Compression system with vent cooling feature

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 9205021
  • Patent Number
    9,205,021
  • Date Filed
    Monday, June 18, 2012
    13 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, December 8, 2015
    9 years ago
Abstract
A compression device for providing compression treatment to a limb of a wearer includes a compression garment positionable on the limb of the wearer. The garment includes an inflatable bladder for providing compression treatment to the limb. A controller is adapted for fluidly connecting to the inflatable bladder and configured for inflating and deflating the bladder during a compression cycle. The controller has an exhaust port positioned to direct exhaust fluid through the bladder so exhaust fluid flows over the limb of the wearer to cool the limb.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a compression device for applying compression therapy to a body part of a wearer.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) systems for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis consist of a controller having a pump and associated control electronics, a compression sleeve (e.g., a sequential compression sleeve) which is applied to the patient's body part, and tubing sets that communicate between the pump and the sleeve.


Sequential compression sleeves are typically constructed of two sheets of fluid impermeable material joined at seams to define one or more fluid impervious bladders. The tubing connects the bladders to the pump for inflating the bladders to apply compressive pressure around the patient's body parts. Typically, the controller is programmed to perform cyclic compression by pumping air into the bladders of the sleeve during a compression segment of the cycle followed by exhausting air from the bladders during a deflation segment of the cycle. The air exhausts through one or more exhaust ports associated with the controller (see Prior Art FIGS. 1 and 2). The exhaust ports usually vent to atmosphere around the patient, deflating the sleeve to enable blood to reenter the veins.


The bladders may be covered with a laminate to improve durability and protect against puncture. The impermeability of the sleeve can trap moisture (i.e., perspiration) between the bladder sheets and the patient's body, causing some discomfort. Discomfort can lead to the patient's unwillingness to wear the sleeve, potentially endangering the patient's health.


An advancement in this field has been to place the controller directly on the sleeve, eliminating the need for long and unwieldy tubing sets. These systems, though portable, do not address the issues of moisture build-up that can occur with conventional compression sleeves.


The present invention provides an improved arrangement for reducing moisture build-up and improving patient compliance.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention includes a compression device for providing compression treatment to a limb of a wearer. The device comprises a compression garment positionable on the limb of the wearer. The garment comprises an inflatable bladder for providing compression treatment to a compression region of the limb. The device also includes a controller fluidly connected to the inflatable bladder and configured for inflating and deflating the bladder during a compression cycle. The controller includes an exhaust port positioned to direct exhaust fluid toward the compression region as the bladder deflates so exhaust fluid flows over the limb of the wearer to cool the limb.


In another aspect, the invention includes a method of providing compression treatment to a limb of a wearer using a compression device including an inflatable bladder positioned on the limb of the wearer and a controller fluidly connected to the inflatable bladder. The method comprises pressurizing the inflatable bladder with pressurized fluid from the controller to inflate the bladder and compress a compression region of the limb. Further, the inflatable bladder is depressurized by venting the pressurized fluid out of the inflatable bladder. The method includes exhausting the vented fluid out of the controller through an exhaust port in the controller and directing the vented fluid toward the compression region of the limb to cool the limb.


In still another aspect, the present invention includes a compression device for providing compression treatment to a limb of a wearer. The device comprises a compression garment positionable on the limb of the wearer. The garment comprises an inflatable bladder for providing compression treatment to a compression region of the limb. The garment has an opening and a controller fluidly connected to the inflatable bladder and configured for inflating and deflating the bladder during a compression cycle. The controller includes an exhaust port positioned to direct exhaust fluid through the opening in the garment and to direct the exhaust fluid toward the compression region as the bladder deflates so exhaust fluid flows over the limb of the wearer to cool the limb. The device also includes a guide attached to the bladder around the opening for guiding fluid directed to the opening to flow over the limb of the wearer.


Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is a schematic of a first configuration of a prior art compression device;



FIG. 2 is a schematic of a second configuration of a prior art compression device;



FIG. 3 is a perspective of a compression device of the present invention secured to a leg of a wearer with portions of the device partially removed to show underlying layers;



FIG. 4 is a front elevation of a compression sleeve of the compression device with an outer cover and intermediate layers of the sleeve partially removed to show underlying layers;



FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of the outer cover illustrating loop material;



FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a controller of the compression device;



FIG. 7 is a rear view of the controller;



FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section showing an exhaust port in the controller in registration with an opening in the sleeve;



FIG. 8A is a schematic representation of the compression device of FIGS. 3-7;



FIG. 9 is a schematic of a second embodiment of a compression device of the present invention; and



FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of an inner surface of a first intermediate layer of the compression sleeve.





Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.


DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 3 and 4, a compression device for applying cyclical compression therapy to a limb (e.g., a leg) of a wearer is indicated in its entirety by the reference number 10. The compression device 10 comprises a compression sleeve 12 and a controller 14 (or “air compressor unit”) directly attached to the compression sleeve for supplying pressurized fluid to the sleeve 12 for providing compression therapy to the limb. The compression device 10 has a portable configuration such that the wearer of the device can more easily move about while wearing the device. However, the controller 14 may have a configuration other than portable such that the controller is not directly attached to the sleeve 12 without departing from the scope of the invention.


The compression sleeve 12 is of the type sized and shaped for being disposed around a leg of the wearer, but could be configured to be applied to other parts of the wearer's body. More specifically, the sleeve 12 has a width W (FIG. 4) for being wrapped around a full circumference of the leg and a length L for running from the ankle to a knee of the leg. This type of sleeve is generally referred to in the art as a knee-length sleeve. It will be understood that a compression sleeve may come in different sizes, such as a thigh-length sleeve (not shown) extending from the ankle to the thigh of the leg. It is understood that compression devices having other configurations for being disposed about other parts of the wearer's body, are also within the scope of this invention, such as a wrap around a patient's chest in the treatment of breast cancer.


Referring to FIG. 4, the compression sleeve 12 may comprise four layers secured together. The scope of the present invention, however, is not limited to four layers (FIG. 3 shows the compression sleeve 12 having only two layers.) In the illustrated embodiment, the compression sleeve 12 comprises an inner layer, generally indicated by 16, on which a first intermediate layer (broadly, a first bladder layer), generally indicated by 18, is overlaid. A second intermediate layer (broadly, a second bladder layer), generally indicated by 20, overlies the first intermediate layer 18 and is secured thereto. An outer cover generally indicated by 22, overlies and is secured to the second intermediate layer 20. In use, the inner layer 16 will contact the limb of the wearer, and the outer cover 22 will be farthest from the limb of the wearer. If the sleeve 12 is constructed using only two layers of material (e.g., two bladder layers 18, 20), then the first bladder layer 18 will contact the limb of the wearer, and the second bladder layer 20 will be farther from the limb of the wearer (see FIG. 3).


