Patent Application
20240206716
This application claims priority from and the benefit of European Patent Application No. EP 22215444.5, filed Dec. 21, 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to intrusive medical devices comprising distal end cameras, such as endoscopes and respiratory tubes, and, in particular, intrusive medical devices configured to mitigate electrical noise.
Visualization systems including video processing apparatus electrically connected to an intrusive medical device are known and are can be used for visual navigation into, and examination and diagnosis of, hollow organs and body cavities, as well as, optionally, to assist in surgery, e.g. for a targeted tissue sampling. Example intrusive medical devices include endoscopes and respiratory tubes. Endoscopes include procedure-specialized endoscopes, such as bronchoscopes, arthroscopes, cystoscopes, ureteroscopes, cholangioscopes, colonoscopes, laparoscopes, gastroscopes, and duodenoscopes. Respiratory tubes include endobronchial tubes, endotracheal tubes, tracheostomy tubes, and other tubes configured to ventilate at least a portion of the respiratory system or lungs of a patient, and may include a laryngeal mask or inflatable cuffs. A visualization system including an endoscope operable with a surgical tool is described in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 10,464,107. Respiratory tubes are described in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,486,595, 9,889,264, 10,406,309, and 10,888,679. A visualization system including a portable medical monitor having a display screen is described in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 11,266,297 and 11,328,390. The foregoing patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
An electrosurgical instrument may be guided through a lumen of the intrusive medical device to perform medical procedures within the patient's body cavity. Known electrosurgical tools, which are operated by high voltage pulses (e.g. in a range of 2 kV to 8 kV), may generate high frequency noise in signals and interference in videos apparent to a user during a procedure. An electrosurgical tool, which is configured to perform argon plasma coagulation (APC), is an example of such electrosurgical tool. Argon plasma coagulation is an electrosurgical, monopolar procedure for superficial hemostasis, devitalization and ablation using ionized argon gas, which as an inert gas can be easily ionized. High voltage pulses result in a strong electric field (high frequency) that may be experienced as a high frequency noise on electrical conductors. Electrical noise in video signals can also be caused by high camera clock speeds.
For single-use intrusive medical devices, it is important that the entire device be manufactured economically and inexpensively. Therefore, components of single-use intrusive medical devices are mainly made of polymeric materials to enhance disposability, reduce the size, and reduce costs.
Electrical noise can result in the loss of live images for various reasons, including “freezing” of the camera module (requiring a reset) and because the communication of configuration of control data to the camera goes wrong, i.e. data is written in wrong places, or the wrong data is written, in registers of the camera.
Furthermore, known intrusive medical devices may comprise diameters greater than 3.4 mm and might have enough space to not impose size or configuration limits on the electrical conductors. However, as the intrusive medical devices become smaller in size, particularly when their distal ends are 3.4 mm or less in diameter, which is desirable to mitigate tissue damage and facilitate navigation into the patient, it is desirable to reduce the size and configuration of the bundle.
Even further, it is desirable to present images on the display screen in real-time. Known medical monitors may employ image processing algorithms configured to mitigate the effects of electrical noise. For example, medical monitors might average frames of a video stream (e.g. a sequence of frames or images) or exclude frames from the video stream if the frames are defective, e.g. exhibit vertical or horizontal lines, exhibit large over or under-exposed areas, or are defective for other reasons. This may cause a physician to see a frame that is outdated, albeit by a fraction of a second, which is not ideal. If image processing algorithms are modified to present video streams at or closer to real-time, these video stream noise mitigation techniques are removed and the electrical noise in the intrusive medical devices has to be reduced or eliminated to ensure an adequate user experience.
Additionally, image processing algorithms may be modified to add features, such as navigation and tissue/object identification, which if added without removal of code may require larger, more expensive, hardware. Thus, removal of noise mitigation processing instructions may be enabled by improvements in the intrusive medical devices, resulting in overall cost reductions.
For at least the foregoing reasons, it is desirable to incorporate noise mitigation features in intrusive medical devices, particularly in single-use medical devices, to improve their value and, in particular, to improve their effectiveness when noise generating tools are used.
