Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

Ping-Yang Shih

James R Cody, Iii

Tiffany Diemtrinh Tran

Arthur I Koral

Vladimir Zolotnik

Grigoriy Gorelik

Wei Nee Koh

Marius Tomas Petrulis

Sam Nicolas Sarian

James R Iii Cody

Iii James R Cody

An automated system that can be used for prosthetic heart valve manufacturing or suturing procedures. The system includes automated fixtures that maneuver a needle and a target device. The automated fixtures can be suturing arms, target device holders, needle transfer fixtures, and/or needle holders. The automated fixtures can rotate a target device held by the holder to allow one or more additional automated fixtures to perform operations such as form sutures on the target device without intervention of a human operator. The system can include a display system configured to display status information of a suturing procedure.

Automated heart valve manufacturing

An assistance system that can be used for prosthetic heart valve manufacturing or suturing procedures includes an automated fixture that can comprise an articulation arm and a target device holder. The target device holder can be positioned and oriented to reduce operator strain during a manufacturing or inspection process. The assistance system includes a user input device enabling the operator to move between positions to assist in such processes. The assistance system can also be trained by capturing sequences of position data corresponding to a manufacturing or inspection process.

Devices for assisting with heart valve manufacturing

An automated system that can be used for prosthetic heart valve manufacturing or suturing procedures. The system can include a first automated fixture that includes an articulating arm and a target device holder. The system can also include one or more additional automated fixtures, which can be configured as one or more suturing arms that include another articulating arm and a needle holder. The first automated fixture can be configured to rotate a target device held by the holder to allow the one or more additional automated fixtures to perform operations such as form sutures on the target device without intervention of a human operator. The system can include a display system configured to display status information of a suturing procedure.

A semi-automatic precision positioning robot apparatus and method for use of the same to hold, position, orient and/or move a workpiece are provided. The positioning apparatus utilizes an actuator system of a given configuration to manipulate a workpiece holding unit with multiple degrees of freedom to achieve various positions and orientations. An associated took may further be provided to interact with the workpiece in various positions and orientations. The positioning apparatus enables an operator to obtain high degrees of maneuverability while maintaining precision and consistency in the manufacture and production of various products and components.

Semi-automatic precision positioning robot apparatus and method

The present disclosure relates to automated systems, devices, and methods of sewing a target device such as a prosthetic implant device. The systems and methods include forming a stitch on the target device, adjusting a thread coupled to a needle used to form the stitch so that the thread is clear of (e.g., does not interfere with) a path of the needle, and applying a targeted tension to the thread to tension the stitch on the target device. The suturing process can also include providing different targeted tensions during formation of the stitch. The suturing process can also include providing different targeted tensions at different stages of the formation of the stitch to aid in forming the stitch, to clear the needle path of the thread, and/or to hold the stitch in place in preparation for the next stitch.

Automated sewing and thread management

An automated system that can be used for prosthetic heart valve manufacturing or suturing procedures. The system can include a first automated fixture that includes an articulating arm and a target device holder. The system can also include one or more additional automated fixtures, which can be configured as one or more suturing arms that include another articulating arm and a needle holder. The first automated fixture can be configured to rotate a target device held by the holder to allow the one or more additional automated fixtures to perform operations such as form sutures on the target device without intervention of a human operator. The system can include a targeting system configured to provide positioning feedback to the system.

Automated heart valve manufacturing devices and methods

A semi-automatic precision positioning robot apparatus and method for use of the same to hold, position, orient and/or move a workpiece are provided. The positioning apparatus utilizes an actuator system of a given configuration to manipulate a workpiece holding unit with multiple degrees of freedom to achieve various positions and orientations. An associated tool may further be provided to interact with the workpiece in various positions and orientations. The positioning apparatus enables an operator to obtain high degrees of maneuverability while maintaining precision and consistency in the manufacture and production of various products and components.

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Santa Ana, CA, United States of America

Ping-Yang Shih