Cushion and cushion to frame assembly mechanism for patient interface

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 10195384
  • Patent Number
    10,195,384
  • Date Filed
    Friday, October 24, 2014
    9 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, February 5, 2019
    5 years ago
Abstract
A full-face cushion for a patient interface that delivers breathable gas to a patient includes a frame connector adapted to engage the cushion with a mask frame. A clip is provided to maintain the cushion to the frame. The clip includes clip portions that connect to the frame with a snap-fit.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cushion for a patient interface used in the treatment, e.g., of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) with Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NPPV). The present invention also relates to a method and apparatus for assembling a cushion to a frame of the patient interface.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

PCT Publication No. WO 2006/074513 and PCT Application No. PCT/AU2006/000035 describe embodiments of a cushion and a cushion to frame assembly mechanism.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention relates to improvements and/or alternative arrangements of the cushion and cushion to frame assembly mechanism described in PCT Publication No. WO 2006/074513 and PCT Application No. PCT/AU2006/000035 to enhance respiratory therapy.


Another aspect of the invention relates to a full-face cushion for a patient interface that delivers breathable gas to a patient. The full-face cushion includes a frame connector adapted to attach the cushion to a mask frame and an interface provided to the frame connector. The interface is constructed of foam and defines a cushion cavity. The interface includes a foam contact surface adapted to interface or contact with surfaces of the patient's face in use.


Another aspect of the invention relates to a full-face cushion for a patient interface that delivers breathable gas to a patient. The full-face cushion includes a membrane including a uniform wall thickness in the range of 0.15-0.30 mm around the perimeter of the cushion and a foam insert provided to the membrane to support the membrane. The foam insert is structured to provide a variable spring component to the membrane. In alternative embodiments, the thickness of the membrane could be variable from 0.15-0.7 mm, e.g., depending on location around the perimeter of the cushion.


Another aspect of the invention relates to a full-face cushion for a patient interface that delivers breathable gas to a patient. The full-face cushion includes a side wall, a membrane extending away from the side wall and adapted to form a continuous seal on the patient's face in use, and one or more ribs provided to the side wall to vary its spring characteristic.


Another aspect of the invention relates to a full-face cushion for a patient interface that delivers breathable gas to a patient. The full-face cushion includes a frame connector adapted to attach the cushion to a mask frame, a side wall extending away from the frame connector, and a membrane extending away from the side wall and adapted to form a continuous seal on the patient's face in use. The side wall is angled outwardly with respect to the frame connector by an angle to vary the spring characteristic, and the angle may be different in different regions of the cushion.


Another aspect of the invention relates to a full-face cushion for a patient interface that delivers breathable gas to a patient. The full-face cushion includes a membrane including a wall thickness less than 0.3 mm provided in at least a region of the cushion. The thickness may be between about 0.15 mm to 0.30 mm. In alternative embodiments, the thickness of the membrane could be variable from 0.15-0.7 mm, e.g., depending on location around the perimeter of the cushion.


Another aspect of the invention relates to a full-face cushion for a patient interface that delivers breathable gas to a patient. The full-face cushion includes a side wall, an underlying support cushion extending away from the side wall, and a membrane provided to substantially cover at least a portion of the underlying cushion. The underlying support cushion is provided in at least side of nose, upper cheek, lower cheek, and mouth/chin regions of the cushion, and the underlying support cushion in the mouth/chin region has a smaller wall thickness than the other regions.


Another aspect of the invention relates to a full-face mask assembly including a frame, a cushion provided to the frame, and a clip to maintain the cushion to the frame. The cushion is adapted to form a seal around the patient's nose and mouth. The clip includes three clip portions adapted to engage the frame, and the clip includes a flange that extends around the perimeter and three cut-outs are provided in the flange adjacent respective clip portions.


Other aspects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this disclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, principles of this invention.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments of this invention. In such drawings:



FIGS. 1-1 to 1-2 illustrate a foam cushion according to an embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 1-3 illustrates a foam cushion with different stiffnesses according to an embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 2-1 illustrates a cushion including a foam insert according to an embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 3-1 illustrates a cushion including ribs according to an embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 3-2 illustrates a cushion including ribs according to another embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 4-1 illustrates a cushion including and angled side wall according to an embodiment of the present invention;



FIGS. 5-1 to 5-3 illustrate a cushion including a very thin membrane wall thickness according to an embodiment of the present invention;



FIGS. 6-1 to 6-6 illustrate a cushion including a thinned undercushion in a mouth/chin region according to an embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 7-1 illustrates a cushion to frame assembly mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention; and



FIG. 7-2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the engagement between the cushion clip, cushion, and frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided in relation to several embodiments which may share common characteristics and features. It is to be understood that one or more features of any one embodiment may be combinable with one or more features of the other embodiments. In addition, any single feature or combination of features in any of the embodiments may constitute additional embodiments.


In this specification, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its “open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limited to its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of”. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words “comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear.


Each illustrated embodiment includes features that may be adapted for use and/or incorporated into the embodiments and/or components of the cushion and/or cushion to frame assembly mechanism described in PCT Publication No. WO 2006/074513 and PCT Application No. PCT/AU2006/000035, as would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. PCT Publication No. WO 2006/074513 and PCT Application No. PCT/AU2006/000035 are each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.


While each illustrated embodiment is described as being implemented into a cushion and/or cushion to frame assembly mechanism of the type described in PCT Publication No. WO 2006/074513 and PCT Application No. PCT/AU2006/000035, each illustrated embodiment may be implemented into other masks, e.g., full-face mask, mouth mask, nasal mask, nasal prongs, nozzles, nare seals, and/or cannulae.


1. Improvements/Alternative Arrangements


The following embodiments describe improvements and/or alternative arrangements of the cushion and cushion to frame assembly mechanism described in PCT Publication No. WO 2006/074513 and PCT Application No. PCT/AU2006/000035 to enhance respiratory therapy.


2. Variable Spring Characteristic of Cushion


PCT Publication No. WO 2006/074513 discloses a cushion having a varying cross-section around its perimeter to tailor or vary the spring characteristic.


2.1 Foam Cushion to Vary Spring Characteristic


In an alternative embodiment, a cushion may be constructed of a foam material to vary the spring characteristic. For example, FIGS. 1-1 and 1-2 illustrate a foam cushion 10 constructed of a foam material F. As illustrated, the foam cushion 10 provides a foam interface that defines a cushion cavity 11 and includes a foam contact surface 12 adapted to interface or contact with surfaces of the patient's face in use. The foam contact surface 12 may have a similar contour or geometry to that of the cushion illustrated in PCT Publication No. WO 2006/074513. However, the foam contact surface may have other suitable contours or geometries, e.g., to accommodate contours of a particular patient's face.


The foam material F may include one or more of the foam properties described in U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/874,968, filed Dec. 15, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/833,841, filed Jul. 28, 2006, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, the foam material may be visco-elastic, de-skinned, etc.


In the illustrated embodiment, the foam cushion 10 includes a frame connector 14 in the form of a grooved portion adapted to attach the cushion to a mask frame. However, the foam cushion 10 may include other suitable frame connectors for attachment to the mask frame, e.g., Velcro®, cushion clip, relatively rigid base, etc.


Also, the foam cushion 10 may include different stiffnesses (e.g., by varying the density) in order to vary the spring characteristic. The stiffness of the cushion may be varied in different regions of the cushion, e.g., to tailor the cushion for a particular patient. For example, as shown in FIG. 1-3, the foam cushion may include a relatively softer, less dense foam in nasal bridge and chin regions NB, C, and a relatively harder, more dense foam in cheek regions CH. This arrangement provides higher flexibility in the nasal bridge and chin regions NB, C and lower flexibility in the cheek regions CH, e.g., for stability. However, the foam cushion may have other suitable characteristics around its perimeter.


In an alternative embodiment, foam may be provided in some regions of the cushion and a silicone membrane may be provided in other regions of the cushion. For example, foam may only be used in the cheek region and the silicone membrane may be used in the nasal bridge and chin regions. In this arrangement, support is only provided by the sturdy, less sensitive cheek structures and is less prone to cause an out of balance mask due to protruding or weak chins.


2.2 Foam Insert


In another alternative embodiment, a foam insert may be used in a cushion to vary the spring characteristic. For example, FIG. 2-1 illustrates a cushion 20 including a relatively thin membrane 22 (e.g., of uniform thickness around the entire perimeter (e.g., 0.15-0.3 mm)) and a foam insert 25 provided to the cushion 20 to support the membrane 22 and provide a variable spring component. For example, the membrane may provide a relatively constant or no spring component and the foam insert may provide a variable spring component to vary the spring characteristic of the cushion. In alternative embodiments, the thickness of the membrane could be variable from 0.15-0.7 mm, e.g., depending on location around the perimeter of the cushion.


The foam insert 25 may include one or more of the foam properties described in U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/874,968, filed Dec. 15, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/833,841, filed Jul. 28, 2006, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, the foam insert may be visco-elastic, de-skinned, etc.


The foam insert 25 may be retained to the cushion 20 in any suitable manner, e.g., friction-fit, adhesive, mechanical interlock, etc.


Similar to the above, the foam insert 25 may include different stiffnesses (e.g., by varying the density) in order to vary the spring characteristic. The stiffness of the foam insert 25 may be varied in different regions, e.g., to tailor the foam insert for a particular patient.