The objectives of the present disclosure are to provide an intrusive medical device with features that eliminate or at least reduce the disadvantages of the prior art intrusive medical devices and suitably deal with the above-described problems. In particular, it is an object of the present disclosure to present an intrusive medical device that exhibits reduced electrical noise relative to prior art intrusive medical devices.
The objectives of the present disclosure are satisfied by an intrusive medical device in accordance with claim 1 and by a visualization system in accordance with claim 15. Advantageous embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims and/or are explained below.
In one embodiment according to the first aspect, an intrusive medical device comprises a proximal end and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal end; a tubular member defining a lumen therein, the tubular member extending from the proximal end to the distal end; a camera positioned at the distal end; and a bundle of at least four unpaired conductors, the bundle extending from the proximal end to the distal end and electrically connected to the camera at the distal end, wherein the bundle is twisted at a pitch of 15 mm+/−10 mm.
In one variation according to the present embodiment, the at least four unpaired conductors include a ground conductor, a camera power conductor, a clock conductor and a data conductor, wherein the at least four unpaired conductors are arranged cross-sectionally with the data conductor positioned between two of the at least four unpaired conductors, and wherein the two of the at least four unpaired conductors does not include the clock conductor.
In one example of the present variation, the at least four unpaired conductors consist of five unpaired conductors including the ground conductor, the camera power conductor, the clock conductor, the data conductor, and a light power conductor, and the data conductor is positioned immediately next to the ground conductor and/or the camera power conductor and/or the light power conductor.
In some examples of the present embodiment, each of the conductors is insulated, and each of the conductors, without the insulation, comprises a diameter of between 0.0790 and 0.210 mm.
In some examples of the present embodiment, at least three of the at least four conductors are coaxial.
In one variation of the present embodiment, the intrusive medical device comprises an endoscope including a positioning interface having a distal end; an insertion cord connected to and extending from the distal end of the positioning interface and comprising an insertion tube, a bending section, and a distal tip, the camera positioned in the distal tip, the tubular member extending from the positioning interface through the insertion tube to the distal tip, wherein the bundle extends from the positioning interface to the distal tip.
In one example according to the present variation, the bundle of at least four unpaired conductors is enclosed in an electrical shield. The distal tip may comprise a diameter smaller than 3.4 mm.
In one example according to the present variation, the bundle of at least four unpaired conductors is enclosed in an electrical shield and the electrical shield is electrically disconnected at the distal end of the bundle. The distal tip may comprise a diameter smaller than 3.4 mm.
In one example according to the present variation, the bundle of at least four unpaired conductors is enclosed in an electrical shield, the bundle has a proximal end, and the electrical shield is only grounded at the proximal end of the bundle. The distal tip may comprise a diameter smaller than 3.4 mm.
In further examples according to the present variation, the distal tip comprises a diameter smaller than 3.4 mm.
In further examples according to the present variation, the distal tip comprises a diameter smaller than 3.4 mm, the bundle of at least four unpaired conductors is enclosed in an electrical shield, and the electrical shield is electrically disconnected at the distal end of the bundle.
In another variation according to the present embodiment, the intrusive medical device comprises a tubular member having a circumferential wall defining a lumen therein; and an illumination lumen within the circumferential wall, wherein the camera and the bundle of at least four unpaired conductors are positioned in the illumination lumen.
In one example according to the present variation, the intrusive medical device comprises an inflatable cuff positioned at the distal end. The intrusive medical devise may comprise a dual-lumen tube comprising a medial wall dividing the lumen into a first lumen and a second lumen. The at least four unpaired conductors may include a ground conductor, a camera power conductor, a clock conductor and a data conductor, the at least four unpaired conductors are arranged cross-sectionally with the data conductor positioned between two of the at least four unpaired conductors, and the two of the at least four unpaired conductors does not include the clock conductor. The at least four unpaired conductors may consist of five unpaired conductors including the ground conductor, the camera power conductor, the clock conductor, the data conductor, and a light power conductor, and the data conductor may be positioned immediately next to the ground conductor and/or the camera power conductor and/or the light power conductor. At least three of the at least four conductors are coaxial.
