TREA

Corkscrew reinforced left ventricle to coronary artery channel

Follow

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 7033372
  • Patent Number
    7,033,372
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, August 3, 2000
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, April 25, 2006
    18 years ago
Information
Abstract
A coil is screwed into the heart wall HW between the left ventricle and coronary artery, followed by forming of a channel with laser, plasma, electrical, or mechanical device therethrough.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention


This invention relates to method and apparatus for forming a channel to allow communication of fluids from one portion of a patient's body to another, and more particularly, to a device that can communicate blood between the left ventricle and coronary arteries or veins.


2. Description of the Related Art


Currently there exists a shunting concept that establishes a passage from the left ventricle directly to the coronary artery by the placement of a stent or hollow tube in a channel formed therethrough. Other designs also suggested that it might be possible to have a stent-less channel (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,124). Both designs have to deal with problems arising from the contraction and multidimensional movements of the heart wall in relation to the device. For a straight hollow tube the movement may create irritation between the tissue and the metal interface that may lead to a chronic inflammatory response, and maybe even to dislodgement of the tube. For a collapsible or expandable “wire” stent the constant movement can lead to fracture from cyclic fatigue (this has been documented in vivo humans —by Stent Medtronic). With respect to blood compatibility a solid tube presents maximum foreign surface to the blood of materials that are all relatively thrombogenic. While a wire or open stent design has less surface area exposed to blood, the profile of the stent in the flow field is less optimal and requires optimal placement.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

What is primarily needed is a device that can control the shape of the open channel between the left ventricle and coronary artery, and can withstand long and continuous complex movement without causing irritation, dislodgement, or fracture. An alternative approach to spikes, and stents, is the use of a screw in coil. The design of such a coil would be much like that of a corkscrew. This same design has been used on implantable pacemaker leads for years to anchor the electrode tips into the endocardium of the heart. This design yields very high stability in terms of pull out force and survival against mechanical dislodgement. It is also well tolerated without chronic inflammatory responses. Another advantage is in placement of the device, as it can be removed with ease and without significant tissue trauma should the initial placement attempt be less than optimal.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a coil screwed into the heart wall between the left ventricle and coronary artery.



FIG. 2 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a channel formed through the coil of FIG. 1.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT


FIGS. 1 and 2 roughly show the preferred design, which would comprise first screwing in a coil 10 into the heart wall HW between the left ventricle LV and coronary artery CA (FIG. 1), and then followed by forming of a channel 12 by, for example, laser, plasma, electrical, or mechanical device (FIG. 2). At this time it would be preferred to use the plasma ablation technique as the diameter of the channel can be controlled with considerable accuracy at the dimensions one would want, and also the asymmetry can be controlled.


In one embodiment, the corkscrew or coil 10 may be configured to have a desired pitch and spacing so that insertion of the coil 10 into the heart wall does not puncture through the coronary artery CA. This is accomplished by choosing an entry point for the coil 10 adjacent the coronary artery, and screwing the coil 10 into the heart wall such that the coronary artery is positioned in between the turns of the coil as the coil is inserted. In this embodiment, the spacing between the turns of the coil is greater than the diameter of the coronary artery.


Up until now it has been suggested that blood exposure to non endothelialized tissue surfaces would be a problem for a formed, stentless channel. In reality the challenge of the denatured proteins on the surface of a formed channel is certainly no more than that of a metal surface of a tube or stent concept.


It is further envisioned that the channel formed would be optimal for “paving” with a biocompatible polymer such as a PEG macromer (Focal of MA), and this could be a rapid and catheter-based method of in situ modification of the channel to improve blood compatibility.


It is also conceivable that the “corkscrew” can be placed on the distal tip of a catheter and also serves as a guide for the subsequent forming device to make the channel. Electrical circuits can be designed to operate within defined distances from the corkscrew, and can control the forming device that requires energy sources.


An additional advantage of the corkscrew is that a slight projection into the ventricle would not create dead spots for blood pooling like that of a hollow tube. It also would not be subject to rapid over insertion as is the case with puncture like devices.


Finally the corkscrew is not actually inside the channel and therefore presents no problems of profile and placement, as would be the case with an expanding stent design. The latter variable has been thought to be the most critical parameter in intravascular stent use.


It will be appreciated that although the above embodiments have been described as being used between the coronary artery and left ventricle, the methods and apparatus described above can be used between any heart chamber and blood vessel, or through any other body tissue between two body lumens in which a channel of blood is desired to be formed.


