Kenneth J Michlitsch

US Patent:

6997951, Feb 14, 2006

Filed:

Dec 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/329720

Inventors:

Jan Otto Solem - Stetten, CH
Per-Ola Kimblad - Lund, SE
Randolf von Oepen - Tubingen, DE
Bodo Quint - Rottenburg-Seebronn, DE
Gerd Seibold - Ammerbuch, DE
Kenneth J. Michlitsch - Livermore CA, US
Suk-Woo Ha - Langwiesen, CH
Karl-Ludwig Eckert - Marthalen, CH
Ib Joergensen - Haigerloch, DE
Stevan Nielsen - Rottenberg, DE

Assignee:

Edwards Lifesciences AG

International Classification:

A61F 2/24

US Classification:

623 237, 623 236, 623 11, 600 16

Abstract:

A device for treatment of mitral annulus dilation is disclosed, wherein the device comprises two states. In a first of these states the device is insertable into the coronary sinus and has a shape of the coronary sinus. When positioned in the coronary sinus, the device is transferable to the second state assuming a reduced radius of curvature, whereby the radius of curvature of the coronary sinus and the radius of curvature as well as the circumference of the mitral annulus is reduced.

US Patent:

7316702, Jan 8, 2008

Filed:

Jul 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/622918

Inventors:

Ib Erling Joergensen - Haigerloch, DE
Gerd Seibold - Ammerbuch, DE
Bodo Stefan Josef Quint - Rottenburg, DE
Kenneth J. Michlitsch - Livermore CA, US
Martina Bremser - Rottenburg, DE
Randolf Von Oepen - Tuebingen, DE

Assignee:

Abbott Laboratories Vascular Enterprises Limited - Dublin

International Classification:

A61M 29/00

US Classification:

606200

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods for providing distal protection during a medical procedure comprising a vascular filter having a self-expanding, porous foam body that conformably seals against a vessel wall and captures emboli within one or more recesses. The filter is coupled to a distal region of an elongated member, such as a guide wire. Delivery systems for use with filters of the present invention and methods of using the apparatus of the present invention also are provided.

US Patent:

7347863, Mar 25, 2008

Filed:

Sep 29, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/955245

Inventors:

Chris Rothe - San Jose CA, US
Richard C. Ewers - Fullerton CA, US
Cang C. Lam - Irvine CA, US
Vahid Saadat - Saratoga CA, US
Kenneth J. Michlitsch - Livermore CA, US

Assignee:

USGI Medical, Inc. - San Clemente CA

International Classification:

A61B 17/10
A61B 17/00
A61B 17/08

US Classification:

606139, 606153, 606205

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods for manipulating and securing tissue are described herein. In creating tissue folds within the body of a patient, a tissue manipulation assembly may generally have an elongate tubular member, an engagement member slidably disposed through the tubular member and a distal end adapted to engage tissue via a helical member, tissue stabilizing members positioned at the tubular member distal end which are adapted to stabilize tissue therebetween, and a delivery tube pivotable about the tissue stabilizer. The stabilizing members can be adapted to become angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate tubular member. Moreover, one or all the articulation controls and functions can be integrated into a singular handle assembly connectable to the tissue manipulation assembly via a rigid or flexible tubular body.

US Patent:

7695493, Apr 13, 2010

Filed:

Jun 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/865736

Inventors:

Vahid Saadat - Atherton CA, US
Richard C. Ewers - Fullerton CA, US
Tracy D. Maahs - Rancho Santa Margarita CA, US
Alexander Khairkhahan - Palo Alto CA, US
Kenneth J. Michlitsch - Livermore CA, US

Assignee:

USGI Medical, Inc. - San Clemente CA

International Classification:

A61B 17/08
A61D 1/00

US Classification:

606215, 606191, 606198, 606232

Abstract:

Systems for optimizing anchoring force are described herein. In securing tissue folds, over-compression of the tissue directly underlying the anchors is avoided by utilizing tissue anchors having expandable arms configured to minimize contact area between the anchor and tissue. When the anchor is in its expanded configuration, a load is applied to the anchor until it is optimally configured to accommodate a range of deflections while the anchor itself exerts a substantially constant force against the tissue. Various devices, e. g. , stops, spring members, fuses, strain gauges, etc. , can be used to indicate when the anchor has been deflected to a predetermined level within the optimal range. Moreover, other factors to affect the anchor characteristics include, e. g. , varying the number of arms or struts of the anchor, positioning of the arms, configuration of the arms, the length of the collars, etc.