In an embodiment, the foam insert 25 may be removably mounted or retro-fit to the cushion 20 so that different foam inserts may be used in the cushion from night to night and/or a foam insert may be optionally used in the cushion, e.g., foam insert used on alternate nights.


Also, in an alternative embodiment, a foam insert may only be provided in selected regions of the cushion in order to vary the spring characteristic in the selected region. For example, a foam insert may only be used in the cheek region which provides a sturdy, less sensitive support.


In another embodiment, the base of the foam insert may be angled in selected regions so that compression of the foam insert is normal or perpendicular to facial structures, e.g., base of the foam insert angled to align the membrane to be perpendicular to the sides of the patient's nose.


2.3 Cushion with Ribs


In another alternative embodiment, a cushion may be provided with one or more ribs to vary the spring characteristic. For example, FIG. 3-1 illustrates a cushion 30 including a series of ribs 32 that extend around the perimeter of the cushion. The ribs 32 may be integrally formed with the cushion and/or attached to the cushion, e.g., by an adhesive.


In the illustrated embodiment, the series of ribs 32 are provided to an external surface of the cushion, e.g., along an external surface of the cushion side wall. However, the ribs may be provided to other suitable portions of the cushion, e.g., along an internal surface of the cushion side wall.


Also, each rib 32 includes an elongated configuration and extends vertically along the cushion side wall in spaced apart relation from the other ribs. However, the ribs may have other suitable configurations and arrangements to vary the spring characteristic, e.g., different shape, length, width, thickness, spacing around perimeter, orientation, etc. For example, FIG. 3-2 illustrates a cushion including a series of interconnected ribs 34.


In addition, the rib configuration and/or arrangement may be varied in different regions of the cushion, e.g., to tailor the stiffness of the cushion for a particular patient. For example, the cushion may include no ribs in nasal bridge and chin regions to allow higher flexibility in these regions, and the cushion may include a series of ribs in cheek regions to allow lower flexibility in these regions, e.g., for stability. However, the rib configuration and/or arrangement may be varied in other suitable manners around the cushion perimeter.


In an embodiment, the ribs may replace an underlying support cushion or undercushion to vary the spring characteristic. In another embodiment, the ribs may be used in conjunction with an undercushion to vary the spring characteristic.


2.4 Angled Cushion Shape


PCT Publication No. WO 2006/074513 discloses a cushion wherein one or more portions have a sickle-shaped cross-sectional configuration. In an alternative embodiment, the cushion may have one or more portions with an angled-shaped cross-sectional configuration to vary the spring characteristic. For example, FIG. 4-1 illustrates a cushion 40 including a membrane 42, an optional underlying support cushion or undercushion 44, a base or side wall 46, and a frame connector 48 adapted to attach the cushion to a mask frame.


In the illustrated embodiment, the side wall 46 is angled outwardly with respect to the frame connector 48 by an angle α. The angle α may be varied to vary the spring characteristic provided by such angled side wall. However, other cushion parameters may be varied to vary the spring characteristic, e.g., wall thickness, length, undercushion radius, etc.


In addition, the angle α and/or other cushion parameters may be varied in different regions of the cushion, e.g., to tailor the stiffness of the cushion for a particular patient. For example, the angle α may be varied to allow higher flexibility in more sensitive regions, e.g., nasal bridge region, and lower flexibility in less sensitive regions, e.g., cheek region. However, the angle α and/or other cushion parameters may be varied in other suitable manners around the cushion perimeter.


3. Nasal Bridge Region of Cushion


PCT Publication No. WO 2006/074513 discloses a cushion having a membrane with a relatively thin wall thickness in the nasal bridge region, e.g., 0.3 mm thick.


3.1 Very Thin Membrane Wall Thickness


In an alternative embodiment, one or more regions of a cushion may have a membrane with a wall thickness less than 0.3 mm thick. For example, FIGS. 5-1 to 5-3 illustrate a cushion 50 having a membrane 52 with a wall thickness of about 0.15 mm. As illustrated, such 0.15 mm membrane wall thickness is provided in a nasal bridge region NB and a side of nose and/or upper cheek region UC of the cushion. Other regions of the cushion, e.g., lower cheek and chin regions, may have thicker membrane wall thicknesses, e.g., 0.5 mm. This arrangement provides higher flexibility in more sensitive regions, e.g., nasal bridge and upper cheek regions, and lower flexibility in less sensitive regions, e.g., cheek and chin regions. However, the wall thickness of the membrane may be varied in other suitable manners around the cushion perimeter. In alternative embodiments, the thickness of the membrane could be variable from 0.15-0.7 mm, e.g., depending on location around the perimeter of the cushion.


4. Mouth/Chin Region of Cushion


PCT Publication No. WO 2006/074513 discloses a cushion that includes a cut-out of the undercushion in the mouth/chin region.


4.1 Thinned Section for Undercushion


In an alternative embodiment, the mouth/chin region of the cushion may include an undercushion. For example, FIGS. 6-1 to 6-6 illustrate a cushion 60 including a membrane 62 and an underlying support cushion or undercushion 64 provided to side of nose region SN, upper cheek region UC, lower cheek region LC, and mouth/chin region C of the cushion. Although an undercushion is not illustrated in the nasal bridge region NB (e.g., see FIG. 6-2), the cushion may include an undercushion in the nasal bridge region NB in an alternative embodiment, e.g., undercushion extends around entire perimeter of the cushion.


In the illustrated embodiment, the wall thickness of the undercushion in the mouth/chin region C may be thinner than the undercushion in other regions of the cushion. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6-3 to 6-6, the wall thicknesses of the undercushion 64 in the side of nose region SN, upper cheek region UC, and lower cheek region LC are thicker than the undercushion 64 in the mouth/chin region C. This arrangement provides higher flexibility in the mouth/chin region C, which may be more sensitive. However, the wall thickness of the undercushion may be varied in other suitable manners around the cushion perimeter.


4.2 Series of Ribs


In another alternative embodiment, the undercushion may be replaced with a series of ribs that extend around the perimeter of the cushion, e.g., ribs of varying thickness and/or width to vary the spring characteristic. Further details and arrangements of such ribs are described above in section 2.3.


5. Cushion to Frame Assembly Mechanism


PCT Application No. PCT/AU2006/000035 discloses a mask assembly including an internal-style cushion clip with three attachment points to removably connect a cushion to a mask frame.


5.1 Cushion to Cushion Clip Attachment


In an embodiment, the mask assembly may include a cushion clip with three cut-outs that are adapted to interlock with respective solid sections provided in the retaining recess of the cushion.


For example, FIG. 7-1 illustrates a cushion clip 70 including side clip portions 72, 74 and a bottom clip portion 76 adapted to engage respective slots 92 provided on the frame 90 (one of the slots hidden in FIG. 7-1). It should be appreciated that the cushion clip 70 may have any suitable number of clip portions, and the number of slots in the frame 90 may be varied according to the number of clip portions. Also, the cushion clip 70 includes a flange 78 around the perimeter, and slots or cut-outs 80 are provided in the flange 78 adjacent respective clip portions 72, 74, 76.


In use, the cushion clip 70 is first assembled or interlocked with the cushion 95 to provide a cushion clip/cushion sub-assembly, and then the cushion clip/cushion sub-assembly is engaged with the frame 90 by inserting the clip portions 72, 74, 76 of the cushion clip 70 into respective slots 92 of the frame 90, e.g., with a snap-fit.


The cushion clip 70 is assembled to the cushion 95 by engaging the flange 78 of the cushion clip 70 within the retaining recess 96 of the cushion 95. The cut-outs 80 in the cushion clip 70 are adapted to interlock or engage with respective solid sections 98 provided in the retaining recess, i.e., solid sections provided on opposing sides and the bottom of the cushion. The three cut-outs/solid sections assist with correct orientation or alignment of the cushion clip 70 onto the cushion 95. However, other suitable numbers of cut-outs/solid sections may be provided.



FIG. 7-2 is an exemplary cross-sectional view illustrating the engagement between the cushion clip 70, cushion 95, and frame 90. As illustrated, the cushion 95 is sandwiched between inner and outer walls 93, 94 of the frame 90 and the cushion 95 may include a lip seal 97 adapted engage the inner wall 93 and provide a seal.


In the illustrated embodiment, the side clip portions 72, 74 include a different structure or configuration than the bottom clip portion 76. As illustrated, the side clip portions 72, 74 are relatively thick and include contoured finger grips 82 to facilitate assembly. The bottom clip portion 76 has a lower profile than the side clip portions 72, 74 and does not provide finger grips. However, the clip portions 72, 74, 76 may have other suitable arrangements, e.g., bottom clip portion similar structure to side clip portions.


While the invention has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the various embodiments described above may be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, e.g., aspects of one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment to realize yet other embodiments. Further, each independent feature or component of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment. Furthermore, each individual component of any given assembly, one or more portions of an individual component of any given assembly, and various combinations of components from one or more embodiments may include one or more ornamental design features. In addition, while the invention has particular application to patients who suffer from OSA, it is to be appreciated that patients who suffer from other illnesses (e.g., congestive heart failure, diabetes, morbid obesity, stroke, bariatric surgery, etc.) can derive benefit from the above teachings. Moreover, the above teachings have applicability with patients and non-patients alike in non-medical applications.

