Patents by Inventor John Fulkerson

John Fulkerson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20200107947
    Abstract: Delivery systems for expandable elements, such as stents or scaffolds having spikes, flails, or other protruding features for penetrating target tissue and/or delivering drugs within a human patient are described along with associated methods for using such systems. The delivery systems can be provided with a stent that is positioned over an inflatable balloon for expansion and delivery of the stent to a target delivery location. By positioning the stent over and about the inflatable balloon, the stent is ready to be expanded by the balloon immediately upon unsheathing with respect to the outer shaft. Additionally or alternatively, a stent can be positioned in an axially offset arrangement with respect to a balloon to reduce the need for space required by overlapping components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Teodoro S. Jimenez, JR., Patrick Lo, John Fulkerson, Isa Rizk, Francisco Aguayo, Jihad Ali Mustapha, Gary Ansel
  • Publication number: 20190388108
    Abstract: Devices for restoring blood flow to facilitate lysis of clots and/or enable capture of clots are disclosed. The devices can be configured to be disposed within a lumen of a microcatheter that is inserted within neurovasculature above a carotid siphon to a location of a clot. The devices can include an elongate pusher member and a self-expandable capturing member coupled to a distal end of the elongate pusher member. The capturing member can comprise a generally cylindrical body having an cell structure that is configured to compress the clot against an inner wall of the neurovasculature and capture the clot at least partially on a surface of the generally cylindrical body upon deployment of the capturing member from the microcatheter, thereby restoring blood flow to the neurovasculature downstream of the clot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: David Ferrera, Andrew Cragg, John Fulkerson
  • Patent number: 10413310
    Abstract: Devices for restoring blood flow to facilitate lysis of clots and/or enable capture of clots are disclosed. The devices can be configured to be disposed within a lumen of a microcatheter that is inserted within neurovasculature above a carotid siphon to a location of a clot. The devices can include an elongate pusher member and a self-expandable capturing member coupled to a distal end of the elongate pusher member. The capturing member can comprise a generally cylindrical body having an cell structure that is configured to compress the clot against an inner wall of the neurovasculature and capture the clot at least partially on a surface of the generally cylindrical body upon deployment of the capturing member from the microcatheter, thereby restoring blood flow to the neurovasculature downstream of the clot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David Ferrera, Andrew Cragg, John Fulkerson
  • Publication number: 20190201219
    Abstract: Expandable elements having drug-delivery features and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a drug-eluting stent includes a radially expandable cylindrical frame having a plurality of struts. The frame is transformable between a low-profile delivery state and an expanded deployed state. A plurality of drug-delivery features are carried by one of the struts and configured to deliver a drug to a treatment site within the patient or piercing through the tissue wall to break the constricting of the vessel wall inwardly. When the frame is in the expanded state within a body lumen of the patient, the drug-delivery features extend radially outwardly away from the strut and are configured to engage and, in some arrangements, pass through a wall of the body lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: John Fulkerson, Isa Rizk, Jihad Ali Mustapha, Teodoro S. Jimenez
  • Patent number: 10258487
    Abstract: Expandable elements having drug-delivery features and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a drug-eluting stent includes a radially expandable cylindrical frame having a plurality of struts. The frame is transformable between a low-profile delivery state and an expanded deployed state. A plurality of drug-delivery features are carried by one of the struts and configured to deliver a drug to a treatment site within the patient or piercing through the tissue wall to break the constricting of the vessel wall inwardly. When the frame is in the expanded state within a body lumen of the patient, the drug-delivery features extend radially outwardly away from the strut and are configured to engage and, in some arrangements, pass through a wall of the body lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: REFLOW MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: John Fulkerson, Isa Rizk, Jihad Ali Mustapha, Teodoro S. Jimenez, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190029692
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke that provide immediate blood flow restoration to a vessel occluded by a clot and, after reestablishing blood flow, address the clot itself Immediate blood flow restoration advantageously can facilitate natural lysis of the clot and also can reduce or obviate the concern for distal embolization due to fragmentation of the clot. Several embodiments of the invention provide for progressive, or modular, treatment based upon the nature of the clot. For example, the progressive treatment can include immediate restoration of blood flow, in-situ clot management, and/or clot removal depending on the particular circumstances of the treatment. The in-situ clot management can include, for example, lysis, maceration, and/or removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: David A. Ferrera, Andrew H. Cragg, John Fulkerson
  • Patent number: 10172729