The layers have the same shape and are superposed on each other so edges of the layers generally coincide. It is contemplated that one or more of the layers 16, 18, 20, or 22 may not be superposed on a corresponding layer, but slightly offset to accommodate a particular feature of a patient's limb. Moreover, the number of sheets making up the compression sleeve 12 may be other than described.


The first and second intermediate layers 18, 20, respectively, each include a single sheet of elastic material (broadly, “bladder material”). For example, the sheets 18 and 20 are made of a pliable PVC material having a thickness of about 0.006 inch. The inner and outer layers 16 and 22 can be made of a polyester material having a thickness of about 0.005 inch. The materials and thicknesses of the layers may vary to add strength or to cause more expansion in one direction, such as toward the limb, during inflation. The second intermediate layer 20 may be secured to the first intermediate layer 18 along bladder seam lines 26 defining a proximal bladder 28a, an intermediate bladder 28b and a distal bladder 28c, respectively, that are spaced longitudinally along the length L of the sleeve 12. The number of bladders may be other than three without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the terms “proximal”, “distal”, and “intermediate” represent relative locations of components, parts and the like of the compression sleeve when the sleeve is secured to the wearer's limb. As such, a “proximal” component or the like is disposed most adjacent to a point of attachment of the wearer's limb to the wearer's torso, a “distal” component is disposed most distant from the point of attachment, and an “intermediate” component is disposed generally anywhere between the proximal and distal components.


The bladders 28a, 28b, 28c are circumferential bladders meaning that they are sized and shaped to wrap around the wearer's limb or around very nearly the entire circumference of the limb. For example, in one embodiment, the bladders 28a, 28b, 28c each extend around at least 90% around a leg. It is to be understood that the construction described herein can be adopted by the prior art sleeves with a partial bladder construction, without departing from the scope of the present invention.


The intermediate layers 18, 20 may be secured together by radiofrequency (RF) welding, adhesive, or other chemical and/or mechanical process. Further, the intermediate layers 18, 20 may be secured together at other locations, such as around their peripheries or at the bladder seam lines 26 to further define the shape of the inflatable bladders 28a, 28b, 28c. The first intermediate layer 18 may be secured to the inner layer 16 along a seam line 46 extending along the outer periphery of the first intermediate layer 18 so central regions of the bladders 28a, 28b, 28c are not secured to the inner layer 16 permitting the bladders to move relative to the inner layer 16. The second intermediate layer 20 may also be secured to the inner layer 12 along the same seam line 46. The first intermediate layer 18 may be secured to the inner layer 16 by RF welding, adhesive, or in other suitable ways.


Referring to FIG. 4, each inflatable bladder 28a, 28b, 28c receives fluid from the controller 14 mounted on the sleeve 12 via a dedicated proximal bladder tube 34a, intermediate bladder tube 34b, and distal bladder tube 34c, respectively, fluidly connecting the bladders to the controller. As will be appreciated, a tube line need not be dedicated to a bladder to practice the invention. In one embodiment, the bladders 28a, 28b, 28c are configured to hold air pressurized in a range of about 10 mm Hg (1333 Pa) to about 45 mm Hg (6000 Pa). Further, the bladders 28a, 28b, 28c are preferably capable of being repeatedly pressurized without failure. Materials suitable for the sheets include, but are not limited to, flexible PVC material that will not stretch substantially. In another embodiment, the intermediate layers 18, 20 may form a chamber for receiving an inflatable bladder that is formed separate from the chamber. In this embodiment, the layers 18, 20 need not be capable of containing pressurized air provided the inflatable bladders are. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the bladders 28a, 28b, 28c may have openings 36 extending completely through the bladders. Further, these opening 36 may be formed by a seam line 30 sealing the bladder layers 18, 20 together. In the illustrated embodiment, the openings 36 are tear-drop-shaped, but the openings may have other shapes without departing from the scope of the invention.


The inner layer 16 may be constructed of a material that is capable of wicking moisture. The inner (or “wicking”) layer 16, through capillary action, absorbs moisture trapped near the limb of the wearer, carries the moisture away from the surface of the limb, and transports the moisture from locations on the limb at the inner layer 16 where the moisture is abundant to areas where it is less abundant (e.g., closer to the openings 36 in the bladders 28a, 28b, 28c), to evaporate to the ambient environment. The openings 36 may have various sizes, shapes, and locations within the area of the bladder providing the compression. Each opening 36 may expose the wicking layer 16 to the ambient air as opposed to the portion of the wicking layer beneath the bladder material. The portions of the inner layer 16 in registration with the openings 36 may be referred to as “exposed portions”. Other ways of exposing the wicking material such as slits or extending the wicking material outside the perimeter of the bladder material are also envisioned as being within the scope of the present invention. If the sleeve 12 is constructed having only two bladder layers 18, 20, then the openings 36 expose portions of the limb of the wearer to the atmosphere.


In the illustrated embodiment, the bladders 28a, 28b, 28c have openings 36. Thus, the regions of the sleeve 12 that expand and contract under the influence of air pressure or other fluids to provide compression have the openings 36. The regions of the sleeve 12 that do not provide compression (e.g., the seam lines 26) do not have openings 36. The wicking material 16 may be inter-weaved with the impervious material to form the inner layer 16 that transports moisture to an area of less moisture. The openings 36 must be sized, shaped, and positioned so the sleeve provides adequate compression to maintain blood velocity, while maximizing evaporation of moisture. Suitable wicking materials may comprise, for example, some forms of polyester and/or polypropylene. Microfibers may be used. Suitable microfiber materials include, but are not limited to, CoolDry model number CD9604, sold by Quanzhou Fulian Warp Knitting Industrial Co., Ltd. of Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China, and CoolMax®, sold by E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, Del.


Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the outer cover 22 of the compression sleeve 12 may be constructed of a single sheet of material. In the embodiment, the outer cover 22 is breathable and has a multiplicity of openings 40 or perforations so it has a mesh construction to provide even more breathability. A suitable material for the outer cover 22 may be a polyester mesh. The rate of evaporation through the openings is improved by treating the fibers of the mesh material with a hydrophilic material, so the mesh material absorbs the wicked fluid more readily. Wicking fibers of this type are indicated generally by 42 in FIG. 5. These hydrophilic fibers 42 lower the surface tension of the mesh material to allow bodily fluids to more easily absorb into the fibers and spread through the material to provide more efficient evaporation of the wicked fluid. Absorbing fluid more readily allows the fluid to move to the open areas more quickly for evaporation. The capillary effect is made more efficient when the absorbed fluid from the openings moves more quickly through the mesh outer cover 22.


