The present disclosure relates to bandages for wounds, and more particularly to the provision of bandages for use with a vacuum and/or irrigation source. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to external catheter access to a wound through the bandage.
The prior art contemplates that chronic wounds may be treated by providing a vacuum in the space above the wound to promote healing. A number of prior art references teach the value of the vacuum bandage or the provision of vacuum in the space above the surface of a chronic wound.
A vacuum bandage is a bandage having a cover for sealing about the outer perimeter of the wound and under which a vacuum is established to act on the wound surface. Applying vacuum to the wound surface promotes healing of chronic wounds. Typically, suction tubes are provided for drawing exudate away from the wound and for creating vacuum under the cover. If the cover is a flexible cover, which is typically more comfortable for the patient, a packing may be provided under the cover to fill the space in which the vacuum is formed. It will be appreciated, however, that the packing will be omitted by many caregivers, and it may be preferable not to have packing.
The following U.S. Patents establish the nature of vacuum treatment bandages and devices: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,095,992, 6,080,189, 6,071,304, 5,645,081, 5,636,643, 5,358,494, 5,298,015, 4,969,880, 4,655,754, 4,569,674, 4,382,441, and 4,112,947. All of such references are incorporated herein by reference for purposes of disclosing the nature of such vacuum treatment of wounds.
As shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,081 (hereinafter the '081 patent), a method of treating tissue damage is provided by applying negative pressure to a wound. The negative pressure is provided in sufficient duration and magnitude to promote tissue migration in order to facilitate the closure of the wound.
Various other prior art references teach the value of the vacuum bandage or the provision of vacuum to the surface of a chronic wound. Several Russian language articles exist which establish the efficacy of vacuum therapy in the 1980's. Examples of such prior art articles, each of which discusses the use of application of vacuum to a wound to promote healing, are as follows: “Vacuum therapy in the treatment of acute suppurative diseases of soft tissues and suppurative wounds”, Davydov, et al., Vestn, Khir., September 1988 (The September 1988 article); “Pathenogenic mechanism of the effect of vacuum therapy on the course of the wound process”, Davydov, et al. Khirurigiia, June 1990 (the June 1990 article); and “Vacuum therapy in the treatment of suppurative lactation mastitis”, Davydov, et al. Vestn. Khir., November 1986 (the November 1986 article).
The Russian articles distinguish wound drainage from use of vacuum therapy for healing. The Russian authors report that vacuum therapy resulted in faster cleansing of the wound and more rapid detoxification than with the traditional incision-drainage method. The November 1986 Russian article describes the vacuum therapy techniques as a reduction of 0.8-1 atmosphere for 20 minutes at the time of surgery, and subsequent 1.5 to 3 hour treatments at a reduced pressure of 0.1 to 0.15 from atmosphere, twice daily. These Russian articles teach the use of negative pressure to effect healing. The articles describe using several sessions per day, each lasting up to one hour, with a vacuum of 76-114 mmHg. The Russian articles teach using this vacuum method to decrease the number of microbes in the wound. The June 1990 Russian article teaches that this vacuum therapy provides a significant antibacterial effect. The article describes the stepped up inflow of blood to the zone around the wound to lead to an increase in the number of leukocytes reaching the focus of inflammation. Subsequent articles and patents further develop the benefits obtained with vacuum therapy.
Retention discs for use with tubing are known as well. For example, Cook Urological Inc. manufactures a silicone retention disc used to stabilize indwelling catheters such as the Khonsari disc having order number VPI-052019, for example. These discs are supplied by Cook in sterile peel-open packages. Such retention discs are available in a variety of sizes to fit catheters having different outer diameters, for example.
Often, these external retention discs are used to prevent indwelling catheters from migrating inward after they have been implanted. Other devices are known in the art to prevent inward tube migration. See, for example, U.S. Pats. Nos. 5,374,254 and 5,484,420 which generally disclose retention bolsters for supporting catheters.
The present invention comprises one or more of the following features or combinations thereof:
A bandage connectable to a vacuum source or an irrigation source is provided for use with a wound having a wound surface. The bandage illustratively includes a flexible cover positioned over the wound and configured to seal with a patient's healthy skin surrounding the wound. The cover may include a port. The bandage may include a collar coupled to the cover, the collar including a passageway in communication with the port of the cover. The passageway may be configured to receive at least a portion of a tube in communication with the vacuum source or irrigation source. The bandage may further include a sealer coupled to the collar and configured to create an airtight seal between the tube and the passageway to create a sealed environment below the cover and above the wound surface.