    Abstract: Expandable elements having drug-delivery features and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a drug-eluting stent includes a radially expandable cylindrical frame having a plurality of struts. The frame is transformable between a low-profile delivery state and an expanded deployed state. A plurality of drug-delivery features are carried by one of the struts and configured to deliver a drug to a treatment site within the patient or piercing through the tissue wall to break the constricting of the vessel wall inwardly. When the frame is in the expanded state within a body lumen of the patient, the drug-delivery features extend radially outwardly away from the strut and are configured to engage and, in some arrangements, pass through a wall of the body lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: REFLOW MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: John Fulkerson, Isa Rizk, Jihad Ali Mustapha, Teodoro S. Jimenez, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10123803
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke that provide immediate blood flow restoration to a vessel occluded by a clot and, after reestablishing blood flow, address the clot itself. Immediate blood flow restoration advantageously can facilitate natural lysis of the clot and also can reduce or obviate the concern for distal embolization due to fragmentation of the clot. Several embodiments of the invention provide for progressive, or modular, treatment based upon the nature of the clot. For example, the progressive treatment can include immediate restoration of blood flow, in-situ clot management, and/or clot removal depending on the particular circumstances of the treatment. The in-situ clot management can include, for example, lysis, maceration, and/or removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: David A. Ferrera, Andrew H. Cragg, John Fulkerson
  • Publication number: 20180305416
    Abstract: Recombinant Mycobacteria (rMyc) which contain sequences encoding a heparin-binding hemagglutinin (HBHA) fission protein are provided, as are methods of making and using the rMyc and the fusion protein. The fusion protein includes an amino terminal mycobacterial antigen Ag85B leader peptide and transcription of the fusion protein is driven by an Ag85B promoter sequence. The recombinant fusion protein is produced in abundance by the rMyc, is post-translationally methylated, and is highly antigenic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: John Fulkerson, Michael Brennan, Kamalakannan Velmurugan, Camille Locht
  • Publication number: 20180289517
    Abstract: Delivery systems for expandable elements, such as stents or scaffolds having spikes, flails, or other protruding features for delivering drugs and/or penetrating target tissue within a human patient and associated methods for using such systems. The delivery systems can be configured to deliver and position expandable structures within a body lumen (e.g., vessel). In addition, these delivery systems can also be configured to deploy and expand the expandable structures in the body lumen. The delivery systems can further be configured to engage with the expanded structure and collapse the structure for removal from the body lumen. The delivery systems can be configured to deliver another expandable structure or the same expandable structure to another body lumen, or the same body lumen, in a single procedure or during a plurality of procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Teodoro S. Jimenez, John Fulkerson, Isa Rizk, Jihad Ali Mustapha
  • Publication number: 20180280173
    Abstract: One preferred embodiment includes a stent delivery system including a retractable sheath and an outer stability sheath. The stability sheath freely rotates relative to the retractable sheath, relieving compression forces caused by twisting of stability sheath in when in a tortuous conformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Teodoro S. Jimenez, JR., John Fulkerson, Raffaele Mazzei
  • Patent number: 10016211
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke that provide immediate blood flow restoration to a vessel occluded by a clot and, after reestablishing blood flow, address the clot itself. Immediate blood flow restoration advantageously can facilitate natural lysis of the clot and also can reduce or obviate the concern for distal embolization due to fragmentation of the clot. Several embodiments of the invention provide for progressive, or modular, treatment based upon the nature of the clot. For example, the progressive treatment can include immediate restoration of blood flow, in-situ clot management, and/or clot removal depending on the particular circumstances of the treatment. The in-situ clot management can include, for example, lysis, maceration, and/or removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: David A. Ferrera, Andrew H. Cragg, John Fulkerson
  • Patent number: 9926346
    Abstract: Recombinant Mycobacteria (rMyc) which contain sequences encoding a heparin-binding hemagglutinin (HBHA) fusion protein are provided, as are methods of making and using the rMyc and the fusion protein. The fusion protein includes an amino terminal mycobacterial antigen Ag85B leader peptide and transcription of the fusion protein is driven by an Ag85B promoter sequence. The recombinant fusion protein is produced in abundance by the rMyc, is post-translationally methylated, and is highly antigenic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignees: Aeras, Institut National De La Sante Et De La Recherche Medicale (Inserm)
    Inventors: John Fulkerson, Michael Brennan, Kamalakannan Velmurugan, Camille Locht
  • Publication number: 20170196717
    Abstract: Expandable elements having drug-delivery features and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a drug-eluting stent includes a radially expandable cylindrical frame having a plurality of struts. The frame is transformable between a low-profile delivery state and an expanded deployed state. A plurality of drug-delivery features are carried by one of the struts and configured to deliver a drug to a treatment site within the patient or piercing through the tissue wall to break the constricting of the vessel wall inwardly. When the frame is in the expanded state within a body lumen of the patient, the drug-delivery features extend radially outwardly away from the strut and are configured to engage and, in some arrangements, pass through a wall of the body lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: John Fulkerson, Isa Rizk, Jihad Ali Mustapha, Teodoro S. Jimenez, JR.