The entire outer surface of the outer cover 22 may act as a fastening component of a fastening system for securing the sleeve 12 to the limb of the wearer. In a particular embodiment, the outer cover 22 of mesh (FIG. 5) has an outer surface comprising loops 48, that act as a loop component of a hook-and-loop fastening system. A mesh construction, as shown in FIG. 5, may have interconnected or weaved fibers 42 of material forming the outer cover 22. The loops 48 may be formed as part of the material of the outer cover 22 or otherwise disposed on the surface of the outer cover. A suitable material with such construction is a polyester mesh loop 2103 sold by Quanzhou Fulian Warp Knitting Industrial Co., Ltd. of Quanzhou City, China. Hook components (not shown) may be attached to an inner surface of the inner layer 16 at proximal, intermediate and distal flaps 50a, 50b, 50c, respectively (FIG. 4). The loops 48 of the outer cover 22 allow the hook components to be secured anywhere along the outer surface of the outer cover 22 when the sleeve 12 is wrapped circumferentially around the limb of the wearer. This allows the sleeve 12 to be of a substantially one-size-fits-all configuration with respect to the circumferences of different wearers' limbs. Moreover, the loops 48 on the outer cover 22 allow the practitioner to quickly and confidently secure the sleeve 12 to the wearer's limb without needing to align the fastening components.


It is contemplated that the outer cover 22 may be capable of wicking fluid in addition to being breathable. For example, the outer cover 22 may be constructed of the same material as the inner layer 16 (e.g., Cool dry). In this way, the moisture wicked by the inner layer 16 may be wicked by the outer cover 22 through the openings 36 in the bladders 28a, 28b, 28c. The moisture can spread out evenly across the outer cover 22 and is able to evaporate more readily than if the outer cover was not formed of a wicking material because a greater surface area of the outer cover, as opposed to the inner layer 16, is exposed to air. Alternatively, the cover 22 can have a wicking material laced in or on top of outer layer.


Referring to FIGS. 6-9, the controller 14 comprises a housing 60 enclosing the necessary components for pressurizing the bladders 28a, 28b, 28c. The controller 14 may be programmed to execute various compression regimens, which may include inflation and deflation (vent) phases. A configuration in which a controller 14 is removably mounted on a compression garment and operatively connected to bladders on the compression garment is disclosed in more detail in U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. 12/241,670, 12/241,936, and 12/893,679 which are assigned to Tyco Healthcare Group LP and incorporated by reference in their entireties. Other embodiments where the controller 14 is not configured for mounting directly on the sleeve 12 are also within the scope of the present invention.


Supply ports 62 in the controller housing 60 are configured to attach the bladder tubes 34a-c to the controller 14 for delivering pressurized fluid to the inflatable bladders 28a-c. An exhaust port 64 (FIG. 7) is disposed in a back 66 of the controller housing 60 for expelling the vented pressurized fluid from the compression device 10 during the vent phase. In the illustrated embodiment, a single exhaust port 64 is shown. However, the controller 14 may also have a plurality of exhaust ports without departing from the scope of the invention.


Referring to FIGS. 3 and 8, the controller 14 is mounted on the sleeve 12 such that the exhaust port 64 faces an outer surface of the sleeve (e.g., outer cover 22 or second intermediate layer 20). Therefore, during the vent phase, the exhausted fluid is not expelled into ambient as is the case with prior art designs. Instead, the vented fluid is directed onto the sleeve 12. The vented air will flow past the outer cover, bladder layers and inner layer, and flow over the leg of the wearer providing a cooling effect to the leg and improving moisture evaporation, because the outer cover 22 is formed of a mesh material, because the bladder layers 18, 20 have openings 36, and because the inner layer 16 is gas permeable. In the illustrated embodiment, the exhaust port 64 is located in a calf area of the leg. Typically, the calf area is the location where a larger percentage of moisture accumulates during compression treatment. The exhaust port 64 could be located in a different area of the leg without departing from the scope of the present invention.


Referring to FIG. 8, the exhaust port 64 may be positioned directly over an opening 36 in the bladder layers 18, 20 to increase the amount of air that impinges upon the leg. When the controller 14 includes multiple exhaust ports 64, they can be generally aligned with an opening 36. If the compression device is configured so that the controller is not mounted directly on the sleeve, an exhaust port of the controller can be in fluid communication with an exterior surface of the sleeve through tubing 68 (FIG. 9) extending from the exhaust port 64 to the sleeve 12. The tubing can be positioned such that the vented air is directed through an opening 36 in the bladder layers 18, 20 (FIG. 4).


Referring to FIG. 10, fluid impermeable sheets 70 (e.g., plastic sheets) can be welded (e.g., by RF welding) around the openings 36 that receive the vented fluid. In FIG. 10 the opening 36 is circular, but can also be teardrop-shaped as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The sheets 70 can be welded to an inner surface of the first intermediate layer 18 and around the opening 36 as shown to form three fluid channels 72 for directing fluid entering the opening 36 away from the opening. The channels 72 guide the air to facilitate the cooling of areas of the wearer's skin that are not directly below the opening 36. For example, it is envisioned that the channels 70 can be formed to guide air toward a back of the wear's calf where more perspiration may be present. Although the sheet 70 is welded to form three channels 72 in the illustrated embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that fewer or more channels may be formed or the sheets may be embossed with dimples to provide multiple airways. As will also be appreciated, the sheet-and-channel configuration may be broadly referred to as a guide.


Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.


When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiments(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.


In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.