The collar may include a disc and a tube receiver coupled to the disc. The tube receiver may include the passageway configured to receive a portion of the tube in communication with either the vacuum source or the irrigation source. The collar may be coupled to a top surface of the cover.
In illustrative embodiments, the collar may include a slit through the tube receiver and the disc portion extending from the passageway to an outer edge of the disc portion. This slit may be defined by a first end and a second end of the collar. The first and second ends normally engage each other so that the collar is in a closed position. The first and second ends move to an opened position spaced apart from each other when the tube is received in part within the passageway of the tube receiver.
In further embodiments, the sealer may be a pull-tab positioned around a neck portion of the tube receiver. The pull-tab tightens around the neck portion to move the collar from the opened position to the closed position to create a substantially airtight seal between the tube and the collar.
In another embodiment, the sealer may be a thin, elastic membrane covering the passageway of the collar. In use, the tube breaks the membrane when inserted into the passageway. The broken membrane creates a seal between the collar and the tube.
Other features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
A vacuum bandage 10 is provided for use with a wound 12 having a wound surface 13, as shown in
As shown in
Looking now to
Layer 32, cover 34, and connecter 36 of member 30 are each made of a medical grade silicone or other type of pliable elastomer. Two companies, for example, which manufacture such medical grade silicone are GE Silicones and NuSil Technology. It is within the scope of this disclosure, however, to include a member made of any type of thin, flexible material that is non-porous and non-foam-like. This thin, flexible material is also generally non-absorptive. For example, materials such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), PVC free of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP-free PVC), polyurethane, or polyethylene may be used in the manufacture of member 30. Further, layer 32, cover 34, and connecter 36 may each be molded to include anti-microbial constituents. For example, it is within the scope of this disclosure to impregnate member 30 with silver ions which are known anti-microbials.
Member 30, including layer 32, cover 34, and connecter 36, is also made of a generally non-adhesive material. Therefore, wound contacting layer 32, which lies adjacent to the wound surface 13, does not adhere to the wound surface 13. Further, member 30 is solid in nature and generally non-compressible. Member 30 is also transparent. Therefore, a caregiver or user is able to see the wound 12 through member 30 when member 30 is placed adjacent to wound surface 13. This transparency allows the caregiver to view the progress of the healing of the wound 12.
Layer 32 includes a wound-contacting surface 38 and an upper or opposite surface 40. Wound contacting surface 38, or portions thereof, contact and conform to the wound surface 13. Opposite surface 40 includes a central area 42 and a plurality of channels 44 spaced-apart from and extending radially away from central area 42. As shown in
A plurality of radially extending protrusions or bosses 50 are positioned around central area 42. Bosses 50 are positioned between central area 42 and channels 44, 46, as shown in
As mentioned above, port 48 is in communication with central area 42 of layer 32. Illustratively, four bosses 50 are shown in
Connecter 36, as shown in
In some embodiments, member 30 is formed by heat sealing opposite surface 40 of layer 32 and bottom surface 56 of cover 34 together and by heat sealing connecter 36 to top surface 52 of cover 34. For example, each of layer 32, cover 34, and connecter 36 may be pre-shaped and formed from semi-cured silicone. Once the connecter 36, cover 34, and layer 32 are placed together appropriately, the entire member 30 may be heated to heat seal and cure each of the three components to one another. Alternatively, for example, the cover 34 only may be made from semi-cured silicone while the layer 32 and connecter 36 may be made from fully cured silicone, or visa versa. Once placed together and heated, connecter 36 and layer 32 will heat seal to cover 34. Semi-cured silicon may be bought and pre-molded from a manufacturer such as NuSil Technology, for example.
Although the method of heat sealing the connecter 36, cover 34, and layer 32 to each other is disclosed, it is within the scope of this disclosure to form member 30 by coupling layer 32, cover 34, and connecter 36 together by any other means such as through the use of adhesives, for example. Further, it is within the scope of this disclosure to provide a member 30 where the cover 34 lies adjacent to, but is not coupled to, the layer 32.
As mentioned above, cover 34 is coupled to layer 32 and connecter 36 is coupled to cover 34. Cover 34 and layer 32 cooperate to form distinct passageways 50 of member 30 defined by channels 44, 46 of layer 32 and bottom surface 56 of cover 34. Passageways 60 extend from the outer edges of member 30 and are in communication with central area 42 of layer 32. Central area 42 of layer 32 is in communication with port 48 of cover 34 which is in communication with the vacuum and/or irrigation sources 14, 16, via tube 24 extending through collar 20. Therefore, passageways 60 are in communication with the vacuum and/or irrigation sources 14, 16.
