Patents by Inventor Thomas Afzal

Thomas Afzal 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: 20180055638
    Abstract: Mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the mitral annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the mitral valve leaflets, to inhibit prolapse into the left atrium. At least one marginal chordae is severed, to permit leaflet closure against the band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Valavanur A. Subramanian, Thomas Afzal, Gary Hulme, Jeffrey Christian, Michael L. Reo
  • Publication number: 20170258606
    Abstract: Osteogenesis scaffold such as for spinal fusion or an intermedullary nail includes a number of arcuate struts. The scaffold may have a functional modulus of elasticity that is a result of the modulus of the material of the struts together with the architecture of the struts, and may be within the range of 5 GPa and 75 GPa. An anisotropy of a physical property such as stiffness, compressive strength or elastic modulus corresponds to the same physical property of native bone in the vicinity of the intended implantation site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas Afzal
  • Patent number: 9750615
    Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the sagittal plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SPINAL KINETICS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Thomas A. Afzal, Michael L. Reo, Uriel Hiram Chee, In Haeng Cho, Kunwoo Lee, Curtis W. Frank, Sung Kyu Ha
  • Patent number: 9687353
    Abstract: The described devices are spinal implants that may be surgically implanted into the spine to replace damaged or diseased discs using a posterior approach. The discs are prosthetic devices that approach or mimic the physiological motion and reaction of the natural disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas A. Afzal
  • Publication number: 20170172741
    Abstract: Aortic regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the aortic annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band has a first end, a first anchoring portion located proximate the first end, a second end, a second anchoring portion located proximate the second end, and a central portion. The central portion is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the aortic valve leaflets. The band may be implanted via translumenal access or via thoracotomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Valavanur A. Subramanian, Thomas Afzal, Gary Hulme, Jeffrey Christian, Michael L. Reo
  • Publication number: 20170105839
    Abstract: Mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the mitral annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band has a first end, a first anchoring portion located proximate the first end, a second end, a second anchoring portion located proximate the second end, and a central portion. The central portion is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the mitral valve leaflets. The band may be implanted via translumenal access or via thoracotomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Valavanur A. Subramanian, Thomas Afzal, Gary Hulme, Jeffrey Christian, Michael L. Reo
  • Publication number: 20170100245
    Abstract: Mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the mitral annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band has a first end, a first anchoring portion located proximate the first end, a second end, a second anchoring portion located proximate the second end, and a central portion. The central portion is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the mitral valve leaflets. The band may be implanted via translumenal access or via thoracotomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Valavanur A. Subramanian, Thomas Afzal, Gary Hulme, Jeffrey Christian, Michael L. Reo
  • Patent number: 9615925
    Abstract: Mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the mitral annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the mitral valve leaflets, to inhibit prolapse into the left atrium. At least one marginal chordae is severed, to permit leaflet closure against the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Heart Repair Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Valavanur A. Subramanian, Thomas Afzal, Gary Hulme, Jeffrey Christian, Michael L. Reo
  • Patent number: 9585753
    Abstract: Aortic regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the aortic annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band has a first end, a first anchoring portion located proximate the first end, a second end, a second anchoring portion located proximate the second end, and a central portion. The central portion is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the aortic valve leaflets. The band may be implanted via translumenal access or via thoracotomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Heart Repair Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Valavanur A. Subramanian, Thomas Afzal, Gary Hulme, Jeffrey Christian, Michael L. Reo
  • Patent number: 9468526
    Abstract: Mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the mitral annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band has a first end, a first anchoring portion located proximate the first end, a second end, a second anchoring portion located proximate the second end, and a central portion. The central portion is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the mitral valve leaflets. The band may be implanted via translumenal access or via thoracotomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: HEART REPAIR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Valavanur A. Subramanian, Thomas Afzal, Gary Hulme, Jeffrey Christian, Michael L. Reo
  • Patent number: 9364337
    Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: SPINAL KINETICS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Thomas A. Afzal, Michael L. Reo, Uriel Hiram Chee, In Haeng Cho, Kunwoo Lee, Curtis W. Frank, Sung Kyu Ha
  • Publication number: 20160143735
    Abstract: Aortic regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the aortic annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band has a first end, a first anchoring portion located proximate the first end, a second end, a second anchoring portion located proximate the second end, and a central portion. The central portion is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the aortic valve leaflets. The band may be implanted via translumenal access or via thoracotomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Valavanur A. Subramanian, Thomas Afzal, Gary Hulme, Jeffrey Christian, Michael L. Reo
  • Patent number: 9168137
    Abstract: Aortic regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the aortic annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band has a first end, a first anchoring portion located proximate the first end, a second end, a second anchoring portion located proximate the second end, and a central portion. The central portion is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the aortic valve leaflets. The band may be implanted via translumenal access or via thoracotomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Heart Repair Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Valavanur A. Subramanian, Thomas Afzal, Gary Hulme, Jeffrey Christian, Michael L. Reo
  • Publication number: 20150257884
    Abstract: Mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the mitral annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the mitral valve leaflets, to inhibit prolapse into the left atrium. At least one marginal chordae is severed, to permit leaflet closure against the band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Valavanur A. Subramanian, Thomas Afzal, Gary Hulme, Jeffrey Christian, Michael L. Reo
  • Publication number: 20150223935
    Abstract: Mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the mitral annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band has a first end, a first anchoring portion located proximate the first end, a second end, a second anchoring portion located proximate the second end, and a central portion. The central portion is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the mitral valve leaflets. The band may be implanted via translumenal access or via thoracotomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Valavanur A. Subramanian, Thomas Afzal, Gary Hulme, Jeffrey Christian, Michael L. Reo
  • Patent number: 8998989
    Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the sagittal plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Spinal Kinetics Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Thomas A. Afzal, Michael L. Reo, Uriel Hiram Chee, In Haeng Cho, Kunwoo Lee, Curtis W. Frank, Sun-Kyu Ha
  • Patent number: 8961597
    Abstract: Mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the mitral annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band has a first end, a first anchoring portion located proximate the first end, a second end, a second anchoring portion located proximate the second end, and a central portion. The central portion is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the mitral valve leaflets. The band may be implanted via translumenal access or via thoracotomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Heart Repair Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Valavanur A. Subramanian, Thomas Afzal, Gary Hulme, Jeffrey Christian, Michael L. Reo
  • Patent number: 8956406
    Abstract: Mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the mitral annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the mitral valve leaflets, to inhibit prolapse into the left atrium. At least one marginal chordae is severed, to permit leaflet closure against the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Heart Repair Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Valavanur A. Subramanian, Thomas Afzal, Gary Hulme, Jeffrey Christian, Michael L. Reo
  • Patent number: 8808381
    Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Spinal Kinetics Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Thomas A. Afzal, Michael L. Reo, Uriel Hiram Chee, In Haeng Cho, Kunwoo Lee, Curtis W. Frank, Sung Kyu Ha
  • Patent number: 8403987
    Abstract: This description deals with a medical device, specifically a prosthetic intervertebral disc having a compressible core bounded by a fiber-containing or fiber-reinforced membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Spinal Kinetics Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Reo, Elizabeth V. Wistrom, Frank Fellenz, Thomas A. Afzal