Ruth L Costa

US Patent:

20110118766, May 19, 2011

Filed:

Nov 14, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/945890

Inventors:

Steven H. Reichenbach - Pleasanton CA, US
Carine Hoarau - Lafayette CA, US
John Duc Nguyen - San Ramon CA, US
Ruth Eleanor Costa - Mountain View CA, US
James Badia - Redwood City CA, US
Donald Lee Hannula - San Luis Obispo CA, US

Assignee:

Thoratec Corporation - Pleasanton CA

International Classification:

A61B 17/11

US Classification:

606153

Abstract:

A ventricular assist system and a method of implanting the system are disclosed. The system can have a pump, an inflow conduit, an outflow conduit, attachment ring, ring clamp, and a valvular structure. The attachment ring can be attached to the apex of the heart. The valvular structure can have a flexible, one-way valve in a rigid housing. The inflow conduit can be passed through the valvular structure and the attachment ring into a beating heart with minimal loss of blood. Devices such as slitting tool, coring knife, and/or C-clamp and use of the devices can form part of the system and method for implanting the ventricular assist device.

US Patent:

20110118833, May 19, 2011

Filed:

Nov 15, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/590863

Inventors:

Steven H. Reichenbach - Pleasanton CA, US
Carine Hoarau - Lafayette CA, US
Donald Lee Hannula - San Luis Obispo CA, US
Ruth Eleanor Costa - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Thoratec Corporation - Pleasanton CA

International Classification:

A61M 1/10

US Classification:

623 31

Abstract:

A ventricular assist system and a method of implanting the system are disclosed. The system can have a pump, an inflow conduit, an outflow conduit, and attachment ring and a valvular structure. The attachment ring can be attached to the apex of the heart. The valvular structure can have a flexible, one-way valve in a rigid housing. The inflow conduit can be passed through the valvular structure and the attachment ring into a beating heart with minimal loss of blood.

US Patent:

20110144680, Jun 16, 2011

Filed:

Feb 25, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/035837

Inventors:

John Duc Nguyen - San Ramon CA, US
Carine Hoarau - Lafayette CA, US
Steven H. Reichenbach - Pleasanton CA, US
James Badia - Redwood City CA, US
Ruth Eleanor Costa - Mountain View CA, US

Assignee:

Thoratec Corporation - Pleasanton CA

International Classification:

A61B 17/32

US Classification:

606170

Abstract:

A coring knife can be used to make a circular incision. The coring knife can include an abutment that can be inserted into heart tissue. The circular incision is made by pressing the circular cutting edge of the coring knife against the abutment.

US Patent:

20120010455, Jan 12, 2012

Filed:

Dec 13, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/966689

Inventors:

Steven H. Reichenbach - Pleasanton CA, US
Carine Hoarau - Lafayette CA, US
John Duc Nguyen - San Ramon CA, US
Ruth Eleanor Costa - Mountain View CA, US
James Badia - Redwood City CA, US
Andrew Ross Miller - The Woodlands TX, US

Assignee:

THORATEC CORPORATION - Pleasanton CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/362

US Classification:

600 16

Abstract:

Preparing the heart for connection with a ventricular assist device (VAD) can include attaching an attachment ring to a ventricular apex of the heart. The attachment ring optionally includes a seal or a valve to allow the procedure to be performed with or without a heart-lung bypass. A valve can be temporarily attached to the attachment ring. Tissue is removed from the ventricular apex through the attachment ring to form a hole through which an inflow conduit of the VAD can be inserted. A slit can first be made in the ventricular apex to facilitate removal of the tissue. A clamp can be closed around the attachment ring to secure the inflow conduit.