As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims
  • 1. A compression device for providing compression treatment to a limb of a wearer, the device comprising: a compression garment positionable on the limb of the wearer, the garment comprising an inflatable bladder for providing compression treatment to a compression region of the limb; anda controller fluidly connected to the inflatable bladder and configured for inflating and deflating the bladder during a compression cycle, the controller including an exhaust port positioned to direct exhaust fluid toward the compression region as the bladder deflates so exhaust fluid flows over the limb of the wearer to cool the limb,wherein the controller is portable and attachable directly to the compression garment, the exhaust port directly opposing an outer surface of the compression garment when the controller is attached to the compression garment.
  • 2. A compression device as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the compression garment has an opening; andthe exhaust port is positioned to direct the exhaust fluid through the opening in the garment.
  • 3. A compression device as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a guide attached to the bladder around the opening for guiding fluid directed to the opening to flow over the limb of the wearer.
  • 4. A compression device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the guide includes channels extending radially outward from the opening.
  • 5. A compression device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the controller comprises a plurality of exhaust ports in the controller.
  • 6. A compression device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the compression garment further comprises an inner wicking layer for contacting the limb of the wearer to wick fluid away from the wearer.
  • 7. A compression device as set forth in claim 6 wherein the compression garment further comprises a mesh outer cover.
  • 8. A method of providing compression treatment to a limb of a wearer using a compression device including an inflatable bladder positioned on the limb of the wearer and a controller fluidly connected to the inflatable bladder, the method comprising: pressurizing the inflatable bladder with pressurized fluid from the controller to inflate the bladder and compress a compression region of the limb;depressurizing the inflatable bladder by venting the pressurized fluid out of the inflatable bladder;exhausting the vented fluid out of the controller through an exhaust port in the controller; anddirecting the vented fluid toward the compression region of the limb to cool the limb,wherein the controller is portable and attachable directly to the compression garment, the exhaust port directly opposing an outer surface of the compression garment when the controller is attached to the compression garment.
  • 9. A compression device for providing compression treatment to a limb of a wearer, the device comprising: a compression garment positionable on the limb of the wearer, the garment comprising an inflatable bladder for providing compression treatment to a compression region of the limb, the garment having an opening;a controller fluidly connected to the inflatable bladder and configured for inflating and deflating the bladder during a compression cycle, the controller including an exhaust port positioned to direct exhaust fluid through the opening in the garment and to direct the exhaust fluid toward the compression region as the bladder deflates so exhaust fluid flows over the limb of the wearer to cool the limb; anda guide attached to the bladder around the opening for guiding fluid directed to the opening to flow over the limb of the wearer.
  • 10. A compression device as set forth in claim 9 wherein the guide includes channels extending radially outward from the opening.
  • 11. A compression device as set forth in claim 9 wherein: the compression garment has a plurality of openings including said opening; andthe controller has a plurality of exhaust ports including said port configured to direct exhaust fluid through the plurality of openings in the garment when the controller is attached to the garment.
  • 12. A compression device as set forth in claim 9 further comprising tubing positioned to direct exhaust fluid to the opening in the garment.
  • 13. A compression device as set forth in claim 9 wherein the compression garment further comprises an inner wicking layer for contacting the limb of the wearer to wick fluid away from the wearer.
  • 14. A compression device as set forth in claim 13 wherein the compression garment further comprises a mesh outer cover.
US Referenced Citations (610)
Number Name Date Kind
908959 Cooke Jan 1909 A
910689 Kelly et al. Jan 1909 A
1510482 Kramer Oct 1924 A
1608239 Rosett Nov 1926 A
2199408 Liberte May 1940 A
2250617 Argentin Jul 1941 A
2489388 Rubin Nov 1949 A
2533504 Poor Dec 1950 A
2638915 Mitchell May 1953 A
2676587 Corcoran Apr 1954 A
2694395 Brown Nov 1954 A
2853998 Emerson Sep 1958 A
2880721 Corcoran Apr 1959 A
2896612 Bates et al. Jul 1959 A
2998817 Armstrong Sep 1961 A
3164152 Nicoll Jan 1965 A
3245405 Gardner Apr 1966 A
3288132 Meredith Nov 1966 A
3351055 Gottfried Nov 1967 A
3454010 Lilligren et al. Jul 1969 A
3469769 Guenther Sep 1969 A
3473527 Spiro Oct 1969 A
3504675 Bishop, Jr. Apr 1970 A
3561435 Nicholson Feb 1971 A
