The present invention relates to devices for assisting in spinal surgery, and more particularly to a drill guide and plate inserter for introducing spinal tools and devices.
Advancing age, as well as injury, can lead to changes in the bones, discs, joints, and ligaments of the spine, producing pain from nerve root compression. Under certain circumstances, alleviation of pain can be provided by performing a spinal fusion. This is a procedure that involves joining two or more adjacent vertebrae with a bone fixation device so that they no longer are able to move relative to each other. For a number of known reasons, bone fixation devices are useful for promoting proper healing of injured or damaged vertebral bone segments caused by trauma, tumor growth, or degenerative disc disease. The external fixation devices immobilize the injured bone segments to ensure the proper growth of new osseous tissue between the damaged segments. These types of external bone fixation devices often include internal bracing and instrumentation to stabilize the spinal column to facilitate the efficient healing of the damaged area without deformity or instability, while minimizing any immobilization and post-operative care of the patient.
One such device is a bone fixation plate that is used to immobilize adjacent skeletal parts such as bones. Typically, the fixation plate is a rigid metal or polymeric plate positioned to span bones or bone segments that require immobilization with respect to one another. The plate is fastened to the respective bones, usually with bone screws, so that the plate remains in contact with the bones and fixes them in a desired position. Bone plates can be useful in providing the mechanical support necessary to keep vertebral bodies in proper position and bridge a weakened or diseased area such as when a disc, vertebral body or fragment has been removed.
Such plates have been used to immobilize a variety of bones, including vertebral bodies of the spine. These bone plate systems usually include a rigid bone plate having a plurality of screw openings. The openings are either holes or slots to allow for freedom of screw movement. The bone plate is placed against the damaged vertebral bodies and bone screws are used to secure the bone plate to the spine and optionally to a prosthetic implant or bone graft positioned between the adjacent vertebrae. Implantation of the plate, however, can be difficult. Each plate must be properly aligned with the vertebral bodies, and holes for receiving the bone screws must be drilled into the vertebrae at precise angles. It is often necessary to use the bone plate as a drill guide for drilling and tapping the bone in preparation for receiving the bone screws. Such a procedure can be difficult, however, as the surgeon is required to securely and rigidly hold the bone plate against the vertebrae, obtain proper alignment, drill, tap, and finally set the bone screws.
Accordingly, there remains a need for a drill guide instrument which can be used to assist in fastening a plate to a patient's spine.
The present invention generally provides a drill guide having a support member with first and second arms mated thereto. Each arm has a proximal end coupled to the elongate support member and a distal end having at least one guide member formed thereon. At least one of the guide members preferably includes at least one barrel that defines a lumen for receiving a tool. One or both of the first and second arms can be slidably movable along the support member to allow a distance between the first and second arms to be adjusted. In one embodiment, the first and second arms each include a proximal portion that extends in a direction substantially transverse to the support member, and a distal portion that extends at an angle with respect to the proximal portion.
While one or both guide member can have any number of barrels mated thereto, preferably at least one of the guide members has two barrels mated thereto. More preferably, the first and second arms are mated to a proximal portion of one of the two barrels, and the opposed distal end of the barrel is mated to a base plate. If a second barrel is provided, the second barrel is preferably mated to the base plate. Each base plate can optionally include a mating element formed thereon for mating with a spinal fixation plate, and/or for aligning the guide member with a spinal fixation plate. Each base plate can also optionally have a shape adapted to match the contour of a spinal fixation plate. Preferably, the mating element is formed on a distal surface of each base plate. The mating element can have a variety of configurations, and can be, for example, a protrusion extending distally from the distal surface of the base plate and adapted to engage a spinal fixation plate. Each protrusion is preferably oriented at an angle so that they are effective to grasp a spinal fixation plate when the first and second arms are moved either toward or away from one another.
As indicated above, one or both arms can be slidably movable along the support member. In an exemplary embodiment, the first arm is fixedly attached to the support member while the second arm is slidably movable. An adjustment mechanism can be formed on or mated to the proximal end of the second arm to allow movement of the second arm along the support member. The adjustment mechanism can comprise a spring-lock mechanism that is movable between a first, locked position, and a second position wherein the second arm is slidable along the support member. Alternatively, by way of non-limiting example, the adjustment mechanism can comprise threads formed on each of the support member and the second arm such that rotation of the support member is effective to move the second arm with respect to the first arm.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable guide member is provided having a first member with an elongate support and a first arm mated to one end thereof. The arm preferably extends in a direction transverse to the support and includes a first guide member mated to a distal end thereof. The adjustable guide member further includes a second member having a second arm with a first end adapted to slidably mate with and extend in a direction transverse to the elongate support of the first member. The second arm includes a second guide member mated to a distal end thereof. At least one of the guide members is preferably adapted to receive a tool therethrough.
