Briefly summarized, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a catheter assembly for use in accessing a vasculature or other vessel of a patient during renal replacement or other suitable therapies. In one embodiment, the catheter assembly includes a catheter body that defines at least first and second lumens. The catheter body defines a distal tip region that includes at least one venous lateral opening that is in fluid communication with the first lumen and includes a distal-facing portion, and at least one arterial lateral opening that is in fluid communication with the second lumen and includes a distal-facing portion. The at least one arterial lateral opening is opposingly positioned in a substantially un-staggered configuration with respect to the at least one venous lateral opening. A distal end opening is defined on the distal tip region and is sized to pass a fluid therethrough. In one embodiment, the distal end opening is in fluid communication with a third lumen of the catheter body that can withstand high fluid flow rates associated with power injection of contrast media, for instance.
In another embodiment, a catheter assembly including a catheter body defining a first lumen and a second lumen is disclosed. The catheter body includes a distal tip region, which in turn includes a nose portion that defines a distally converging outer surface. A venous lateral opening, in fluid communication with the first lumen, is partially defined on the distally converging outer diameter. An arterial lateral opening, in fluid communication with the second lumen, is also partially defined on the distally converging outer diameter. The venous and arterial lateral openings are symmetrically disposed in a substantially un-staggered position with respect to one another. The distal tip portion further includes a distal end opening in fluid communication with one of the venous and arterial lumens and is sized to pass a guidewire therethrough.
These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Reference will now be made to figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of example embodiments, and are not limiting of the embodiments nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.
In accordance with one example embodiment, the catheter assembly includes a distal tip region defining separate venous and arterial lateral openings, in fluid communication with corresponding venous and arterial lumens that are employed for simultaneously infusing and aspirating blood from a vein or other vessel of a patient's vasculature during hemodialysis treatments. The venous and arterial lateral openings are disposed in a substantially equivalent, non-staggered position with respect to one another so as to enable positioning thereof in a predetermined region of the vasculature. This notwithstanding, the lateral openings are configured to reduce the likelihood of recirculation by the arterial segment of treated blood just returned to the vessel by the venous segment, thus increasing catheter efficiency. Moreover, the lateral openings can be operated in a reverse flow configuration without significantly impacting catheter efficiency during hemodialysis.
Embodiments of the catheter assembly to be described herein further include a distal end opening in fluid communication with a lumen of the catheter configured to withstand relatively high pressure and flow rates typically associated with power injection. This enables aspiration or infusion of fluids to occur via this lumen independently of the venous and arterial lumens. “Power injection” is defined herein to include fluid infusion under relatively high flow rates and/or relatively high pressures. For instance, in one embodiment power injection includes fluid infusion through a catheter lumen at a flow rate of between about three and about eight milliliters per second, and/or at a pressure of between about 50 and about 250 psi.
For clarity it is to be understood that the word “proximal” refers to a direction relatively closer to a clinician using the device to be described herein, while the word “distal” refers to a direction relatively further from the clinician. For example, the end of a catheter placed within the body of a patient is considered a distal end of the catheter, while the catheter end remaining outside the body is a proximal end of the catheter. Further, the words “including,” “has,” and “having,” as used herein, including the claims, shall have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”
Reference is first made to
A trifurcating hub 20 is included at the catheter body proximal end 11A, providing fluid communication between the first, second, and third lumens 12, 14, 15 and arterial extension leg 16, venous extension leg 18, and power extension leg 19, respectively. The extension legs 16, 18, 19 each include a luer connector 16A, 18A, 19A, and a clamp 16B, 18B, 19B. So configured, the extension legs 16, 18 provide fluid communication with the first and second lumens 12 and 14 so as to enable the infusion or aspiration of fluids from the central venous system of a patient. As such, fluid infusion or aspiration devices, such as a hemodialysis apparatus for example, may be connected to the catheter assembly 10 via the luer connectors 16A, 18A, thus providing intravascular access to the patient. Similarly, the extension leg 19 provides fluid communication with the third lumen 15 to enable fluid infusion/aspiration from the vein when a corresponding device is connected thereto via the connector 19A. Note that the respective positions and configurations of the extension legs detailed here can change according to a particular catheter assembly design and therefore not be viewed as limiting. The catheter body 11 further includes a suture wing 21 for providing securement of the catheter body to the patient.
In greater detail, the power extension leg 19 of
Both
Reference is now made to
In contrast, the nose portion 50B includes a material relatively softer than that of the terminal catheter portion 50A so as to prevent the tip portion from damaging the vessel or other vasculature during vessel entry or transit. In one embodiment, the nose portion 50B is composed of material(s) including TECOFLEX EG-85A-B20 having a Shore A hardness of approximately 85. Notwithstanding the above description, it should be appreciated that the terminal catheter portion and the nose portion can include other materials having the desired properties as described herein and as appreciated by one skilled in the art. One non-limiting example of material that can be used for the terminal catheter portion and nose portion is silicone.
