The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 11, 2015
Filed:
May. 03, 2007
Paul J. Hindrichs, Plymouth, MN (US);
Steven D Kruse, St. Michael, MN (US);
Todd a Krinke, Buffalo, MN (US);
Michael P. Brenzel, St. Paul, MN (US);
Kenton J. Zehr, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Paul Thompson, Minnetonka, MN (US);
Theodore P. Dale, Minneapolis, MN (US);
David M. Costello, Waconia, MN (US);
Paul J. Hindrichs, Plymouth, MN (US);
Steven D Kruse, St. Michael, MN (US);
Todd A Krinke, Buffalo, MN (US);
Michael P. Brenzel, St. Paul, MN (US);
Kenton J. Zehr, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Paul Thompson, Minnetonka, MN (US);
Theodore P. Dale, Minneapolis, MN (US);
David M. Costello, Waconia, MN (US);
MAYO FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH, Rochester, MN (US);
Abstract
An implant structure for use in pulling two soft body tissue areas closer together in a patient (e.g., two points along or adjacent to the patient's mitral valve annulus) includes at least two tissue anchor structures that are respectively implantable into the two tissue areas. A tether structure links the two tissue anchors and can be shortened and held in that condition by a cinch structure. Bracing structures are used between the anchors and the tether to help keep the longitudinal axes of the anchors transverse to the tether axis even when the tether is under tension. The tether may be sheathed in a cushioning sleeve to help protect adjacent tissue from erosion by the tether.