Claims
  • 1. A full-face mask assembly, comprising: a frame;a cushion provided to the frame, the cushion including a nasal bridge region, a pair of cheek regions and a chin region, the cushion being adapted to form a seal around a patient's nose and mouth; anda clip to maintain the cushion to the frame,wherein the clip includes three spaced clip portions adapted to engage the frame, the clip including a flange that extends around a perimeter of the clip and three cut-outs provided in the flange adjacent respective clip portions, each clip portion having a length extending towards the frame and a width extending in a direction along an outer perimeter of the flange, andwherein each clip portion has a greater width than a width of the respective cut-out along the outer perimeter of the flange.
  • 2. The full-face mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flange is adapted to engage within a retaining recess provided to the cushion, and the three cut-outs in the flange are adapted to interlock with a respective solid section provided within the retaining recess of the cushion.
  • 3. The full-face mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein one of the clip portions has a different structure or configuration than the other of the clip portions.
  • 4. The full-face mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cushion includes a side wall having a spring characteristic that varies in different regions of the cushion.
  • 5. The full-face mask assembly according to claim 4, wherein one or more ribs are provided to the side wall to vary the spring characteristic.
  • 6. The full-face mask assembly according to claim 5, wherein the one or more ribs includes a series of ribs that extend around a perimeter of the cushion in spaced apart relation.
  • 7. The full-face mask assembly according to claim 5, wherein the one or more ribs provide different stiffnesses in different regions of the cushion.
  • 8. The full-face mask assembly according to claim 5, wherein a shape, length, width, thickness, spacing, and/or orientation of the ribs is variable to vary the spring characteristic.
  • 9. The full-face mask assembly according to claim 5, said cushion further comprising a membrane extending away from the side wall and adapted to form a continuous seal on the patient's face.
  • 10. The full-face mask assembly according to claim 9, further comprising an underlying support cushion extending away from the side wall and having at least a portion substantially covered by the membrane.
  • 11. The full-face mask assembly according to claim 4, said cushion further comprising a frame connector adapted to engage the frame, wherein the side wall is angled outwardly with respect to the frame connector by an angle to vary the spring characteristic.
  • 12. The full-face mask assembly according to claim 11, wherein the angle is different in different regions of the cushion.
  • 13. The full-face mask assembly according to claim 11, said cushion further comprising a membrane extending away from the side wall and adapted to form a continuous seal on the patient's face.
  • 14. The full-face mask assembly according to claim 13, further comprising an underlying support cushion extending away from the side wall and having at least a portion substantially covered by the membrane.
  • 15. The full-face mask assembly according to claim 1, said cushion further comprising: a side wall; anda membrane extending away from the side wall and adapted to form a continuous seal on the patient's face.
  • 16. The full-face mask assembly according to claim 15, wherein the membrane has a wall thickness less than 0.3 mm in at least one region of the cushion.
  • 17. The full-face mask assembly according to claim 16, wherein the wall thickness is about 0.15 mm.
  • 18. The full-face mask assembly according to claim 16, wherein the wall thickness which is less than 0.3 mm is provided in at least the nasal bridge region of the cushion.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/081,696, filed Apr. 18, 2008, now allowed, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/935,336, filed Aug. 8, 2007, and 60/907,856, filed Apr. 19, 2007, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Also, PCT Publication No. WO 2006/074513, published Jul. 20, 2006, and PCT Application No. PCT/AU2006/000035, filed Jan. 12, 2006, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

