Patents by Inventor Thao M. Nguyen

Thao M. Nguyen 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).

  • Tissue attachment devices and methods for prosthetic heart valves
    Patent number: 8696743
    Abstract: A multi-leaflet valve, which includes at least two leaflets, an outer tube, and a seam protector for each seam. Each seam protector is positioned to be in contact with a portion of the outer tube, with tube portions and leaflet ends being positioned between adjacent seam protection pieces. The seam protectors provide a lower stress surface about which the leaflets can bend or flex during their opening and closing. The seam protectors may include an enlarged end portion with an extending straight surface, an inverted U-shaped structure, or a sinusoidal-shaped structure, for example. The valve can further be provided with a seam cover or protector that is stitched onto the seam allowance of the layers of one or more of the seams. The seams can be provided with one or more inserts to fill spaces between adjacent tissue layers and create tension in certain material sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Arin N. Holecek, Carolyn Majkrzak, Carol E. Eberhardt, Billie J. Millwee, Thao M. Nguyen, Janice L. Shay, Cynthia H. Chiu, Tara S. Kupumbati
  • TISSUE ATTACHMENT DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES
    Publication number: 20100023120
    Abstract: A multi-leaflet valve, which includes at least two leaflets, an outer tube, and a seam protector for each seam. Each seam protector is positioned to be in contact with a portion of the outer tube, with tube portions and leaflet ends being positioned between adjacent seam protection pieces. The seam protectors provide a lower stress surface about which the leaflets can bend or flex during their opening and closing. The seam protectors may include an enlarged end portion with an extending straight surface, an inverted U-shaped structure, or a sinusoidal-shaped structure, for example. The valve can further be provided with a seam cover or protector that is stitched onto the seam allowance of the layers of one or more of the seams. The seams can be provided with one or more inserts to fill spaces between adjacent tissue layers and create tension in certain material sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Arin N. Holecek, Carolyn Majkrzak, Carol E. Eberhardt, Billie J. Millwee, Thao M. Nguyen, Janice L. Shay, Cynthia H. Chiu, Tara S. Kupumbati