3568227 Dunham Mar 1971 A
3606880 Ogle, Jr. Sep 1971 A
3638334 Malikowski Feb 1972 A
3701173 Whitney Oct 1972 A
3728875 Hartigan et al. Apr 1973 A
3760795 Adelhed Sep 1973 A
3770040 De Cicco Nov 1973 A
3771519 Haake Nov 1973 A
3786805 Tourin Jan 1974 A
3824992 Nicholson et al. Jul 1974 A
3826249 Lee et al. Jul 1974 A
3862629 Rotta Jan 1975 A
3868952 Hatton Mar 1975 A
3877426 Nirschl Apr 1975 A
3878839 Norton et al. Apr 1975 A
3899210 Samhammer et al. Aug 1975 A
3901221 Nicholson et al. Aug 1975 A
3906937 Aronson Sep 1975 A
3920006 Lapidus Nov 1975 A
D239981 Arluck et al. May 1976 S
3955565 Johnson, Jr. May 1976 A
4013069 Hasty Mar 1977 A
4029087 Dye et al. Jun 1977 A
4030488 Hasty Jun 1977 A
4054129 Byars et al. Oct 1977 A
4066084 Tillander Jan 1978 A
4076022 Walker Feb 1978 A
4091804 Hasty May 1978 A
4116236 Albert Sep 1978 A
4146021 Brosseau et al. Mar 1979 A
4149529 Copeland et al. Apr 1979 A
4149541 Gammons et al. Apr 1979 A
4153050 Bishop et al. May 1979 A
4156425 Arkans May 1979 A
4197837 Tringali et al. Apr 1980 A
4198961 Arkans Apr 1980 A
4201203 Applegate May 1980 A
4202312 Mori et al. May 1980 A
4202325 Villari et al. May 1980 A
4206751 Schneider Jun 1980 A
4207875 Arkans Jun 1980 A
4207876 Annis Jun 1980 A
4219892 Rigdon Sep 1980 A
4253449 Arkans et al. Mar 1981 A
D259058 Marshall Apr 1981 S
4267611 Agulnick May 1981 A
4270527 Peters et al. Jun 1981 A
4280485 Arkans Jul 1981 A
4294238 Woodford Oct 1981 A
4294240 Thill Oct 1981 A
4300245 Saunders Nov 1981 A
4308862 Kalmar Jan 1982 A
4311135 Brueckner et al. Jan 1982 A
4320746 Arkans et al. Mar 1982 A
4343302 Dillon Aug 1982 A
4352253 Oswalt Oct 1982 A
4355632 Sandman Oct 1982 A
4363125 Brewer et al. Dec 1982 A
4372297 Perlin Feb 1983 A
4375217 Arkans et al. Mar 1983 A
4379217 Youmans Apr 1983 A
4402312 Villari et al. Sep 1983 A
4408599 Mummert Oct 1983 A
4417587 Ichinomiya et al. Nov 1983 A
4425912 Harper Jan 1984 A
4437269 Shaw Mar 1984 A
4442834 Tucker et al. Apr 1984 A
4445505 Labour et al. May 1984 A
4453538 Whitney Jun 1984 A
4522197 Hasegawa Jun 1985 A
4531516 Poole et al. Jul 1985 A
4547906 Nishida et al. Oct 1985 A
4547919 Wang Oct 1985 A
4552821 Gibbard et al. Nov 1985 A
4580816 Campbell et al. Apr 1986 A
4583255 Mogaki et al. Apr 1986 A
4593692 Flowers Jun 1986 A
4597384 Whitney Jul 1986 A
4614180 Gardner et al. Sep 1986 A
4624244 Taheri Nov 1986 A
4650452 Jensen Mar 1987 A
4657003 Wirtz Apr 1987 A
4682588 Curlee Jul 1987 A
4696289 Gardner et al. Sep 1987 A
4699424 Andres et al. Oct 1987 A
4702232 Gardner et al. Oct 1987 A
4703750 Sebastian et al. Nov 1987 A
4706658 Cronin Nov 1987 A
4722332 Saggers Feb 1988 A
4730606 Leininger Mar 1988 A
4753649 Pazdernik Jun 1988 A
4762121 Shienfeld Aug 1988 A
4773397 Wright et al. Sep 1988 A
4805620 Meistrell Feb 1989 A
4809684 Gardner et al. Mar 1989 A
4827912 Carrington et al. May 1989 A
4832010 Lerman May 1989 A
RE32939 Gardner et al. Jun 1989 E
RE32940 Gardner et al. Jun 1989 E
4836194 Sebastian et al. Jun 1989 A
4836691 Suzuki et al. Jun 1989 A
D302301 Robinette-Lehman Jul 1989 S
4846189 Sun Jul 1989 A
4869265 McEwen Sep 1989 A
4872448 Johnson, Jr. Oct 1989 A
4876788 Steer et al. Oct 1989 A
4883073 Aziz Nov 1989 A
4886053 Neal Dec 1989 A
4898160 Brownlee Feb 1990 A
4913136 Chong et al. Apr 1990 A
4938207 Vargo Jul 1990 A
4938208 Dye Jul 1990 A
4938226 Danielsson et al. Jul 1990 A
4945571 Calvert Aug 1990 A
4947834 Kartheus et al. Aug 1990 A
4957105 Kurth Sep 1990 A
4960115 Ranciato Oct 1990 A
4964402 Grim et al. Oct 1990 A
4979953 Spence Dec 1990 A
4985024 Sipinen Jan 1991 A
4989273 Cromartie Feb 1991 A
4997452 Kovach et al. Mar 1991 A
5007411 Dye Apr 1991 A
5014681 Neeman et al. May 1991 A
5022387 Hasty Jun 1991 A
5031604 Dye Jul 1991 A
5048536 McEwen Sep 1991 A
5052377 Frajdenrajch Oct 1991 A
5062414 Grim Nov 1991 A
5069219 Knoblich Dec 1991 A
5071415 Takemoto Dec 1991 A
5080951 Guthrie Jan 1992 A
5082284 Reed Jan 1992 A
5109832 Proctor et al. May 1992 A
5117812 McWhorter Jun 1992 A
5120300 Shaw Jun 1992 A
5135473 Epler et al. Aug 1992 A
5139475 Robicsek Aug 1992 A
5139476 Peters Aug 1992 A
5139479 Peters Aug 1992 A
5146932 McCabe Sep 1992 A
5156629 Shane et al. Oct 1992 A
5158541 McCurley Oct 1992 A
5168576 Krent et al. Dec 1992 A
5172689 Wright Dec 1992 A
D332495 Lake Jan 1993 S
5179941 Siemssen et al. Jan 1993 A
5181522 McEwen Jan 1993 A
5186163 Dye Feb 1993 A
5193549 Bellin et al. Mar 1993 A
5211162 Gillen, Jr. et al. May 1993 A
5226245 Lamont Jul 1993 A
5228478 Kleisle Jul 1993 A
5230335 Johnson, Jr. et al. Jul 1993 A
5245990 Bertinin Sep 1993 A
5259397 McCabe Nov 1993 A
5261871 Greenfield Nov 1993 A
5263473 McWhorter Nov 1993 A
5275588 Matsumoto et al. Jan 1994 A
5277695 Johnson, Jr. et al. Jan 1994 A
5277697 France et al. Jan 1994 A
5288286 Davis Feb 1994 A
5312431 McEwen May 1994 A
5314455 Johnson, Jr. et al. May 1994 A
5334135 Grim et al. Aug 1994 A
5342285 Dye Aug 1994 A
5354260 Cook Oct 1994 A
5378224 Billotti Jan 1995 A
5383894 Dye Jan 1995 A
5383919 Kelly et al. Jan 1995 A
5385538 Mann Jan 1995 A
5389065 Johnson, Jr. Feb 1995 A
5391141 Hamilton Feb 1995 A
5399153 Caprio, Jr. et al. Mar 1995 A
5403265 Berguer et al. Apr 1995 A
5406661 Pekar Apr 1995 A
5407421 Goldsmith Apr 1995 A
D358216 Dye May 1995 S
5413582 Eaton May 1995 A
5419757 Daneshvar May 1995 A
5425701 Oster et al. Jun 1995 A
5435009 Schild et al. Jul 1995 A
5437595 Smith Aug 1995 A
5437610 Cariapa et al. Aug 1995 A
5441533 Johnson et al. Aug 1995 A
5443440 Tumey et al. Aug 1995 A
