Patents by Inventor Keke Lepulu

Keke Lepulu 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).

  • Patent number: 7025773
    Abstract: Methods and devices for placing a conduit in fluid communication with a target vessel and a source of blood, such as the aorta or a heart chamber. The device may be actuated using one hand to place the conduit. The invention allows air in the conduit to be removed prior to placement of the conduit. The invention deploys the conduit in the target vessel by moving a sheath in a distal direction and then in a proximal direction. A conduit is provided with a reinforcing member to prevent kinking of the conduit, and a structure for preventing blockage of the conduit by tissue. A vessel coupling may be used to secure a conduit to a target vessel so as to preserve native blood flow through the vessel, and the conduit may be placed in fluid communication with a target vessel via a laparoscopic or endoscopic procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Darin C. Gittings, Alan R. Rapacki, Dean F. Carson, David H. Cole, Keke Lepulu, Adam Sharkawy, Gilbert S. Laroya, Wally S. Buch
  • Publication number: 20050192604
    Abstract: Devices and methods for placing a conduit in fluid communication with a target vessel to communicate the target vessel with a source of blood. A conduit is coupled to the target vessel by first and second securing components that compress or sandwich the vessel wall. The conduit may be preshaped to assume a desired orientation when in an unbiased state, for example, to allow the conduit to be deformed during delivery and then regain its desired orientation once which is regained when deployed. The first and second securing components may be any shape but are preferably elongated in the direction of the vessel axis, e.g., elliptical or rectangular, such that a minimum amount of material is present at the outlet to closely approximate the cross-sectional area of the native target vessel. The securing components do not significantly occlude the target vessel lumen, may be secured to the vessel wall in non-penetrating fashion, and provides a fluid-tight seal around the attachment site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Dean Carson, Michael Reo, Stephen Olson, Keke Lepulu, Sam Crews, David Cole, Adam Sharkawy, Darin Gittings, Mark Foley
  • Publication number: 20050080439
    Abstract: Methods and devices for forming magnetic anastomoses between hollow bodies. End-to-side, side-to-side and end-to-end anastomoses can be created with or without a mechanical connection between the components. The anastomotic components may have various constructions and may be secured to a vessel in various manners, for example, magnetically, mechanically or adhesively. Also provided are alternative delivery devices, as well as devices for checking the position of a component on a loaded delivery device, and for checking the seal between a vessel and an anastomotic component secured thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Dean Carson, Michael Reo, David Cole, Darin Gittings, Keke Lepulu, A. Sharkawy, Adam Kessler
  • Publication number: 20050021059
    Abstract: Methods and devices for forming an anastomosis between hollow bodies utilize magnetic force to couple anastomotic securing components and connect the lumens of the hollow bodies. End-to-side, side-to-side and end-to-end anastomoses can be created without using suture or any other type of mechanical fasteners, although such attachment means may be used in practicing some aspects of the invention. The securing components have the ability to produce a magnetic field and may include materials or assemblies. A component may also be used to form a port into the lumen of a vessel, the component being attached to the vessel by mechanical and/or magnetic means. Magnetic components may include means for concentrating the magnetic flux between respective components to increase the attraction force, thereby enhancing the security of the anastomosis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: David Cole, Samuel Crews, Michael Reo, Dean Carson, Keke Lepulu, Darin Gittings
  • Patent number: 6802847
    Abstract: Methods and devices for forming magnetic anastomoses between hollow bodies. End-to-side, side-to-side and end-to-end anastomoses can be created with or without a mechanical connection between the components. The anastomotic components may have various constructions and may be secured to a vessel in various manners, for example, magnetically, mechanically or adhesively. Also provided are alternative delivery devices, as well as devices for checking the position of a component on a loaded delivery device, and for checking the seal between a vessel and an anastomotic component secured thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Ventrica, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean F. Carson, Michael L. Reo, David H. Cole, Darin C. Gittings, Keke Lepulu, A. Adam Sharkawy, Adam Kessler
  • Publication number: 20040097988
    Abstract: Methods and devices for placing a conduit in fluid communication with a target vessel and a source of blood, such as the aorta or a heart chamber. The device may be actuated using one hand to place the conduit. The invention allows air in the conduit to be removed prior to placement of the conduit. The invention deploys the conduit in the target vessel by moving a sheath in a distal direction and then in a proximal direction. A conduit is provided with a reinforcing member to prevent kinking of the conduit, and a structure for preventing blockage of the conduit by tissue. A vessel coupling may be used to secure a conduit to a target vessel so as to preserve native blood flow through the vessel, and the conduit may be placed in fluid communication with a target vessel via a laparoscopic or endoscopic procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: VENTRICA, INC.
    Inventors: Darin C. Gittings, Alan R. Rapacki, Dean F. Carson, David H. Cole, Keke Lepulu, Adam Sharkawy, Gilbert S. Laroya, Wally S. Buch
  • Publication number: 20020144696
    Abstract: Methods and devices for placing a target vessel in fluid communication with a source of blood and a target vessel. A conduit includes first portion adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a source of blood, such as a heart chamber, and a second portion adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a target vessel having a lumen, such as coronary artery. The first and second conduit portions are transverse to each other such that the conduit is generally T-shaped. The conduit lies on an exterior of the heart between the blood source and the target vessel and is configured to deliver blood in multiple directions into the lumen of the target vessel. For example, in an occluded coronary artery, blood flows both toward and away from the occlusion. The conduit may be flexible, rigid, collapsible or non-collapsible, and may be formed of synthetic vascular graft material, tissue, or a combination of the two.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: A. ADAM SHARKAWY, DEAN CARSON, DARIN GITTINGS, KEKE LEPULU, MARK FOLEY, WALLY BUCH, ALAN RAPACKI
  • Publication number: 20020004663
    Abstract: Methods and devices for placing a conduit in fluid communication with a target vessel and a source of blood, such as the aorta or a heart chamber. The device may be actuated using one hand to place the conduit. The invention allows air in the conduit to be removed prior to placement of the conduit. The invention deploys the conduit in the target vessel by moving a sheath in a distal direction and then in a proximal direction. A conduit is provided with a reinforcing member to prevent kinking of the conduit, and a structure for preventing blockage of the conduit by tissue. A vessel coupling may be used to secure a conduit to a target vessel so as to preserve native blood flow through the vessel, and the conduit may be placed in fluid communication with a target vessel via a laparoscopic or endoscopic procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Applicant: VENTRICA, INC.
    Inventors: Darin C. Gittings, Alan R. Rapacki, Dean F. Carson, David H. Cole, Keke Lepulu, Adam Sharkawy, Gilbert S. Laroya, Wally S. Buch