Than V Nguyen16228 Mount Nimbus St, Santa Ana, CA 92708

6413275, Jul 2, 2002

Nov 13, 2000

09/710409

Than Nguyen - Anaheim CA
Hung Ly Lam - Norco CA
Jianbo Zhou - Irvine CA
Carlos M. Romero - Orange CA
Ralph Kafesjian - Newport Beach CA
Xiaoming G. Guo - Dove Canyon CA
Van Le Huynh - Tustin CA

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation - Irvine CA

A61F 206

623 213, 623913, 73852, 73856

Heart valve leaflet selection methods and apparatuses which subject individual leaflets to loads and measure the resulting deflection to more reliably group leaflets of similar physical characteristics for later assembly in prosthetic heart valves. The deflection testing may be accomplished using a variety of test set ups which are designed to impart a load on the leaflet which simulates the actual loading within a heart valve. The results from a number of deflection tests are used to categorize individual leaflets, which data can be combined with other data regarding the characteristics of the leaflet to better select leaflets for assembly into a multi-leaflet heart valve. In one embodiment, the deflection test is combined with an intrinsic load test, and leaflets having similar deflection and intrinsic load values used in the same heart valve. One apparatus for testing the leaflets includes a frame for securing the arcuate cusp of the leaflet while the straight coapting edge remains free, to simulate the actual leaflet mounting configuration within the heart valve prosthesis. The frame may include a lower portion having a recess for the leaflet and plurality of receptor holes around the peripheral edge of the recess, and an upper portion having a plurality of needles which extend downward through the leaflet and into the receptor holes and secure the edges of the leaflet.

6416547, Jul 9, 2002

Sep 20, 2000

09/665872

Stephen M. Erickson - Irvine CA
Leslie Pathmanaban - Lake Forest CA
Michael J. Numamoto - Irvine CA
Than Nguyen - Fullerton CA

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation - Irvine CA

A61F 224

623 211, 206438

A carrier for heart valves allows the removal of a heart valve from the carrier without manual manipulation. In addition, the carrier minimizes or substantially eliminates leaking of preserving fluid during transportation and storage. The carrier includes ajar, a rinse cage, and a holder to which a heart valve is attachable. The rinse cage includes a first engagement structure, for example, a channel, and the holder includes a second engagement structure, for example, a groove, complementary to the first engagement structure for releasably engaging therewith. A heart valve attached to the holder is disposed or suspended within the rinse cage when the engagement structures are engaged. A heart valve attached to the holder is protected not only when within the jar but also when removed from the jar. The holder has a socket for engaging with a surgical handle used to remove the valve from the jar for rinsing and implantation. The carrier may include apparatus for limiting rotation of the holder relative to the rinse cage and rotation of the rinse cage relative to the jar, which apparatus allows a surgical handle to be securely and firmly attached to the holder with essentially one hand and without removing the valve from the jar.

6585766, Jul 1, 2003

Jun 22, 2000

09/599200

Van Le Huynh - Tustin CA
Than Nguyen - Anaheim CA
Hung Ly Lam - Norco CA
Xiaoming G. Guo - Dove Canyon CA
Ralph Kafesjian - Newport Beach CA

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation - Irvine CA

A61F 224

623 238, 623900

Improved, adaptable tissue-type heart valves and methods for their manufacture are disclosed wherein a dimensionally stable, pre-aligned tissue leaflet subassembly is formed and its peripheral edge clamped between and attached to an upper shaped wireform and a lower support stent. A variety of adaptable structural interfaces including suture rings, flanges, and conduits may be attached to the support stent with or without an outlet conduit disposed about the wireform to provide a tissue-type heart valve adaptable for use in either a natural heart or in mechanical pumping devices. The methods include forming individual leaflets with a template and using the template to attach the leaflets together to form a tissue leaflet subassembly. The template and leaflets include a straight edge terminating in oppositely directed tabs, and a curvilinear cusp edge extending opposite the straight edge. The template may include a guide slot in its straight edge and the assembly includes aligning two leaflet tabs with the template and passing sutures through the guide slot and through the leaflet tabs.

6830586, Dec 14, 2004

Feb 28, 2002

10/086100

Rodolfo C. Quijano - Laguna Hills CA
Than Nguyen - Placentia CA
Hosheng Tu - Newport Coast CA

3F Therapeutics, Inc. - Lake Forrest CA

A61F 224

623 213, 623 21, 623 212

A stentless atrioventricular valve intended for attaching to a circumferential valve ring and papillary muscles of a patient comprising a singular flexible membrane of tissue or synthetic biomaterial, the valve having a sewing ring, an anterior cusp and a posterior cusp, wherein the anterior cusp and said posterior cusp are an integral part of a continuum from the singular membrane without sutured commissure between remote ends of the cusps and wherein texture elements secured at edge portions of the cusps configured to extend the texture elements for connection to papillary muscles in a ventricle cavity when the sewing ring is sutured to an atrioventricular junction of a patients heart.

