for neuromodulation in the treatment of subjects having neoplastic conditions are disclosed. Systems, methods, and devices for interventionally treating a cancerous tumor and cancer related pain are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Landy Toth, Robert S. Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20160206081
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching tissue to bone in a shifted position without requiring surgical detachment of muscle or connective tissue joining the tissue layer to the bone layer. The skin layer is gently pulled in a non-surgical manner and a fastener of the invention is driven through the skin layer into the bone layer to effect a “skin tightening” procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: ZIFT MEDICAL, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Schwartz, Stanton J. Rowe, Robert A. Van Tassel, Ralph Schneider, Ming Wu, David John Blaeser, Philip Jon Haarstad, Eric J. Simso, Douglas Jay Krone, Brian Zelickson, Robert A. Ganz
  • Patent number: 9375555
    Abstract: The present invention provides an aortic valvuloplasty catheter which, in one preferred embodiment, has a tapered distal balloon segment that anchors within the left ventricle outflow track of the patient's heart and a rounded proximal segment which conforms to the aortic sinuses forcing the valve leaflets open. In addition, this embodiment of the valvuloplasty catheter includes a fiber-based balloon membrane, a distal pigtail end hole catheter tip, and a catheter sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: InterValve, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley Pedersen, Robert A. Van Tassel, Robert S. Schwartz, Gregory G. Brucker, Skott E. Greenhalgh
  • Patent number: 9370662
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling blood pressure by controlling atrial pressure and atrial stretch are disclosed. In some embodiments, a stimulation circuit may be configured to deliver a stimulation pulse to at least one cardiac chamber of a heart of a patient, and at least one controller may be configured to execute delivery of one or more stimulation patterns of stimulation pulses to the at least one cardiac chamber, wherein at least one of the stimulation pulses stimulates the heart such that an atrial pressure resulting from atrial contraction of an atrium overlaps in time a passive pressure build-up of the atrium, such that an atrial pressure of the atrium resulting from the stimulation is a combination of the atrial pressure resulting from atrial contraction and the passive pressure build-up and is higher than an atrial pressure of the atrium would be without the stimulation, and such that the blood pressure of the patient is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: BackBeat Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuval Mika, Darren Sherman, Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, Daniel Burkhoff
  • Patent number: 9333352
    Abstract: Methods and devices for reducing ventricle filling volume are disclosed. In some embodiments, an electrical stimulator may be used to stimulate a patient's heart to reduce ventricle filling volume or even blood pressure. When the heart is stimulated in a consistent way to reduce blood pressure, the cardiovascular system may over time adapt to the stimulation and revert back to the higher blood pressure. In some embodiments, the stimulation pattern may be configured to be inconsistent such that the adaptation response of the heart is reduced or even prevented. In some embodiments, an electrical stimulator may be used to stimulate a patient's heart to cause at least a portion of an atrial contraction to occur while the atrioventricular valve is closed. Such an atrial contraction may deposit less blood into the corresponding ventricle than when the atrioventricular valve is opened throughout an atrial contraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: BackBeat Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuval Mika, Darren Sherman, Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, Daniel Burkhoff
  • Patent number: 9320903
    Abstract: A method that electrically stimulates a heart muscle to alter the ejection profile of the heart, to control the mechanical function of the heart and reduce the observed blood pressure of the patient. The therapy may be invoked by an implantable blood pressure sensor associated with a pacemaker like device. In some cases, where a measured pretreatment blood pressure exceeds a treatment threshold, a patient's heart may be stimulated with an electrical stimulus timed relative to the patient's cardiac ejection cycle. This is done to cause dyssynchrony between at least two cardiac chambers or within a cardiac chamber, which alters the patient's cardiac ejection profile from a pretreatment cardiac ejection profile. This has the effect of reducing the patient's blood pressure from the measured pretreatment blood pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: BackBeat Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel
  • Publication number: 20160082234
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of use are disclosed for treating, preventing and terminating arrhythmias. In particular, the apparatus is implantable within or on various tissues and structures and is used to prevent or block conduction of aberrant impulses. A variety of methods of the present invention may be used to attack arrhythmias by short-circuiting impulses, inducing fibrosis, ablating tissue or inducing inflammation. In addition, the device and methods may also be used to treat aneurysms. The device may also be used to treat hypertension, and to function as a blood pressure regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: Syntach AG