Note that in the illustrated embodiment, the nose portion 50B is joined to the terminal catheter portion 50A via a molding process during manufacture of the catheter assembly 10. In other embodiments, however, other processes for joining the nose portion to the catheter body can be employed, including for instance RF fusion (RF tipping), bonding via adhesive, integrally forming the nose portion with the catheter body, etc.
As best seen in
The distal tip region 50 includes various openings for enabling the infusion and aspiration of fluids while the catheter assembly 10 is placed for use within the patient vasculature. Specifically, and in accordance with one embodiment, the distal tip region includes a venous lateral opening 60, an arterial lateral opening 62, and a distal end opening 64.
In greater detail, the venous and arterial lateral openings 60 and 62 are positioned opposite one another proximate the catheter body distal end 11B and are defined in a lateral portion of an outer wall of the catheter body 11 so as to be in fluid communication with first lumen 12 and the second lumen 14, respectively, thus enabling blood or other fluids to flow via the openings to/from the lumens when the catheter assembly 10 is positioned within the patient's vasculature. The venous and arterial lateral openings 60 and 62 are defined by perimeters 60A and 62A, respectively, as best seen in
Note that each of the lateral openings 60 and 62 distally extends from the terminal catheter portion 50A into the nose portion 50B. Of course, the exact placement of the lateral openings 60 and 62 along the longitudinal length of the catheter body 11 can vary according the needs of a particular application.
In one embodiment, a long axis of each cross-drilled cut of the lateral openings 60, 62 defines in one embodiment an angle θ1 of about 35 degrees with a longitudinal axis of the catheter body 11, though this angle can vary in one embodiment from about greater than zero to about 90 degrees. This angular character imparts both a lateral and distal directional component to fluid flow out of either lateral opening 60, 62, as represented by the flow arrows in
In one embodiment, the lateral openings can be defined by a compound-angle cross cut, wherein the long axis of each lateral opening defines an angle with the catheter body longitudinal axis and with a plane dividing the first lumen and the second lumen, i.e., coplanar with the septum separating the first and second lumens proximal of the distal tip region.
An end view of the cross cut, depicted in
As a result of defining the cross cuts as just described, the venous and arterial openings 60 and 62 are defined by their respective perimeters 60A and 62A discussed above. The angle at which the cross cuts are made, together with the shape of the catheter body 11 at the point of the cuts, results in the perimeters 60A and 62A shaped as seen in the accompanying figures. As best seen in
The configuration of the venous and arterial lateral openings 60 and 62 described above provides various aspects for the catheter assembly 10. First, because of their saddle shapes, the lateral openings 60 and 62 partially extend circumferentially about the outer perimeter of the catheter body 11. This helps to prevent undesired suctioning of the distal tip region 50 to the vessel wall when one of the openings is removing blood from the vessel as the negative flow pressure of the opening is distributed about a portion of the catheter body circumference. If vessel suck-up does occur, the lateral openings 60, 62 are shaped so as to nonetheless provide acceptable fluid flow in and out of the catheter assembly 10. The relatively large size of the lateral openings 60 and 62 also assists in the prevention of occlusion or sheath formation and provides a fanned-out or wide distribution of fluid flowing out therefrom. Recirculation efficiency rates are improved as a result.
Second, the distal-facing aspect of each lateral opening 60 and 62 assists in imparting a distal direction to fluids being ejected therefrom. This enables the ejected fluid to distally flow away from one respective lateral opening and distal- to proximal flow into the other lateral opening even when the catheter body 11 is positioned against a vessel wall. In addition, the lateral openings 60, 62 are symmetrically opposed, in direction from one another, i.e., a 180-degree separation as best shown in
As shown in
Note that, in one embodiment a guidewire can be inserted through the distal end opening 64, the third lumen 15, and the power extension leg 19 during initial or exchange catheter placement in the patient vasculature. Also note that the relatively proximate placement of the three openings 60, 62, and 64 in the distal portion of the catheter body 11 enables each opening to be placed near desired location within the vasculature, such as the superior vena cava (“SVC”).
Reference is now made to
In greater detail,
During hemodialysis procedures, it is sometimes necessary to reverse the blood flow through the catheter assembly 10.
It should be appreciated that the labels “venous” and “arterial” as used above in describing the various components of the present catheter assembly are employed for sake of convenience in describing aspects of present embodiments. Indeed and as just described, though the arterial lateral opening is normally employed in hemodialysis procedures for aspirating blood from the blood vessel in which the catheter is disposed and the venous lateral opening for returning already treated blood to the vessel, this can be reversed such that blood is returned via the arterial lateral opening and aspirated by the venous lateral opening. As such, embodiments of the present invention should not be considered limited by the use of this and other descriptive terminology herein.