5449341 Harris Sep 1995 A
5449379 Hadtke Sep 1995 A
5450858 Zablotsky et al. Sep 1995 A
5451201 Prengler Sep 1995 A
5453081 Hansen Sep 1995 A
5455969 Pratson et al. Oct 1995 A
5458265 Hester et al. Oct 1995 A
5462517 Mann Oct 1995 A
5466250 Johnson, Jr. et al. Nov 1995 A
5470156 May Nov 1995 A
5478119 Dye Dec 1995 A
5489259 Jacobs et al. Feb 1996 A
5496262 Johnson, Jr. et al. Mar 1996 A
5503620 Danzger Apr 1996 A
5511552 Johnson Apr 1996 A
5513658 Goseki May 1996 A
5514081 Mann May 1996 A
5514155 Daneshvar May 1996 A
5554105 Taylor Sep 1996 A
D376013 Sandman et al. Nov 1996 S
5575762 Peeler et al. Nov 1996 A
5578055 McEwen Nov 1996 A
5584798 Fox Dec 1996 A
5588954 Ribando et al. Dec 1996 A
5588955 Johnson, Jr. et al. Dec 1996 A
5588956 Billotti Dec 1996 A
5591200 Cone et al. Jan 1997 A
5591337 Lynn et al. Jan 1997 A
5603690 Barry Feb 1997 A
5609570 Lamont Mar 1997 A
5620411 Schumann et al. Apr 1997 A
5622113 Hansen Apr 1997 A
5626556 Tobler et al. May 1997 A
5626557 Mann May 1997 A
5634889 Gardner et al. Jun 1997 A
5637106 Mitchell et al. Jun 1997 A
5640714 Tanaka Jun 1997 A
5649954 McEwen Jul 1997 A
5653244 Shaw Aug 1997 A
D383547 Mason et al. Sep 1997 S
5664270 Bell et al. Sep 1997 A
5669872 Fox Sep 1997 A
5673028 Levy Sep 1997 A
5674262 Tumey Oct 1997 A
5695453 Neal Dec 1997 A
5704999 Lukich et al. Jan 1998 A
5711757 Bryant Jan 1998 A
5711760 Ibrahim Jan 1998 A
5717996 Feldmann Feb 1998 A
5720739 Hilston et al. Feb 1998 A
5728055 Sebastian Mar 1998 A
5728057 Ouellette et al. Mar 1998 A
5730710 Eichhorn et al. Mar 1998 A
5733304 Spence Mar 1998 A
5741295 McEwen Apr 1998 A
5746213 Marks May 1998 A
5759167 Shields et al. Jun 1998 A
5765298 Potter et al. Jun 1998 A
5769800 Gelfand et al. Jun 1998 A
5769801 Tumey et al. Jun 1998 A
5790998 Crescimbeni Aug 1998 A
5795312 Dye Aug 1998 A
5797851 Byrd Aug 1998 A
5823981 Grim et al. Oct 1998 A
5833639 Nunes et al. Nov 1998 A
5840049 Tumey et al. Nov 1998 A
5843007 McEwen et al. Dec 1998 A
D403775 Davis et al. Jan 1999 S
D405884 Roper Feb 1999 S
5876359 Bock et al. Mar 1999 A
5891065 Cariapa et al. Apr 1999 A
5894682 Broz Apr 1999 A
D411301 Hampson et al. Jun 1999 S
5916183 Reid Jun 1999 A
5925010 Caprio, Jr. Jul 1999 A
5926850 Han Jul 1999 A
5938628 Oguri et al. Aug 1999 A
5951502 Peeler et al. Sep 1999 A
5957872 Flick Sep 1999 A
5966763 Thomas et al. Oct 1999 A
5968072 Hite et al. Oct 1999 A
5970519 Weber Oct 1999 A
5976099 Kellogg Nov 1999 A
5976300 Buchanan et al. Nov 1999 A
5988704 Ryhman Nov 1999 A
5989204 Lina Nov 1999 A
5991654 Tumey et al. Nov 1999 A
5997495 Cook et al. Dec 1999 A
5997981 McCormack et al. Dec 1999 A
6001119 Hampson et al. Dec 1999 A
6007559 Arkans Dec 1999 A
6010471 Ben-Noon Jan 2000 A
6021780 Darby Feb 2000 A
6036718 Ledford et al. Mar 2000 A
6048326 Davis et al. Apr 2000 A
6051016 Mesaros et al. Apr 2000 A
6056713 Hayashi May 2000 A
6062244 Arkans May 2000 A
6066217 Dibble et al. May 2000 A
6076193 Hood Jun 2000 A
6080120 Sandman et al. Jun 2000 A
D428153 Davis Jul 2000 S
6110135 Madow et al. Aug 2000 A
6120469 Bruder Sep 2000 A
6126683 Momtaheni Oct 2000 A
6129688 Arkans Oct 2000 A
6129695 Peters et al. Oct 2000 A
6134720 Foreman Oct 2000 A
6135116 Vogel et al. Oct 2000 A
6145143 Hicks et al. Nov 2000 A
6149600 Poorman-Ketchum Nov 2000 A
6149616 Szlema et al. Nov 2000 A
6152495 Hoffmann et al. Nov 2000 A
6152893 Pigg et al. Nov 2000 A
6168539 Maina Jan 2001 B1
6171271 Hörnberg Jan 2001 B1
6179796 Waldridge Jan 2001 B1
6197045 Carson Mar 2001 B1
6203510 Takeuchi et al. Mar 2001 B1
6209159 Murphy Apr 2001 B1
6212719 Thomas et al. Apr 2001 B1
6231507 Zikorus et al. May 2001 B1
6231532 Watson et al. May 2001 B1
6245023 Clemmons Jun 2001 B1
6254554 Turtzo Jul 2001 B1
6257626 Campau Jul 2001 B1
6257627 Fujiwara et al. Jul 2001 B1
6260201 Rankin Jul 2001 B1
6290662 Morris et al. Sep 2001 B1
6290664 Nauert Sep 2001 B1
6315745 Kloecker Nov 2001 B1
6319215 Manor et al. Nov 2001 B1
6322530 Johnson, Jr. et al. Nov 2001 B1
6336935 Davis et al. Jan 2002 B1
6338723 Carpenter et al. Jan 2002 B1
6349506 Pace et al. Feb 2002 B1
6358219 Arkans Mar 2002 B1
6368357 Schon et al. Apr 2002 B1
6375633 Endress et al. Apr 2002 B1
6385778 Johnson May 2002 B1
6385864 Sell, Jr. et al. May 2002 B1
6387065 Tumey May 2002 B1
6402879 Tawney et al. Jun 2002 B1
6409691 Dakin et al. Jun 2002 B1
6423053 Lee Jul 2002 B1
6436064 Kloecker Aug 2002 B1
6440093 McEwen et al. Aug 2002 B1
6447460 Zheng et al. Sep 2002 B1
6463934 Johnson, Jr. et al. Oct 2002 B1
6468237 Lina Oct 2002 B1
6478757 Barak Nov 2002 B1
6478761 Bracamonte-Sommer Nov 2002 B2
6488643 Tumey et al. Dec 2002 B1
6494852 Barak et al. Dec 2002 B1
6508205 Zink Jan 2003 B1
6520926 Hall Feb 2003 B2
6526597 Shepard Mar 2003 B1
6527727 Itonaga et al. Mar 2003 B2
6537298 Dedo Mar 2003 B2
6540707 Stark et al. Apr 2003 B1
6544202 McEwen et al. Apr 2003 B2
6549748 Miura Apr 2003 B2
6551280 Knighton et al. Apr 2003 B1
6554785 Sroufe et al. Apr 2003 B1
6557704 Randolph May 2003 B1
6558338 Wasserman May 2003 B1
6589267 Hui Jul 2003 B1
6589534 Shaul et al. Jul 2003 B1
6592534 Rutt et al. Jul 2003 B1
6593508 Harder Jul 2003 B1
6598249 Pajanacci et al. Jul 2003 B2
D478995 Cipra et al. Aug 2003 S
6616622 Barberio Sep 2003 B1
6618859 Kadymir et al. Sep 2003 B1
6629941 Ishibashi et al. Oct 2003 B1
6645165 Waldridge et al. Nov 2003 B2
D484986 Cipra et al. Jan 2004 S
6676614 Hansen et al. Jan 2004 B1
6682547 McEwen et al. Jan 2004 B2
6685661 Peled Feb 2004 B2
