Patents by Inventor Rodolfo Morales

Rodolfo Morales 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).

  • Patent number: 10624741
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Ancora Heart, Inc.
    Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, John To, Mariel Fabro, Michael F. Wei, Rodolfo A. Morales
  • Publication number: 20180228609
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Niel F. STARKSEN, John TO, Mariel FABRO, Michael F. WEI, Rodolfo A. MORALES
  • Patent number: 9949829
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ancora Heart, Inc.
    Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, John To, Mariel Fabro, Michael F. Wei, Rodolfo A. Morales
  • Patent number: 9636107
    Abstract: Methods and devices provide constriction of a heart valve annulus to treat cardiac valve regurgitation and other conditions. Embodiments typically include a device for attaching a cinching or tightening apparatus to a heart valve annulus to reduce the circumference of the annulus, thus reducing valve regurgitation. Tightening devices may include multiple tethered clips, multiple untethered crimping clips, stabilizing devices, visualization devices, and the like. In one embodiment, a plurality of tethered clips is secured circumferentially to a valve annulus, and the tether coupling the clips is cinched to reduce the circumference of at least a portion of the annulus. Methods and devices may be used in open heart surgical procedures, minimally invasive procedures, catheter-based procedures, and/or procedures on beating hearts or stopped hearts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Ancora Heart, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodolfo A. Morales, Niel F. Starksen
  • Patent number: 9226825
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Guided Delivery Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, John To, Mariel Fabro, Michael F. Wei, Rodolfo A. Morales
  • Publication number: 20150182216
    Abstract: Methods and devices provide constriction of a heart valve annulus to treat cardiac valve regurgitation and other conditions. Embodiments typically include a device for attaching a cinching or tightening apparatus to a heart valve annulus to reduce the circumference of the annulus, thus reducing valve regurgitation. Tightening devices may include multiple tethered clips, multiple untethered crimping clips, stabilizing devices, visualization devices, and the like. In one embodiment, a plurality of tethered clips is secured circumferentially to a valve annulus, and the tether coupling the clips is cinched to reduce the circumference of at least a portion of the annulus. Methods and devices may be used in open heart surgical procedures, minimally invasive procedures, catheter-based procedures, and/or procedures on beating hearts or stopped hearts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Rodolfo A. MORALES, Niel F. STARKSEN
  • Publication number: 20150164639
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Niel F. STARKSEN, John TO, Mariel FABRO, Michael F. WEI, Rodolfo A. MORALES
  • Patent number: 8343173
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Guided Delivery Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, John To, Mariel Fabro, Michael F. Wei, Rodolfo A. Morales
  • Publication number: 20110172754
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, John To, Mariel Fabro, Michael F. Wei, Rodolfo A. Morales
  • Patent number: 7758637
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Guided Delivery Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, John To, Rodolfo A. Morales
  • Patent number: 7753858
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Guided Delivery Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, John To, Mariel Fabro, Michael F. Wei, Rodolfo A. Morales
  • Patent number: 7753924
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Guided Delivery Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, John To, Mariel Fabro, Michael F. Wei, Rodolfo A. Morales
  • Publication number: 20100082098
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, John To, Mariel Fabro, Michael F. Wei, Rodolfo A. Morales
  • Patent number: 7666193
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Guided Delivery Sytems, Inc.
    Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, John To, Mariel Fabro, Michael F. Wei, Rodolfo A. Morales
  • Patent number: 7588582
    Abstract: Described herein are methods of remodeling the base of a ventricle. In particular, methods of remodeling a valve annulus by forming a new fibrous annulus are described. These methods may result in a remodeled annulus that corrects valve leaflet function without substantially inhibiting the mobility of the leaflet. The methods of remodeling the base of the ventricle include the steps of securing a plurality of anchors to the valve annulus beneath one or more leaflets of the valve, constricting the valve annulus by cinching a tether connecting the anchors, and securing the anchors in the cinched conformation to allow the growth of fibrous tissue. The annulus may be cinched (e.g., while visualizing the annulus) so that the mobility of the valve leaflets is not significantly restricted. The remodeled annulus is typically constricted to shorten the diameter of the annulus to correct for valve dysfunction (e.g., regurgitation).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Guided Delivery Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, John To, Rodolfo A. Morales
  • Patent number: 7534204
    Abstract: Devices and methods for facilitating transvascular, minimally invasive and other “less invasive” surgical procedures generally include a sheath with an expandable balloon at the distal end, an inflation lumen for expanding the balloon, and a device passage lumen for allowing passage of one or more surgical instruments. The sheath is configured to house at least one visualization device such that an optical element of the device is positioned to view the surgical site. In some embodiments, instruments may be passed through the sheath, with the distal balloon partially or fully circumscribing or encircling the instruments. Any suitable instrument(s) may be passed through sheaths of the invention, such as a surgical clip applier for repairing a heart valve, an ablation member for treating atrial fibrillation, one or more pacemaker leads, a coronary sinus access device or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Guided Delivery Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, Nick Pliam, Rodolfo A. Morales, John To
  • Publication number: 20080243150
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Guided Delivery Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, John To, Mariel Fabro, Michael F. Wei, Rodolfo A. Morales
  • Publication number: 20080234702
    Abstract: Methods and devices provide constriction of a heart valve annulus to treat cardiac valve regurgitation and other conditions. Embodiments typically include a device for attaching a cinching or tightening apparatus to a heart valve annulus to reduce the circumference of the annulus, thus reducing valve regurgitation. Tightening devices may include multiple tethered clips, multiple untethered crimping clips, stabilizing devices, visualization devices, and the like. In one embodiment, a plurality of tethered clips is secured circumferentially to a valve annulus, and the tether coupling the clips is cinched to reduce the circumference of at least a portion of the annulus. Methods and devices may be used in open heart surgical procedures, minimally invasive procedures, catheter-based procedures, and/or procedures on beating hearts or stopped hearts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Guided Delivery Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodolfo A. Morales, Niel F. Starksen
  • Publication number: 20080234701
    Abstract: Methods and devices provide constriction of a heart valve annulus to treat cardiac valve regurgitation and other conditions. Embodiments typically include a device for attaching a cinching or tightening apparatus to a heart valve annulus to reduce the circumference of the annulus, thus reducing valve regurgitation. Tightening devices may include multiple tethered clips, multiple untethered crimping clips, stabilizing devices, visualization devices, and the like. In one embodiment, a plurality of tethered clips is secured circumferentially to a valve annulus, and the tether coupling the clips is cinched to reduce the circumference of at least a portion of the annulus. Methods and devices may be used in open heart surgical procedures, minimally invasive procedures, catheter-based procedures, and/or procedures on beating hearts or stopped hearts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: GUIDED DELIVERY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Rodolfo A. MORALES, Niel F. STARKSEN
  • Publication number: 20080234704
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Guided Delivery Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Niel F. Starksen, John To, Mariel Fabro, Michael F. Wei, Rodolfo A. Morales