The embodiments illustrated and described above are provided merely as examples of certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. Various changes and modifications can be made from the embodiments presented herein by those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims
  • 1. A method for forming a channel between a heart chamber and a coronary vessel through body tissue, comprising: screwing a coil into the body tissue between the heart chamber and coronary vessel; andforming a channel within the coil in the body tissue that connects the heart chamber to the coronary vessel so as to place the heart chamber and the coronary vessel in flow communication with each other, wherein the channel does not include a naturally occurring blood containing anatomical conduit,wherein the screwing of the coil into the body tissue is completed prior to the forming of the channel.
  • 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming of the channel includes forming the channel via one of a laser device, a plasma ablation device, an electrical device, and a mechanical device.
  • 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the heart chamber is a left ventricle and the body tissue is a heart wall.
  • 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the coronary vessel is a coronary artery.
  • 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a biocompatible material to the channel.
  • 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising screwing in the coil via a catheter.
  • 7. A method for forming a channel between a first body lumen and a second body lumen through body tissue, comprising: screwing a coil into the body tissue between the first and second body lumens; andforming a channel in the body tissue that connects the first body lumen to the second body lumen, the body tissue defining a lumen of the channel,wherein the coil is not within the lumen of the channel and the lumen of the channel is within the coil.
  • 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the forming of the channel includes forming the channel via one of a laser device, a plasma ablation device, an electrical device, and a mechanical device.
  • 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the first body lumen is a heart chamber, the second body lumen is a coronary vessel, and the body tissue is a heart wall.
  • 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the heart chamber is a left ventricle and the coronary vessel is a coronary artery.
  • 11. The method of claim 7, further comprising applying a biocompatible material to the channel.
  • 12. The method of claim 7, further comprising screwing in the coil via a catheter.
  • 13. The method of claim 7, wherein the screwing of the coil into the body tissue occurs prior to forming the channel.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application is a national phase application based on PCT/US00/21120, filed Aug. 3, 2000, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/147,210, filed Aug. 4, 1999, the content of both of which is incorporated herein by reference.