Each of the first and second arms can include a proximal portion and a distal portion, and the proximal portion of each arm can extend in a direction substantially transverse to the elongate support of the first member, and the distal portion of each arm can extend at an angle with respect to the proximal portion. Preferably, at least one of the first and second guide members includes at least one barrel, which can optionally be removably mated to the first and/or second arms. Each barrel is preferably disposed at an angle with respect to spinal fixation plate adapted to be engaged by the drill guide. The angle of at least one of the barrels can optionally be adjustable.
In further aspects, the guide member on each arm can comprise a first barrel having a distal end and a proximal end mated to the distal end of the arm, and a base plate mated to the distal end of the first barrel. A second barrel can optionally be mated to the base plate. Each base plate preferably includes a mating element formed thereon for mating with a spinal fixation plate, and each base plate can have a shape adapted to match the contour of a spinal fixation plate. By way of non-limiting example, the mating element can be formed on a distal surface of each base plate, and can comprise a protrusion extending distally from the distal surface of the base plate and adapted to engage a spinal fixation plate. Preferably, each protrusion is oriented at an angle so that they are effective to grasp a spinal fixation plate when the arms are moved either toward or away from one another.
The adjustable drill guide can also optionally include an adjustment mechanism formed on or mated to the second member and effective to allow movement of the second member along the elongate support of the first member. While a variety of adjustment mechanisms can be used, in one embodiment the adjustment mechanism can comprise a box-shaped member having a spring-lock mechanism that is movable between a first, locked position, and a second position wherein the second support member is slidable along the first support member. The first arm can also optionally be slidably mated to the elongate support, and thus can include an adjustment mechanism formed thereon.
In another embodiment, the adjustable drill guide further includes a third arm mated to the first guide member and a fourth arm mated to the second guide member. Preferably, the first guide member comprises a frame having a first end mated to the first arm and a second, opposed end mated to the third arm, and the second guide member comprises a frame having a first end mated to the second arm and a second, opposed end mated to the fourth arm. The support member can optionally be movable between a first position, in which it is slidably mated to the first and second arms, and a second position, in which it is slidably mated to the third and fourth arms. The device can also optionally include a second support member mated to the third and fourth arms.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a spinal fixation kit is provided including a spinal fixation plate having a proximal portion with at least one bore formed therein for receiving a fixation device effective to mate the proximal portion to a first vertebrae, and a distal portion with at least one bore formed therein for receiving a fixation device effective to mate the distal portion to a second, adjacent vertebrae. The kit further includes a guide device having an elongate support member, a first arm having a proximal end mated to the elongate support member and a distal end with at least one guide member coupled thereto, the guide member being configured for juxtaposition on the proximal portion of the spinal fixation plate, and a second arm having a proximal end mated to the elongate support member and a distal end with at least one guide member coupled thereto, the guide member being configured for juxtaposition on the distal portion of the spinal fixation plate.
The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
In general, the present invention provides a drill guide for use in securing a spinal fixation plate to a spine. The drill guide generally includes a support member having first and second arms mated thereto. Each arm includes a proximal end and a distal end having a guide member with at least one barrel coupled thereto and defining a lumen for receiving a tool. One or both arms can be slidably movable along the support member to allow the distance between the arms to be adjusted. In use, the arms can be adjusted to engage a spinal fixation plate and to position the barrels on each arm in alignment with bores formed in the fixation plate, thereby providing a fixed entry angle for tools being inserted through the barrels. The drill guide can then be used to drill, awl, tap, and insert implants, such as spinal screws, into the vertebral bodies to attach the fixation plate thereto. The drill guide is particularly advantageous in that it can function as a drill guide, a midline alignment device, as well as a plate inserter for a range of plate sizes. The device further provides a more time efficient and simplified surgical procedure, eliminating several unnecessary steps and instruments typically required to implant a cervical plate.