Reference is now made to
As seen in
It is appreciated that various modifications may be made to the catheter assembly configurations described above. It is noted that for purposes of clarity, only selected differences between the foregoing and following embodiments are described. For instance,
The distal tip region 150 defines a venous lateral opening 160 in fluid communication with the first lumen 12 and an arterial lateral opening 162 in fluid communication with the second lumen 14. A distal end opening 164 is also defined at a distal end of the nose portion 150B. The catheter assembly as configured in
By virtue of its communication with the first lumen 12, the guidewire channel 164A provides an added fluid outlet/inlet for the first lumen via the distal end opening 164, thus providing an additional fluid pathway that further reduces recirculation during operation of the catheter. This fluid communication also maintains the guidewire channel 164A patent via the flow of blood therethrough so as to prevent occlusion thereof. Further note that, though it is centrally located at the distal end of the nose portion 150B, the venous lateral opening 164 can be positioned such that it and the corresponding guidewire channel 164A are in longitudinal linear alignment with the first lumen 12. Further, the venous lateral opening and the corresponding guidewire channel can be configured as to be in communication with the second lumen or both the first and second lumens, if desired.
Embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, not restrictive. The scope of the embodiments of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/984,661, filed Nov. 1, 2007, and entitled “Catheter Assembly Including Triple Lumen Tip,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
701075 | McCully | May 1902 | A |
1696018 | Scheliberg | Dec 1928 | A |
1856811 | Inaki | Jul 1931 | A |
2024982 | Scott | Dec 1935 | A |
2173527 | Agayoff | Sep 1939 | A |
2286462 | Chaffin | Jun 1942 | A |
2393002 | Smith | Jan 1946 | A |
2910981 | Wilson et al. | Nov 1959 | A |
3144868 | Jascalevich | Aug 1964 | A |
3176690 | H'Doubler | Apr 1965 | A |
3256885 | Higgins et al. | Jun 1966 | A |
3416532 | Grossman | Dec 1968 | A |
3426759 | Smith | Feb 1969 | A |
3460255 | Hutson | Aug 1969 | A |
D217795 | Spaven | Jun 1970 | S |
3612038 | Halligan | Oct 1971 | A |
3736939 | Taylor | Jun 1973 | A |
3805794 | Schlesinger | Apr 1974 | A |
3812851 | Rodriguez | May 1974 | A |
3848604 | Sackner | Nov 1974 | A |
3890977 | Wilson | Jun 1975 | A |
3929126 | Corsaut | Dec 1975 | A |
3935857 | Co | Feb 1976 | A |
3995623 | Blake et al. | Dec 1976 | A |
4068659 | Moorehead | Jan 1978 | A |
4072146 | Howes | Feb 1978 | A |
4072153 | Swartz | Feb 1978 | A |
4098275 | Consalvo | Jul 1978 | A |
4114625 | Onat | Sep 1978 | A |
4117836 | Erikson et al. | Oct 1978 | A |
4129129 | Amrine | Dec 1978 | A |
4134402 | Mahurkar | Jan 1979 | A |
4149535 | Volder et al. | Apr 1979 | A |
4180068 | Jacobsen et al. | Dec 1979 | A |
4248224 | Jones | Feb 1981 | A |
4276880 | Malmin | Jul 1981 | A |
4292976 | Banka | Oct 1981 | A |
4299228 | Peters | Nov 1981 | A |
4300550 | Gandi et al. | Nov 1981 | A |
4309994 | Grunwald | Jan 1982 | A |
4327722 | Groshong et al. | May 1982 | A |
4385631 | Uthmann et al. | May 1983 | A |
4392855 | Oreopoulos et al. | Jul 1983 | A |
4403983 | Edelman et al. | Sep 1983 | A |
4405313 | Sisley et al. | Sep 1983 | A |
4406656 | Hattler et al. | Sep 1983 | A |
D272651 | Mahurkar | Feb 1984 | S |
4431426 | Groshong et al. | Feb 1984 | A |
4432722 | Bohan, Jr. et al. | Feb 1984 | A |
4432752 | Marlon | Feb 1984 | A |
4445893 | Bodicky | May 1984 | A |
4451252 | Martin et al. | May 1984 | A |
4453928 | Steiger | Jun 1984 | A |
4465482 | Tittel et al. | Aug 1984 | A |
4490138 | Lipsky et al. | Dec 1984 | A |
4493696 | Uldall et al. | Jan 1985 | A |
RE31873 | Howes | Apr 1985 | E |
4531933 | Norton et al. | Jul 1985 | A |
4543087 | Sommercorn et al. | Sep 1985 | A |
4545373 | Christoudias | Oct 1985 | A |
4557261 | Rugheimer et al. | Dec 1985 | A |
4568329 | Mahurkar | Feb 1986 | A |
4568338 | Todd | Feb 1986 | A |
4573476 | Ruiz | Mar 1986 | A |
4581012 | Brown et al. | Apr 1986 | A |
4583968 | Mahurkar | Apr 1986 | A |
4583986 | Lapidus | Apr 1986 | A |
4601697 | Mammolenti et al. | Jul 1986 | A |
4619643 | Bai | Oct 1986 | A |
4623327 | Mahurkar | Nov 1986 | A |
4626240 | Edelman et al. | Dec 1986 | A |
4642101 | Krolikowski et al. | Feb 1987 | A |
4643711 | Bates | Feb 1987 | A |
4666426 | Aigner et al. | May 1987 | A |
4668221 | Luther | May 1987 | A |
4670009 | Bullock | Jun 1987 | A |
4675004 | Hadford et al. | Jun 1987 | A |
4681122 | Winters et al. | Jul 1987 | A |
4681564 | Landreneau | Jul 1987 | A |
4681570 | Dalton | Jul 1987 | A |
4682978 | Martin | Jul 1987 | A |
4687471 | Twardowski et al. | Aug 1987 | A |
4692141 | Mahurkar | Sep 1987 | A |
4694838 | Wijayarthna et al. | Sep 1987 | A |
4701159 | Brown et al. | Oct 1987 | A |
4702917 | Schindler | Oct 1987 | A |
4713171 | Polaschegg | Dec 1987 | A |
4717379 | Ekholmer et al. | Jan 1988 | A |
4735620 | Ruiz | Apr 1988 | A |
4737141 | Spits et al. | Apr 1988 | A |
4737152 | Alchas | Apr 1988 | A |
4738667 | Galloway | Apr 1988 | A |
4748808 | Hill | Jun 1988 | A |