In one example according to the present variation, the at least four unpaired conductors may include eight conductors including two pairs of twisted pair conductors. The at least four unpaired conductors may include eight conductors including a video out conductor positioned in a center of the bundle and surrounded by the other of the eight conductors.
In an embodiment according to the second aspect, a visualization system comprises an intrusive medical device according to the first aspect and any of the variations and examples thereof, and a video processing apparatus configured to communicatively connect with the intrusive medical device to receive a video stream therefrom.
A person skilled in the art will appreciate that any one or more of the above aspects of this disclosure and embodiments thereof may be combined with any one or more of the other aspects of this disclosure and embodiments thereof.
Embodiments of this disclosure will be described in more detail in the following with regard to the accompanying figures. The figures are not to be construed as limiting other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set.
The term “distal,” as used herein, refers to a direction or position that is generally towards a target site, and the term “proximal.” as used herein, refers to a direction or position that is generally away from the target site.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control. Preferred methods and materials are illustrated below, although apparatuses, methods, and materials similar or equivalent to those illustrated herein may be used in practice or testing. The materials, methods, and examples disclosed herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
All publications, patent applications, patents and other references mentioned in this patent application are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
As described herein, an intrusive medical device may comprise a proximal end and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal end; a camera positioned at the distal end; and a bundle of at least four unpaired conductors, the bundle extending from the proximal end to the distal end and electrically connected to the camera at the distal end, the at least four unpaired conductors including a ground conductor, a camera power conductor, a clock conductor and a data conductor, the bundle twisted at a pitch of 15 mm+/−10 mm. The intrusive medical device may comprise an endoscope.
An intrusive medical device may comprise a proximal end and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal end; a tubular member defining a lumen therein, the tubular member extending from the proximal end to the distal end; a camera positioned at the distal end; and a bundle of at least four unpaired conductors, the bundle extending from the proximal end to the distal end and electrically connected to the camera at the distal end, the at least four unpaired conductors including a ground conductor, a camera power conductor, a clock conductor and a data conductor, the bundle twisted at a pitch of 15 mm+/−10 mm.
Advantageously, whether with or without a tubular member defining a lumen therein, the intrusive medical device as described above mitigates electrical noise. The electrical noise might be cross-talk and/or generated by an electro-surgical tool (EST) or other electromagnetic field, while reducing the cost of a bundle as compared to use of paired twisted wires or coaxial cables. The data conductor may transfer digital or analog video data. The data conductor may also transfer control signals in addition to video signals.
The at least four unpaired conductors may be arranged cross-sectionally with the data conductor positioned between two of the at least four unpaired conductors, where the two of the at least four unpaired conductors do not include the clock conductor.
The bundle of at least four unpaired conductors may be enclosed in an electrical shield. The electrical shield may be electrically disconnected at the distal end of the bundle. The bundle has a proximal end. The electrical shield may only be grounded at the proximal end of the bundle.
Having described intrusive medical devices generally, attention is now directed to more detailed descriptions of embodiments of said intrusive medical devices.
As shown in
The intrusive medical device 40 has a proximal end 40p and a distal end 40d spaced apart from the proximal end 40p and comprises the cable 42 and the cable connector 44, an optional positioning interface 46, an optional circuit board 48, a tubular member 50 having a proximal end 50p, a distal end 50d, and a tubular member wall 52 defining a lumen 54 configured to receive therethrough the EST. The tubular member 50 extends from the proximal end 40p to the distal end 40d.
The intrusive medical device 40 also comprises a camera 60, an optional circuit board 62, optional light emitting diodes (LED) 64, a bundle 70 of electrical conductors, an optional electrical shield 74, and an optional proximal-end shield ground 76 (e.g. a connection of the electrical shield 74 to ground). The camera may include an image sensor, lenses and a lens support coupled with the image sensor. The image sensor may have a cross-section of less than 2.0 mm on each side, preferrably less than 1.9 mm on each side. The bundle 70 of electrical conductors extends from the distal end 50d to at least the proximal end 50p. The bundle 70 comprises at least four unpaired conductors 72 connected to the camera 60 at the distal end 50d. In some embodiments, the at least four unpaired conductors 72 include a ground conductor, a camera power conductor, a clock conductor and a data conductor. The bundle 70 is twisted at a pitch P. In some embodiments, the pitch P is in a range of 15 mm+/−10 mm. In some embodiments, the pitch P is in a range of 5 mm to 15 mm.
