JAMES GAMMIE
Medical Practice in Stevenson, MD

7740627, Jun 22, 2010

Jan 6, 2006

11/184045

James Gammie - Stevenson MD, US
Randy Jordan - Calgary, CA
Marwan Abboud - Pierrefonds, CA
Allan Zingeler - Hudson, CA
Saqib Masroor - Tenafly NJ, US

Medtronic Cryocath LP - Toronto, Ontario

A61B 18/02, A61B 18/04

606 21, 606 41

The present invention advantageously provides a method and system for cryogenically ablating large areas of tissue within the left atrium. In an exemplary embodiment a cryotherapy device includes a catheter body, a proximal end and a distal end; a first lumen; a second lumen; and an ablation element expandable from a first diameter to a second diameter, the ablation element having a surface portion that conforms to the uneven surface topography of the cardiac tissue. The ablation element can include one or more deformable balloon and/or flexible elements. The surface of the balloon can further be shaped by regulation of pressure within the one or more balloons. In an exemplary method, a tissue ablation device is provided and tissue in the left atrium is ablated with the device, whereby the ablation is created by freezing tissue.

2007026, Nov 15, 2007

Apr 6, 2007

11/783287

Richard Beane - Hingham MA, US
John Brown - Indianapolis IN, US
James Crunkleton - Weston MA, US
James Gammie - Stevenson MD, US
Joseph Smith - Concord MA, US

A61B 17/08

606153000

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for securing a connector conduit to a hollow organ. The method comprises forming a hole in a wall of the organ; inserting a connector conduit through the hole in the wall of the organ until a flange element comes into contact with the wall of the organ, the flange element being positioned on the connector conduit; and engaging a retention means with the wall of the organ to prevent movement of the connector conduit relative to the wall of the organ, the retention means being positioned on the connector conduit. Exemplary retaining means include a plurality of retaining pins positioned circumferentially around the connector conduit, a plurality of prongs positioned circumferentially around the connector conduit, a balloon positioned on the connector conduit, a torsion spring positioned on the connector conduit, a spiral spring positioned on the connector conduit, or combinations thereof.

7635386, Dec 22, 2009

Mar 7, 2007

11/683282

James S. Gammie - Stevenson MD, US

University of Maryland, Baltimore - Baltimore MD

A61F 2/24

623 211, 623904

The present invention is directed to methods and devices for repairing a cardiac valve. Generally, the methods involve a minimally invasive procedure that includes creating an access in the apex region of the heart through which one or more instruments may be inserted so as to repair a cardiac valve, for instance, a mitral or tricuspid valve. Accordingly, the methods are useful for performing a variety of procedures to effectuate a repair. For instance, in one embodiment, the methods are useful for repairing a cardiac valve by implanting one or more artificial heart valve chordae tendinae into one or more cardiac valve leaflet tissues so as to restore the proper leaflet function and thereby prevent reperfusion. In another embodiment, the methods are useful for repairing a cardiac valve by resecting a portion of one or more cardiac valve leaflets and implanting one or more sutures into the resected valve tissues, which may also include the implantation of an annuloplasty ring. In an additional embodiment, the methods are useful for performing an edge to edge bow-tie repair (e. g.

8226670, Jul 24, 2012

Feb 17, 2009

12/378585

Richard M. Beane - Hingham MA, US
John W. Brown - Indianapolis IN, US
James Alan Crunkleton - Weston MA, US
James S. Gammie - Stevenson MD, US

Correx, Inc. - Waltham MA

A61B 17/11

606153, 606184

An apparatus and method for connecting a first conduit to the heart without the need for cardiopulmonary bypass. The first conduit may then be attached to a second conduit that has a prosthetic device interposed. The second conduit may then be connected to the aorta. The prosthetic device may be a prosthetic valve or a pump, for example. The apparatus of the present invention includes an implantable connector with first conduit component, a retractor expansion component, a coring component, and a pushing component. The retractor expansion component is slide-ably coupled to the coring component. The retractor expansion component serves to seat against and separate the inside apical wall of the left ventricle so that the coring component may cut cleanly through the myocardium to form a tissue plug without leaving any hanging attachments to the inside walls. By remaining seated against the inside wall, the retractor expansion component follows the tissue plug into the coring component. The surgeon applies force and rotary motion to the pushing component sufficient to cut the tissue plug and implant the prosthetic component.