4755176 | Patel | Jul 1988 | A |
4769016 | Labianca et al. | Sep 1988 | A |
4770652 | Mahurkar | Sep 1988 | A |
4772268 | Bates | Sep 1988 | A |
4772269 | Twardowski et al. | Sep 1988 | A |
4776841 | Catalano | Oct 1988 | A |
4777951 | Cribier et al. | Oct 1988 | A |
4784638 | Ghajar et al. | Nov 1988 | A |
4790809 | Kuntz | Dec 1988 | A |
4795439 | Guest | Jan 1989 | A |
4801297 | Mueller | Jan 1989 | A |
4804359 | Grunwald et al. | Feb 1989 | A |
4808155 | Mahurkar | Feb 1989 | A |
4808163 | Laub | Feb 1989 | A |
4809710 | Williamson | Mar 1989 | A |
4820265 | DeSatnick et al. | Apr 1989 | A |
4832687 | Smith, III | May 1989 | A |
4834709 | Banning et al. | May 1989 | A |
4842582 | Mahurkar | Jun 1989 | A |
4842592 | Caggiani et al. | Jun 1989 | A |
4846814 | Ruiz | Jul 1989 | A |
4863441 | Lindsay et al. | Sep 1989 | A |
4867742 | Calderon | Sep 1989 | A |
4892518 | Cupp et al. | Jan 1990 | A |
4894057 | Howes | Jan 1990 | A |
4895561 | Mahurkar | Jan 1990 | A |
4898591 | Jang et al. | Feb 1990 | A |
4906238 | Greenfeld et al. | Mar 1990 | A |
4925452 | Melinyshyn et al. | May 1990 | A |
4927418 | Dake et al. | May 1990 | A |
4935004 | Cruz | Jun 1990 | A |
4935010 | Cox et al. | Jun 1990 | A |
4935044 | Schoenpflug et al. | Jun 1990 | A |
4936826 | Amarasinghe | Jun 1990 | A |
4950232 | Ruzicka et al. | Aug 1990 | A |
4950259 | Geary et al. | Aug 1990 | A |
4951665 | Schneider | Aug 1990 | A |
4961729 | Vaillancourt | Oct 1990 | A |
4961731 | Bodicky et al. | Oct 1990 | A |
4961809 | Martin | Oct 1990 | A |
4968307 | Dake et al. | Nov 1990 | A |
4969890 | Sugita et al. | Nov 1990 | A |
4981477 | Schon et al. | Jan 1991 | A |
4985014 | Orejola | Jan 1991 | A |
4990138 | Bacich et al. | Feb 1991 | A |
4994027 | Farrell | Feb 1991 | A |
4995865 | Gahara et al. | Feb 1991 | A |
5009636 | Wortley et al. | Apr 1991 | A |
5015230 | Martin et al. | May 1991 | A |
5016640 | Ruiz | May 1991 | A |
5021044 | Sharkawy | Jun 1991 | A |
5041101 | Seder et al. | Aug 1991 | A |
5041107 | Heil, Jr. | Aug 1991 | A |
5049138 | Chevalier et al. | Sep 1991 | A |
5053003 | Dadson et al. | Oct 1991 | A |
5053004 | Markel et al. | Oct 1991 | A |
5053023 | Martin | Oct 1991 | A |
5057073 | Martin | Oct 1991 | A |
5059170 | Cameron | Oct 1991 | A |
5069673 | Shwab | Dec 1991 | A |
5074841 | Ademovic et al. | Dec 1991 | A |
5084013 | Takase et al. | Jan 1992 | A |
5098412 | Shiu et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
5100395 | Rosenberg et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
5106368 | Uldall et al. | Apr 1992 | A |
5106376 | Mononen et al. | Apr 1992 | A |
5111829 | Alvarez de Toledo | May 1992 | A |
5112301 | Fenton, Jr. et al. | May 1992 | A |
5117836 | Millar | Jun 1992 | A |
5120299 | Lombardi | Jun 1992 | A |
5120304 | Sasaki | Jun 1992 | A |
5122125 | Deuss et al. | Jun 1992 | A |
5125904 | Lee | Jun 1992 | A |
5129891 | Young | Jul 1992 | A |
5135599 | Martin et al. | Aug 1992 | A |
5139486 | Moss | Aug 1992 | A |
5156592 | Martin et al. | Oct 1992 | A |
5163928 | Hobbs et al. | Nov 1992 | A |
5167623 | Cianci et al. | Dec 1992 | A |
5171216 | Dasse et al. | Dec 1992 | A |
5171227 | Twardowski et al. | Dec 1992 | A |
5188592 | Hakki | Feb 1993 | A |
5188593 | Martin | Feb 1993 | A |
5190520 | Fenton, Jr. et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
5190529 | McCrory et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
5191898 | Millar | Mar 1993 | A |
5195962 | Martin et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
5197951 | Mahurkar | Mar 1993 | A |
5197973 | Pang et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
5197976 | Herweck et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
5201723 | Quinn | Apr 1993 | A |
5207648 | Gross | May 1993 | A |
5207650 | Martin | May 1993 | A |
5209723 | Twardowski et al. | May 1993 | A |
5209725 | Roth | May 1993 | A |
5209742 | Venema et al. | May 1993 | A |
5215527 | Beck et al. | Jun 1993 | A |
5221255 | Mahurkar et al. | Jun 1993 | A |
5221256 | Mahurkar | Jun 1993 | A |
5222949 | Kaldany | Jun 1993 | A |
5226880 | Martin et al. | Jul 1993 | A |
5234438 | Semrad | Aug 1993 | A |
5236016 | Vogelsang et al. | Aug 1993 | A |
5242398 | Knoll et al. | Sep 1993 | A |
5246430 | MacFarlane | Sep 1993 | A |
5250034 | Appling et al. | Oct 1993 | A |
5254084 | Geary | Oct 1993 | A |
5273527 | Schatz et al. | Dec 1993 | A |
5273534 | Knoepfler | Dec 1993 | A |
5279596 | Castaneda et al. | Jan 1994 | A |
5279599 | Wilk | Jan 1994 | A |
5306240 | Berry | Apr 1994 | A |
5312337 | Flaherty et al. | May 1994 | A |
5312357 | Buijs et al. | May 1994 | A |
5318517 | Reiman | Jun 1994 | A |
5322519 | Ash | Jun 1994 | A |
5324274 | Martin | Jun 1994 | A |
5338308 | Wilk | Aug 1994 | A |
5342295 | Imran | Aug 1994 | A |
5342386 | Trotta | Aug 1994 | A |
5346471 | Raulerson | Sep 1994 | A |
5348536 | Young et al. | Sep 1994 | A |
5350358 | Martin | Sep 1994 | A |
5360397 | Pinchuk | Nov 1994 | A |
5360407 | Leonard et al. | Nov 1994 | A |
5364344 | Beattie et al. | Nov 1994 | A |
5374245 | Mahurkar | Dec 1994 | A |
5378230 | Mahurkar | Jan 1995 | A |
5380276 | Miller et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
5380290 | Makower et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
