Muffin Incorporated

National Institutes of Health, a Component of the US Dept. of Health & Human Services

National Institutes of Health, Dhhs

Jeremy T Newkirk

William John Havel

Neal E Fearnot

John Crowder Sigmon, Jr

Shaun D Gittard

Gregory James Hardy

Rita Hadley

Yun Zhou

Toby Rogers

Kanishka Ratnayaka

Robert L Lederman

Vihar C Surti

Robert J Lederman

John C Sigmon

Mitch Turley

Michelle Martinez

David Reuter

Jr John C Sigmon

Shaun Davis Gittard

Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of belts or bands that can be used in treatments for tricuspid valve regurgitation. In some embodiments, such belts may be heat-set in a particular configuration to effectively decrease tricuspid annulus when deployed around the atrioventricular groove. Embodiments include one or more tensioning sutures for applying cinching or tightening to belts when deployed, and structure for effectively distributing force during such tightening. Embodiments of tensioning members, protective members, and devices and methods for open-surgical placement (e.g. around a heart for annuloplasty) are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for applying pressure to a bodily organ

Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of devices used for minimally-invasive treatments, such as treatment of mitral valves. In a system for placing an annuloplasty belt around the heart, embodiments for tensioning a suture associated with the belt are provided, as are embodiments of a suture lock for holding the suture with the applied tension. A delivery device that permits placement and tensioning of such a belt and activation of the suture lock in one procedure is also disclosed. Methods for making and using these features are also disclosed.

Devices for placement and fixation of annuloplasty belt

Among other things, there is disclosed structure and methods for maintaining access to a location in the body while reducing or eliminating the potential for pulling an access device (e.g. a catheter) back through an opening. An introducer sheath includes a distal indented portion and a balloon, so that once placed in a desired location through tissue, the balloon can be inflated to anchor the sheath against retraction. In particular embodiments, structure and methods for accessing the pericardial cavity via the right atrial appendage are shown.

Vascular anchoring introducer sheath

There are shown and described embodiments of a closure device for closing holes in tissue, for example in the right atrial appendage. The closure device in particular embodiments includes first and second mesh closure members and a tether or stem connecting them. Embodiments of a delivery device for the closure device are also described.

Closing device for tissue openings

Among other things, there are shown embodiments of locking mechanisms for holding sutures in tension. Such devices may be used with implants that use or require sutures, and are easily locked remotely. In particular embodiments, a lock includes a housing member, a pin member at least partially within the housing member, and a spring biasing the pin member into the housing member. The pin member includes a gripping portion, and has a retracted condition and a locked condition. When retracted, a suture can move through the housing member and around the gripping portion of the pin member. When locked, the gripping portion of the pin member engages the suture and presses it against the interior of the housing member.

Suture lock device

Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of belts or bands that can be used in treatments for tricuspid valve regurgitation. In some embodiments, such belts may be heat-set in a particular configuration to effectively decrease tricuspid annulus when deployed around the atrioventricular groove. Embodiments include one or more tensioning sutures for applying cinching or tightening to belts when deployed, and structure for effectively distributing force during such tightening.

Belt for applying pressure to a bodily organ

Growing community of inventors

West Lafayette, IN, United States of America

Jeremy T Newkirk