US Referenced Citations (621)
Number Name Date Kind
443191 Illing Dec 1890 A
781516 Guthrie, Jr. Jan 1905 A
812706 Warbasse Feb 1906 A
1081745 Johnston Dec 1913 A
1125542 Humphries Jan 1915 A
1192186 Greene Jul 1916 A
1229050 Donald Jun 1917 A
1282527 Bidonde Oct 1918 A
1362766 McGargill Dec 1920 A
1445010 Feinberg Feb 1923 A
1610793 Kaufman Dec 1926 A
1632449 McKesson Jun 1927 A
1653572 Jackson Dec 1927 A
1710160 Gibbs Apr 1929 A
1926027 Biggs Apr 1929 A
1873160 Sturtevant Aug 1932 A
2011733 Shindel Aug 1935 A
2104016 Biggs Jan 1938 A
2123353 Catt Jul 1938 A
2130555 Malcom Sep 1938 A
2133699 Heidbrink Oct 1938 A
2248477 Lombard Jul 1941 A
2254854 O'Connell Sep 1941 A
2317608 Heidbrink Apr 1943 A
2353643 Bulbulian Jul 1944 A
2371965 Lehmberg Mar 1945 A
2376871 Fink May 1945 A
2415846 Randall Feb 1947 A
2428451 Emerson Oct 1947 A
2433565 Korman Dec 1947 A
2438058 Kincheloe Mar 1948 A
2578621 Yant Dec 1951 A
2625155 Engelder Jan 1953 A
2641253 Engelder Jun 1953 A
2875759 Galleher Dec 1954 A
2706983 Matheson et al. Apr 1955 A
2749910 Faulconer, Jr. Jun 1956 A
RE24193 Emerson Aug 1956 E
2881444 Fresh et al. Apr 1959 A
2882895 Galeazzi Apr 1959 A
2902033 Galleher, Jr. Sep 1959 A
2931356 Schwarz Apr 1960 A
D188084 Garelick May 1960 S
2939458 Lundquist Jun 1960 A
3013556 Galleher Dec 1961 A
3182659 Blount May 1965 A
3189027 Webb et al. Jul 1965 A
3238943 Holley Mar 1966 A
3315674 Bloom et al. Apr 1967 A
3330273 Bennett Jul 1967 A
3330274 Bennett Jul 1967 A
3362420 Blackburn et al. Jan 1968 A
3363833 Laerdal Jan 1968 A
3545436 Holloway Dec 1970 A
3556122 Laerdal Jan 1971 A
3580051 Blevins May 1971 A
3670726 Mahon et al. Mar 1972 A
3682171 Dali et al. Aug 1972 A
3700000 Hesse Oct 1972 A
3720235 Schrock Mar 1973 A
3739774 Gregory Jun 1973 A
3754552 King Aug 1973 A
3796216 Schwarz Mar 1974 A
3799164 Rollins Mar 1974 A
D231803 Huddy Jun 1974 S
3861385 Carden Jan 1975 A
3902486 Guichard Sep 1975 A
3905361 Hewson et al. Sep 1975 A
3910261 Ragsdale et al. Oct 1975 A
3938614 Ahs Feb 1976 A
3972321 Proctor Aug 1976 A
4006744 Steer Feb 1977 A
4062357 Laerdal Dec 1977 A
4069516 Watkins, Jr. Jan 1978 A
4077404 Elam Mar 1978 A
D250131 Lewis et al. Oct 1978 S
4142527 Garcia Mar 1979 A
4153051 Shippert May 1979 A
4156426 Gold May 1979 A
4167185 Lewis Sep 1979 A
4226234 Gunderson Oct 1980 A
4239038 Holmes Dec 1980 A
4245632 Houston Jan 1981 A
4248218 Fischer Feb 1981 A
4263908 Mizerak Apr 1981 A
4264743 Maruyama et al. Apr 1981 A
4265239 Fischer, Jr. et al. May 1981 A
4267845 Robertson, Jr. et al. May 1981 A
4273124 Zimmerman Jun 1981 A
D262322 Mizerack Dec 1981 S
4304229 Curtin Dec 1981 A
4312359 Olson Jan 1982 A
4328797 Rollins et al. May 1982 A
4347205 Stewart Aug 1982 A
4354488 Bartos Oct 1982 A
4367735 Dali Jan 1983 A
4367816 Wilkes Jan 1983 A
4402316 Gadberry Sep 1983 A
4406283 Bir Sep 1983 A
4412537 Tiger Nov 1983 A
4414973 Matheson et al. Nov 1983 A
4422456 Teip Dec 1983 A
4449526 Elam May 1984 A
4455675 Bose et al. Jun 1984 A
4467799 Steinberg Aug 1984 A
4493614 Chu et al. Jan 1985 A
4522639 Ansite et al. Jun 1985 A
4548200 Wapner Oct 1985 A
4549542 Chein Nov 1985 A
4558710 Eichler Dec 1985 A
4572323 Randall Feb 1986 A
4587967 Chu et al. May 1986 A
4601465 Roy Jul 1986 A
D285496 Berman Sep 1986 S
4616647 McCreadie Oct 1986 A
4617637 Chu et al. Nov 1986 A
4622964 Flynn Nov 1986 A
4630604 Montesi Dec 1986 A
4641645 Tayebi Feb 1987 A
4641647 Behan Feb 1987 A
D289238 Arthur, Jr. Apr 1987 S
4655213 Rapoport et al. Apr 1987 A
4660555 Payton Apr 1987 A
4665570 Davis May 1987 A
4671267 Stout Jun 1987 A
4671271 Bishop et al. Jun 1987 A
4676241 Webb et al. Jun 1987 A
4677975 Edgar et al. Jul 1987 A
4677977 Wilcox Jul 1987 A
4699139 Marshall et al. Oct 1987 A
4706664 Snook et al. Nov 1987 A
4711636 Bierman Dec 1987 A
4713844 Westgate Dec 1987 A
H397 Stark Jan 1988 H
D293613 Wingler Jan 1988 S
4739755 White et al. Apr 1988 A
4753233 Grimes Jun 1988 A
4767411 Edmunds Aug 1988 A
4770169 Schmoegner et al. Sep 1988 A
4774941 Cook Oct 1988 A
4774946 Ackerman et al. Nov 1988 A
4782832 Trimble et al. Nov 1988 A
4790829 Bowden et al. Dec 1988 A
4799477 Lewis Jan 1989 A
4802857 Laughlin Feb 1989 A
4803981 Vickery Feb 1989 A
4809692 Nowacki et al. Mar 1989 A
4811730 Milano Mar 1989 A
4819629 Jonson Apr 1989 A
4821713 Bauman Apr 1989 A
4830138 Palmaer et al. May 1989 A
4838878 Kalt et al. Jun 1989 A
4841953 Dodrill Jun 1989 A
4848334 Bellm Jul 1989 A
4848366 Aita et al. Jul 1989 A
4899740 Napolitano Feb 1990 A
4905683 Cronjaeger Mar 1990 A
4907584 McGinnis Mar 1990 A
4910806 Baker et al. Mar 1990 A
4914957 Dougherty Apr 1990 A
4915105 Lee Apr 1990 A
4919128 Kopala et al. Apr 1990 A
4919654 Kalt Apr 1990 A
4938210 Shene Jul 1990 A
4938212 Snook et al. Jul 1990 A
4941476 Fisher Jul 1990 A
4944310 Sullivan Jul 1990 A
4945907 Tayebi Aug 1990 A
4947860 Fisher Aug 1990 A
D310431 Bellm Sep 1990 S
4960121 Nelson et al. Oct 1990 A
4966590 Kalt Oct 1990 A
4969880 Zamierowski Nov 1990 A
4971051 Toffolon Nov 1990 A
4976698 Stokley Dec 1990 A
4986269 Hakkinen Jan 1991 A
4989596 Macris et al. Feb 1991 A
4989599 Carter Feb 1991 A
4996983 Amrhein Mar 1991 A
5000173 Zalkin et al. Mar 1991 A
5003633 Itoh Apr 1991 A
5005568 Loescher et al. Apr 1991 A
5005571 Dietz Apr 1991 A
5020163 Aileo et al. Jun 1991 A
5022900 Bar-Yona et al. Jun 1991 A
5023955 Murphy, II et al. Jun 1991 A
5025805 Nutter Jun 1991 A
5038772 Kolbe et al. Aug 1991 A
5038776 Harrison et al. Aug 1991 A
5042473 Lewis Aug 1991 A
5042478 Kopala et al. Aug 1991 A
5046200 Feder Sep 1991 A
5046491 Derrick Sep 1991 A
5062421 Burns et al. Nov 1991 A
5063922 Hakkinen Nov 1991 A
5069205 Urso Dec 1991 A
5074297 Venegas Dec 1991 A
5080092 Tenna Jan 1992 A
D323908 Holister et al. Feb 1992 S
5109839 Blasdell et al. May 1992 A
5109840 Daleiden May 1992 A
5113857 Dickerman et al. May 1992 A
5117818 Palfy Jun 1992 A
5121745 Israel Jun 1992 A
5121746 Sikora Jun 1992 A
5127397 Kohnke Jul 1992 A
5133347 Huennebeck Jul 1992 A
5137017 Salter Aug 1992 A
5138722 Urella et al. Aug 1992 A
5140980 Haughey et al. Aug 1992 A
5140982 Bauman Aug 1992 A
5159938 Laughlin Nov 1992 A
5178138 Walstrom et al. Jan 1993 A
5181506 Tardiff, Jr. et al. Jan 1993 A
D333015 Farmer et al. Feb 1993 S
5188101 Tumolo Feb 1993 A
D334633 Rudolph Apr 1993 S
5207665 Davis et al. May 1993 A
5220699 Farris Jun 1993 A
5222478 Scarberry et al. Jun 1993 A
5231983 Matson et al. Aug 1993 A
5233978 Callaway Aug 1993 A
5243709 Sheehan et al. Sep 1993 A
5243971 Sullivan Sep 1993 A
5245995 Sullivan et al. Sep 1993 A
5261893 Zamierowski Nov 1993 A
5263939 Wortrich Nov 1993 A
5265592 Beaussant Nov 1993 A
5265595 Rudolph Nov 1993 A
5267557 Her-Mou Dec 1993 A
5269296 Landis Dec 1993 A
5271391 Graves Dec 1993 A
5279289 Kirk Jan 1994 A
5280784 Kohler Jan 1994 A
5299448 Maryyanek Apr 1994 A
5299579 Gedeon et al. Apr 1994 A
5304146 Johnson et al. Apr 1994 A
5299599 Farmer et al. May 1994 A
5311862 Blasdell et al. May 1994 A
5322057 Raabe et al. Jun 1994 A
D349586 Handke Aug 1994 S
5335656 Bowe et al. Aug 1994 A
5343878 Scarberry et al. Sep 1994 A
5349949 Schegerin Sep 1994 A
5353789 Schlobohm Oct 1994 A
5355878 Griffiths et al. Oct 1994 A
5355893 Mick et al. Oct 1994 A
5357951 Ratner Oct 1994 A
5364367 Banks et al. Nov 1994 A
5372130 Stem et al. Dec 1994 A
5372388 Gargiulo Dec 1994 A
5372389 Tam et al. Dec 1994 A
5372390 Conway et al. Dec 1994 A
5372391 Bast et al. Dec 1994 A
5375593 Press Dec 1994 A
5385141 Granatiero Jan 1995 A
5388571 Roberts et al. Feb 1995 A
5391248 Brain Feb 1995 A
5394568 Brostrom et al. Mar 1995 A
5396885 Nelson Mar 1995 A
5398676 Press et al. Mar 1995 A
5400776 Bartholomew Mar 1995 A
5404871 Goodman et al. Apr 1995 A
5419318 Tayebi May 1995 A
5425359 Liou Jun 1995 A
5429126 Bracken Jul 1995 A
5429683 Le Mitouard Jul 1995 A
5431158 Tirotta Jul 1995 A
5437267 Weinstein et al. Aug 1995 A
5438981 Starr et al. Aug 1995 A
5441046 Starr et al. Aug 1995 A
D362061 McGinnis et al. Sep 1995 S
5462528 Roewer Oct 1995 A
5477852 Landis et al. Dec 1995 A
5479920 Piper et al. Jan 1996 A
5526806 Sansoni Jan 1996 A
5488948 Dubruille et al. Feb 1996 A
5492116 Scarberry et al. Feb 1996 A
5501214 Sabo Mar 1996 A
5503147 Bertheau Apr 1996 A
5509404 Lloyd et al. Apr 1996 A
5509409 Weatherholt Apr 1996 A
5513634 Jackson May 1996 A
5513635 Bedi May 1996 A
5517986 Starr et al. May 1996 A
5533506 Wood Jul 1996 A
5538000 Rudolph Jul 1996 A
5538001 Bridges Jul 1996 A
5540223 Starr et al. Jul 1996 A
5542128 Lomas Aug 1996 A
5546936 Virag et al. Aug 1996 A
5558090 James Sep 1996 A
RE35339 Rapoport Oct 1996 E
5560354 Berthon-Jones et al. Oct 1996 A
5570682 Johnson Nov 1996 A
5570684 Behr Nov 1996 A
5570689 Starr et al. Nov 1996 A
D377089 Starr et al. Dec 1996 S
5592938 Scarberry et al. Jan 1997 A
5608647 Rubsamen et al. Mar 1997 A
5623923 Bertheau et al. Apr 1997 A
5642726 Owens et al. Jul 1997 A
5642730 Baran Jul 1997 A
5647355 Starr et al. Jul 1997 A
5647357 Barnett et al. Jul 1997 A