PCT Information
Filing Document Filing Date Country Kind 371c Date
PCT/US00/21120 8/3/2000 WO 00 6/7/2002
Publishing Document Publishing Date Country Kind
WO01/10340 2/15/2001 WO A
US Referenced Citations (420)
Number Name Date Kind
4503568 Madras Mar 1985 A
4733665 Palmaz Mar 1988 A
4769029 Patel Sep 1988 A
4953553 Tremulis Sep 1990 A
4995857 Arnold Feb 1991 A
5035702 Taherei Jul 1991 A
5135467 Citron Aug 1992 A
5193546 Shaknovich Mar 1993 A
5258008 Wilk Nov 1993 A
5287861 Wilk Feb 1994 A
5330486 Wilk Jul 1994 A
5344426 Lau et al. Sep 1994 A
5385541 Kirsch et al. Jan 1995 A
5389096 Aita et al. Feb 1995 A
5409019 Wilk Apr 1995 A
5423744 Gincheff et al. Jun 1995 A
5423851 Samuels Jun 1995 A
5429144 Wilk Jul 1995 A
5443497 Venbrux Aug 1995 A
5456712 Maginot Oct 1995 A
5456714 Owen Oct 1995 A
5470320 Tiefenbrun et al. Nov 1995 A
5527337 Stack et al. Jun 1996 A
5554119 Harrison et al. Sep 1996 A
5578075 Dayton Nov 1996 A
5593434 Williams Jan 1997 A
5609626 Quijano et al. Mar 1997 A
5618299 Khosravi et al. Apr 1997 A
5655548 Nelson et al. Aug 1997 A
5662124 Wilk Sep 1997 A
5733267 Del Toro Mar 1998 A
5755682 Knudson et al. May 1998 A
5758663 Wilk et al. Jun 1998 A
5797933 Snow et al. Aug 1998 A
5807384 Mueller Sep 1998 A
5810836 Hussein et al. Sep 1998 A
5824038 Wall Oct 1998 A
5824071 Nelson et al. Oct 1998 A
5830222 Makower et al. Nov 1998 A
5843163 Wall Dec 1998 A
5851232 Lois Dec 1998 A
5855597 Jayaraman Jan 1999 A
5865723 Love Feb 1999 A
5876373 Giba et al. Mar 1999 A
5876419 Carpenter et al. Mar 1999 A
5878751 Hussein et al. Mar 1999 A
5885259 Berg Mar 1999 A
5908028 Wilk Jun 1999 A
5908029 Knudson et al. Jun 1999 A
5922022 Nash et al. Jul 1999 A
5925012 Murphy-Chutorian et al. Jul 1999 A
5931848 Saadat Aug 1999 A
5935119 Guy et al. Aug 1999 A
5935161 Robinson et al. Aug 1999 A
5935162 Dang Aug 1999 A
5938632 Ellis Aug 1999 A
5944019 Knudson et al. Aug 1999 A
5961548 Schmulewitz Oct 1999 A
5968064 Selmon et al. Oct 1999 A
5968093 Kranz Oct 1999 A
5971993 Hussein et al. Oct 1999 A
5976155 Foreman et al. Nov 1999 A
5976159 Bolduc et al. Nov 1999 A
5976169 Imran Nov 1999 A
5976181 Whelan et al. Nov 1999 A
5976182 Cox Nov 1999 A
5976192 McIntyre et al. Nov 1999 A
5976650 Campbell et al. Nov 1999 A
5979455 Maginot Nov 1999 A
5980533 Holman Nov 1999 A
5980548 Evans et al. Nov 1999 A
5980551 Summers et al. Nov 1999 A
5980552 Pinchasik et al. Nov 1999 A
5980553 Gray et al. Nov 1999 A
5980566 Alt et al. Nov 1999 A
5984955 Wisselink Nov 1999 A
5984956 Tweden et al. Nov 1999 A
5984963 Ryan et al. Nov 1999 A
5984965 Knapp et al. Nov 1999 A
5989207 Hughes Nov 1999 A
5989287 Yang et al. Nov 1999 A
5993481 Marcade et al. Nov 1999 A
5993482 Chuter Nov 1999 A
5997525 March et al. Dec 1999 A
5997563 Kretiers Dec 1999 A
5997573 Quijano et al. Dec 1999 A
5999678 Murphy-Chutorian et al. Dec 1999 A
6001123 Lau Dec 1999 A
6004261 Sinofsky et al. Dec 1999 A
6004347 McNamara et al. Dec 1999 A
6004348 Banas et al. Dec 1999 A
6007543 Ellis et al. Dec 1999 A
6007575 Samuels Dec 1999 A
6007576 McClellan Dec 1999 A
6010449 Selmon et al. Jan 2000 A
6010530 Goicoechea Jan 2000 A
6017365 Van Oepen Jan 2000 A
6026814 LaFontaine et al. Feb 2000 A