5382238 | Abrahamson et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
5389090 | Fischell et al. | Feb 1995 | A |
5395316 | Martin | Mar 1995 | A |
5399168 | Wadsworth, Jr. et al. | Mar 1995 | A |
5403291 | Abrahamson | Apr 1995 | A |
5405320 | Twardowski et al. | Apr 1995 | A |
5405341 | Martin | Apr 1995 | A |
5409463 | Thomas et al. | Apr 1995 | A |
5417668 | Setzer et al. | May 1995 | A |
5423768 | Folden et al. | Jun 1995 | A |
5431661 | Koch | Jul 1995 | A |
5451206 | Young | Sep 1995 | A |
5451233 | Yock | Sep 1995 | A |
5458570 | May, Jr. | Oct 1995 | A |
5458582 | Nakao | Oct 1995 | A |
5472417 | Martin et al. | Dec 1995 | A |
5472432 | Martin | Dec 1995 | A |
5476453 | Mehta | Dec 1995 | A |
5480380 | Martin | Jan 1996 | A |
5486159 | Mahurkar | Jan 1996 | A |
5489278 | Abrahamson | Feb 1996 | A |
5496292 | Burnham | Mar 1996 | A |
5505710 | Dorsey, III | Apr 1996 | A |
5507723 | Keshaviah | Apr 1996 | A |
5509897 | Twardowski et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
5509900 | Kirkman | Apr 1996 | A |
5509902 | Raulerson | Apr 1996 | A |
5542925 | Orth | Aug 1996 | A |
5545373 | Maziasz et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5556390 | Hicks | Sep 1996 | A |
5558635 | Cannon | Sep 1996 | A |
5562609 | Brumbach | Oct 1996 | A |
5569182 | Twardowski et al. | Oct 1996 | A |
5569195 | Saab | Oct 1996 | A |
5571093 | Cruz et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
5584803 | Stevens et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
5599304 | Shaari | Feb 1997 | A |
5599328 | Stevens | Feb 1997 | A |
5607462 | Imran | Mar 1997 | A |
5624392 | Saab | Apr 1997 | A |
5624413 | Markel et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
5632729 | Cai et al. | May 1997 | A |
5637102 | Tolkoff et al. | Jun 1997 | A |
5655867 | Gysi et al. | Aug 1997 | A |
5662606 | Cimino et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
5665067 | Linder et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
5685867 | Twardowski et al. | Nov 1997 | A |
5686867 | Sutardja et al. | Nov 1997 | A |
5693030 | Lee et al. | Dec 1997 | A |
5695457 | St. Goar et al. | Dec 1997 | A |
5704915 | Melsky et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
5713849 | Bosma et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
5713853 | Clark et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
5718678 | Fleming, III | Feb 1998 | A |
5718692 | Schon et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
5720735 | Dorros | Feb 1998 | A |
5738649 | Macoviak | Apr 1998 | A |
5741329 | Agrawal et al. | Apr 1998 | A |
5743873 | Cai et al. | Apr 1998 | A |
5752939 | Makoto et al. | May 1998 | A |
5769796 | Palermo et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5772643 | Howell et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5776096 | Fields | Jul 1998 | A |
5776111 | Tesio | Jul 1998 | A |
5785686 | Runge | Jul 1998 | A |
5792094 | Stevens et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5792123 | Ensminger | Aug 1998 | A |
5797869 | Martin et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5800384 | Russell et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5800414 | Cazal et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5800516 | Fine et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5807311 | Palestrant | Sep 1998 | A |
5807318 | St. Goar et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5807329 | Gelman | Sep 1998 | A |
5809897 | Powell et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5810789 | Powers et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5814016 | Valley et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5830184 | Basta | Nov 1998 | A |
5830196 | Hicks | Nov 1998 | A |
5833671 | Macoviak et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5858009 | Jonkman | Jan 1999 | A |
5861010 | Boussignac et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
5868717 | Prosl | Feb 1999 | A |
5873865 | Horzewski et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
5876366 | Dykstra et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5876426 | Kume et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5882347 | Mouris-Laan et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5891111 | Ismael et al. | Apr 1999 | A |
5904670 | Schreiner | May 1999 | A |
5911715 | Berg et al. | Jun 1999 | A |
5913848 | Luther et al. | Jun 1999 | A |
5916208 | Luther et al. | Jun 1999 | A |
5919160 | Sanfilippo, II | Jul 1999 | A |
5944732 | Raulerson et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5947937 | Urrutia et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5947953 | Ash et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5957879 | Roberts et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5957893 | Luther et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5957912 | Heitzmann | Sep 1999 | A |
5961486 | Twardowski et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5964796 | Imran | Oct 1999 | A |
5976103 | Martin | Nov 1999 | A |
5976120 | Chow et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
5980551 | Summers et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
5984908 | Davis et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
5989206 | Prosl et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