5649532 Griffiths Jul 1997 A
5649533 Oren Jul 1997 A
5653228 Byrd Aug 1997 A
5655520 Howe et al. Aug 1997 A
5655527 Scarberry et al. Aug 1997 A
5657493 Ferrero et al. Aug 1997 A
5657752 Landis Aug 1997 A
5660171 Kimm et al. Aug 1997 A
5662101 Ogden et al. Sep 1997 A
5666133 Langenback Sep 1997 A
5676133 Hickle et al. Oct 1997 A
5682881 Winthrop et al. Nov 1997 A
5685296 Zdrojkowski Nov 1997 A
5687715 Landis et al. Nov 1997 A
D389238 Kirk, III et al. Jan 1998 S
5704345 Berthon-Jones et al. Jan 1998 A
5707342 Tanaka Jan 1998 A
5715814 Ebers Feb 1998 A
5724965 Handke et al. Mar 1998 A
5735272 Dillon et al. Apr 1998 A
5740799 Nielson Apr 1998 A
5746201 Kidd May 1998 A
5752509 Lachmann et al. May 1998 A
5752511 Simmons et al. May 1998 A
5778872 Fukunaga et al. Jul 1998 A
5782774 Shmulewitz Jul 1998 A
5794615 Estes Aug 1998 A
5794619 Edeiman et al. Aug 1998 A
5807341 Heim Sep 1998 A
5813423 Kirchgeorg Sep 1998 A
5832918 Pantino Nov 1998 A
5842469 Rapp et al. Dec 1998 A
5884624 Barnett et al. Mar 1999 A
5887587 Groenke Mar 1999 A
5906203 Klockseth et al. May 1999 A
5918598 Belfer et al. Jul 1999 A
5921239 McCall et al. Jul 1999 A
D412745 Scheu Aug 1999 S
5935136 Hulse et al. Aug 1999 A
5937445 Ravo et al. Aug 1999 A
5937851 Serowski et al. Aug 1999 A
5954049 Foley et al. Sep 1999 A
5970975 Estes et al. Oct 1999 A
5975079 Hellings et al. Nov 1999 A
6003511 Fukunaga et al. Dec 1999 A
6006748 Hollis Dec 1999 A
6016804 Gleason et al. Jan 2000 A
6019101 Cotner et al. Jan 2000 A
6026811 Settle Feb 2000 A
6039044 Sullivan Mar 2000 A
6044844 Kwok et al. Apr 2000 A
6082360 Rudolph et al. Jul 2000 A
6086118 McNaughton et al. Jul 2000 A
6095996 Steer et al. Aug 2000 A
6098205 Schwartz et al. Aug 2000 A
6102040 Tayebi et al. Aug 2000 A
6109263 Feuchtgruber Aug 2000 A
6112746 Kwok et al. Sep 2000 A
6119693 Kwok et al. Sep 2000 A
6119694 Correa et al. Sep 2000 A
6123071 Berthon-Jones et al. Sep 2000 A
6123082 Berthon-Jones Sep 2000 A
6139787 Harrison Oct 2000 A
6152137 Schwartz et al. Nov 2000 A
6155253 Gamberini Dec 2000 A
6192886 Rudolph Feb 2001 B1
6193914 Harrison Feb 2001 B1
6196223 Belfer et al. Mar 2001 B1
6211263 Cinelli et al. Apr 2001 B1
6213125 Reese et al. Apr 2001 B1
6231548 Bassett May 2001 B1
6241930 Harrison Jun 2001 B1
6258066 Urich Jul 2001 B1
6295366 Haller et al. Sep 2001 B1
6328031 Tischer et al. Dec 2001 B1
6328038 Kessler et al. Dec 2001 B1
6340024 Brookman et al. Jan 2002 B1
6341606 Bordewick et al. Jan 2002 B1
6345618 Hayek Feb 2002 B1
6347631 Hansen et al. Feb 2002 B1
6357440 Hansen et al. Mar 2002 B1
6357441 Kwok et al. Mar 2002 B1
6358279 Tahi et al. Mar 2002 B1
6371110 Peterson et al. Apr 2002 B1
6374826 Gunaratnam et al. Apr 2002 B1
6397847 Scarberry et al. Jun 2002 B1
6412487 Gunaratnam et al. Jul 2002 B1
6412488 Barnett et al. Jul 2002 B1
6412593 Jones Jul 2002 B1
6419660 Russo Jul 2002 B1
6422238 Lithgow Jul 2002 B1
6423036 Van Huizen Jul 2002 B1
6425395 Brewer et al. Jul 2002 B1
6427694 Hecker et al. Aug 2002 B1
6431172 Bordewick Aug 2002 B1
6434796 Speirs Aug 2002 B1
6439234 Curti et al. Aug 2002 B1
6448303 Paul Sep 2002 B1
6467482 Boussignac Oct 2002 B1
6467483 Kopacko et al. Oct 2002 B1
6470887 Martinez Oct 2002 B1
6478026 Wood Nov 2002 B1
6482178 Andrews et al. Nov 2002 B1
6491034 Gunaratnam et al. Dec 2002 B1
6513526 Kwok et al. Feb 2003 B2
6530373 Patron et al. Mar 2003 B1
6532961 Kwok et al. Mar 2003 B1
6536435 Fecteau et al. Mar 2003 B1
6561188 Ellis May 2003 B1
6561190 Kwok et al. May 2003 B1
6561192 Palmer May 2003 B2
6561193 Noble May 2003 B1
6571798 Thornton Jun 2003 B1
6579267 Lynch et al. Jun 2003 B2
6581601 Ziaee Jun 2003 B2
6581602 Kwok et al. Jun 2003 B2
6584975 Taylor Jul 2003 B1
6595214 Hecker et al. Jul 2003 B1
6595215 Wood Jul 2003 B2
6607516 Cinelli et al. Aug 2003 B2
6626177 Ziaee Sep 2003 B1
6627289 Dilnik et al. Sep 2003 B1
6631718 Lovell Oct 2003 B1
6634358 Kwok et al. Oct 2003 B2
6637434 Noble Oct 2003 B2
6644315 Ziaee Nov 2003 B2
6651663 Barnett et al. Nov 2003 B2
D484237 Lang et al. Dec 2003 S
6655385 Curti et al. Dec 2003 B1
6663600 Bierman et al. Dec 2003 B2
6669712 Cardoso Dec 2003 B1
D485905 Moore et al. Jan 2004 S
6679257 Robertson et al. Jan 2004 B1
6679265 Strickland et al. Jan 2004 B2
6691708 Kwok et al. Feb 2004 B2
6701927 Kwok et al. Mar 2004 B2
6710099 Cinelli et al. Mar 2004 B2
6729333 Barnett et al. May 2004 B2
6766800 Chu et al. Jul 2004 B2
6766817 da Silva Jul 2004 B2
6772760 Frater et al. Aug 2004 B2
6776162 Wood Aug 2004 B2
6776163 Dougill et al. Aug 2004 B2
6789543 Cannon Sep 2004 B2
6796308 Gunaratnam et al. Sep 2004 B2
6805117 Ho et al. Oct 2004 B1
6807967 Wood Oct 2004 B2
6817362 Gelinas et al. Nov 2004 B2
6820617 Robertson et al. Nov 2004 B2
6823865 Drew et al. Nov 2004 B2
6823869 Raje et al. Nov 2004 B2
6834650 Fini Dec 2004 B1
6860269 Kwok et al. Mar 2005 B2
6860270 Sniadach Mar 2005 B2
6871649 Kwok et al. Mar 2005 B2
6895965 Scarberry et al. May 2005 B2
6907882 Ging et al. Jun 2005 B2
6914091 Donald et al. Jul 2005 B2
6918404 Dias da Silva Jul 2005 B2
6926004 Schumacher Aug 2005 B2
6938620 Payne, Jr. Sep 2005 B2
6968844 Liland Nov 2005 B2
6972003 Bierman et al. Dec 2005 B2
6986352 Frater et al. Jan 2006 B2
6997177 Wood Feb 2006 B2
7000614 Lang et al. Feb 2006 B2
7007696 Palkon et al. Mar 2006 B2
7011090 Drew et al. Mar 2006 B2
7018362 Bierman et al. Mar 2006 B2
7052127 Harrison May 2006 B2
7066586 da Silva Jun 2006 B2
7076282 Munro et al. Jul 2006 B2
7076822 Pearce Jul 2006 B2
7080645 Genger et al. Jul 2006 B2
7093599 Chen Aug 2006 B2
7100610 Biener et al. Sep 2006 B2
7101359 Kline et al. Sep 2006 B2
7107989 Frater et al. Sep 2006 B2
7146976 McKown Dec 2006 B2
7152599 Thomas Dec 2006 B2
7152601 Barakat et al. Dec 2006 B2
7178525 Matula, Jr. et al. Feb 2007 B2
7191781 Wood Mar 2007 B2
7207328 Altemus Apr 2007 B1
7210481 Lovell et al. May 2007 B1
7237551 Ho et al. Jul 2007 B2
7243723 Surjaatmadja Jul 2007 B2
D550836 Chandran et al. Sep 2007 S
D552733 Criscuolo et al. Oct 2007 S
7285255 Kadlec et al. Oct 2007 B2
7302950 Berthon-Jones et al. Dec 2007 B2
7318437 Gunaratnam et al. Jan 2008 B2
7318439 Raje Jan 2008 B2
7523754 Lithgow Apr 2009 B2
7621274 Sprinkle et al. Nov 2009 B2
7631644 Ho et al. Dec 2009 B2
7658189 Davidson Feb 2010 B2
7703457 Barnett et al. Apr 2010 B2
7743767 Ging et al. Jun 2010 B2
7775209 Biener et al. Aug 2010 B2
7779832 Ho Aug 2010 B1
7827990 Melidis et al. Nov 2010 B1
7856980 Lang et al. Dec 2010 B2
7931024 Ho et al. Apr 2011 B2
7958893 Lithgow et al. Jun 2011 B2
7971590 Frater et al. Jul 2011 B2
7997267 Ging et al. Aug 2011 B2
8051850 Kwok et al. Nov 2011 B2
8091553 Bordewick et al. Jan 2012 B2
8136524 Ging et al. Mar 2012 B2
8186352 Gunaratnam et al. May 2012 B2
8210180 Gunaratnam Jul 2012 B2
8220459 Davidson et al. Jul 2012 B2
8485192 Davidson et al. Jul 2013 B2
8522784 Ng et al. Sep 2013 B2
8573214 Davidson et al. Nov 2013 B2
8613280 Davidson et al. Dec 2013 B2
8616211 Davidson et al. Dec 2013 B2
20010020474 Hecker et al. Sep 2001 A1
20020005198 Kwok et al. Jan 2002 A1
20020020416 Namey Feb 2002 A1
20020029780 Frater et al. Mar 2002 A1
20020046755 Devoss Apr 2002 A1
20020053347 Ziaee May 2002 A1
20020066452 Kessler et al. Jun 2002 A1
20020069872 Gradon et al. Jun 2002 A1
20020096178 Ziaee Jul 2002 A1
20020124849 Billette De Villemeur Sep 2002 A1
20020143296 Russo Oct 2002 A1
20020157673 Kessler et al. Oct 2002 A1
20020174868 Kwok et al. Nov 2002 A1
20020185134 Bishop Dec 2002 A1
20030000526 Goebel Jan 2003 A1
20030019495 Palkon et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030079749 Strickland et al. May 2003 A1
20030089373 Gradon et al. May 2003 A1
20030111080 Olsen et al. Jun 2003 A1
20030154980 Berthon-Jones et al. Aug 2003 A1
20030168063 Gambone et al. Sep 2003 A1
20030196656 Moore et al. Oct 2003 A1
20030196657 Ging et al. Oct 2003 A1
20030196658 Ging et al. Oct 2003 A1
20040025882 Madaus et al. Feb 2004 A1
20040025885 Payne, Jr. Feb 2004 A1
20040045551 Eaton et al. Mar 2004 A1
20040065328 Amarasinghe et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040106891 Langan et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040111104 Schein et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040112384 Lithgow et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040112385 Drew et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040118406 Lithgow et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040127856 Johnson Jul 2004 A1
20040144386 Frater et al. Jul 2004 A1
20040182398 Sprinkle et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040211428 Jones Oct 2004 A1
20040221850 Ging et al. Nov 2004 A1
20040226564 Persson Nov 2004 A1
20040226566 Gunaratnam et al. Nov 2004 A1
20050005940 Gunaratnam Jan 2005 A1
20050011523 Aylsworth et al. Jan 2005 A1
20050028822 Sleeper et al. Feb 2005 A1
20050033247 Thompson Feb 2005 A1
20050039757 Wood Feb 2005 A1
20050051171 Booth Mar 2005 A1
20050051176 Riggins Mar 2005 A1