6029672 Vanney et al. Feb 2000 A
6035856 LaFontaine et al. Mar 2000 A
6036677 Javier, Jr. et al. Mar 2000 A
6036697 DiCaprio Mar 2000 A
6045565 Ellis et al. Apr 2000 A
6053911 Ryan et al. Apr 2000 A
6053924 Hussein Apr 2000 A
6053942 Eno et al. Apr 2000 A
6056743 Ellis et al. May 2000 A
6067988 Mueller May 2000 A
6068638 Makower et al. May 2000 A
6071292 Makowen et al. Jun 2000 A
6076529 Vanney et al. Jun 2000 A
6080163 Hussein et al. Jun 2000 A
6080170 Nash et al. Jun 2000 A
6092526 LaFontaine et al. Jul 2000 A
6093166 Knudson et al. Jul 2000 A
6093177 Javier, Jr. et al. Jul 2000 A
6093185 Ellis et al. Jul 2000 A
6095997 French et al. Aug 2000 A
6102941 Tweden et al. Aug 2000 A
6106538 Shiber Aug 2000 A
6110201 Quijano et al. Aug 2000 A
6113630 Vanney et al. Sep 2000 A
6113823 Eno Sep 2000 A
6117165 Becker Sep 2000 A
6120520 Saadat et al. Sep 2000 A
6123682 Knudson et al. Sep 2000 A
6126649 Van Tassel et al. Oct 2000 A
6126654 Giba et al. Oct 2000 A
6132451 Payne et al. Oct 2000 A
6139541 Vanney et al. Oct 2000 A
6152141 Stevens et al. Nov 2000 A
6155264 Ressemann et al. Dec 2000 A
6156031 Aita et al. Dec 2000 A
6157852 Selmon et al. Dec 2000 A
6159225 Makower Dec 2000 A
6162245 Jayaraman Dec 2000 A
6165185 Shennib et al. Dec 2000 A
6165188 Saadat et al. Dec 2000 A
6171251 Mueller et al. Jan 2001 B1
6182668 Tweden et al. Feb 2001 B1
6186972 Nelson et al. Feb 2001 B1
6187034 Frantzen Feb 2001 B1
6190353 Makower et al. Feb 2001 B1
6193726 Vanney Feb 2001 B1
6193734 Bolduc et al. Feb 2001 B1
D438618 Solem Mar 2001 S
6196230 Hall et al. Mar 2001 B1
6197050 Eno et al. Mar 2001 B1
6197324 Crittenden Mar 2001 B1
6200311 Danek et al. Mar 2001 B1
6203556 Evans et al. Mar 2001 B1
6213126 LaFontaine et al. Apr 2001 B1
6214041 Tweden et al. Apr 2001 B1
6217527 Selmon et al. Apr 2001 B1
6217549 Selmon et al. Apr 2001 B1
6217575 DeVore et al. Apr 2001 B1
6221049 Selmon et al. Apr 2001 B1
6223752 Vanney et al. May 2001 B1
6224584 March et al. May 2001 B1
6231546 Milo et al. May 2001 B1
6231551 Barbut May 2001 B1
6231587 Makower May 2001 B1
6235000 Milo et al. May 2001 B1
6237607 Vanney et al. May 2001 B1
6238406 Ellis et al. May 2001 B1
6241667 Vetter et al. Jun 2001 B1
6245102 Jayaraman Jun 2001 B1
6248112 Gambale et al. Jun 2001 B1
6250305 Tweden Jun 2001 B1
6251079 Gambale et al. Jun 2001 B1
6251104 Kesten et al. Jun 2001 B1
6251116 Shennib et al. Jun 2001 B1
6251418 Ahern et al. Jun 2001 B1
6253768 Wilk Jul 2001 B1
6253769 LaFontaine et al. Jul 2001 B1
6254564 Wilk et al. Jul 2001 B1
6258052 Milo Jul 2001 B1
6258119 Hussein et al. Jul 2001 B1
6261304 Hall et al. Jul 2001 B1
6283951 Flaherty et al. Sep 2001 B1
6283983 Makower et al. Sep 2001 B1
6285903 Rosenthal et al. Sep 2001 B1
6287317 Makower et al. Sep 2001 B1
6290709 Ellis et al. Sep 2001 B1
6290719 Garberoglio Sep 2001 B1
6290728 Phelps et al. Sep 2001 B1
6293955 Houser et al. Sep 2001 B1
6302875 Makower et al. Oct 2001 B1
6302892 Wilk Oct 2001 B1
6306125 Parker et al. Oct 2001 B1
6322548 Payne et al. Nov 2001 B1
6330884 Kim Dec 2001 B1
6344027 Goll Feb 2002 B1
6350248 Knudson et al. Feb 2002 B1
6352543 Cole Mar 2002 B1
6361519 Knudson et al. Mar 2002 B1
6363938 Saadat et al. Apr 2002 B1