Still referring to
Each arm 14, 16 can have a variety of shapes and sizes, but preferably each arm 14, 16 has a generally elongate shape to allow the distal end 14b, 16b of each arm 14, 16 to be positioned at a surgical site while the support member 12 is positioned outside the surgical field. While the arms 14, 16 can be substantially straight, the arms 14, 16 are preferably curved to prevent the support member 12 from hindering or blocking the surgeon's view of the surgical site. In an exemplary embodiment, each arm 14, 16 includes a proximal portion 14c, 16c that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis as of the support member 12, and a distal portion 14d, 16d that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the proximal portion 14c, 16c of the arms 14, 16. The proximal and distal sections 14c, 16c, 14d, 16d can be bent with respect to one another, but are preferably curved to provide a smooth profile. In an exemplary embodiment, the arms 14, 16 have a shape and size that does not require a large incision to be made in order to use the device. As shown in
A person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that each arm 14, 16 can have virtually any shape and size, and that
The distal end 14b, 16b of each arm 14, 16 is preferably adapted to mate to or engage a spinal fixation plate, and can thus can include a drill guide member 21, 23 formed thereon or mated thereto. Each drill guide member 21, 23 can have a variety of configurations, but at least one of the drill guide members 21, 23 preferably includes one or more barrels mated thereto for receiving a tool, as will be described in more detail below. The arms 14, 16 can be fixedly mated to the drill guide members 21, 23, or alternatively they can be removably mated to the drill guide members 21, 23. Moreover, the arms 14, 16 can be mated to any portion of the drill guide members 21, 23. Preferably, where the drill guide member 21, 23, includes a barrel mated thereto, the arm 14, 16 is mated to a proximal end 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a of one of the barrels 24, 26, 28, 30. As shown in
As shown in
The base plates 32, 34 can have a variety of configurations, but preferably each base plate 32, 34, or at least a distal surface of each base plate 32, 34, has a shape adapted to match the contour of a spinal fixation plate. Each base plate 32, 34 should also have a shape and size that results in the alignment of the barrels 24, 26, 28, 30 with corresponding bores formed in a spinal fixation plate being engaged by the drill guide.
The barrels 24, 26, 28, 30 are preferably disposed at a predetermined angle a with respect to the base plates 32, 34, or alternatively the base plates 32, 34 have a shape that causes the barrels 24, 26, 28, 30 to be positioned at an angle a with respect to a spinal fixation plate being engaged by the drill guide 10. The angle a of each barrel 24, 26, 28, 30 is determinative of the entry angle a of a tool or device being inserted therethrough, and thus the angle a should be set based on the intended use. The angle a of one or more of the barrels 24, 26, 28, 30 can also optionally be adjustable. In an exemplary embodiment, each barrel 24, 26, 28, 30 is positioned so that it is aligned with an axis of a corresponding bore formed in the spinal fixation plate 50 adapted to be engaged by the drill guide 10.
Each base plate 32, 34 can also be adapted to engage a spinal fixation plate 50, and thus can include one or more mating elements formed thereon. While a variety of mating elements can be used to mate each drill guide member 21, 23 to a spinal fixation plate,
Each plate 32, 34 can also optionally include an alignment feature for aligning the drill guide 10 during implantation of a fixation plate 50. While a variety of alignment features can be used, in an exemplary embodiment the alignment feature is a fork member 46, 48, as shown in
In another embodiment, the alignment mechanism can be formed on one or both guide members 21, 23 and can be effective to align the guide member 21, 23 with the endplate of a vertebral body.
A person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that while
Each base plate 106, 108 can have a variety of configurations, but preferably they are adapted to grasp a spinal fixation plate 150. As shown in
The barrels 110, 112 can be fixedly attached to or removably mated to each base plate 106, 108, and each base plate 106, 108 can optionally include more than one barrel 110, 112. The barrels 110, 112 are similar to barrels 24, 26, 28, 30 described above with respect to
In use, the arms 102, 104 are moved to the open position and the base plates 106, 108 are positioned on opposed edges of a fixation plate 150. The arms are then moved to the closed position, thereby causing the base plates 106, 108 to grasp the fixation plate 150. The barrels 110, 112 are thereby aligned with the corresponding bores formed in the fixation plate 150, and can be used to drill, awl, tap, and insert tools and implants, such as spinal screws, to secure the fixation plate 150 to the adjacent vertebrae.