6719711 Islava Apr 2004 B1
6726641 Chiang et al. Apr 2004 B2
6746470 McEwen et al. Jun 2004 B2
6762337 Boukanov et al. Jul 2004 B2
6762338 Harder Jul 2004 B2
6842915 Turner et al. Jan 2005 B2
6846294 Rastegar et al. Jan 2005 B2
6846295 Ben-Nun Jan 2005 B1
6849057 Satou et al. Feb 2005 B2
6852089 Kloecker et al. Feb 2005 B2
6860862 Waldridge et al. Mar 2005 B2
6862989 Belanger et al. Mar 2005 B2
6866636 Inoue et al. Mar 2005 B2
6869409 Rothman et al. Mar 2005 B2
D506553 Tesluk Jun 2005 S
6945944 Kuiper et al. Sep 2005 B2
D510626 Krahner et al. Oct 2005 S
6973690 Muci et al. Dec 2005 B2
6984215 Shah et al. Jan 2006 B2
6991613 Sensabaugh Jan 2006 B2
7011640 Patterson et al. Mar 2006 B2
7022096 Alfieri Apr 2006 B1
7041074 Averianov et al. May 2006 B1
7044924 Roth et al. May 2006 B1
7048703 Riach May 2006 B2
7090500 Guttman Aug 2006 B1
D533668 Brown Dec 2006 S
7166077 Millay et al. Jan 2007 B2
7217249 Scott May 2007 B2
D545972 Wieringa et al. Jul 2007 S
7237272 Botcher Jul 2007 B2
7238080 Gimble Jul 2007 B2
7258676 Calderon et al. Aug 2007 B2
D550367 Nash Sep 2007 S
7276037 Ravikumar Oct 2007 B2
7276039 Garelick et al. Oct 2007 B2
7278980 Garelick et al. Oct 2007 B1
7282038 Gillis et al. Oct 2007 B2
7285103 Nathanson Oct 2007 B2
7288076 Grim et al. Oct 2007 B2
7297128 Binder et al. Nov 2007 B2
7300410 Weber Nov 2007 B1
7303539 Binder et al. Dec 2007 B2
7306568 Diana Dec 2007 B2
7310847 Bolkan et al. Dec 2007 B2
7318812 Taylor et al. Jan 2008 B2
D562461 Nash Feb 2008 S
D562462 Muir et al. Feb 2008 S
7326227 Dedo et al. Feb 2008 B2
7329232 Lipshaw et al. Feb 2008 B2
7351217 Scherpenborg Apr 2008 B2
7353770 Sanguinetti Apr 2008 B2
7354410 Perry et al. Apr 2008 B2
7354411 Perry et al. Apr 2008 B2
7374550 Hansen et al. May 2008 B2
D577124 Freeland et al. Sep 2008 S
7424936 McClellan Sep 2008 B2
7442175 Meyer et al. Oct 2008 B2
7465283 Grim et al. Dec 2008 B2
7468048 Meehan Dec 2008 B2
7473816 Hall Jan 2009 B2
D594561 Freeland et al. Jun 2009 S
7543399 Kilgore et al. Jun 2009 B2
7556707 Giori Jul 2009 B2
7559908 Ravikumar Jul 2009 B2
7578799 Thorsteinsson et al. Aug 2009 B2
7591796 Barak et al. Sep 2009 B1
7591797 Hakonson et al. Sep 2009 B2
7597675 Ingimundarson et al. Oct 2009 B2
7615027 Nordt, III et al. Nov 2009 B2
7618384 Nardi et al. Nov 2009 B2
7618389 Nordt, III et al. Nov 2009 B2
7625348 Young et al. Dec 2009 B2
7637879 Barak et al. Dec 2009 B2
D608006 Avitable et al. Jan 2010 S
7654117 Barnett Feb 2010 B2
7748090 Seth et al. Jul 2010 B2
7749182 Gramza et al. Jul 2010 B2
7758607 McEwen et al. Jul 2010 B2
7766890 Ito et al. Aug 2010 B2
7771376 Roth et al. Aug 2010 B2
7780614 Bruce et al. Aug 2010 B2
7780698 McEwen et al. Aug 2010 B2
7803358 Gordan et al. Sep 2010 B2
7827624 Cole Nov 2010 B1
7871385 Levinson Jan 2011 B2
7874997 Jaccard Jan 2011 B2
7882568 Fee Feb 2011 B2
7931606 Meyer Apr 2011 B2
7967766 Ravikumar Jun 2011 B2
7976487 Gramza et al. Jul 2011 B2
8002721 Bretl et al. Aug 2011 B2
8016778 Brown et al. Sep 2011 B2
8016779 Brown et al. Sep 2011 B2
8021388 Brown et al. Sep 2011 B2
8029450 Brown et al. Oct 2011 B2
8029451 Meyer et al. Oct 2011 B2
8034007 Avitable et al. Oct 2011 B2
8034013 Winkler Oct 2011 B2
8114117 Avitable Feb 2012 B2
8177734 Vess May 2012 B2
8419666 Liu et al. Apr 2013 B2
20010018564 Manor et al. Aug 2001 A1
20020068886 Lin Jun 2002 A1
20020069731 Soucy Jun 2002 A1
20020115949 Kuslich et al. Aug 2002 A1
20020121235 Carpenter et al. Sep 2002 A1
20030018313 Tanzer et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030083605 Edmund May 2003 A1
20030199922 Buckman Oct 2003 A1
20040010212 Kuiper et al. Jan 2004 A1
20040039317 Souney et al. Feb 2004 A1
20040039413 Akerfeldt et al. Feb 2004 A1
20040054306 Roth et al. Mar 2004 A1
20040068290 Bates et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040097860 Tauber May 2004 A1
20040158283 Shook et al. Aug 2004 A1
20040158285 Pillai Aug 2004 A1
20040176715 Nelson Sep 2004 A1
20040181156 Kingsford et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040181254 Choi et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040199090 Sanders et al. Oct 2004 A1
20040210167 Webster Oct 2004 A1
20040236258 Burns et al. Nov 2004 A1
20050070828 Hampson et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050154336 Kloecker et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050209545 Farrow et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050242315 Lund Nov 2005 A1
20060010574 Linnane et al. Jan 2006 A1
20060020236 Ben-Nun Jan 2006 A1
20060026736 Nordt et al. Feb 2006 A1
20060089617 Bunnelle Apr 2006 A1
20060102423 Lang et al. May 2006 A1
20060135894 Linnane et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060137072 Visco et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060142719 Vogt et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060189907 Pick et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060211965 Horn et al. Sep 2006 A1
20060287672 McEwen et al. Dec 2006 A1
20060293151 Rast Dec 2006 A1
20070038167 Tabron et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070055188 Avni et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070129658 Hampson et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070130732 Matsumura et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070135835 McEwen et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070135836 McEwen et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070179416 Obrien et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070260162 Meyer et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070264497 Kong Nov 2007 A1