As described with reference to
Instead of a single-piece polymeric structure, the bending section can also be assembled from multiple pieces. Such assemblies may be formed from two single-piece polymeric structures that elongate and form two, opposing, longitudinal halves of the finished bending section. Such assemblies may also be formed from individual segments assembled via hinges.
The endoscope 140 may be a single-use device. Single-use devices are designed to be low cost and disposable, not to be cleaned and sterilized after use and not to be used after cleaning.
A positioning interface functions to control the position of the insertion cord. A handle is an example of a positioning interface and, unless stated otherwise, the terms are used interchangeably. The handle also functions to provide the steering control, e.g. knobs, levers, buttons, and the like, to steer the field of view of the camera. Alternatively, a different positioning interface can be provided that is connected to the insertion cord and is detachably connected to a robotic arm. The insertion cord thus extends from the robotic arm, and the intrusive medical device is detachable from the robotic arm. The robotic arm responds to signals, including voice commands from an operator, to rotate, translate, and otherwise position the proximal end of the insertion cord, as an operator would do manually. The positioning interface can include control actuators, including manual control actuators. Alternatively or additionally, control actuators can be provided in or on the robotic arm or by the robotic system including the robotic arm, thereby potentially reducing the cost of the intrusive medical device. Example control actuators include single axis actuators, including linear motion actuators. A linear motion actuator may comprise a threaded rod coupled to a threaded nut portion, in which a motor rotates the rod to translate the nut portion.
In a variation A of the present embodiment, the wall thickness of the wall of the working channel tube is between, and including, 0.10 and 0.20 mm, preferrably between, and including, 0.12 and 0.18 mm, and more preferrably about 0.15 mm, and the external diameter of the working channel tube is between, and including, 2.0 and 3.0 mm, preferrably between, and including, 2.20 and 2.80 mm, and more preferrably between, and including, 2.40 and 2.60 mm.
In a variation B of the present embodiment, a diameter of the camera cable, which includes the conductors and may comprise the shield, is between, and including, 0.40 and 0.56 mm, preferrably between, and including, 0.44 and 0.52 mm, and more preferrably between, and including, 0.45 mm, and the external diameter of the working channel tube is between, and including, 2.0 and 3.0 mm, preferrably between, and including, 2.20 and 2.80 mm, and more preferrably between, and including, 2.40 and 2.60 mm.
In a variation C of the present embodiment, an internal diameter of the insertion tube is less than 3.8 mm, or less than 3.4 mm, or less than 3.0 mm.
Variations of the present embodiment may be combined to form additional variations of the embodiment. Thus, variation A may be combined in a new variation with variation B, variation A may be combined in a new variation with variation C, variation A may be combined in a new variation with variations B and C, and variation B may be combined in a new variation with variation C.
The camera 60 may have a cross-section of less than 2.0 mm on each side. The outside diameter of the tip housing 170 may be about 3.0 mm, and preferrably about 2.8 mm, and more preferrably 2.8 mm or less. The term “about” is intended to define a range of +/−10% from the specified numeral.
As the dimensions of the camera and the bending section are continuously reduced for the benefit of the patient, the size of the wires and cables increase as a percentage of the cross-section. It is valuable, to continue reductions in size and cost, to identify cable configurations, the cables comprising the wires, shielding, jacket, etc., that use smaller wires while still avoid the negative effects of electrical noise. The success of the mitigation effort is dependent on the image sensor and deserializer used, the length of the bundle, and the structure surrounding it.