5989213 | Maginot | Nov 1999 | A |
6001079 | Pourchez | Dec 1999 | A |
6033382 | Basta | Mar 2000 | A |
6036654 | Quinn et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6059771 | Balbierz et al. | May 2000 | A |
6074374 | Fulton | Jun 2000 | A |
6086555 | Eliasen et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
6090096 | St. Goar et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
6099513 | Spehalski | Aug 2000 | A |
6103778 | Hyon et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6106540 | White et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6113572 | Gailey et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
6117117 | Mauch | Sep 2000 | A |
6120494 | Jonkman | Sep 2000 | A |
6126631 | Loggie | Oct 2000 | A |
6146354 | Beil | Nov 2000 | A |
6146373 | Cragg et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6152909 | Bagaoisan et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6156016 | Maginot | Dec 2000 | A |
6161547 | Barbut | Dec 2000 | A |
6178356 | Chastain et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6180059 | Divino, Jr. et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6190349 | Ash et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6190371 | Maginot et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6193685 | Goodin | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6196996 | Teirstein | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6206849 | Martin et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6210365 | Afzal | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6210380 | Mauch | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6217527 | Selmon et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6224622 | Kotzev | May 2001 | B1 |
6238406 | Ellis et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6264627 | Liska et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6273879 | Keith et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6280423 | Davey et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6287326 | Pecor | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6293927 | McGuckin, Jr. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6293958 | Berry et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6296631 | Chow | Oct 2001 | B2 |
6322551 | Brugger | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6328730 | Harkrider, Jr. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6342120 | Basta | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6361529 | Goodin et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6383172 | Barbut | May 2002 | B1 |
6394141 | Wages et al. | May 2002 | B2 |
6394142 | Woelfel et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
6409700 | Siegel, Jr. et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6413228 | Hung et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6428513 | Abrahamson | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6443922 | Roberts et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6450988 | Bradshaw | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6453185 | O'Keefe | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6454997 | Divino, Jr. et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6463335 | Munch et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6475207 | Maginot et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6475209 | Larson et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6478789 | Spehalski et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6482169 | Kuhle | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6533763 | Schneiter | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6565594 | Herweck et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
6576001 | Werneth et al. | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6582459 | Lau et al. | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6585705 | Maginot et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6592565 | Twardowski | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6595966 | Davey et al. | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6620118 | Prosl et al. | Sep 2003 | B1 |
6638242 | Wilson et al. | Oct 2003 | B2 |
6682498 | Ross | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6682519 | Schon | Jan 2004 | B1 |
6695832 | Schon et al. | Feb 2004 | B2 |
6702776 | Quinn | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6712797 | Southern, Jr. | Mar 2004 | B1 |
6712798 | Constantz | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6719749 | Schweikert et al. | Apr 2004 | B1 |
6723084 | Maginot et al. | Apr 2004 | B1 |
6723114 | Shalaby | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6730299 | Tayot et al. | May 2004 | B1 |
6752827 | Ross et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6755851 | Noda et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6758836 | Zawacki | Jul 2004 | B2 |
6786884 | DeCant, Jr. et al. | Sep 2004 | B1 |
6796991 | Nardeo | Sep 2004 | B2 |
6797107 | Kotzey | Sep 2004 | B1 |
6808510 | DiFiore | Oct 2004 | B1 |
6814718 | McGuckin, Jr. et al. | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6819951 | Patel et al. | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6821287 | Jang | Nov 2004 | B1 |