20050056286 Huddart et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050061326 Payne, Jr. Mar 2005 A1
20050101933 Marrs et al. May 2005 A1
20050150495 Rittner et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050155604 Ging et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050211252 Lang et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050241644 Gunaratnam et al. Nov 2005 A1
20050257792 Wixey et al. Nov 2005 A1
20050284481 Meyer Dec 2005 A1
20060060200 Ho et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060081250 Bordewick et al. Apr 2006 A1
20060095008 Lampropoulos et al. May 2006 A1
20060095009 Lampropoulos et al. May 2006 A1
20060118117 Berthon-Jones et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060124131 Chandran et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060137690 Gunaratnam et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060174887 Chandran et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060207597 Wright Sep 2006 A1
20060213520 Frater et al. Sep 2006 A1
20060237017 Davidson et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060283461 Lubke et al. Dec 2006 A1
20070023044 Kwok et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070125387 Zollinger et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070144525 Davidson et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070186930 Davidson et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070215161 Frater et al. Sep 2007 A1
20070272249 Chandran et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070282272 Bannon et al. Dec 2007 A1
20080004573 Kaufmann et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080006277 Worboys et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080047560 Veliss et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080060649 Veliss et al. Mar 2008 A1
20080065022 Kyvik et al. Mar 2008 A1
20080110464 Davidson et al. May 2008 A1
20080110469 Weinberg May 2008 A1
20080200880 Kyvik et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080257354 Davidson et al. Oct 2008 A1
20090044808 Guney et al. Feb 2009 A1
20090078267 Burz et al. Mar 2009 A1
20090139526 Melidis et al. Jun 2009 A1
20090173343 Omura et al. Jul 2009 A1
20090223518 Kwok et al. Sep 2009 A1
20100000534 Kooij et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100018534 Veliss et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100089401 Lang et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100108072 D'Souza et al. May 2010 A1
20100282265 Melidis et al. Nov 2010 A1
20110056497 Scheiner et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110220110 Frater et al. Sep 2011 A1
20110220114 Lithgow et al. Sep 2011 A1
20120174928 Raje et al. Jul 2012 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (143)
Number Date Country
199651130 Oct 1996 AU
2005100738 Nov 2005 AU
2046388 Oct 1989 CN
2056858 May 1990 CN
1445005 Oct 2003 CN
1735439 Feb 2006 CN
1735439 Feb 2006 CN
185017 May 1907 DE
30 11 900 Oct 1980 DE
146 688 Feb 1981 DE
31 49 449 Oct 1982 DE
37 19 009 Dec 1988 DE
39 27 038 Feb 1991 DE
42 33 448 Apr 1993 DE
196 03 949 Aug 1997 DE
297 23 101 Jul 1998 DE
197 03 526 Aug 1998 DE
199 44 242 Mar 2001 DE
100 02 571 Jul 2001 DE
199 62 515 Jul 2001 DE
102 13 905 Oct 2002 DE
102 26 587 Jan 2004 DE
10 2004 055 433 Nov 2004 DE
103 31 837 Jan 2005 DE
20 2004 018 108 Feb 2005 DE
103 38 169 Mar 2005 DE
0288937 Nov 1988 EP
0 334 555 Sep 1989 EP
0 427 474 May 1991 EP
0 466 960 Jan 1992 EP
0 303 090 Apr 1992 EP
0 658 356 Jun 1995 EP
0 747 078 Dec 1996 EP
0 776 679 Jun 1997 EP
0 853 962 Jul 1998 EP
1 099 452 May 2001 EP
1 118 346 Jul 2001 EP
1 205 205 May 2002 EP
1 258 266 Nov 2002 EP
1 334 742 Aug 2003 EP
1 356 841 Oct 2003 EP
1 360 971 Nov 2003 EP
1 481 702 Dec 2004 EP
2 471 566 Jul 2012 EP
2 471 567 Jul 2012 EP
2 720 280 Dec 1995 FR
2 823 122 Oct 2002 FR
532214 Jan 1941 GB
649 689 Jan 1951 GB
2 176 404 Dec 1986 GB
2 368 533 May 2002 GB
2 385 533 Aug 2003 GB
S51-142793 Nov 1976 JP
H03-007173 Jan 1991 JP
H11-000397 Jan 1999 JP
H11-104256 Apr 1999 JP
2000-515784 Nov 2000 JP
2003-175106 Jun 2003 JP
2003-535657 Dec 2003 JP
2004-000570 Jan 2004 JP
2005-337371 Dec 2005 JP
2005-537906 Dec 2005 JP
2006-505373 Feb 2006 JP
3802872 Jul 2006 JP
WO 1982003548 Oct 1982 WO
WO 1987001950 Apr 1987 WO
WO 1992020392 Nov 1992 WO
WO 1992020395 Nov 1992 WO
WO 1996028207 Sep 1996 WO
WO 98003145 Jan 1998 WO
WO 1998004310 Feb 1998 WO
WO 1998012965 Apr 1998 WO
WO 1998023305 Jun 1998 WO
WO 98034665 Aug 1998 WO
WO 98048878 Nov 1998 WO
WO 1999016327 Apr 1999 WO
WO 1999025410 May 1999 WO
WO 1999043375 Sep 1999 WO
WO 1999061088 Dec 1999 WO
WO 2000020072 Apr 2000 WO
WO 2000038772 Jul 2000 WO
WO 2000050121 Aug 2000 WO
WO 2000069521 Nov 2000 WO
WO 00078384 Dec 2000 WO
WO 2000072905 Dec 2000 WO
WO 2000074758 Dec 2000 WO
WO 2000076568 Dec 2000 WO
WO 2000078384 Dec 2000 WO
WO 01062326 Aug 2001 WO
WO 2001062326 Aug 2001 WO
WO 200195965 Dec 2001 WO
WO 2001097892 Dec 2001 WO
WO 2001097893 Dec 2001 WO
WO 2002038221 May 2002 WO
WO 2002045784 Jun 2002 WO
WO 2003090827 Nov 2003 WO
WO 2003105921 Dec 2003 WO
WO 2004007010 Jan 2004 WO
WO 2004022146 Mar 2004 WO
WO 2004022147 Mar 2004 WO
WO 2004041342 May 2004 WO
WO 2004073778 Sep 2004 WO
WO 2004078230 Sep 2004 WO
WO 2005018523 Mar 2005 WO
WO 2005021075 Mar 2005 WO
WO 2005028010 Mar 2005 WO
WO 2005053781 Jun 2005 WO
WO 2005063328 Jul 2005 WO
WO 2005086943 Sep 2005 WO
2005094928 Oct 2005 WO
WO 2005099801 Oct 2005 WO
WO 2005110220 Nov 2005 WO
2005118040 Dec 2005 WO
2005123166 Dec 2005 WO
WO 2005118040 Dec 2005 WO
PCTAU200600003 Jan 2006 WO
PCTAU2006000035 Jan 2006 WO
WO 2006014630 Feb 2006 WO
PCTAU200600041 Mar 2006 WO
WO 2006052653 May 2006 WO
PCTAU200600077 Jun 2006 WO
WO 2006069345 Jun 2006 WO
WO 2006069415 Jul 2006 WO
WO 2006074513 Jul 2006 WO
WO 2006074514 Jul 2006 WO
WO 2006074516 Jul 2006 WO
WO 2006099658 Sep 2006 WO
WO 2006130903 Dec 2006 WO
WO 2007009182 Jan 2007 WO
WO 2007041751 Apr 2007 WO
WO 2007041786 Apr 2007 WO
WO 2007048174 May 2007 WO
WO 2007053878 May 2007 WO
PCTAU200700193 Dec 2007 WO
WO 2007143772 Dec 2007 WO
WO 2007145534 Dec 2007 WO
WO 2008011682 Jan 2008 WO
WO 2008011683 Jan 2008 WO
WO 2008040050 Apr 2008 WO
WO 2008070929 Jun 2008 WO
WO 2009108994 Sep 2009 WO
WO 2009109004 Sep 2009 WO
WO 2010028425 Mar 2010 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (188)
Entry
U.S. Appl. No. 60/874,968, filed Dec. 2006, Kwok et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/833,841, filed Jul. 2006, Veliss et al.
“Ear Loop Face Mask”, USPTO to assume before Applicant's filing date.
Adam J. Singer MD et al. “The Cyanoacrylate Topical Skin Adhesives,” American Journal of Emergency Medicine, vol. 26, 2008, pp. 490-496.
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, 1993, Dictionary definition for adjustable, bendable, and mild steel.
ComfortLite™, Respironics, http://comfortlite.respironics.com, USPTO to assume before Applicant's filing date.
ComfortLite™ 2, Respironics, http://comfortlite2.respironics.com, USPTO to assume before Applicant's filing date.
“If You Hate CPAP! You Need CPAP Pro®,” www.cpappro.com, USPTO to assume before Applicant's filing date.
Webster's New World Dictionary, Third College Edition 1988, definition for engaged and flexible.
EP Supplementary Search Report issued in EP Application 03793493, dated Dec. 2, 2009.
European Search Report filed on Jul. 27, 2009 in EP Application No. 07784697.0.
Examiner's Report No. 3 dated Nov. 18, 2009 in New Zealand Application No. 2003275762.
Extended European Search Report dated Mar. 19, 2009 in European Application No. EP 08161249.
Extended European Search Report dated Sep. 3, 2009 in corresponding EP Application No. 09161984.1.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for PCT/AU2004/001832, dated Jul. 3, 2006.
International Search Report for PCT/AU2005/000803, dated Jun. 30, 2005.
Joel W. Beam, “Tissue Adhesives for Simple Traumatic Lacerations,” Journal of Athletic Training, 2008, vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 222-224.
International Search Report filed in PCT/AU2006/000770, dated Aug. 3, 2006.
International Search Report for PCT/AU2007/001052, dated Oct. 9, 2007.
International Search Report for PCT/AU2007/001051, dated Nov. 5, 2007.
International Search Report for PCT/AU2004/001832, dated Mar. 24, 2005.
International Search Report for PCT/AU2007/001936, dated Mar. 4, 2008.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary definition of moveable from the 14th century.
Office Action dated Dec. 22, 2009 in European Appln. No. 04802133.1.
SNAPP Nasal Interface, Tiara Medical Systems, Inc.—http://www.tiaramed.com/asp_shops/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=109&cat=SNAPP%2A+Nasal+Interface, USPTO to assume before Applicant's filing date.
Respironics Co.—Mask Family—http://masksfamily.respironics.com/, USPTO to assume before Applicant's filing date.