  • Patent number: 9675486
    Abstract: One preferred embodiment includes a stent delivery system including a retractable sheath and an outer stability sheath. The stability sheath freely rotates relative to the retractable sheath, relieving compression forces caused by twisting of stability sheath in when in a tortuous conformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Teodoro S. Jimenez, Jr., John Fulkerson, Raffaele Mazzei
  • Publication number: 20170100266
    Abstract: Expandable elements having drug-delivery features and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a drug-eluting stent includes a radially expandable cylindrical frame having a plurality of struts. The frame is transformable between a low-profile delivery state and an expanded deployed state. A plurality of drug-delivery features are carried by one of the struts and configured to deliver a drug to a treatment site within the patient or piercing through the tissue wall to break the constricting of the vessel wall inwardly. When the frame is in the expanded state within a body lumen of the patient, the drug-delivery features extend radially outwardly away from the strut and are configured to engage and, in some arrangements, pass through a wall of the body lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: John Fulkerson, Isa Rizk, Jihad Ali Mustapha, Teodoro S. Jimenez, JR.
  • Patent number: 9572652
    Abstract: Modular endograft devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In several embodiments, an endograft system can include a first endograft device and a second endograft device that each include an integrated frame, a cover and a lumen within the cover. Each endograft device further includes a superior portion and an inferior portion. The superior portion can have a convexly curved outer wall and a septal wall. The first and second endograft devices can be configured to extend into a low-profile configuration with a first cross-sectional dimension and a first length and self-expand into an expanded configuration with a second cross-sectional dimension greater than the first cross-sectional dimension and a second length less than the first length. In the expanded configuration, the septal walls can press against each other and form a septum between the lumens of the first and second endograft devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Altura Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew H. Cragg, Stephen Sosnowski, Isa Rizk, John Fulkerson, John Logan
  • Publication number: 20170020555
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke that provide immediate blood flow restoration to a vessel occluded by a clot and, after reestablishing blood flow, address the clot itself. Immediate blood flow restoration advantageously can facilitate natural lysis of the clot and also can reduce or obviate the concern for distal embolization due to fragmentation of the clot. Several embodiments of the invention provide for progressive, or modular, treatment based upon the nature of the clot. For example, the progressive treatment can include immediate restoration of blood flow, in-situ clot management, and/or clot removal depending on the particular circumstances of the treatment. The in-situ clot management can include, for example, lysis, maceration, and/or removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: David A. Ferrera, Andrew H. Cragg, John Fulkerson
  • Publication number: 20160206334
    Abstract: Methods for treating a patient using intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology is directed to an intravascular device having an elongated member coupled to and extending between a handle and an angled distal portion. The distal portion is moveable between a first configuration having a first shape configured for intravascular delivery and a second configuration having a second shape, different than the first shape, that is configured for intravascular delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Isa RIZK, John FULKERSON, Mahmood RAZAVI
  • Patent number: 9387098
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke that provide immediate blood flow restoration to a vessel occluded by a clot and, after reestablishing blood flow, address the clot itself. Immediate blood flow restoration advantageously can facilitate natural lysis of the clot and also can reduce or obviate the concern for distal embolization due to fragmentation of the clot. Several embodiments of the invention provide for progressive, or modular, treatment based upon the nature of the clot. For example, the progressive treatment can comprise a three-step progressive treatment process that includes immediate restoration of blood flow, in-situ clot management, and/or clot removal depending on the particular circumstances of the treatment. The in-situ clot management can include, for example, lysis and maceration. The progressive, or modular, treatment can be provided by a system or kit of one or more treatment devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: David A. Ferrera, Andrew H. Cragg, John Fulkerson