6824554 | Jang | Nov 2004 | B1 |
6835452 | Hamerski | Dec 2004 | B1 |
6837864 | Bertolero et al. | Jan 2005 | B1 |
6852097 | Fulton, III | Feb 2005 | B1 |
6858019 | McGuckin, Jr. et al. | Feb 2005 | B2 |
6872198 | Wilson et al. | Mar 2005 | B1 |
6881211 | Schweikert et al. | Apr 2005 | B2 |
6911014 | Wentling et al. | Jun 2005 | B2 |
6913601 | St. Goar et al. | Jul 2005 | B2 |
6916313 | Cunningham | Jul 2005 | B2 |
6921396 | Wilson et al. | Jul 2005 | B1 |
6966886 | Appling | Nov 2005 | B2 |
6991625 | Gately et al. | Jan 2006 | B1 |
D515211 | Chesnin | Feb 2006 | S |
6997894 | Caresio | Feb 2006 | B2 |
7008395 | Loggie | Mar 2006 | B1 |
7011645 | McGuckin, Jr. et al. | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7018384 | Skakoon | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7029467 | Currier et al. | Apr 2006 | B2 |
7066925 | Gately et al. | Jun 2006 | B2 |
7074213 | McGuckin, Jr. et al. | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7077829 | McGuckin, Jr. et al. | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7087053 | Vanney | Aug 2006 | B2 |
7090654 | Lotito et al. | Aug 2006 | B2 |
7108674 | Quinn | Sep 2006 | B2 |
D530420 | Chesnin | Oct 2006 | S |
7128734 | Wilson et al. | Oct 2006 | B1 |
7130700 | Gardeski et al. | Oct 2006 | B2 |
7141035 | Haggstrom | Nov 2006 | B2 |
RE39451 | Kuhle | Dec 2006 | E |
7182746 | Haarala et al. | Feb 2007 | B2 |
7300430 | Wilson et al. | Nov 2007 | B2 |
7322953 | Redinger | Jan 2008 | B2 |
7347852 | Hobbs et al. | Mar 2008 | B2 |
7381204 | Wilson et al. | Jun 2008 | B2 |
7393339 | Zawacki et al. | Jul 2008 | B2 |
7422571 | Schweikert et al. | Sep 2008 | B2 |
7485107 | DiFiore et al. | Feb 2009 | B2 |
7569029 | Clark | Aug 2009 | B2 |
7575563 | Appling | Aug 2009 | B2 |
20010041857 | Sansoucy | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20010041873 | Dopper et al. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20020013569 | Sterman et al. | Jan 2002 | A1 |
20020026156 | Quinn | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020087108 | Maginot et al. | Jul 2002 | A1 |
20020087145 | Ehwald et al. | Jul 2002 | A1 |
20020091362 | Maginot et al. | Jul 2002 | A1 |
20020091430 | Dobak et al. | Jul 2002 | A1 |
20020099326 | Wilson et al. | Jul 2002 | A1 |
20020099327 | Wilson et al. | Jul 2002 | A1 |
20020107506 | McGuckin et al. | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20020138031 | Ross | Sep 2002 | A1 |
20020169490 | Noda et al. | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20020177904 | Huxel et al. | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20030023198 | Twardowski | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030088213 | Schweikert et al. | May 2003 | A1 |
20030093027 | McGuckin et al. | May 2003 | A1 |
20030144623 | Heath et al. | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030149395 | Zawacki | Aug 2003 | A1 |
20030153898 | Schon et al. | Aug 2003 | A1 |
20030187411 | Constantz | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20030204179 | Davey et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20040054321 | Schon et al. | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20040059314 | Schon et al. | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20040064086 | Gottlieb et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040065333 | Wilson et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040075198 | Schweikert et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040087892 | Cunningham | May 2004 | A1 |
20040092863 | Raulerson et al. | May 2004 | A1 |
20040097863 | Appling | May 2004 | A1 |
20040097903 | Raulerson | May 2004 | A1 |
20040122418 | Voorhees | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040167463 | Zawacki et al. | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040171997 | Wilson et al. | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040172003 | Wilson et al. | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040176739 | Stephens et al. | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040193102 | Haggstrom | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040210180 | Altman | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040210187 | Zawacki | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040210237 | Ross et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040220550 | Schryver | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040230204 | Wortley et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040243095 | Nimkar et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040249337 | DiFiore | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050003322 | Logan et al. | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050004504 | Frye et al. | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050013341 | Baghai | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050027282 | Schweikert et al. | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050027289 | Castellano et al. | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050033222 | Haggstrom et al. | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050054989 | McGuckin et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050055012 | Trerotola | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050059925 | Maginot et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050070842 | Lotito et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050080398 | Markel et al. | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050085765 | Voorhees | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050096585 | Schon et al. | May 2005 | A1 |