Subbu Venkatraman et al., “Review Skin Adhesives and Skin Adhesion 1. Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems,” Biomaterials, vol. 19, 1998, pp. 1119-1136.
Supplementary European Search Report dated Sep. 8, 2009 in European Appln. No. 04802133.1.
Supplementary Search Report issued in European Appln. 05746824.1, dated Dec. 17, 2009.
Supplementary European Search Report dated Dec. 18, 2009 in European Application No. 03810331.3.
Unsolicited email from Elson Silva, PhD, dated Mar. 28, 2008, “Requesting IDS of U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,817 for patents on fluids moving on porosity by Unsaturated Hydraulic Flow,” (email provided in both HTML and plain text format).
International Search Report PCT/AU2003/001163, dated Nov. 4, 2003.
International Search Report PCT/AU2003/001471, dated Feb. 12, 2004.
International Search Report PCT/AU2009/000240, dated May 21, 2009.
International Search Report PCT/AU2009/000262, dated Jun. 9, 2009.
International Search Report PCT/AU2009/001144, dated Dec. 18, 2009.
Office Action issued in related Chinese Appln. No. 200810109270 (dated Oct. 19, 2011) w/English translation.
European Search Report issued in related EP Appln. No. 11174401.7 (dated Oct. 20, 2011).
Extended European Search Report issued in related EP Appln. No. 11174407.4 (dated Oct. 20, 2011).
Examination Report issued in related European Appln. No. 08154854.7 (dated Jul. 1, 2011).
U.S. Appl. No. 13/537,876, filed Jun. 29, 2012.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/385,701, filed Aug. 2003, Berthon-Jones et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/533,928, filed Jul. 2005, Berthon-Jones.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/584,711, filed Dec. 2004, Davidson.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/655,622, filed Sep. 2003, Lithgow.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/781,929, filed Jan. 2008, Gunaratnam et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/871,929, filed Feb. 2004, Surjaatmadja.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/080,446, filed Jul. 2005, Ging et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/447,295, filed Jun. 2006, Lubke et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/474,415, filed Jun. 2006, Davidson et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/491,016, filed Feb. 2007, Kwok et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/597,909, filed Jul. 2007, Worboys.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/703,082, filed Feb. 2007, Davidson.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/878,932, filed Jul. 2007, Veliss et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/878,933, filed Jul. 2007, Veliss et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/081,696, filed Apr. 2008, Davidson et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/085,191, filed May 2008, Kwok et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/219,852, filed Jul. 2008, Guney et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/382,517, filed Mar. 2009, Lithgow.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/448,250, filed Jun. 2009, Veliss et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/461,448, filed Aug. 2009, Berthon-Jones.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/478,537, filed Jun. 2009, Kooij et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/656,466, filed Jan. 2010, Biener et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/700,878, filed Feb. 2010, Davidson et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/424,686, filed Nov. 2002, Lithgow.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/483,622, filed Jul. 2003, Kwok et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/533,214, filed Dec. 2003, Drew.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/634,802, filed Dec. 2004, Chandran.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/645,672, filed Jan. 2005, Chandran.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/795,615, filed Apr. 2006, Judson et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/833,841, filed Jul. 2006, Veliss.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/835,442, filed Aug. 2006, Selvarajan et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/852,649, filed Oct. 2006, Selvarajan et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/907,856, filed Apr. 2007, Davidson et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/924,241, filed May 2007, Kwok et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/929,393, filed Jun. 2007, Kwok et al.
Office Action issued in a related Japanese Application No. 2011-185789 (dated Jan. 15, 2013) with English Translation thereof.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/935,336, filed Aug. 2007, Davidson et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/935,179, filed Jul. 2007, Guney et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/996,160, filed Nov. 2007, Guney et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 61/006,409, filed Jan. 2008, Guney et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 61/064,818, filed Mar. 2008, Guney et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 61/071,512, filed May 2008, Guney et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 61/213,326, filed May 2009, Dravitzki et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 61/222,711, filed Jul. 2009, Dravitzki et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 61/263,175, filed Nov. 2009, Dravitzki et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 61/272,162, filed Aug. 2009, Dravitzki et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 61/272,250, filed Sep. 2009, Dravitzki et al.
Office Action issued in a corresponding Chinese Application No. 200810109270.0 (dated Jun. 27, 2012) with English Translation Thereof.
Office Action issued in a corresponding Chinese Application No. 200810109270.0 (dated Nov. 13, 2012) with English translation thereof.
Office Action issued in a corresponding Chinese Appln. No. 200810109270.0 (dated Mar. 28, 2013), with English translation thereof.
Notification of the Acceptance of a Request for the Invalidation of a Patent Right issued in related Chinese Application No. 200680002169.4 on Nov. 29, 2013, with English-language translation, including a Request for the Invalidation of a Patent Right, citing US 2004/0144386 A1 (Frater et al.) and CN 101862496.
Notice of Opposition issued Jul. 15, 2014 in related European Patent Application No. 2 471 567 with English translation.
Notice of Allowance issued in related Japanese Application No. 2013-084905 dated Feb. 17, 2014.
Decision of Rejection issued in related Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-185789 dated Oct. 8, 2013 with Enlgish-language translation.
First Office Action issued in related Chinese Patent Application No. 201110339739.1 dated Dec. 30, 2013 and English-language translation.
Extended European Search Report dated Feb. 28, 2014 in related European Patent Application No. EP 13 17 8114 listing US 2003/196655, US 2003/145859 and US 2004/221850.
Extended European Search Report dated Mar. 10, 2014 in related European Patent Application No. EP 13 17 8111.
Extended European Search Report dated Mar. 4, 2014 in related European Patent Application No. EP 13 17 8112.
Extended European Search Report dated Mar. 4, 2014 in related European Patent Application No. EP 13 17 8113.
Australian Appln. No. 2005253641—Examiner's First Report, dated Apr. 20, 2010.
Australian Appln. No. 2005253641—Examiner's Report, dated Aug. 18, 2011.
Australian Appln. No. 2006206040—Examination Report, dated Jun. 27, 2012.
Chinese Appln. No. 200580020203.6—Office Action (w/English translation), dated Jun. 1, 2010.
Chinese Appln. No. 200580020203.6—Office Action (w/English translation), dated Jul. 6, 2011.
Chinese Appln. No. 200580020203.6—Office Action (w/English translation), dated Dec. 23, 2011.
Chinese Appln. No. 200580020203.6—Office Action (w/English translation), dated Apr. 18, 2012.
Chinese Appln. No. 200680002169.4—Office Action (w/English translation), dated Mar. 23, 2010.
Chinese Appln. No. 200680002169.4—Third Office Action (w/English translation), dated Nov. 11, 2010.
Chinese Appln. No. 201010000226.3—Office Action (w/English translation), dated Apr. 26, 2012.
European Appln. No. EP 01944732.5—Office Action, dated Nov. 27, 2009.
European Appln. No. EP 05749447.8—Supplementary Search Report, dated Dec. 8, 2009.
European Appln. No. EP 06704287.9—Supplementary Search Report, dated Oct. 6, 2009.
European Appln. No. EP 06704287.9—Office Action, dated Jul. 18, 2011.
European Appln .No. EP 09003544.5—Search Report, dated Jun. 2, 2009.
European Appln. No. EP 12154923.2—Extended Search Report, dated Jun. 1, 2012.
European Appln. No. EP 12154926.5—Extended Search Report, dated Jun. 6, 2012.