Layer 32 further includes through holes 62 which extend from channels 44, 46 to wound contacting surface 38, as shown in
As mentioned above, bandage 10 further includes sealing film or outer cover 18. Outer cover 18 covers the entire wound 12 by extending over wound 12 and attaching to the patient's healthy skin 15 surrounding wound 12. Preferably, film or outer cover 18 is an occlusive or semi-occlusive material which allows water vapor to permeate though. Because of this characteristic, the outer cover 18 is referred to a Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate film or MVTR film. The products TEGADERM® brand sealing film made by 3M Corporation, and OPSITE FLEXIGRID® brand semi-permeable dressing made by Smith & Nephew can be used for outer cover 18, for example. Outer cover 18 is approximately 0.003 inch (0.076 mm) thick. However, it is within the scope of this disclosure to include any occlusive or semi-occlusive film or outer cover 18 having another thickness. Outer cover 18 is provided to create a sealed environment below the outer cover 18 and around the wound 12 in which a vacuum or negative pressure can be maintained as provided by vacuum source 14. Outer cover 18 therefore creates a vacuum space 58 between outer cover 18 and wound surface 13.
As shown in
As shown in
The vacuum or negative pressure which draws blood from the body to the wound surface 13 and draws exudate from the wound 12 up through member 30 promotes the healing of wound 12. As wound 12 heals, granulations form along the wound surface 13. Granulations, therefore, are the replacement within the wound bed of tissue lost. As the granulations fill in the wound bed causing the wound 16 to heal, member 30 rides up on the wound surface 13 on top of the granulations which are formed.
As mentioned above, port 48 of cover 34 communicates with vacuum source 14 and/or irrigation source 16 via connecter 36 and tube 24. As shown in
As mentioned above, collar 20 is coupled to outer cover 18 and includes passageway 22 for receiving a portion of tube 24 therethrough, as shown in
Collar 20 includes a slit 74 from passageway 22 to an outer edge 76 of disc portion 70, as shown in
Collar 20 further includes a pull-tab 82, as shown in
As mentioned above, collar 20 is coupled to outer cover 18, as shown in
To dress wound 12, a caregiver places member 30 adjacent the wound surface 13. Specifically, wound-contacting surface 38 of layer 32 is placed adjacent wound surface 13. Packing or filler 68 may then be placed over member 30 and wound surface 13, if desired. (However, in many cases, caregivers will not use such packing.) Outer cover 18 and collar 20 coupled to outer cover 18 are next placed over the filler 68, if used, or directly over member 30 adjacent top surface 52 of cover 34. Outer cover 18 is attached to the patient's healthy skin 15 surrounding wound 12, as shown in
The caregiver may wish to align connecter 36 of member 30 with the already aligned aperture 92 of outer cover 18 and passageway 22 of collar 20 in order to be able to more easily couple first end 64 of tube 24 to connecter 36 once tube 24 is inserted through collar 20 and outer cover 18. Once tube 24 is coupled to connecter 36, caregiver tightens pull-tab 82 by pulling the ridged end region of strap 86 through strap-retainer 90 until collar 20 is in the closed position having first surface 78 and second surface 80 clamped together. In the closed position, with pull-tab 82 tightened around neck portion 84, collar 20 creates a substantially airtight seal between tube 24 and film 18. Pull-tab 82 can be loosened by the caregiver to allow the caregiver to remove tube 24 if desired. Thus, collar 20 provides for external access through outer cover 18 of wound 12 without the need to remove outer cover 18. Collar 20 also maintains a substantially airtight environment when tube 24 extends through collar 20 and outer cover 18.
Referring now to
One difference between collar 120 and collar 20 is that collar 120 does not include slit 74 defined by first surface 78 and second surface 80. A disc portion 170 therefore of collar 120 does not move between an opened position and a closed position as disc portion 70 does. However, collar 120 includes a thin, elastic membrane 96 across passageway 22 of tube receiver 72, as shown in
Although this invention has been described in detail with reference to certain embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.