6363939 Wilk Apr 2002 B1
6375615 Flaherty et al. Apr 2002 B1
6379319 Garibotto et al. Apr 2002 B1
6387119 Wolf et al. May 2002 B1
6390098 LaFontaine et al. May 2002 B1
6395208 Herweck et al. May 2002 B1
6402740 Ellis et al. Jun 2002 B1
6406488 Tweden et al. Jun 2002 B1
6406491 Vanney Jun 2002 B1
6409697 Eno et al. Jun 2002 B1
6409751 Hall et al. Jun 2002 B1
6416490 Ellis et al. Jul 2002 B1
6423089 Gingras et al. Jul 2002 B1
6432119 Saadat Aug 2002 B1
6432126 Gambale et al. Aug 2002 B1
6432127 Kim et al. Aug 2002 B1
6432132 Cottone et al. Aug 2002 B1
6443158 LaFontaine et al. Sep 2002 B1
6447522 Gambale et al. Sep 2002 B1
6447539 Nelson et al. Sep 2002 B1
6454760 Vanney Sep 2002 B1
6454794 Knudson et al. Sep 2002 B1
6458092 Gambale et al. Oct 2002 B1
6458140 Akin et al. Oct 2002 B1
6458323 Boekstegers Oct 2002 B1
6464709 Shennib et al. Oct 2002 B1
6475226 Belef et al. Nov 2002 B1
6475244 Herweck et al. Nov 2002 B1
6482220 Mueller Nov 2002 B1
6491689 Ellis et al. Dec 2002 B1
6491707 Makower et al. Dec 2002 B1
6506408 Palasis Jan 2003 B1
6508783 DeVore Jan 2003 B1
6508824 Flaherty et al. Jan 2003 B1
6508825 Selmon et al. Jan 2003 B1
6511458 Milo et al. Jan 2003 B1
6514217 Selmon et al. Feb 2003 B1
6514271 Evans et al. Feb 2003 B1
6517527 Gambale et al. Feb 2003 B1
6517558 Gittings et al. Feb 2003 B1
6524323 Nash et al. Feb 2003 B1
6524324 Mueller et al. Feb 2003 B1
6530914 Mickley Mar 2003 B1
6533779 Kinsella et al. Mar 2003 B1
6544220 Shuman et al. Apr 2003 B1
6544230 Flaherty Apr 2003 B1
6559132 Holmer May 2003 B1
6561998 Roth et al. May 2003 B1
6562066 Martin May 2003 B1
6565528 Mueller May 2003 B1
6565594 Herweck et al. May 2003 B1
6569145 Shmulewitz et al. May 2003 B1
6569147 Evans et al. May 2003 B1
6573311 Martakos et al. Jun 2003 B1
6575168 LaFontaine et al. Jun 2003 B1
6579311 Makower Jun 2003 B1
6582444 Wilk Jun 2003 B1
6582463 Mowry et al. Jun 2003 B1
6585650 Solem Jul 2003 B1
6587718 Talpade Jul 2003 B1
6589164 Flaherty Jul 2003 B1
6599304 Selmon et al. Jul 2003 B1
6602241 Makower et al. Aug 2003 B1
6605053 Kamm et al. Aug 2003 B1
6605113 Wilk Aug 2003 B1
6610100 Phelps et al. Aug 2003 B1
6613026 Palasis et al. Sep 2003 B1
6613081 Kim et al. Sep 2003 B1
6616626 Crank et al. Sep 2003 B1
6616675 Evard et al. Sep 2003 B1
6632470 Morra et al. Oct 2003 B1
6635214 Rapacki et al. Oct 2003 B1
6638237 Guiles et al. Oct 2003 B1
6638247 Selmon et al. Oct 2003 B1
6638293 Makower et al. Oct 2003 B1
6641610 Wolf et al. Nov 2003 B1
6651670 Rapacki et al. Nov 2003 B1
6652540 Cole et al. Nov 2003 B1
6652546 Nash et al. Nov 2003 B1
6655386 Makower et al. Dec 2003 B1
6660003 DeVore et al. Dec 2003 B1
6660024 Flaherty et al. Dec 2003 B1
6666863 Wentzel et al. Dec 2003 B1
6669691 Taimisto Dec 2003 B1
6669709 Cohn et al. Dec 2003 B1
6676695 Solem Jan 2004 B1
6685648 Flaherty et al. Feb 2004 B1
6685716 Flaherty et al. Feb 2004 B1
6694983 Wolf et al. Feb 2004 B1
6709425 Gambale et al. Mar 2004 B1
6709427 Nash et al. Mar 2004 B1
6709444 Makower Mar 2004 B1
6719770 Laufer et al. Apr 2004 B1
20010000041 Selmon et al. Mar 2001 A1
20010003985 Lafontaine et al. Jun 2001 A1
20010004683 Gambale et al. Jun 2001 A1
20010004690 Gambale et al. Jun 2001 A1