A person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the barrels 110, 112 of the drill guide 100 shown in
Each arm 202, 204 can have a variety of configurations, but preferably each arm 202, 204 includes a proximal portion 202a, 204a that extends in a direction substantially transverse to the support member 212, and a distal portion 202b, 204b that extends in a direction substantially transverse to the proximal portion 202a, 204a. The proximal portions 202a, 204a are preferably pivotally mated to the distal portions 202b, 204b to allow the angle of the portions with respect to one another to be adjusted. The distal-most end of each arm 202, 204 is mated to a guide member which is adapted to engage a spinal fixation plate 250. Each guide member can have a variety of configurations, but is preferably a frame 206, 208 having a first end 206a, 208a, and a second, opposed end 206b, 208b. The first end 206a, 208a of each frame 206, 208 is mated to the distal end of the arm 204, 202, respectively.
The device 200 can also include third and fourth arms 214, 216 each having a distal end 214b, 216b mated to the second end 206b, 208b of the frames 206, 208. The third and fourth arms 214, 216 are preferably the same as the distal portion 202b, 204b of the first and second arms 202, 204, however the third and fourth arms 214, 216 are adapted to be positioned on opposed sides of a spinal fixation plate 250 from the first and second arms 202, 204. The third and fourth arms 214, 216 can each optionally include a proximal portion (not shown) mated to a second support member (not shown). Alternatively, the proximal portions 202a, 204a of the first and second arms 204, 202 can be removably mated to the distal portions 202b, 204b, thereby allowing the proximal portion 202a, 204a of the first and second arms 202, 204 to be removed from the distal portion 202b, 204b of the first and second arms 202, 204 and to be attached to the third and fourth arms 214, 216. The use of a movable support member, or two support members, is particularly advantageous in that it allows the surgeon to operate from either side of the patient.
The frame 206, 208 on each arm 202, 204 can be adapted to mate to a spinal fixation plate, and can optionally be adapted to receive one or more barrels (not shown). In an exemplary embodiment, each frame 206, 208 has a shape that is adapted to fit around the outer perimeter of a spinal fixation plate 250. In use, the arms 202, 204 can be moved toward one another along the support 212 to cause the frames 206, 208 to grasp the plate by friction fit. Once engaged, one or more barrels can be attached to the frames 206, 208 to drill, awl, tap, and insert tools and/or implants therethrough to secure the plate to adjacent vertebrae.
One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the invention based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1920821 | Stephanus | Aug 1933 | A |
2466023 | Griffin | Apr 1949 | A |
2486303 | Longfellow | Oct 1949 | A |
2494229 | Wollpert et al. | Jan 1950 | A |
2695688 | Wollpert et al. | Nov 1954 | A |
3244170 | McElvenny | Apr 1966 | A |
3463148 | Allgower et al. | Aug 1969 | A |
3552389 | Allgower et al. | Jan 1971 | A |
3596656 | Kaute et al. | Aug 1971 | A |
3659595 | Haboush | May 1972 | A |
3695259 | Yost | Oct 1972 | A |
3716050 | Johnston | Feb 1973 | A |
3779240 | Kondo et al. | Dec 1973 | A |
3824995 | Getscher et al. | Jul 1974 | A |
3900025 | Barnes, Jr. | Aug 1975 | A |
RE28841 | Allgower et al. | Jun 1976 | E |
4119092 | Gil | Oct 1978 | A |
4187841 | Knutson | Feb 1980 | A |
4219015 | Steinemann et al. | Aug 1980 | A |
4224699 | Weber et al. | Sep 1980 | A |
4257411 | Cho | Mar 1981 | A |
4388921 | Sutter et al. | Jun 1983 | A |
4408601 | Wenk et al. | Oct 1983 | A |
4454876 | Mears | Jun 1984 | A |
RE31628 | Allgower et al. | Jul 1984 | E |
4493317 | Klaue | Jan 1985 | A |
4502475 | Weigle et al. | Mar 1985 | A |
4503848 | Caspar et al. | Mar 1985 | A |
4513744 | Klaue et al. | Apr 1985 | A |
4524765 | de Zbikowski et al. | Jun 1985 | A |
4541424 | Grosse et al. | Sep 1985 | A |
4651724 | Berentey et al. | Mar 1987 | A |
4686972 | Kurland | Aug 1987 | A |
4733657 | Kluger | Mar 1988 | A |
4744353 | McFarland | May 1988 | A |
4773402 | Asher et al. | Sep 1988 | A |
4800874 | David et al. | Jan 1989 | A |
4838252 | Klaue et al. | Jun 1989 | A |
4848327 | Perdue | Jul 1989 | A |
4936844 | Chandler et al. | Jun 1990 | A |
4957495 | Kluger | Sep 1990 | A |
5002544 | Klaue et al. | Mar 1991 | A |
5006120 | Carter | Apr 1991 | A |
5041113 | Biedermann et al. | Aug 1991 | A |
5041114 | Chapman et al. | Aug 1991 | A |
5041133 | Sayano et al. | Aug 1991 | A |
5052373 | Michelson | Oct 1991 | A |
5053036 | Perren et al. | Oct 1991 | A |
5059194 | Michelson | Oct 1991 | A |
5067477 | Santangelo | Nov 1991 | A |
5088472 | Fakhrai | Feb 1992 | A |
5129899 | Small et al. | Jul 1992 | A |
5129903 | Luhr et al. | Jul 1992 | A |
5147361 | Ojima et al. | Sep 1992 | A |
5151103 | Tepic et al. | Sep 1992 | A |
5180381 | Aust | Jan 1993 | A |
5234290 | Collins | Aug 1993 | A |
5275601 | Gogolewski et al. | Jan 1994 | A |
5303694 | Mikhail | Apr 1994 | A |