This application is a U.S. national counterpart application of International application Ser. No. PCT/US02/41300 filed Dec. 20, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/360,405 filed Feb. 28, 2002.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/US02/41300 | 12/20/2002 | WO | 00 | 8/26/2004 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO03/073970 | 9/12/2003 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
774529 | Nieschang | Nov 1904 | A |
1000001 | Holz | Aug 1911 | A |
1355846 | Rannells | Oct 1920 | A |
1385346 | Taylor | Jul 1921 | A |
1709520 | Chandler | Apr 1929 | A |
1936129 | Fisk | Nov 1933 | A |
2078180 | Kronenberg | Apr 1937 | A |
2195771 | Estler | Apr 1940 | A |
2221758 | Elmquist | Nov 1940 | A |
2338339 | LaMere et al. | Jan 1944 | A |
2443481 | Sene | Jun 1948 | A |
2573791 | Howells | Nov 1951 | A |
2577945 | Atherton | Dec 1951 | A |
2632443 | Lesher | Mar 1953 | A |
2682873 | Evans et al. | Jul 1954 | A |
3026874 | Stevens | Mar 1962 | A |
3315665 | MacLeod | Apr 1967 | A |
3367332 | Groves | Feb 1968 | A |
3382867 | Reaves | May 1968 | A |
3492991 | Dyer, Jr. | Feb 1970 | A |
3520300 | Flower, Jr. | Jul 1970 | A |
3528416 | Chamberlain | Sep 1970 | A |
3568675 | Harvey | Mar 1971 | A |
3585742 | Tyler | Jun 1971 | A |
3599639 | Spotz | Aug 1971 | A |
3610238 | Rich, Jr. | Oct 1971 | A |
3648692 | Wheeler | Mar 1972 | A |
3683894 | Villari | Aug 1972 | A |
3721244 | Elmaleh | Mar 1973 | A |
3752158 | Kariher | Aug 1973 | A |
3782377 | Rychlik | Jan 1974 | A |
3812972 | Rosenblum | May 1974 | A |
3814095 | Lubens | Jun 1974 | A |
3831588 | Rindner | Aug 1974 | A |
3874387 | Barbieri | Apr 1975 | A |
3903882 | Augurt | Sep 1975 | A |
3935863 | Kliger | Feb 1976 | A |
3954105 | Nordby et al. | May 1976 | A |
3982546 | Friend | Sep 1976 | A |
4013076 | Puderbaugh et al. | Mar 1977 | A |
RE29319 | Nordby et al. | Jul 1977 | E |
4080970 | Miller | Mar 1978 | A |
4112947 | Nehring | Sep 1978 | A |
4139004 | Gonzalez, Jr. | Feb 1979 | A |
4149541 | Gammons et al. | Apr 1979 | A |
4178974 | Levin | Dec 1979 | A |
4191204 | Nehring | Mar 1980 | A |
4224941 | Stivala | Sep 1980 | A |
4250882 | Adair | Feb 1981 | A |
4275721 | Olson | Jun 1981 | A |
4297995 | Golub | Nov 1981 | A |
4341209 | Schaar | Jul 1982 | A |
4373519 | Errede et al. | Feb 1983 | A |
4382441 | Svedman | May 1983 | A |
4399816 | Spangler | Aug 1983 | A |
4457755 | Wilson | Jul 1984 | A |
4460370 | Allison et al. | Jul 1984 | A |
4465062 | Versaggi et al. | Aug 1984 | A |
4469092 | Marshall et al. | Sep 1984 | A |
4525166 | Leclerc | Jun 1985 | A |
4533352 | Van Beek et al. | Aug 1985 | A |
4533419 | Pieslak et al. | Aug 1985 | A |
4540412 | Van Overloop | Sep 1985 | A |
4553967 | Ferguson et al. | Nov 1985 | A |
4569674 | Phillips et al. | Feb 1986 | A |
4573965 | Russo | Mar 1986 | A |
4579555 | Russo | Apr 1986 | A |
4605399 | Weston et al. | Aug 1986 | A |
4608041 | Nielsen | Aug 1986 | A |
4624656 | Clark et al. | Nov 1986 | A |
4633863 | Filips et al. | Jan 1987 | A |
4637819 | Oullette et al. | Jan 1987 | A |
4641643 | Greer | Feb 1987 | A |
4645492 | Weeks | Feb 1987 | A |
4655210 | Edenbaum et al. | Apr 1987 | A |
4655754 | Richmond et al. | Apr 1987 | A |
4661093 | Beck et al. | Apr 1987 | A |
4664652 | Weilbacher | May 1987 | A |
4664662 | Webster | May 1987 | A |
4667666 | Frysliie | May 1987 | A |
4679590 | Hergenroeder | Jul 1987 | A |
4717382 | Clemens et al. | Jan 1988 | A |
4733659 | Edenbaum et al. | Mar 1988 | A |
4735606 | Davison | Apr 1988 | A |
4735610 | Akkas et al. | Apr 1988 | A |
4740202 | Stacey et al. | Apr 1988 | A |
4743232 | Kruger | May 1988 | A |
4747166 | Kuntz | May 1988 | A |
4759354 | Quarfoot | Jul 1988 | A |
4765316 | Marshall | Aug 1988 | A |
4778446 | Jensen | Oct 1988 | A |
4778456 | Lokken | Oct 1988 | A |
4798578 | Ranford | Jan 1989 | A |
4820265 | DeSatnick et al. | Apr 1989 | A |
4820284 | Hauri | Apr 1989 | A |
4834110 | Richard | May 1989 | A |
4872450 | Austad | Oct 1989 | A |
4890608 | Steer | Jan 1990 | A |
4897081 | Poirier et al. | Jan 1990 | A |
4906240 | Reed et al. | Mar 1990 | A |
