Craig A Ekvall from Wyoming, MN, age 58

Us Patents

Devices And Methods For Heart Valve Treatment
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US Patent:

7112219, Sep 26, 2006
Filed:

Nov 10, 2003
Appl. No.:

10/704143
Inventors:

Robert M. Vidlund - Maplewood MN, US
Todd J. Mortier - Minneapolis MN, US
Richard Schroeder - Fridley MN, US
Craig Ekvall - Elk River MN, US
Jason Kalgreen - Edina MN, US
Edward Matthees - Minneapolis MN, US
David Kusz - Minneapolis MN, US
Assignee:

Myocor, Inc. - Maple Grove MN
International Classification:

A61F 2/24
US Classification:

623 21, 600 16, 600 37
Abstract:

Devices and methods for improving the function of a valve (e. g. , mitral valve) by positioning a spacing filling device outside and adjacent the heart wall such that the device applies an inward force against the heart wall acting on the valve. A substantially equal and opposite force may be provided by securing the device to the heart wall, and/or a substantially equal and opposite outward force may be applied against anatomical structure outside the heart wall. The inward force is sufficient to change the function of the valve, and may increase coaptation of the leaflets, for example. The space filling device may be implanted by a surgical approach, a transthoracic approach, or a transluminal approach, for example. The space filling portion may be delivered utilizing a delivery catheter navigated via the selected approach, and the space filling portion may be expandable between a smaller delivery configuration and a larger deployed configuration.

Devices And Methods For Heart Valve Treatment
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US Patent:

7247134, Jul 24, 2007
Filed:

Nov 10, 2003
Appl. No.:

10/704145
Inventors:

Robert M. Vidlund - Maplewood MN, US
Craig Ekvall - Elk River MN, US
David Kusz - Minneapolis MN, US
Assignee:

Myocor, Inc. - Maple Grove MN
International Classification:

A61M 31/00
A61F 2/36
US Classification:

600 16, 623 21
Abstract:

Devices and methods for improving the function of a valve (e. g. , mitral valve) by positioning an implantable device outside and adjacent the heart wall such that the device alters the shape of the heart wall acting on the valve. The implantable device may alter the shape of the heart wall acting on the valve by applying an inward force and/or by circumferential shortening (cinching). The shape change of the heart wall acting on the valve is sufficient to change the function of the valve, and may increase coaptation of the leaflets, for example, to reduce regurgitation.

Devices And Methods For Heart Valve Treatment
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US Patent:

7666224, Feb 23, 2010
Filed:

Jul 7, 2005
Appl. No.:

11/175270
Inventors:

Robert M. Vidlund - Maplewood MN, US
Todd J. Mortier - Minneapolis MN, US
Richard Schroeder - Fridley MN, US
Craig Ekvall - Elk River MN, US
Jason Kalgreen - Edina MN, US
Edward Matthees - Minneapolis MN, US
David Kusz - Minneapolis MN, US
Assignee:

Edwards Lifesciences LLC - Irvine CA
International Classification:

A61F 2/24
US Classification:

623 21, 623904
Abstract:

Devices and methods for improving the function of a valve (e. g. , mitral valve) by positioning a spacing filling device outside and adjacent the heart wall such that the device applies an inward force against the heart wall acting on the valve. A substantially equal and opposite force may be provided by securing the device to the heart wall, and/or a substantially equal and opposite outward force may be applied against anatomical structure outside the heart wall. The inward force is sufficient to change the function of the valve, and may increase coaptation of the leaflets, for example. The space filling device may be implanted by a surgical approach, a transthoracic approach, or a transluminal approach, for example. The space filling portion may be delivered utilizing a delivery catheter navigated via the selected approach, and the space filling portion may be expandable between a smaller delivery configuration and a larger deployed configuration.

Device For Marking And Aligning Positions On The Heart
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US Patent:

20020139377, Oct 3, 2002
Filed:

Mar 30, 2001
Appl. No.:

09/821756
Inventors:

Craig Ekvall - Elk River MN, US
Robert Vidlund - Maplewood MN, US
Todd Mortier - Minneapolis MN, US
Jeffrey LaPlante - Minneapolis MN, US
Edward Matthees - Minneapolis MN, US
Julie Bulver - Plymouth MN, US
International Classification:

A61B019/00
A61N001/362
US Classification:

128/897000, 600/016000
Abstract:

According to the present invention, an alignment device for marking and aligning selected positions on a heart's surface is provided. The device includes a handle assembly having upper and lower handle portions which are detachable from one another. Each handle portion is connected to a tissue engaging member which may be secured to the surface of the heart via a vacuum. The tissue engaging members are articulatable with respect to the handle portions, such that movement of the handle portions after the tissue engaging members are secured to the heart's surface will not dislodge or displace the tissue engaging members. The tissue engaging members may be permanently or detachably connected to the handle portions. The tissue engaging members may also be used to locate and mark desired positions on the heart. In use, after the tissue engaging members are secured to the surface of the heart, the handle portions are manipulated to connect to one another.