    Inventors: Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, David R. Holmes, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160082179
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for controlled sympathectomy procedures for neuromodulation in the treatment of subjects having neoplastic conditions are disclosed. Systems, methods, and devices for interventionally treating a cancerous tumor and cancer related pain are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: LANDY TOTH, Robert S. Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20160082180
    Abstract: A system for controlled neuromodulation procedures is disclosed. A system for controlled micro ablation procedures is disclosed. Systems and methods for imaging, monitoring, stimulating, and/or ablating neurological structures coupled to one or more organs of the lower urinary tract (LUT) are disclosed. Such processes may be used to alter the hormonal secretions from one or more organs, to modulate the growth of an organ, alter the growth rate or rate of perineural invasion of a tumor, or the like. In particular such processes may be used to slow, halt and/or reverse the growth of a prostate gland or a prostate tumor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: LANDY TOTH, Robert S. Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20150360035
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling blood pressure by controlling atrial pressure and atrial stretch are disclosed. In some embodiments, a stimulation circuit may be configured to deliver a stimulation pulse to at least one cardiac chamber of a heart of a patient, and at least one controller may be configured to execute delivery of one or more stimulation patterns of stimulation pulses to the at least one cardiac chamber, wherein at least one of the stimulation pulses stimulates the heart such that an atrial pressure resulting from atrial contraction of an atrium overlaps in time a passive pressure build-up of the atrium, such that an atrial pressure of the atrium resulting from the stimulation is a combination of the atrial pressure resulting from atrial contraction and the passive pressure build-up and is higher than an atrial pressure of the atrium would be without the stimulation, and such that the blood pressure of the patient is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Yuval Mika, Darren Sherman, Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, Daniel Burkhoff
  • Publication number: 20150335895
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing ventricle filling volume are disclosed. In some embodiments, a stimulation circuit may be used to stimulate a patient's heart to reduce ventricle filling volume or even blood pressure. When the heart is stimulated at a consistent rate to reduce blood pressure, the cardiovascular system may over time adapt to the stimulation and revert back to the higher blood pressure. In some embodiments, the stimulation pattern may be configured to be inconsistent such that the adaptation response of the heart is reduced or even prevented. In some embodiments, a stimulation circuit may be used to stimulate a patient's heart to cause at least a portion of an atrial contraction to occur while the atrioventricular valve is closed. Such an atrial contraction may deposit less blood into the corresponding ventricle than when the atrioventricular valve is opened throughout an atrial contraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Yuval MIKA, Darren SHERMAN, Robert S. SCHWARTZ, Robert VAN TASSEL, Daniel BURKHOFF
  • Publication number: 20150258342
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling blood pressure by controlling atrial pressure and atrial stretch are disclosed. In some embodiments, a stimulation circuit may be configured to deliver a stimulation pulse to at least one cardiac chamber of a heart of a patient, and at least one controller may be configured to execute delivery of one or more stimulation patterns of stimulation pulses to the at least one cardiac chamber, wherein at least one of the stimulation pulses stimulates the heart such that an atrial pressure resulting from atrial contraction of an atrium overlaps in time a passive pressure build-up of the atrium, such that an atrial pressure of the atrium resulting from the stimulation is a combination of the atrial pressure resulting from atrial contraction and the passive pressure build-up and is higher than an atrial pressure of the atrium would be without the stimulation, and such that the blood pressure of the patient is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Yuval Mika, Darren Sherman, Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, Daniel Burkhoff
  • Publication number: 20150174410
    Abstract: Methods and devices for reducing ventricle filling volume are disclosed. In some embodiments, an electrical stimulator may be used to stimulate a patient's heart to reduce ventricle filling volume or even blood pressure. When the heart is stimulated in a consistent way to reduce blood pressure, the cardiovascular system may over time adapt to the stimulation and revert back to the higher blood pressure. In some embodiments, the stimulation pattern may be configured to be inconsistent such that the adaptation response of the heart is reduced or even prevented. In some embodiments, an electrical stimulator may be used to stimulate a patient's heart to cause at least a portion of an atrial contraction to occur while the atrioventricular valve is closed. Such an atrial contraction may deposit less blood into the corresponding ventricle than when the atrioventricular valve is opened throughout an atrial contraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Yuval Mika, Darren Sherman, Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, Daniel Burkhoff