The dual-lumen tube can be an endobronchial or an endotracheal tube, for example. The dual-lumen tube 200 may also have a second lumen 204. The peripheral wall 201 may consist of a first portion 210 and a second portion 212 divided by a medial wall 214. An inflatable cuff 220 is provided at the distal end and is connected via an inflation lumen (not shown) to an inflation tube 222 that can be connected to a pump to inflate the cuff 220. As with the endoscope 140, it is desirable to reduce the size of the device and increase its flexibility, for example by reducing the wall thickness of the tube, which requires reductions in the size of the camera 60 and the bundle 70. Although not shown, the bundle 70 is positioned in the illumination lumen 208 and communicatively connects the camera 60 with the cable connector 44. A single-lumen tube can also include the features described herein, including the first lumen 202, the camera 60, the LEDs 206, and the bundle 70, positioned in the illumination lumen 208 located in a wall of the tube 200.
A VPA 240 with a display screen 244 is shown in
In the foregoing description intrusive medical devices were described, the intrusive medical devices comprising: a proximal end and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal end; a camera positioned at the distal end; and a bundle of at least four unpaired conductors, the bundle extending from the proximal end to the distal end and electrically connected to the camera at the distal end, the bundle twisted at a pitch of 15 mm+/−10 mm. In some embodiments but not others, the intrusive medical devices include a tubular member defining a lumen therein, the tubular member extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the device. In some embodiments but not others, the at least four unpaired conductors include a ground conductor, a camera power conductor, a clock conductor and a data conductor. Embodiments of the bundle 70 are described below.
Attention is now directed to an embodiment of the bundle 70, shown in
A 4-wire bundle as depicted in
In a variation A of the present embodiment, the bundle 70 of wires, which is denoted by numeral 310 in
In a variation B of the present embodiment, some of the wires of the bundle 70, which is denoted by numeral 320 in
In an example of variation B, the wire 324 is larger than the wire 326. In one example, the wire 324 is at least a 42 American Wire Gauge (AWG) wire and may be larger, e.g. a 40 AWG wire, and the wire 326 is at most a 44 AWG wire, preferrably a 46 AWG wire. The bundle 324 together with the binder tape may be referred to as a “image sensor cable”. Generally, the term “image sensor cable” refers to the combination of conductors, shield(s), and jackets that are assembled together and extend through the insertion tube as a unit. Wire gauge may also be based on the length of the cable. If the image sensor cable (inside the device) is 300 mm or less a thinner gauge may be used than if the cable is longer.
In another variation, C, of the present embodiment, all the wires are coaxial and the image sensor cable is devoid of an electrical shield surrounding the entire bundle.
In a further variation, D, of the present embodiment, the conductors comprise the same type and size of conductor.
Variations of the present embodiment may be combined to form additional variations of the embodiment. Thus, variations A and B may be combined in new variations with variations C, D, and C and D.
In a further example, the image sensor cable comprises three coaxial insulated cables and a non-coaxial conductor. The non-coaxial conductor may be the LED power conductor. The coaxial cables may be for image sensor power, signal out, and clock/data.
In a yet further example, the image sensor cable comprises three coaxial uninsulated cables and a non-coaxial conductor. The non-coaxial conductor may be the LED power conductor. The shields of the coaxial cables in this example may touch. The advantages of avoiding the insulation is reductions in size and cost.
Another embodiment of the bundle 70, which is denoted by numeral 340, will now be described with reference to
In a variation A of the present embodiment, an electrical shield surrounds the bundle of conductors and a sheath or jacket surrounds the electrical shield. The bundle, electrical shield and jacket may be referred to, collectively, as a cable.
In a variation B of the present embodiment, the conductors comprise the same type and size of conductor. In one example of the present variation, the conductors are 42 AWG conductors. In another example of the present variation, the conductors are 44 AWG conductors.
In a variation C of the present embodiment, at least some of the wires are coaxial and the cable is devoid of an electrical shield that surrounds the bundle of wires.
Variations of the present embodiment may be combined to form additional variations of the embodiment. Thus, variation A may be combined in a new variation with variation B. Variations A and B may be combined with variation C in a new variation.