20070276310 Lipshaw et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070276311 Wieringa et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070282233 Meyer et al. Dec 2007 A1
20080000477 Huster et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080004555 Reis et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080004560 Miskie Jan 2008 A1
20080023423 Duffy Jan 2008 A1
20080072629 Gehring Mar 2008 A1
20080086071 Weatherly Apr 2008 A1
20080087740 Gusenoff et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080103397 Barak May 2008 A1
20080103422 Perry et al. May 2008 A1
20080141428 Kapah et al. Jun 2008 A1
20080143007 Tuma Jun 2008 A1
20080183115 Pierce Jul 2008 A1
20080188786 Hickling Aug 2008 A1
20080208092 Sawa Aug 2008 A1
20080234615 Cook et al. Sep 2008 A1
20080243173 Thorpe Oct 2008 A1
20080245361 Brown Oct 2008 A1
20080249440 Avitable et al. Oct 2008 A1
20080249441 Avitable et al. Oct 2008 A1
20080249443 Avitable et al. Oct 2008 A1
20080249449 Brown et al. Oct 2008 A1
20080249559 Brown et al. Oct 2008 A1
20080250551 Mazzarolo Oct 2008 A1
20080255485 Johnson et al. Oct 2008 A1
20080281351 Croushorn et al. Nov 2008 A1
20080306420 Vess Dec 2008 A1
20080312682 Shams et al. Dec 2008 A1
20090005718 Lightbourne Jan 2009 A1
20090064919 Greenwald Mar 2009 A1
20090082708 Scott et al. Mar 2009 A1
20090099562 Ingimudarson et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090110890 Garza et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090124944 Ravikumar May 2009 A1
20090133446 Burrow et al. May 2009 A1
20090137938 Parivash May 2009 A1
20090163842 Cropper Jun 2009 A1
20090171223 McEwen et al. Jul 2009 A1
20090198160 Coyne Aug 2009 A1
20090198261 Schweikert Aug 2009 A1
20090227917 Nardi Sep 2009 A1
20090227919 Nardi et al. Sep 2009 A1
20090227922 Nardi et al. Sep 2009 A1
20090234265 Reid, Jr. et al. Sep 2009 A1
20090270910 Hargens et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090278707 Biggins et al. Nov 2009 A1
20090281470 Sandusky et al. Nov 2009 A1
20090299249 Wilkes et al. Dec 2009 A1
20090312681 McSpadden et al. Dec 2009 A1
20090320174 Turner Dec 2009 A1
20090326576 Ben-Nun Dec 2009 A1
20100004575 Vess Jan 2010 A1
20100004676 McEwen et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100010408 Linares Jan 2010 A1
20100016771 Arbesman et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100022930 Koby et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100037369 Reichert Feb 2010 A1
20100042026 Kloecker et al. Feb 2010 A1
20100042028 Frank et al. Feb 2010 A1
20100081974 Vess Apr 2010 A1
20100081975 Avitable et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100081977 Vess Apr 2010 A1
20100210982 Balachandran et al. Aug 2010 A1
20100268130 Khan Oct 2010 A1
20120071801 Avitable Mar 2012 A1
20120078146 Deshpande Mar 2012 A1
20130184623 Fraser Jul 2013 A1
20130310719 Davis et al. Nov 2013 A1
20140236058 Lee Aug 2014 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (29)
Number Date Country
2582678 Apr 2006 CA
1009155 Jan 1987 CN
19846922 Oct 2011 DE
0221636 May 1987 EP
0303029 Feb 1989 EP
0408049 Jan 1991 EP
0861651 Sep 1998 EP
0893115 Jan 1999 EP
1468816 Oct 2004 EP
2813770 Mar 2002 FR
2950245 Mar 2011 FR
2061086 May 1981 GB
2178663 Feb 1987 GB
2183483 Jun 1987 GB
2313784 Dec 1997 GB
2373444 Sep 2002 GB
59218154 Dec 1984 JP
60135110 Sep 1985 JP
09262261 Sep 1997 JP
2002065782 Mar 2002 JP
2003310312 Nov 2003 JP
2004081709 Mar 2004 JP
2005066247 Mar 2005 JP
2009000277 Jan 2009 JP
9620685 Jul 1996 WO
2004021950 Mar 2004 WO
2005082315 Sep 2005 WO
2006039242 Apr 2006 WO
2006083865 Aug 2006 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (16)
Entry
Office Action dated Jul. 29, 2014 in related Korean Patent Application serial No. 10-2013-0068775, 4 pages.
Mittelman, Jonathan S., MD: “Effectiveness of Leg Compression in Preventing Venous Stasis”, The American Journal of Surgery, Dec. 1982, p. 611-613, vol. 144, No. 6, Elsevier Publ., Bridgewater, NJ, USA.
Tyco Healthcare Kendall, SCD Response Catalog, Mar. 2000, pp. 1-2.
Tyco Healthcare Kendall, SCD Soft Sleeve Catalog, Apr. 2001, pp. 1-2.
The Kendall Company, Vascular Therapy Products Catalog, Jan. 1996, pp. 8-5 thru 8-7.
The Kendall Company, The New SCD Compression Sleeve, Aug. 1993, pp. 1-2.
Tyco Healthcare Kendall, Prevention Gets Personal Mar. 2001, pp. 1, 2, 4.
Kendall SCD, Sequential Compression Sleeves, Patent Information, Jan. 1993, 6 pgs.
Ramsley and Bushnell, “Development of the US Woodland Battle Dress Uniform”, Jan. 1981, p. 8 paragraph 4.
European Search Report for EP 13 16 3919 dated Oct. 11, 2013, 5 pages.
Office Action dated Oct. 27, 2014 in related Chinese application 201310220103.4, 19 pages.
Office Action dated May 7, 2014 in related Australian Application Serial No. 2013204544, 3 pages.
Office action issued Feb. 25, 2015 in related Korean Patent Application Serial No. 10-2013-0068775, 9 pages.
Office action issued Jan. 26, 2015 in related Taiwanese Patent Application Serial No. 102116093, 13 pages.
Office action issued Feb. 25 2015 in related Korean Patent Application Serial No. 102116093, 9 pages.
Office Action dated May 29, 2015 in related Chinese patent application serial No. 201310220103.4, 16 pages.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20130338552 A1 Dec 2013 US