Japanese Appln. No. 2005-337371—Office Action (w/English translation), dated Feb. 22, 2011.
European Appln. No. EP 03793493.2—Office Action, dated Mar. 18, 2011.
European Appln. No. EP 08154854.7—Extended Search Report, dated Nov. 27, 2008.
Japanese Appln. No. 2005-337371—Final Office Action (w/English translation), dated Jan. 31, 2012.
Japanese Appln. No. 2007-515732—Office Action (w/English translation), dated Aug. 24, 2010.
Japanese Appln. No. 2007-515732—Office Action (w/English translation), dated Aug. 16, 2011.
Japanese Appln. No. 2007-515732—Office Action (w/English translation), dated Jun. 12, 2012.
Japanese Appln. No. 2007-550636—Office Action (w/English translation), dated Mar. 18, 2011.
Japanese Appln. No. 2007-550636—Office Action (w/English translation), dated Mar. 21, 2012.
Japanese Appln. No. 2007-550636—Notice of Allowance, dated Jul. 10, 2012.
Japanese Appln. No. 2009-140433—Office Action (w/English translation), dated Aug. 20, 2011.
Japanese Appln. No. 2009-140433—Notice of Allowance, dated Sep. 4, 2012.
Japanese Appln. No. 2010-195597—Office Action (w/English translation), dated Jun. 12, 2012.
Japanese Appln. No. 2010-214485—Office Action (w/English translation), dated Jun. 12, 2012.
Japanese Appln. No. 2011-038110—Office Action (w/English translation), dated Aug. 14, 2012.
JP 11-000397A Machine Translation, provided by the Japanese Patent Office, Jan. 6, 2009, full document.
Laurent Brochard, “Pressure Support Ventilation,” Chapter 9, Part IV—Conventional Methods of Ventilator Support, pp. 239-257, 1994.
McPherson et al., “Respiratory Therapy Equipment,” Chapter 8, Third Edition, Introduction to Ventilators, pp. 230-253, 1985.
New Zealand Appln. No. 597552—Examination Report, dated Jan. 19, 2012.
New Zealand Appln. No. 587820—Examination Report, dated Sep. 13, 2010.
European Search Report issued in EP 07845378.4, dated Dec. 1, 2009.
Examination Report filed in New Zealand Application 539836, dated Aug. 25, 2005.
Fisher and Paykel Col.—Product Family—http://www.fphcare.com/osa/products.asp/, USPTO to assume before Applicant's filing date.
Hans Rudolph, Inc.—Mask Products—http://www.rudolphkc.com/products.php?category=MASKS, USPTO to assume before Applicant's filing date.
ResMed Co.—Mask Products—http://resmed.com/portal/site/ResMedUS/index.jsp? . . . , USPTO to assume before Applicant's filing date.
New Zealand Appln. No. 587344—Examination Report, dated Aug. 3, 2012.
PCT/AU2005/000850—International Search Report, dated Aug. 12, 2005.
PCT/AU2005/000850—International Preliminary Report on Patentability, dated Dec. 20, 2006.
PCT/AU2006/000032—International Preliminary Report on Patentability, dated Jul. 17, 2007.
PCT/AU2006/000032—International Search Report, dated May 15, 2006.
PCT/AU2007/001456—International Search Report, dated Dec. 12, 2007.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/643,121, filed Jan. 12, 2005 (expired).
U.S. Appl. No. 60/907,856, filed Apr. 19, 2007 (expired).
U.S. Appl. No. 60/935,336, filed Aug. 8, 2007 (expired).
Notification of the Second Office Action dated Sep. 2, 2014 in related Chinese Application No. 201110339739.1 with English translation thereof.
Fourth Office Action dated May 3, 2016 in related Chinese Application No. 201110339739.1 (5 pages) and an English translation thereof (9 pages).
Decision of Rejection dated Sep. 14, 2015 in a related Japanese Application No. 2014-023455 (3 pages) and an English translation thereof (3 pages).
First Office Action dated Jan. 28, 2016 in related Chinese Application No. 201410475657.3 (11 pages), and an English translation thereof (13 pages).
First Examination Report dated Feb. 10, 2015 dated Feb. 10, 2015 in related New Zealand Application No. 701102 (2 pages).
Office Action dated Nov. 24, 2014 issued in related European Application No. 13 178 111.4 (5 pages).
Office Action dated Jan. 16, 2015 issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 14/136,163 (48 pages).
Notice of Reasons for Rejection dated Jan. 5, 2015 issued in related Japanese Application No. 2014-023455 with English translation (6 pages).
Decision of Reexamination dated Jan. 23, 2015 issued in corresponding Chinese Application No. 200810109270.0 with English translation (29 pages).
Communication Pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC dated Oct. 23, 2015 in a corresponding European Application No. 11 174 401.7-1662 (5 pages).
Final Office Action dated Jul. 31, 2015, in a related U.S. Appl. No. 14/136,163 (16 pages).
Communication issued in a related European Application No. 12154926.5 (9 pages) dated Jul. 10, 2015, including Reply Brief from Opponent and English translation thereof (6 pages).
Subpoena for Court Hearing (1 page) issued Oct. 22, 2015 in the opposition proceeding for a related Chinese Application No. 200680002169.4, along with Arguments of the Defendant (5 pages) and Third-Party (3 pages), and English translations thereof (1 page, 6 pages, and 4 pages, respectively).
First Examination Report dated Jul. 26, 2016, in a related New Zealand Application No. 721231 (2 pages).
Second Office Action dated Sep. 5, 2016, in a related Japanese Application No. 2014-23455 (4 pages), and an English translation thereof (6 pages).
Decision of Rejection dated Oct. 10, 2016 in a related Chinese Application No. 201110339739.1 (8 pages) and an English translation thereof (11 pages).
Patent Examination Report No. 1 dated Aug. 5, 2015, in a related Australian Application No. 2014202899 (3 pages).
Second Office Action dated Oct. 8, 2016 in a related Chinese Application No. 201410475657.3 (9 pages), and an English translation thereof (12 pages).
Notice of Opposition filed Nov. 28, 2016 in a related New Zealand Application No. 701102 (3 pages).
Office Action dated Nov. 18, 2016 in a related U.S. Appl. No. 15/077,515 (42 pages).
Patent Examination Report No. 2 dated Mar. 1, 2016 in a related Australian Application No. 2014202899 (2 pages).
First Office Action dated Mar. 7, 2016 in a related Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-77497 (7 pages) and English translation thereof (6 pages).
Communication Pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC dated Jun. 14, 2016, in a corresponding European Application No. 11 174 401.7-1662 (4 pages).
Rule 94(3) Communication dated Nov. 30, 2016 in a related European Application No. 13 178 112.2 (5 pages).
Rule 94(3) Communication dated Dec. 1, 2016 in a related European Application No. 13 178 113.0 (5 pages).
Decision of Rejection dated Nov. 21, 2016 in a related Japanese Application No. 2015-077497 (4 pages), and an English translation thereof (7 pages).
A Reply Brief filed Jan. 13, 2017 by Air Liquide Medical Systems in an opposition proceeding against a related European Patent No. 2,471 567 (formerly European Patent Application No. 12 15 4926.5) (3 pages), and an English translation thereof (3 pages).
A Communication Pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC dated Feb. 15, 2017, in a corresponding European Application No. 11 174 401.7 (4 pages).
Decision of Rejection dated Jun. 25, 2015 in a related Chinese Application No. 201110339739.1 (5 pages) and English translation thereof (8 pages).
Notification of the Third Office Action dated Dec. 31, 2014 issued in related Chinese Application No. 201110339739.1 with English translation (9 pages).
A Notification of Reexamination dated Nov. 9, 2017, in a related Chinese Patent Application No. 201110339739.1 (5 pages), and an English translation thereof (6 pages).
Brief Communication from the European Patent Office dated Jan. 19, 2017, forwarding the Reply of Air Liquide Medical Systems filed in the Opposition against related EP Patent 2 471 567, and an English translation thereof (8 pages).
Interlocutory Decision in Opposition Proceedings (Art. 101(3)(a) and 106(2) EPC) issued Mar. 1, 2017, in an Opposition Proceeding against related EP Patent 2 471 567 (16 pages), including Auxiliary Request 1 (68 pages), and Provision of the Minutes in Accordance with Rule 124(4) EPC (11 pages).
A First Amended Notice of Opposition to Grant of Patent (Section 21) (2 pages) and Statement of Case (24 pages) filed Feb. 28, 2017, in a related New Zealand Application No. 701102.
A Decision of Rejection dated Mar. 27, 2017, in a related Chinese Application No. 2014104756573 (10 pages), and an English translation thereof (12 pages).
A Final Office Action dated Jun. 6, 2017, in a related U.S. Appl. No. 15/077,515 (23 pages).
A Communication Pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC dated Jul. 17, 2017, in a related European Patent Application No. 13 178 116.3 (9 pages).
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20150040911 A1 Feb 2015 US
Provisional Applications (2)
Number Date Country
60935336 Aug 2007 US
60907856 Apr 2007 US
Divisions (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 12081696 Apr 2008 US
Child 14523216 US