In the embodiments of the bundles described in the preceeding two paragraphs, e.g. bundles 300, 310, 320 and 340, the data conductor and the clock conductor are arranged cross-sectionally with the data conductor positioned between two of the at least four unpaired conductors, the two of the at least four unpaired conductors not including the clock conductor. In other words, the power or ground conductors are positioned next to the data conductor, and the clock conductor is positioned next to the power or ground conductors but separated from or opposite the data conductor. Clockwise, the conductors may be arranged in the following orders: (A) data, ground, clock, and power, (B) data, power, clock, and ground, (C) data, ground, clock, camera power, and LED power, (D) data, ground, clock, LED power, and camera power, (E) data, camera power, LED power, clock, and ground, or (F) data, LED power, camera power, clock, and ground. If more conductors are present, they may be positioned in between any conductors in the foregoing orders. The conductors, without the insulation, may comprise a diameter greater than 0.070 mm and smaller than 0.220 mm. The conductors, with the insulation, may comprise a diameter greater than 0.140 mm and smaller than 0.280 mm. Separation of the data and clock wires/conductors has resulted in sufficient electrical noise mitigation from cross-talk from the clock signal. The data cable may be used to transfer an analog out signal from the camera and control signals between the camera and the VPA. The analog out signal includes the video frames and images. The control signals may be provided via a serial peripheral interface (SPI) and multiplexed with the analog signals and may include gain and exposure camera settings.
In the embodiments of the bundles described in the preceeding three paragraphs, e.g. bundle 300 and bundle 320, the bundle of at least four unpaired conductors may be enclosed in an electrical shield. The electrical shield may be electrically disconnected at the distal end of the bundle. The bundle has a proximal end. The electrical shield may only be grounded at the proximal end of the bundle. The electrical shield may be comprised by a foil or braid. Other types of electrical shields may be used as well.
The uninsulated wires range in size (e.g. diameter) from 32 AWG to 44 AWG. As is well known, AWG denotes the American Wire Gauge standard. Dimensions of the wires are given in ASTM standard B 258. The AWG tables are for a single, solid and round conductor. The AWG of a stranded wire is determined by the cross-sectional area of the equivalent solid conductor. Because there are also small gaps between the strands, a stranded wire will always have a slightly larger overall diameter than a solid wire with the same AWG. 36 AWG wire, for example, has an outer diameter of 0.127 mm. 32 AWG wire has an outer diameter of 0.202 mm. 40 AWG wire has an outer diameter of 0.080 mm. 42 AWG wire has an outer diameter of 0.063 mm. 44 AWG wire has an outer diameter of 0.050 mm. 46 AWG wire has an outer diameter of 0.040 mm. In one example, the 36 AWG wire insulation thickness is 0.06 mm, bringing the total outer diameter of the insulated wire to 0.25 mm.
In some embodiments, the bundle of conductors comprises eight conductors, as shown in the cable 400 depicted in
In one embodiment, the A8 conductor is the Vout conductor.
In some embodiments, at least four of the wires comprise two twisted pairs of wires. The twisted pairs may comprise Vout and ground, and clock and ground. The twisted pair including Vout is positioned in the perimeter of the bundle, not in the center. Additional wires may be twisted or untwisted. In one example, four of eight wires are untwisted.
Generally, all the wires are at most 34 AWG wires in size, and may be 36, 38, 40 42 or 46 AWG wires. Smaller gauge wires can aid in reducing the cross-sectional size of the intrusive portion of the intrusive medical device and increasing bending flexibility but at the expense of noise sensitivity. When size reduction is not needed heavier gauge wires may be preferable.
The following items are further variations and examples of the embodiments described with reference to the figures:
Although some embodiments have been described and shown in detail, the invention is not restricted to them but may also be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject matter defined in the following claims. In particular, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilised and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In device claims enumerating several means, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same hardware components. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent items or described in different embodiments does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that any terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Similarly, if a method is described herein as comprising a series of steps, the order of such steps as presented herein is not necessarily the only order in which such steps may be performed, and certain of the stated steps may possibly be omitted and/or certain other steps not described herein may possibly be added to the method.
It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” are generally interpreted to be open ended terms which specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. The terms “consisting of” or “consists of” are closed terms, and include only the components, structures, steps, or the like specifically listed in conjunction with such terms, as well as that which is in accordance with U.S. Patent law.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22215444.5 | Dec 2022 | EP | regional |