20010004699 Gittings et al. Jun 2001 A1
20010008969 Evans et al. Jul 2001 A1
20010012924 Milo et al. Aug 2001 A1
20010012948 Vanney Aug 2001 A1
20010014813 Saadat et al. Aug 2001 A1
20010016700 Eno et al. Aug 2001 A1
20010018596 Selmon et al. Aug 2001 A1
20010020172 Selmon et al. Sep 2001 A1
20010025643 Foley Oct 2001 A1
20010027287 Shmulewitz et al. Oct 2001 A1
20010029385 Shennib et al. Oct 2001 A1
20010034547 Hall et al. Oct 2001 A1
20010037117 Gambale et al. Nov 2001 A1
20010037149 Wilk Nov 2001 A1
20010039426 Makower et al. Nov 2001 A1
20010039445 Hall et al. Nov 2001 A1
20010041902 Lepulu et al. Nov 2001 A1
20010044631 Akin et al. Nov 2001 A1
20010047165 Makower et al. Nov 2001 A1
20010047197 Foley Nov 2001 A1
20010049523 DeVore et al. Dec 2001 A1
20010053932 Phelps et al. Dec 2001 A1
20020002349 Flaherty et al. Jan 2002 A1
20020004662 Wilk Jan 2002 A1
20020004663 Gittings et al. Jan 2002 A1
20020007138 Wilk et al. Jan 2002 A1
20020029079 Kim et al. Mar 2002 A1
20020032476 Gambale et al. Mar 2002 A1
20020032478 Boeksteggers et al. Mar 2002 A1
20020033180 Solem Mar 2002 A1
20020045928 Boekstegers Apr 2002 A1
20020049486 Knudson et al. Apr 2002 A1
20020049495 Kutryk et al. Apr 2002 A1
20020058897 Renati May 2002 A1
20020062146 Makower et al. May 2002 A1
20020065478 Knudson et al. May 2002 A1
20020072699 Knudson et al. Jun 2002 A1
20020072758 Reo et al. Jun 2002 A1
20020077566 Laroya et al. Jun 2002 A1
20020077654 Javier, Jr. et al. Jun 2002 A1
20020082546 Crank et al. Jun 2002 A1
20020092535 Wilk Jul 2002 A1
20020092536 LaFontaine et al. Jul 2002 A1
20020095110 Vanney et al. Jul 2002 A1
20020095111 Tweden et al. Jul 2002 A1
20020095206 Addonizio et al. Jul 2002 A1
20020099392 Mowry et al. Jul 2002 A1
20020099404 Mowry Jul 2002 A1
20020100484 Hall et al. Aug 2002 A1
20020103459 Sparks et al. Aug 2002 A1
20020103495 Cole Aug 2002 A1
20020103534 Vanney et al. Aug 2002 A1
20020111644 Shuman et al. Aug 2002 A1
20020111672 Kim et al. Aug 2002 A1
20020123698 Garibotto et al. Sep 2002 A1
20020123786 Gittings et al. Sep 2002 A1
20020138087 Shennib et al. Sep 2002 A1
20020143285 Eno et al. Oct 2002 A1
20020143289 Ellis et al. Oct 2002 A1
20020143347 Cole et al. Oct 2002 A1
20020144696 Sharkawy et al. Oct 2002 A1
20020161383 Akin et al. Oct 2002 A1
20020161424 Rapacki et al. Oct 2002 A1
20020165479 Wilk Nov 2002 A1
20020165606 Wolf et al. Nov 2002 A1
20020179098 Makower et al. Dec 2002 A1
20020183716 Herweck et al. Dec 2002 A1
20020193782 Ellis et al. Dec 2002 A1
20030015816 Rapacki et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030018379 Knudson et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030036698 Kohler et al. Feb 2003 A1
20030044315 Boekstegers Mar 2003 A1
20030045828 Wilk Mar 2003 A1
20030055371 Wolf et al. Mar 2003 A1
20030062650 Martakos et al. Apr 2003 A1
20030069532 Mowry et al. Apr 2003 A1
20030069587 Schorgl et al. Apr 2003 A1
20030073973 Evans et al. Apr 2003 A1
20030074006 Mowry et al. Apr 2003 A1
20030078561 Gambale et al. Apr 2003 A1
20030078562 Makower et al. Apr 2003 A1
20030083678 Herweck et al. May 2003 A1
20030097172 Shalev et al. May 2003 A1
20030100920 Akin et al. May 2003 A1