4915694 | Yamamoto et al. | Apr 1990 | A |
4917112 | Kalt | Apr 1990 | A |
4921492 | Schultz et al. | May 1990 | A |
4930997 | Bennett | Jun 1990 | A |
4941882 | Ward et al. | Jul 1990 | A |
4953565 | Tachibana et al. | Sep 1990 | A |
4957492 | McVay | Sep 1990 | A |
4962761 | Golden | Oct 1990 | A |
4969880 | Zamierowski | Nov 1990 | A |
4969881 | Viesturs | Nov 1990 | A |
4988336 | Kohn | Jan 1991 | A |
4990144 | Blott | Feb 1991 | A |
4991574 | Pocknell | Feb 1991 | A |
4994022 | Steffler et al. | Feb 1991 | A |
4997425 | Shioya et al. | Mar 1991 | A |
5002528 | Palestrant | Mar 1991 | A |
5002529 | Cunningham | Mar 1991 | A |
5003971 | Buckley | Apr 1991 | A |
5014389 | Ogilvie et al. | May 1991 | A |
5034003 | Denance | Jul 1991 | A |
5034006 | Hosoda et al. | Jul 1991 | A |
5035865 | Inaba et al. | Jul 1991 | A |
5042978 | Quenin et al. | Aug 1991 | A |
5045777 | Itagaki | Sep 1991 | A |
5060662 | Farnswoth, III | Oct 1991 | A |
5071409 | Rosenberg | Dec 1991 | A |
5073172 | Fell | Dec 1991 | A |
5086763 | Hathman | Feb 1992 | A |
5086764 | Gilman | Feb 1992 | A |
5100396 | Zamierowski | Mar 1992 | A |
5101808 | Kobayashi et al. | Apr 1992 | A |
5106362 | Gilman | Apr 1992 | A |
5106629 | Cartmell et al. | Apr 1992 | A |
5135518 | Vera | Aug 1992 | A |
5146925 | Snow | Sep 1992 | A |
5147338 | Lang et al. | Sep 1992 | A |
5149331 | Ferdman et al. | Sep 1992 | A |
5152757 | Eriksson | Oct 1992 | A |
5160322 | Scheremet et al. | Nov 1992 | A |
5167613 | Karami et al. | Dec 1992 | A |
5170781 | Loomis | Dec 1992 | A |
5176502 | Sanderson et al. | Jan 1993 | A |
5176663 | Svedman et al. | Jan 1993 | A |
5176667 | DeBring | Jan 1993 | A |
5189609 | Tivig et al. | Feb 1993 | A |
5215539 | Schoolman | Jun 1993 | A |
5228431 | Giarretto | Jul 1993 | A |
5230350 | Fentress | Jul 1993 | A |
5238654 | Nohl et al. | Aug 1993 | A |
5261893 | Zamierowski | Nov 1993 | A |
5263922 | Sova et al. | Nov 1993 | A |
5265605 | Afflerbach | Nov 1993 | A |
5291887 | Stanley et al. | Mar 1994 | A |
5298015 | Komatsuzaki et al. | Mar 1994 | A |
5306298 | Godley, III et al. | Apr 1994 | A |
5330452 | Zook | Jul 1994 | A |
5344415 | DeBusk et al. | Sep 1994 | A |
5349965 | McCarver | Sep 1994 | A |
5358494 | Svedman | Oct 1994 | A |
5374254 | Buma | Dec 1994 | A |
5376252 | Eckstrom et al. | Dec 1994 | A |
5380280 | Peterson | Jan 1995 | A |
5395315 | Griep | Mar 1995 | A |
5419768 | Kayser | May 1995 | A |
5431622 | Pyrozyk et al. | Jul 1995 | A |
5437651 | Todd et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
5445604 | Lang | Aug 1995 | A |
5451215 | Wolter | Sep 1995 | A |
5478333 | Asherman, Jr. | Dec 1995 | A |
5484420 | Russo | Jan 1996 | A |
5484427 | Gibbons | Jan 1996 | A |
5484428 | Drainville et al. | Jan 1996 | A |
5487889 | Eckert et al. | Jan 1996 | A |
5520652 | Peterson | May 1996 | A |
5527293 | Zamierowski | Jun 1996 | A |
5531670 | Westby et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5533981 | Mandro et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5534346 | Robinson | Jul 1996 | A |
5542918 | Atkinson | Aug 1996 | A |
5549584 | Gross | Aug 1996 | A |
5556375 | Ewall | Sep 1996 | A |
5578022 | Scherson et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
5607388 | Ewall | Mar 1997 | A |
5624418 | Shepard | Apr 1997 | A |
5628735 | Skow | May 1997 | A |
5635201 | Fabo | Jun 1997 | A |
5636643 | Argenta et al. | Jun 1997 | A |
5645081 | Argenta et al. | Jul 1997 | A |
5655258 | Heintz | Aug 1997 | A |
5656027 | Ellingboe | Aug 1997 | A |
5662598 | Tobin | Sep 1997 | A |
5662624 | Sundstrom et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
5662625 | Westwood | Sep 1997 | A |
5669892 | Keogh et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
5672152 | Mason et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
5678564 | Lawrence et al. | Oct 1997 | A |
5690815 | Krasnoff et al. | Nov 1997 | A |
5697920 | Gibbons | Dec 1997 | A |
5718955 | McGuire et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
5735833 | Olson | Apr 1998 | A |
5741237 | Walker | Apr 1998 | A |
5759570 | Arnold | Jun 1998 | A |