8277465, Oct 2, 2012

Dec 15, 2005

11/300589

Richard M. Beane - Hingham MA, US
John W. Brown - Indianapolis IN, US
James Alan Crunkleton - Weston MA, US
James S. Gammie - Stevenson MD, US

Correx, Inc. - Waltham MA

A61B 17/11

606153

The present invention provides a system and method for forming a side branch on a hollow vessel, such as the aorta. The side branch is preferably adapted to be connected to a connector conduit, but any other suitable use is also acceptable. The system comprises a graft including a side branch portion, and an applicator comprising a hole forming element adapted to form a hole in the wall of the vessel and an insertion element adapted to be inserted through the wall of the vessel, the insertion element comprising a retraction element adapted to enter into engagement with the graft. The hole forming element may comprise a cutting element adapted to cut a hole in the wall of the vessel, and a positioning element adapted to hold the position of the applicator relative to the vessel. The system further comprises a graft protection element adapted to prevent the graft from being damaged by the cutting element. In this case, the clamping element and the graft protection element may be the same element, for example, an expansion element, which may be expandable from an unexpanded state to fully expanded state and to a partially expanded state.

8414603, Apr 9, 2013

Sep 25, 2008

12/238406

Richard M. Beane - Hingham MA, US
John W. Brown - Indianapolis IN, US
James Alan Crunkleton - Weston MA, US
James S. Gammie - Stevenson MD, US
Joseph L. Smith - Concord MA, US

Correx, Inc. - Waltham MA

A61F 2/04

606153

The invention provides an applicator for forming a hole in a wall of a hollow organ and for connecting a hemostatic connection assembly to the hollow organ, wherein, when the hole is formed in the wall of the hollow organ, a first fluid seal exists between the hemostatic connection assembly and the wall of the hollow organ and a second fluid seal exists between the hemostatic connection assembly and the applicator, thereby minimizing fluid loss from the hollow organ. The invention further provides a hemostatic connection assembly for connecting an inlet conduit to a hollow organ, the hemostatic connection assembly comprising a organ wall connection portion, a cuff portion, an extension portion, and a seal ring portion, wherein, during the process of connecting the inlet conduit to the hollow organ, a first fluid seal exists between the organ wall connection portion and the wall of the hollow organ, and a second fluid seal exists between the hemostatic connection assembly and the inlet conduit, thereby minimizing fluid loss from the hollow organ. A method is also disclosed in which the applicator and hemostatic connection assemblies of the invention are used to connect an inlet conduit to a hollow organ.

2011011, May 19, 2011

Jul 1, 2010

12/829181

Richard M. Beane - Hingham MA, US
John W. Brown - Indianapolis IN, US
James Alan Crunkleton - Weston MA, US
James S. Gammie - Stevenson MD, US
Anthony G. Liepert - Lincoln MA, US

A61B 17/11

606153

A connector for joining a first hollow structure to the side wall of a second hollow structure, the connector comprising:

2011019, Aug 11, 2011

Sep 21, 2010

12/924138

Richard M. Beane - Hingham MA, US
John W. Brown - Indianapolis IN, US
James Alan Crunkleton - Weston MA, US
James S. Gammie - Stevenson MD, US

CORREX, INC. - Weston MA

A61B 17/32

606180

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming a hole in a wall of a hollow organ. The applicator includes a hole forming element for forming a hole in the wall of the organ, a positioning means for positioning the hole forming element, and a retractor element. In addition, the applicator includes a sequencing means for coordinating the relative movement of the retractor element and the hole forming element in a sequential manner to thereby carry out a procedure for forming a hole in the wall of the hollow organ. The sequencing means may further include a safety latch element operatively coupled to the retracting means and the hole forming element. The safety latch of the invention keeps prevents damage to the internal surface of the organ during the formation of the hole.

2013021, Aug 22, 2013

Sep 14, 2012

13/616927

Richard M. Beane - Hingham MA, US
John W. Brown - Indianapolis IN, US
James Alan Crunkleton - Weston MA, US
James S. Gammie - Stevenson MD, US

Correx, Inc. - Weston MA

A61F 2/06, A61B 17/34

623 135, 606185

An applicator for forming a hole in a wall of a hollow vessel and engaging a graft, the applicator comprising: a hole forming element adapted to form a hole in the wall of the vessel, the hole forming element comprising a cutting element adapted to cut a hole in the wall of the vessel and a positioning element adapted to hold the position of the applicator relative to the vessel; and an insertion element adapted to be inserted through the wall of the vessel, the insertion element comprising a retraction element adapted to enter into engagement with a graft.

7799041, Sep 21, 2010

Oct 16, 2006

11/581081

Richard M. Beane - Hingham MA, US
John W. Brown - Indianapolis IN, US
James Alan Crunkleton - Weston MA, US
James S. Gammie - Stevenson MD, US

Correx, Inc. - Waltham MA

A61B 17/11

606153, 606184

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming a hole in a wall of a hollow organ. The applicator includes a hole forming element for forming a hole in the wall of the organ, a positioning means for positioning the hole forming element, and a retractor element. In addition, the applicator includes a sequencing means for coordinating the relative movement of the retractor element and the hole forming element in a sequential manner to thereby carry out a procedure for forming a hole in the wall of the hollow organ. The sequencing means may further include a safety latch element operatively coupled to the retracting means and the hole forming element. The safety latch of the invention keeps prevents damage to the internal surface of the organ during the formation of the hole.