5318567 | Vichard et al. | Jun 1994 | A |
5324290 | Zdeblick et al. | Jun 1994 | A |
5336224 | Selman | Aug 1994 | A |
5364399 | Lowery et al. | Nov 1994 | A |
5365921 | Bookwalter et al. | Nov 1994 | A |
5415660 | Campbell et al. | May 1995 | A |
5423826 | Coates et al. | Jun 1995 | A |
5439463 | Lin | Aug 1995 | A |
5501684 | Schlapfer et al. | Mar 1996 | A |
5520690 | Errico et al. | May 1996 | A |
5531746 | Errico et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5531751 | Schultheiss et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5534027 | Hodorek | Jul 1996 | A |
5549612 | Yapp et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5558622 | Greenberg | Sep 1996 | A |
5578034 | Estes | Nov 1996 | A |
5601553 | Trebing et al. | Feb 1997 | A |
5603713 | Aust | Feb 1997 | A |
5607426 | Ralph et al. | Mar 1997 | A |
5607428 | Lin | Mar 1997 | A |
5616142 | Yuan et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
5616144 | Yapp et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
5643265 | Errico et al. | Jul 1997 | A |
5651283 | Runciman et al. | Jul 1997 | A |
5669915 | Caspar et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
5672177 | Seldin | Sep 1997 | A |
5676666 | Oxland et al. | Oct 1997 | A |
5713904 | Errico et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
5735853 | Olerud | Apr 1998 | A |
5745884 | Carnegie et al. | Apr 1998 | A |
5749873 | Fairley et al. | May 1998 | A |
5749884 | Benderev et al. | May 1998 | A |
5755721 | Hearn | May 1998 | A |
5788630 | Furnish | Aug 1998 | A |
5807396 | Raveh et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5827286 | Incavo et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5846193 | Wright | Dec 1998 | A |
5851207 | Cesarone | Dec 1998 | A |
5865848 | Baker | Feb 1999 | A |
5876402 | Errico et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5885286 | Sherman et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5888204 | Ralph et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5904683 | Pohndorf et al. | May 1999 | A |
5931838 | Vito | Aug 1999 | A |
5951558 | Fiz et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5954722 | Bono | Sep 1999 | A |
5964762 | Biedermann et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5964763 | Incavo et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5967171 | Dwyer, Jr. | Oct 1999 | A |
5984926 | Jones | Nov 1999 | A |
6006581 | Holmes | Dec 1999 | A |
6017345 | Richelsoph | Jan 2000 | A |
6030389 | Wagner et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
6039740 | Olerud et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6063090 | Schlapfer et al. | May 2000 | A |
6066142 | Serbousek et al. | May 2000 | A |
6066175 | Henderson et al. | May 2000 | A |
6106527 | Wu et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6113602 | Sand | Sep 2000 | A |
6117173 | Taddia et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
6132432 | Richelsoph | Oct 2000 | A |
6139550 | Michelson | Oct 2000 | A |
6152927 | Farris et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6159244 | Suddaby | Dec 2000 | A |
6193721 | Michelson | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6200348 | Biedermann et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6206828 | Wright | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6206881 | Frigg et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6224602 | Hayes | May 2001 | B1 |
6227124 | Gaydos et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6228085 | Theken et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6235033 | Brace et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6235034 | Bray | May 2001 | B1 |
6241731 | Fiz et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6258092 | Dall et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6258098 | Taylor et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6261291 | Talaber et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6273889 | Richelsoph | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6277124 | Haag | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6293949 | Justis et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6306136 | Baccelli et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6306139 | Fuentes et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6309393 | Tepic et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6322562 | Wolter et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6328738 | Suddaby | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6331179 | Freid et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6332887 | Knox | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6340363 | Bolger et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6342055 | Eisermann et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6342056 | Mac-Thiong et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6342057 | Brace et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6379364 | Brace et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6402756 | Ralph et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6413259 | Lyons et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6416518 | DeMayo | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6419678 | Asfora | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6428542 | Michelson | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6441602 | Eckhardt et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6447512 | Landry et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6454769 | Wagner et al. | Sep 2002 | B2 |