US Patent:

7704264, Apr 27, 2010

Filed:

Nov 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/992306

Inventors:

Richard C. Ewers - Fullerton CA, US
Vahid C. Saadat - Saratoga CA, US
Kenneth J. Michlitsch - Livermore CA, US
Chris Rothe - San Jose CA, US
Rodney Brenneman - San Juan Capistrano CA, US
Cang C. Lam - Irvine CA, US
Eugene C. Chen - Carlsbad CA, US

Assignee:

USGI Medical, Inc. - San Clemente CA

International Classification:

A61B 17/10
A61B 17/08
A61B 17/15
A61B 17/128

US Classification:

606151, 606153, 606232, 606144, 606139

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods are provided for forming a gastrointestinal tissue fold by engaging tissue at a first tissue contact point and moving the first tissue contact point from a position initially distal to, or in line with, a second tissue contact point to a position proximal of the second contact point, thereby forming the tissue fold, and extending an anchor assembly through the tissue fold from a vicinity of the second tissue contact point. Adjustable anchor assemblies; as well as anchor delivery systems, shape-lockable guides and methods for endoluminally performing medical procedures, such as gastric reduction, treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, resection of lesions, and treatment of bleeding sites; are also provided.

US Patent:

7744613, Jun 29, 2010

Filed:

Dec 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/734547

Inventors:

Richard C. Ewers - Fullerton CA, US
Vahid Saadat - Atherton CA, US
Kenneth J. Michlitsch - Livermore CA, US
Chris A. Rothe - San Mateo CA, US
Rodney A. Brenneman - San Juan Capistrano CA, US
Cang C. Lam - Irvine CA, US
Eugene G. Chen - Carlsbad CA, US

Assignee:

USGI Medical, Inc. - San Clemente CA

International Classification:

A61B 17/08
A61B 17/04

US Classification:

606153, 606232

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods are provided for forming a gastrointestinal tissue fold by engaging tissue at a first tissue contact point and moving the first tissue contact point from a position initially distal to, or in line with, a second tissue contact point to a position proximal of the second contact point, thereby forming the tissue fold, and extending an anchor assembly through the tissue fold from a vicinity of the second tissue contact point. Adjustable anchor assemblies; as well as anchor delivery systems, shape-lockable guides and methods for endoluminally performing medical procedures, such as gastric reduction, treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, resection of lesions, and treatment of bleeding sites; are also provided.

US Patent:

7771454, Aug 10, 2010

Filed:

Jul 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/523219

Inventors:

Kenneth J. Michlitsch - Livermore CA, US

Assignee:

Abbott Laboratories Vascular Enterprises Limited - Dublin

International Classification:

A61B 17/08

US Classification:

606213

Abstract:

Apparatus () is provided for sealing a vascular puncture tract by forming the autologous plug within the puncture tract, and extruding that plug into the puncture tract. The apparatus of the present invention forms an autologous blood plug by drawing blood into the apparatus from a vessel, mixing a blood congealing agent with the drawn blood, and ejecting a plug formed from the clotted blood within the puncture tract. Also provided are various closure elements () to isolate the drawn blood from the vessel during mixture with the blood congealing agent, and to facilitate placement of the apparatus relative to the vessel.

US Patent:

7780725, Aug 24, 2010

Filed:

Jun 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/870340

Inventors:

Ulrich R. Haug - Campbell CA, US
Hans F. Valencia - Berkeley CA, US
Robert A. Geshlider - San Francisco CA, US
Tom Saul - El Granada CA, US
Amr Salahieh - Saratoga CA, US
Dwight P. Morejohn - Davis CA, US
Kenneth J. Michlitsch - Livermore CA, US

Assignee:

Sadra Medical, Inc. - Los Gatos CA

International Classification:

A61F 2/06

US Classification:

623 217

Abstract:

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an expandable anchor configured for endovascular delivery to a vicinity of the patient's heart valve. In some embodiments, the replacement valve is adapted to wrap about the anchor, for example, by everting during endovascular deployment. In some embodiments, the replacement valve is not connected to expandable portions of the anchor. In some embodiments, the anchor is configured for active foreshortening during endovascular deployment. In some embodiments, the anchor includes expandable lip and skirt regions for engaging the patient's heart valve during deployment. In some embodiments, the anchor comprises a braid fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a lock configured to maintain anchor expansion.