20030105514 Phelps et al. Jun 2003 A1
20030114872 Mueller et al. Jun 2003 A1
20030120195 Milo et al. Jun 2003 A1
20030120259 Mickley Jun 2003 A1
20030125798 Martin Jul 2003 A1
20030130611 Martin Jul 2003 A1
20030130719 Martin Jul 2003 A1
20030135260 Kohler et al. Jul 2003 A1
20030149474 Becker Aug 2003 A1
20030153901 Herweck et al. Aug 2003 A1
20030158509 Tweden et al. Aug 2003 A1
20030158573 Gittings et al. Aug 2003 A1
20030163198 Morra et al. Aug 2003 A1
20030171800 Bicek et al. Sep 2003 A1
20030181938 Roth et al. Sep 2003 A1
20030191449 Nash et al. Oct 2003 A1
20030195457 LaFontaine et al. Oct 2003 A1
20030195458 Phelps et al. Oct 2003 A1
20030195606 Davidson et al. Oct 2003 A1
20030204160 Kamm et al. Oct 2003 A1
20030212413 Wilk Nov 2003 A1
20030216678 March et al. Nov 2003 A1
20030216679 Wolf et al. Nov 2003 A1
20030216801 Tweden et al. Nov 2003 A1
20030220661 Mowry et al. Nov 2003 A1
20030225425 Kupiecki et al. Dec 2003 A1
20030229366 Reggie et al. Dec 2003 A1
20030236542 Makower Dec 2003 A1
20040006298 Wilk Jan 2004 A1
20040006301 Sell et al. Jan 2004 A1
20040015193 Lamson et al. Jan 2004 A1
20040015225 Kim et al. Jan 2004 A1
20040019348 Stevens et al. Jan 2004 A1
20040037946 Morra et al. Feb 2004 A1
20040044392 Von Oepen Mar 2004 A1
20040059280 Makower et al. Mar 2004 A1
20040073157 Knudson et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040073238 Makower Apr 2004 A1
20040077987 Rapacki et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040077988 Tweden et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040077990 Knudson et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040092976 Mowry et al. May 2004 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (205)
Number Date Country
200154153 Jan 2002 AU
757647 Feb 2003 AU
0 732 088 Sep 1996 EP
0 815 798 Jul 1997 EP
0 829 239 Aug 1997 EP
0 792 624 Sep 1997 EP
0 797 957 Oct 1997 EP
0 797 958 Oct 1997 EP
0 799 604 Oct 1997 EP
0 801 928 Oct 1997 EP
0 836 834 Oct 1997 EP
0 824 903 Feb 1998 EP
0 876 796 May 1998 EP
0 853 921 Jul 1998 EP
0 858 779 Aug 1998 EP
0 876 803 Nov 1998 EP
0 888 750 Jan 1999 EP
0 895 752 Feb 1999 EP
0 903 123 Mar 1999 EP
0 904 745 Mar 1999 EP
0 934 728 Aug 1999 EP
0 955 017 Nov 1999 EP
0 955 019 Nov 1999 EP
0 962 194 Dec 1999 EP
1 020 166 Jul 2000 EP
1 027 870 Aug 2000 EP
1 088 564 Apr 2001 EP
1 097 676 May 2001 EP
1 166 721 Jan 2002 EP
0 959 815 Dec 2002 EP
1 112 097 Jun 2003 EP
2316322 Oct 1998 GB
WO 9416629 Aug 1994 WO
WO 9632972 Oct 1996 WO
WO 9635469 Nov 1996 WO
WO 9639962 Dec 1996 WO
WO 9639964 Dec 1996 WO
WO 9639965 Dec 1996 WO
9713463 Apr 1997 WO
9713471 Apr 1997 WO
WO 9718768 May 1997 WO
9727893 Aug 1997 WO
9727897 Aug 1997 WO
9727898 Aug 1997 WO
9732551 Sep 1997 WO
WO 9741916 Nov 1997 WO
WO 9743961 Nov 1997 WO
WO 9802099 Jan 1998 WO
WO 9803118 Jan 1998 WO
9806356 Feb 1998 WO
WO 9806356 Feb 1998 WO
9808456 Mar 1998 WO
9810714 Mar 1998 WO
9816161 Apr 1998 WO
WO 9819607 May 1998 WO
WO 9824373 Jun 1998 WO
WO 9825533 Jun 1998 WO
WO 9838916 Sep 1998 WO
WO 9838925 Sep 1998 WO
WO 9838939 Sep 1998 WO
WO 9838941 Sep 1998 WO
WO 9839038 Sep 1998 WO
9846115 Oct 1998 WO
9846119 Oct 1998 WO
WO 9844869 Oct 1998 WO
WO 9849964 Nov 1998 WO