6503250 | Paul | Jan 2003 | B2 |
6527776 | Michelson | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6533786 | Needham et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6565571 | Jackowski | May 2003 | B1 |
6575975 | Brace et al. | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6585738 | Mangione et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6592586 | Michelson | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6595993 | Donno et al. | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6602255 | Campbell et al. | Aug 2003 | B1 |
6602257 | Thramann | Aug 2003 | B1 |
6620163 | Michelson | Sep 2003 | B1 |
6641613 | Sennett | Nov 2003 | B2 |
6652525 | Assaker et al. | Nov 2003 | B1 |
6656181 | Dixon et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6669700 | Farris et al. | Dec 2003 | B1 |
6679883 | Hawkes et al. | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6695846 | Richelsoph et al. | Feb 2004 | B2 |
6712818 | Michelson | Mar 2004 | B1 |
6755833 | Paul et al. | Jun 2004 | B1 |
6770096 | Bolger et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6793658 | LeHuec et al. | Sep 2004 | B2 |
6796986 | Duffner | Sep 2004 | B2 |
7011665 | Null et al. | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7094242 | Ralph et al. | Aug 2006 | B2 |
7147599 | Phillips et al. | Dec 2006 | B2 |
20010009971 | Sherts et al. | Jul 2001 | A1 |
20010021851 | Eberlein et al. | Sep 2001 | A1 |
20010037112 | Brace et al. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20010047172 | Foley | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20020022843 | Michelson | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020045897 | Dixon et al. | Apr 2002 | A1 |
20020045898 | Freid et al. | Apr 2002 | A1 |
20020049444 | Knox | Apr 2002 | A1 |
20020055741 | Schlapfer et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
20020058939 | Wagner et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
20020058940 | Frigg et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
20020082606 | Suddaby | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020143336 | Hearn | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020147450 | LeHuec et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020151899 | Bailey et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020156474 | Wack et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020183754 | Michelson | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20020183757 | Michelson | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20020188296 | Michelson | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20030023242 | Harrington | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030040749 | Grabowski et al. | Feb 2003 | A1 |
20030045880 | Michelson | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030060828 | Michelson | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030065251 | Feng et al. | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20030083658 | Hawkes et al. | May 2003 | A1 |
20030135213 | LeHuec et al. | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030181912 | Michelson | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030187436 | Bolger et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20030187440 | Richelsoph et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20030187442 | Richelsoph et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20030187454 | Gill et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20030208204 | Bailey et al. | Nov 2003 | A1 |
20030229348 | Sevrain | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20030233098 | Markworth | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20040015169 | Gause | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040015174 | Null | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040019353 | Freid et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040034352 | Needham et al. | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040034354 | Paul | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040087951 | Khalili | May 2004 | A1 |
20040092947 | Foley | May 2004 | A1 |
20040097935 | Richelsoph et al. | May 2004 | A1 |
20040133205 | Thramann et al. | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20050021040 | Bertagnoli | Jan 2005 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
4201043 | Jan 1992 | DE |
0897697 | Feb 1999 | EP |
2827150 | Jan 2003 | FR |
WO-9632071 | Oct 1996 | WO |
WO-0022999 | Apr 2000 | WO |
WO-0064359 | Nov 2000 | WO |
WO-02085226 | Oct 2002 | WO |
WO 03007826 | Jan 2003 | WO |
WO-03024344 | Mar 2003 | WO |
WO-03063714 | Aug 2003 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20040204710 A1 | Oct 2004 | US |