  • Patent number: 9008769
    Abstract: Methods and devices for reducing ventricle filling volume are disclosed. In some embodiments, an electrical stimulator may be used to stimulate a patient's heart to reduce ventricle filling volume or even blood pressure. When the heart is stimulated in a consistent way to reduce blood pressure, the cardiovascular system may over time adapt to the stimulation and revert back to the higher blood pressure. In some embodiments, the stimulation pattern may be configured to be inconsistent such that the adaptation response of the heart is reduced or even prevented. In some embodiments, an electrical stimulator may be used to stimulate a patient's heart to cause at least a portion of an atrial contraction to occur while the atrioventricular valve is closed. Such an atrial contraction may deposit less blood into the corresponding ventricle than when the atrioventricular valve is opened throughout an atrial contraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: BackBeat Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuval Mika, Darren Sherman, Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, Daniel Burkhoff
  • Patent number: 8840658
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical block implant sized and shaped for securement at the perimeter of the pulmonary ostium of the left atrium. By utilizing various expandable ring designs and optional anchoring mechanisms, the present invention causes even, circular scarring around the perimeter of the pulmonary ostium, achieving reliable blocking of aberrant electrical signals responsible for atrial fibrillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Syntach AG
    Inventors: William Swanson, Richard Cornelius, Robert S. Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20140180353
    Abstract: Methods and devices for reducing ventricle filling volume are disclosed. In some embodiments, an electrical stimulator may be used to stimulate a patient's heart to reduce ventricle filling volume or even blood pressure. When the heart is stimulated in a consistent way to reduce blood pressure, the cardiovascular system may over time adapt to the stimulation and revert back to the higher blood pressure. In some embodiments, the stimulation pattern may be configured to be inconsistent such that the adaptation response of the heart is reduced or even prevented. In some embodiments, an electrical stimulator may be used to stimulate a patient's heart to cause at least a portion of an atrial contraction to occur while the atrioventricular valve is closed. Such an atrial contraction may deposit less blood into the corresponding ventricle than when the atrioventricular valve is opened throughout an atrial contraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: BackBeat Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuval Mika, Darren Sherman, Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, Daniel Burkhoff
  • Patent number: 8702649
    Abstract: A method and device for the simultaneous or sequential introduction of multiple fluids into the bloodstream including a multiple lumen catheter with corresponding multiple hole sets. By introducing a second fluid such as saline, the concentration and bolus of a first fluid, such as a contrast agent, can be controlled and optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Bayer Medical Care Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, Eugene A. Gelblum, Alan D. Hirschman, John F. Kalafut, David M. Reilly, Frederick W. Trombley, III, Arthur E. Uber, III
  • Publication number: 20140052169
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of use are disclosed for treating, preventing and terminating arrhythmias. In particular, the apparatus is implantable within or on various tissues and structures and is used to prevent or block conduction of aberrant impulses. A variety of methods of the present invention may be used to attack arrhythmias by short-circuiting impulses, inducing fibrosis, ablating tissue or inducing inflammation. In addition, the device and methods may also be used to treat aneurysms. The device may also be used to treat hypertension, and to function as a blood pressure regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Syntach AG
    Inventors: Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, David R. Holmes, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140046362
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching tissue to bone in a shifted position without requiring surgical detachment of muscle or connective tissue joining the tissue layer to the bone layer. The skin layer is gently pulled in a non-surgical manner and a fastener of the invention is driven through the skin layer into the bone layer to effect a “skin tightening” procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Robert S. Schwartz, Stanton M. Rowe, Robert A. Van Tassel, Ralph Schneider, Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 8579955
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of use are disclosed for treating, preventing and terminating arrhythmias. In particular, the apparatus is implantable within or on various tissues and structures and is used to prevent or block conduction of aberrant impulses. A variety of methods of the present invention may be used to attack arrhythmias by short-circuiting impulses, inducing fibrosis, ablating tissue or inducing inflammation. In addition, the device and methods may also be used to treat aneurysms. The device may also be used to treat hypertension, and to function as a blood pressure regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Syntach AG
    Inventors: Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, David R. Holmes, Jr.