20050113904 | Shank et al. | May 2005 | A1 |
20050131341 | McGuckin et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050171469 | Cunningham | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050187535 | Wilson et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050228339 | Clark | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050245900 | Ash | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20050256461 | DiFiore et al. | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20050261663 | Patterson et al. | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20050267400 | Haarala et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20050277862 | Anand | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20050288706 | Widomski et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20060004316 | Difiore et al. | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060004325 | Hamatake et al. | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060009783 | Rome et al. | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060015072 | Raulerson | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060015130 | Voorhees et al. | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060030827 | Raulerson et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060047267 | Gately et al. | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060047268 | Stephens | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060058775 | Stevens et al. | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060064072 | Gately et al. | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060095062 | Stephens | May 2006 | A1 |
20060100572 | DiMatteo et al. | May 2006 | A1 |
20060161100 | Hamboly | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060184142 | Schon et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060189922 | Amarasinghe et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060206094 | Chesnin et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060253063 | Schweikert | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060271012 | Canaud et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20070005003 | Patterson et al. | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070066964 | Atkins | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070078478 | Atkins et al. | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20070106206 | Appling | May 2007 | A1 |
20070129704 | O'Mahony et al. | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070225661 | Ash et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070225682 | Ash et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070282274 | Chesnin | Dec 2007 | A1 |
20080021417 | Zawacki et al. | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080039774 | Zawacki et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080082080 | Braga | Apr 2008 | A1 |
20080097409 | Stephens | Apr 2008 | A1 |
20080214980 | Anand | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20080214992 | Haarala et al. | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20090112153 | Gregersen et al. | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090118701 | Nimkar et al. | May 2009 | A1 |
20090118707 | Schweikert et al. | May 2009 | A1 |
20090192435 | Gregersen | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090205189 | Nimkar et al. | Aug 2009 | A1 |
20090209940 | Nimkar et al. | Aug 2009 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
834211 | Feb 1976 | BE |
1150122 | Jul 1983 | CA |
2474351 | Aug 2003 | CA |
8815869 | Feb 1989 | DE |
9108132 | Sep 1991 | DE |
0030854 | Jun 1981 | EP |
0132344 | Jan 1985 | EP |
3018549 | Feb 1989 | EP |
0332366 | Sep 1989 | EP |
0386408 | Sep 1990 | EP |
0453234 | Oct 1991 | EP |
0476796 | Mar 1992 | EP |
0495263 | Jul 1992 | EP |
0711574 | May 1996 | EP |
1471966 | Nov 2004 | EP |
1599247 | Nov 2005 | EP |
1503469 | Mar 1978 | GB |
56-136569 | Oct 1981 | JP |
8-510935 | Nov 1996 | JP |
2001137350 | May 2001 | JP |
249060 | Sep 2007 | MX |
45923 | Nov 2004 | RU |
459237 | Feb 1975 | SU |
9108132 | Jun 1991 | WO |
9316741 | Sep 1993 | WO |
9316752 | Sep 1993 | WO |
9709086 | Mar 1997 | WO |
9717102 | May 1997 | WO |
9722374 | Jun 1997 | WO |
WO-9737699 | Oct 1997 | WO |
9904844 | Feb 1999 | WO |
0023137 | Apr 2000 | WO |
02058776 | Aug 2002 | WO |
02083223 | Oct 2002 | WO |
03030960 | Apr 2003 | WO |
03033049 | Apr 2003 | WO |
03066148 | Aug 2003 | WO |
2004075962 | Sep 2004 | WO |
WO-2004096334 | Nov 2004 | WO |
WO-2004112876 | Dec 2004 | WO |
WO-2005016432 | Feb 2005 | WO |
2005018712 | Mar 2005 | WO |
2005023336 | Mar 2005 | WO |
WO-2005077449 | Aug 2005 | WO |
WO-2006034877 | Apr 2006 | WO |
2009051967 | Apr 2009 | WO |
2009055332 | Apr 2009 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20090118661 A1 | May 2009 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60984661 | Nov 2007 | US |