Patents by Inventor Robert Van Tassel
Robert Van Tassel 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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Patent number: 9656086Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 2, 2016Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: BackBeat Medical, Inc.Inventors: Yuval Mika, Darren Sherman, Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, Daniel Burkhoff
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Publication number: 20170080235Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Yuval Mika, Darren Sherman, Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, Daniel Burkhoff
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Publication number: 20170035561Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for improving the function of a defective heart valve, and particularly for reducing regurgitation through an atrioventricular heart valve—i.e., the mitral valve and the tricuspid valve. For a tricuspid repair, the device includes an anchor deployed in the tissue of the right ventricle, in an orifice opening to the right atrium, or anchored to the tricuspid valve. A flexible anchor rail connects to the anchor and a coaptation element on a catheter rides over the anchor rail. The catheter attaches to the proximal end of the coaptation element, and a locking mechanism fixes the position of the coaptation element relative to the anchor rail. Finally, there is a proximal anchoring feature to fix the proximal end of the coaptation catheter subcutaneously adjacent the subclavian vein. The coaptation element includes an inert covering and helps reduce regurgitation through contact with the valve leaflets.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Applicant: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Stanton J. Rowe, Robert Schwartz, Robert Van Tassel, Vivian Khalil, Erin M. Spinner, Neil S. Zimmerman, Alexander J. Siegel
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Patent number: 9526900Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 25, 2015Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: BackBeat Medical, Inc.Inventors: Yuval Mika, Darren Sherman, Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, Daniel Burkhoff
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Publication number: 20160367785Abstract: A method of detecting and treating a microvascular obstruction is provided. In one embodiment, a catheter is provided for both detecting the microvascular obstruction and treating or removing the obstruction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Applicant: OSPREY MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel
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Patent number: 9474605Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for improving the function of a defective heart valve, and particularly for reducing regurgitation through an atrioventricular heart valve—i.e., the mitral valve and the tricuspid valve. For a tricuspid repair, the device includes an anchor deployed in the tissue of the right ventricle, in an orifice opening to the right atrium, or anchored to the tricuspid valve. A flexible anchor rail connects to the anchor and a coaptation element on a catheter rides over the anchor rail. The catheter attaches to the proximal end of the coaptation element, and a locking mechanism fixes the position of the coaptation element relative to the anchor rail. Finally, there is a proximal anchoring feature to fix the proximal end of the coaptation catheter subcutaneously adjacent the subclavian vein. The coaptation element includes an inert covering and helps reduce regurgitation through contact with the valve leaflets.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Stanton J. Rowe, Robert Schwartz, Robert Van Tassel, Vivian Khalil, Erin Spinner, Neil Zimmerman, Alexander J. Siegel
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Publication number: 20160287270Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Applicant: InterValve, Inc.Inventors: Wesley Pedersen, Robert A. Van Tassel, Robert S. Schwartz, Gregory G. Brucker, Skott E. Greenhalgh
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Patent number: 9433761Abstract: A method of detecting and treating a microvascular obstruction is provided. In one embodiment, a catheter is provided for both detecting the microvascular obstruction and treating or removing the obstruction.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2013Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Osprey Medical, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel
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Publication number: 20160243368Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2016Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Yuval Mika, Darren Sherman, Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, Daniel Burkhoff
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Publication number: 20160220824Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2016Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel
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Publication number: 20160206081Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2015Publication date: July 21, 2016Applicant: ZIFT MEDICAL, LLCInventors: 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
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Patent number: 9375555Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 25, 2013Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: InterValve, Inc.Inventors: Wesley Pedersen, Robert A. Van Tassel, Robert S. Schwartz, Gregory G. Brucker, Skott E. Greenhalgh
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Patent number: 9370662Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 17, 2014Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: BackBeat Medical, Inc.Inventors: Yuval Mika, Darren Sherman, Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, Daniel Burkhoff
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Patent number: 9333352Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 10, 2015Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: BackBeat Medical, Inc.Inventors: Yuval Mika, Darren Sherman, Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, Daniel Burkhoff
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Patent number: 9320903Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 1, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: BackBeat Medical, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel
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Publication number: 20160082234Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Applicant: Syntach AGInventors: Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, David R. Holmes, JR.
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Publication number: 20150360035Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2014Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: Yuval Mika, Darren Sherman, Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, Daniel Burkhoff
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Publication number: 20150335895Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2013Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: Yuval MIKA, Darren SHERMAN, Robert S. SCHWARTZ, Robert VAN TASSEL, Daniel BURKHOFF
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Publication number: 20150258342Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: Yuval Mika, Darren Sherman, Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, Daniel Burkhoff
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Publication number: 20150174410Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2015Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: Yuval Mika, Darren Sherman, Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. Van Tassel, Daniel Burkhoff