WO 9853759 Dec 1998 WO
WO 9855027 Dec 1998 WO
WO 9857590 Dec 1998 WO
WO 9857591 Dec 1998 WO
WO 9857592 Dec 1998 WO
9908624 Feb 1999 WO
WO 9907296 Feb 1999 WO
9917683 Apr 1999 WO
WO 9915220 Apr 1999 WO
WO 9917671 Apr 1999 WO
9921490 May 1999 WO
9925273 May 1999 WO
WO 9921510 May 1999 WO
WO 9922655 May 1999 WO
WO 9922658 May 1999 WO
WO 9927985 Jun 1999 WO
9936000 Jul 1999 WO
9936001 Jul 1999 WO
WO 9932051 Jul 1999 WO
WO 9935977 Jul 1999 WO
WO 9935979 Jul 1999 WO
WO 9935980 Jul 1999 WO
WO 9937218 Jul 1999 WO
9938459 Aug 1999 WO
9940868 Aug 1999 WO
WO 9940853 Aug 1999 WO
WO 9940963 Aug 1999 WO
9948545 Sep 1999 WO
WO 9944524 Sep 1999 WO
WO 9947071 Sep 1999 WO
WO 9947078 Sep 1999 WO
WO 9948427 Sep 1999 WO
WO 9948549 Sep 1999 WO
9949793 Oct 1999 WO
9949910 Oct 1999 WO
9951162 Oct 1999 WO
9953863 Oct 1999 WO
WO 9955406 Nov 1999 WO
9960941 Dec 1999 WO
9962430 Dec 1999 WO
0009195 Feb 2000 WO
0012029 Mar 2000 WO
0015146 Mar 2000 WO
0015147 Mar 2000 WO
0015148 Mar 2000 WO
0015149 Mar 2000 WO
0015275 Mar 2000 WO
WO 0010623 Mar 2000 WO
WO 0013722 Mar 2000 WO
0021436 Apr 2000 WO
0021461 Apr 2000 WO
0021463 Apr 2000 WO
WO 0018302 Apr 2000 WO
WO 0018323 Apr 2000 WO
WO 0018325 Apr 2000 WO
WO 0018326 Apr 2000 WO
WO 0018331 Apr 2000 WO
WO 0018462 Apr 2000 WO
0024449 May 2000 WO
0033725 Jun 2000 WO
WO 0035376 Jun 2000 WO
WO 0036997 Jun 2000 WO
0041632 Jul 2000 WO
0041633 Jul 2000 WO
WO 0043051 Jul 2000 WO
0045711 Aug 2000 WO
WO 0045886 Aug 2000 WO
WO 0049952 Aug 2000 WO
WO 0049954 Aug 2000 WO
WO 0049956 Aug 2000 WO
0056387 Sep 2000 WO
WO 0054660 Sep 2000 WO
WO 0054661 Sep 2000 WO
WO 0056224 Sep 2000 WO
WO 0056225 Sep 2000 WO
0066007 Nov 2000 WO
0066009 Nov 2000 WO
0066035 Nov 2000 WO
0071195 Nov 2000 WO
WO 0069345 Nov 2000 WO
WO 0069504 Nov 2000 WO
0110340 Feb 2001 WO
0110341 Feb 2001 WO
0110347 Feb 2001 WO
0110348 Feb 2001 WO
0110349 Feb 2001 WO
WO 0108566 Feb 2001 WO
WO 0108602 Feb 2001 WO
WO 0110350 Feb 2001 WO
WO 0117440 Mar 2001 WO
WO 0117456 Mar 2001 WO
WO 0123016 Apr 2001 WO
WO 0126562 Apr 2001 WO
WO 0141657 Jun 2001 WO
WO 0149187 Jul 2001 WO
WO 0154625 Aug 2001 WO
WO 0168158 Sep 2001 WO
WO 0170133 Sep 2001 WO
WO 0172239 Oct 2001 WO
WO 0178801 Oct 2001 WO
WO 0182803 Nov 2001 WO
WO 0182837 Nov 2001 WO
WO 0202163 Jan 2002 WO
WO 02011647 Feb 2002 WO
WO 02011807 Feb 2002 WO
WO 02013698 Feb 2002 WO
WO 02013699 Feb 2002 WO
WO 02013703 Feb 2002 WO
WO 02013704 Feb 2002 WO
WO 0224108 Mar 2002 WO
WO 0224247 Mar 2002 WO
WO 02024248 Mar 2002 WO
WO 02026310 Apr 2002 WO
WO 02026462 Apr 2002 WO
WO 02030325 Apr 2002 WO
WO 02030326 Apr 2002 WO
WO 02030330 Apr 2002 WO
WO 02032330 Apr 2002 WO
WO 02034323 May 2002 WO
WO 02045598 Jun 2002 WO
WO 02049695 Jun 2002 WO
WO 02056937 Jul 2002 WO
WO 02058567 Aug 2002 WO
WO 02058591 Aug 2002 WO
WO 02060509 Aug 2002 WO
WO 02062265 Aug 2002 WO
WO 02064020 Aug 2002 WO
WO 02071974 Sep 2002 WO
WO 02074175 Sep 2002 WO
WO 02091958 Nov 2002 WO
WO 03008005 Jan 2003 WO
WO 03015638 Feb 2003 WO
WO 03017870 Mar 2003 WO
WO 03024307 Mar 2003 WO
WO 03028522 Apr 2003 WO
WO 03030744 Apr 2003 WO
WO 03030784 Apr 2003 WO
WO 03079932 Oct 2003 WO
WO 2004000170 Dec 2003 WO
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60147210 Aug 1999 US