Michael V Morejohn

6355030, Mar 12, 2002

Sep 25, 1998

09/161079

William N. Aldrich - Los Altos Hills CA
Michael V. Morejohn - San Jose CA
Richard A. Helkowski - Cupertino CA
Ivan Sepetka - Los Altos CA

Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

A61B 1804

606 28, 607 99, 607101, 607122

The present invention is methods and devices for improving valve function in a heart. Particularly a device of the present invention comprises a an elongate member having a distal end and a proximal end, a thermal heating member fixed to the distal end of the elongate member, wherein the thermal heating member includes at least one thermal heating element adapted to supply thermal energy to a heart valve structure, and an energy source in communication with the thermal heating element. In use, a thermal heating device of the present invention is inserted into working space proximate the valve to be treated and is used to selectively contract the collagen fibers of the valve structure treated so as to improve the performance and functioning of the valve. Devices are disclosed suitable for use with a variety of access procedures on both beating and non-beating hearts, including: a minimally invasive surgical procedure, a sternotomy, a thoracotomy, an endovascular procedure, and endoscopic procedure, or a percutaneous procedure. Methods and devices are disclosed which are suitable for treatment of a chordae, leaflet, or annulus, as well as devices and methods for the replacement of heart valve with prosthetic valves.

6453906, Sep 24, 2002

Jul 26, 2000

09/625397

Charles S. Taylor - San Francisco CA
Hani Shennib - Quebec, CA
Michael V. Morejohn - San Jose CA

CardioThoracic Systems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

A61B 1900

128898, 606 49, 606 40, 606159

A surgical instrument is configured to aid in performing a procedure of detaching an internal mammary artery (IMA) and the like, from the connecting tissues and side branch vessels which surround the artery in its native location, wherein the detaching procedure is preliminary to the performing of a coronary artery bypass grafting procedure and wherein the IMA is detached via a minimally invasive thoracotomy. To this end, an elongated slender rod includes a handle at its proximal end and an artery engaging loop, arc, fork configuration, or hook at its distal working end. Embodiments may incorporate electrosurgical capability or electrical insulation. A surgeon thus has means for harvesting an intact and undamaged graft vessel from its native location through a minimally invasive incision with enhanced speed, visibility, and freedom of motion.

6547821, Apr 15, 2003

Jul 16, 1998

09/116362

Charles S. Taylor - San Francisco CA
Michael V. Morejohn - San Jose CA

Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

A61M 110

623 31, 600 16

Methods and devices for passively assisting the cardiac function of the heart are disclosed. A method of increasing the cardiac output of a heart includes providing a site of surgical access to the portion of the heart to be restrained, reducing the cardiac expansion of the portion of the heart to be restrained, and maintaining the reduction of cardiac expansion of the portion of the heart to be restrained for a substantial amount of time. Cardiac assist devices for increasing the cardiac output of the heart are disclosed comprising a reinforcing portion configured to contact a portion of the heart tissue wherein the reinforcing portion restricts the expansion of the portion of the heart tissue. The reinforcing portion can be a number of structures, including pads, frames, straps, and other retaining means for limiting cardiac expansion of the portion of the heart tissue to be restrained.

6736774, May 18, 2004

Jan 8, 2001

09/757128

Federico J. Benetti - Rosario, AR
Charles S. Taylor - San Francisco CA
Michael V. Morejohn - San Jose CA

Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

A61B 132

600231, 600201, 128898

Surgical procedures on the beating heart are enabled by an incision made in the xyphoid area and specially designed retractors and related devices to facilitate cardiac surgical procedures. Specifically, coronary artery bypass graft procedures (CABG) are achieved using a vertically offsetting retractor or access platform in combination with a beating heart stabilizer. The surgical methodology permits procedures such as the CABG procedure without penetrating the rib cage or performing a sternotomy or thorocotomy.

6776783, Aug 17, 2004

Dec 21, 2000

09/747636

John J. Frantzen - Laguna Niguel CA
Charles S. Taylor - San Francisco CA
Michael V. Morejohn - San Jose CA
Dwight P. Morejohn - Davis CA
Ronald Devore - Los Gatos CA

CardioThoracic Systems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

A61B 1708

606151, 606142, 606157, 606158

An improved surgical clip and clip applicator for placing a surgical clip over a target structure. The surgical clip generally has a pair of opposing clamp arms, each having an associated clamping surface, and a connecting portion joining the clamp arms and biasing them to a normally closed position. The surgical clip may be opened and locked into the open position prior to being loaded into a clip applicator or the surgical clip may be opened by a clip applicator itself. The surgical clip and clip applicators require reduced actuation forces and simplified applicator mechanisms.

7361137, Apr 22, 2008

Mar 11, 2002

10/096299

Charles S. Taylor - San Francisco CA, US
Michael V. Morejohn - San Jose CA, US

Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc. - San Jose CA

A61N 1/362

600 16, 600 18, 623 321

Methods and devices for passively assisting the cardiac function of the heart are disclosed. A method of increasing the cardiac output of a heart includes providing a site of surgical access to the portion of the heart to be restrained, reducing the cardiac expansion of the portion of the heart to be restrained, and maintaining the reduction of cardiac expansion of the portion of the heart to be restrained for a substantial amount of time. Cardiac assist devices for increasing the cardiac output of the heart are disclosed comprising a reinforcing portion configured to contact a portion of the heart tissue wherein the reinforcing portion restricts the expansion of the portion of the heart tissue. The reinforcing portion can be a number of structures, including pads, frames, straps, and other retaining means for limiting cardiac expansion of the portion of the heart tissue to be restrained.

20040236184, Nov 25, 2004

Sep 24, 2003

10/670152

Federico Benetti - Rosario, AR
Charles Taylor - San Francisco CA, US
Michael Morejohn - San Jose CA, US

A61B001/32

600/210000

Surgical procedures on the beating heart are enabled by an incision made in the xyphoid area and specially designed retractors and related devices to facilitate cardiac surgical procedures. Specifically, coronary artery bypass graft procedures (CABG) are achieved using a vertically offsetting retractor or access platform in combination with a beating heart stabilizer. The surgical methodology permits procedures such as the CABG procedure without penetrating the rib cage or performing a sternotomy or thorocotomy.

20080161638, Jul 3, 2008

Feb 29, 2008

12/074181

Charles S. Taylor - San Francisco CA, US
Michael V. Morejohn - San Jose CA, US

A61F 2/00

600 16, 600 37

Methods and devices for passively assisting the cardiac function of the heart are disclosed. A method of increasing the cardiac output of a heart includes providing a site of surgical access to the portion of the heart to be restrained, reducing the cardiac expansion of the portion of the heart to be restrained, and maintaining the reduction of cardiac expansion of the portion of the heart to be restrained for a substantial amount of time. Cardiac assist devices for increasing the cardiac output of the heart are disclosed comprising a reinforcing portion configured to contact a portion of the heart tissue wherein the reinforcing portion restricts the expansion of the portion of the heart tissue. The reinforcing portion can be a number of structures, including pads, frames, straps, and other retaining means for limiting cardiac expansion of the portion of the heart tissue to be retained.