Devices And Methods For Heart Valve Treatment
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US Patent:

20030233022, Dec 18, 2003
Filed:

Jun 9, 2003
Appl. No.:

10/456751
Inventors:

Robert Vidlund - Maplewood MN, US
Cyril Schweich - Maple Grove MN, US
Todd Mortier - Minneapolis MN, US
Craig Ekvall - Elk River MN, US
Jason Kalgreen - Plymouth MN, US
Richard Schroeder - Fridley MN, US
Jeffrey LaPlante - Minneapolis MN, US
International Classification:

A61N001/362
US Classification:

600/016000
Abstract:

Devices, systems and methods for improving the function of a valve of a heart by implanting the device adjacent the valve such that the device indirectly applies a force to the valve and increases coaptation of the leaflets, or otherwise improves valve function. The device may be implanted in a position that does not directly contact the valve structures. The force may be applied to a wall of the heart, and the force may be an inward force applied to two walls of the heart, such as the left ventricular free wall and the ventricular septum, or the left ventricular free wall and the right ventricular free wall, to improve mitral valve function.

Devices And Methods For Heart Valve Treatment
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US Patent:

20060100699, May 11, 2006
Filed:

Oct 21, 2005
Appl. No.:

11/254794
Inventors:

Robert Vidlund - Maplewood MN, US
Craig Ekvall - Elk River MN, US
David Kusz - Minneapolis MN, US
Cyril Schweich - Maple Grove MN, US
International Classification:

A61F 2/24
US Classification:

623002360
Abstract:

Devices and methods for improving the function of a valve (e.g., mitral valve) by positioning an implantable device outside and adjacent the heart wall such that the device alters the shape of the heart wall acting on the valve. The implantable device may alter the shape of the heart wall acting on the valve by applying an inward force and/or by circumferential shortening (cinching). The shape change of the heart wall acting on the valve is sufficient to change the function of the valve, and may increase coaptation of the leaflets, for example, to reduce regurgitation.

Devices And Methods For Heart Valve Treatment
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US Patent:

20060247491, Nov 2, 2006
Filed:

Apr 27, 2005
Appl. No.:

11/115409
Inventors:

Robert Vidlund - Maplewood MN, US
Craig Ekvall - Elk River MN, US
Jeffrey Santer - Spring Lake Park MN, US
David Kusz - Minneapolis MN, US
Cyril Schweich - Maple Grove MN, US
International Classification:

A61F 2/02
A61F 2/24
A61B 17/34
US Classification:

600037000, 606151000, 606139000, 606185000, 623002370
Abstract:

Devices and methods for improving the function of a valve (e.g., mitral valve) by positioning an implantable device outside and adjacent the heart wall such that the device alters the shape of the heart wall acting on the valve. The implantable device may alter the shape of the heart wall acting on the valve by applying an inward force and/or by circumferential shortening (cinching). The shape change of the heart wall acting on the valve is sufficient to change the function of the valve, and may increase coaptation of the leaflets, for example, to reduce regurgitation.

Devices And Methods For Pericardial Access
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US Patent:

20060247672, Nov 2, 2006
Filed:

Apr 27, 2005
Appl. No.:

11/115408
Inventors:

Robert Vidlund - Maplewood MN, US
Jeffrey Santer - Spring Lake Park MN, US
Craig Ekvall - Elk River MN, US
Cyril Schweich - Maple Grove MN, US
International Classification:

A61B 17/00
US Classification:

606190000
Abstract:

Devices and methods for establishing pericardial access to facilitate therapeutic and/or diagnostic applications. Pericardial access is facilitated, in part, by a tissue grasping device that reliably holds pericardial tissue, even in the presence of fatty deposits. The tissue grasping portion may include a tissue penetrating tip, a tissue dilating distal section, a tissue retention neck, and a tissue stop. When advanced into the pericardium, the tip may serve to create an opening (e.g., pierce, cut, etc.) in the pericardium, the distal section may serve to dilate the opening, the neck may serve to hold the tissue upon recoil of the dilated opening, and the stop may serve to limit further penetration once tissue is retained in the neck.