6837902, Jan 4, 2005

Oct 20, 2003

10/690286

Than Nguyen - Anaheim CA, US
Hung Ly Lam - Norco CA, US
Jianbo Zhou - Irvine CA, US
Carlos M. Romero - Orange CA, US
Ralph Kafesjian - Newport Beach CA, US
Xiaoming G. Guo - Dove Canyon CA, US
Van Le Huynh - Tustin CA, US

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation - Irvine CA

A61F 224

623 213, 623910, 623913

Heart valve leaflet selection methods and apparatuses which subject individual leaflets to loads and measure the resulting deflection to more reliably group leaflets of similar physical characteristics for later assembly in prosthetic heart valves. The deflection testing may be accomplished using a variety of test set ups which are designed to impart a load on the leaflet which simulates the actual loading within a heart valve. The results from a number of deflection tests are used to categorize individual leaflets, which data can be combined with other data regarding the characteristics of the leaflet to better select leaflets for assembly into a multi-leaflet heart valve. In one embodiment, the deflection test is combined with an intrinsic load test, and leaflets having similar deflection and intrinsic load values used in the same heart valve. One apparatus for testing the leaflets includes a frame for securing the arcuate cusp of the leaflet while the straight coapting edge remains free, to simulate the actual leaflet mounting configuration within the heart valve prosthesis. The frame may include a lower portion having a recess for the leaflet and plurality of receptor holes around the peripheral edge of the recess, and an upper portion having a plurality of needles which extend downward through the leaflet and into the receptor holes and secure the edges of the leaflet.

6945997, Sep 20, 2005

Apr 11, 2003

10/412160

Van Le Huynh - Tustin CA, US
Than Nguyen - Anaheim CA, US
Hung Ly Lam - Norco CA, US
Xiaoming G. Guo - Dove Canyon CA, US
Ralph Kafesjian - Newport Beach CA, US

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation - Irvine CA

A61F002/24

623 217, 623 241

Improved, adaptable tissue-type heart valves and methods for their manufacture are disclosed wherein a dimensionally stable, pre-aligned tissue leaflet subassembly is formed and its peripheral edge clamped between and attached to an upper shaped wireform and a lower support stent. A variety of adaptable structural interfaces including suture rings, flanges, and conduits may be attached to the support stent with or without an outlet conduit disposed about the wireform to provide a tissue-type heart valve adaptable for use in either a natural heart or in mechanical pumping devices. The methods include forming individual leaflets with a template and using the template to attach the leaflets together to form a tissue leaflet subassembly. The template and leaflets include a straight edge terminating in oppositely directed tabs, and a curvilinear cusp edge extending opposite the straight edge. The template may include a guide slot in its straight edge and the assembly includes aligning two leaflet tabs with the template and passing sutures through the guide slot and through the leaflet tabs.

6974464, Dec 13, 2005

May 2, 2002

10/137637

Rodolfo C. Quijano - Laguna Hills CA, US
Than Nguyen - Placentia CA, US
Hosheng Tu - Newport Beach CA, US

3F Therapeutics, Inc. - Lake Forest CA

A61M025/14

606108, 60410307, 604176

A supportless atrioventricular valve intended for attaching to a circumferential valve ring and papillary muscles of a patient comprising a singular flexible membrane of tissue or synthetic biomaterial, wherein a minimally invasive delivery system is provided through a percutaneous intercostal penetration and a penetration at the cardiac wall into a left atrium of the heart.

7862496, Jan 4, 2011

Mar 16, 2006

11/276851

George D. Hermann - Portola Valley CA, US
Eduardo Chi Sing - Dana Point CA, US
Gail S. Lebovic - Frisco TX, US
Mark A. Cole - Santa Ana CA, US
Mark A. Ritchart - Murrieta CA, US
Than Nguyen - Fountain Valley CA, US

Cianna Medical, Inc. - Aliso Viejo CA

A61N 5/00

600 3

Apparatus for delivering brachytherapy to a target tissue region includes an elongate body including a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a tissue tract and carrying a plurality of elongate members including pathways for receiving a source of radiation. The elongate members are movable between collapsed and expanded configurations. During use, a tract is created through tissue, and the elongate body carrying the elongate members is advanced through the tract into a target location with the elongate members in the collapsed configuration. The elongate members are directed to the expanded configuration at the target location, and radiation is delivered to treat tissue at the target location, e. g. , by introducing one or more radiation sources along the pathways.