5762640 | Kajiwara et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5782871 | Fujiwara et al. | Jul 1998 | A |
5817145 | Augustine et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5827246 | Bowen | Oct 1998 | A |
5827296 | Morris et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5881723 | Wallace et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5911222 | Lawrence et al. | Jun 1999 | A |
5919476 | Fischer et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5921972 | Skow | Jul 1999 | A |
5928174 | Gibbins | Jul 1999 | A |
5941859 | Lerman | Aug 1999 | A |
5947914 | Augustine | Sep 1999 | A |
5954680 | Augustine | Sep 1999 | A |
5961480 | Augustine | Oct 1999 | A |
5964721 | Augustine | Oct 1999 | A |
5964723 | Augustine | Oct 1999 | A |
5986163 | Augustine | Nov 1999 | A |
6010527 | Augustine et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
6017493 | Cambron et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
6039724 | Seifert et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6045518 | Augustine | Apr 2000 | A |
6045541 | Matsumoto et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
6056730 | Greter | May 2000 | A |
6071254 | Augustine | Jun 2000 | A |
6071267 | Zamierowski | Jun 2000 | A |
6071304 | Augustine et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6080189 | Augustine et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6080243 | Insley et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6093160 | Augustine et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
6093230 | Johnson et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
6095992 | Augustine | Aug 2000 | A |
6110197 | Augustine et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6113561 | Augustine | Sep 2000 | A |
6117111 | Fleischmann | Sep 2000 | A |
6135116 | Vogel et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6142982 | Hunt et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6143945 | Augustine et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6149614 | Dunshee et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6174306 | Fleischmann | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6203563 | Fernandez | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6207875 | Lindqvist et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6213965 | Augustine et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6213966 | Augustine | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6217535 | Augustine | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6235009 | Skow | May 2001 | B1 |
6235047 | Augustine et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6241697 | Augustine | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6241698 | Augustine | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6244311 | Hand et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6248084 | Augustine et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6254557 | Augustine et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6254580 | Svedman | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6264622 | Augustine | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6264979 | Svedman | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6267740 | Augustine et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6283931 | Augustine | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6284941 | Cox et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6290685 | Insley et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6293917 | Augustine et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6345623 | Heaton et al. | Feb 2002 | B1 |
6398767 | Fleischmann | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6458109 | Henley et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6471685 | Johnson | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6472581 | Muramatsu et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6491682 | Paderni | Dec 2002 | B2 |
6553998 | Heaton et al. | Apr 2003 | B2 |
6599277 | Neubert | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6626891 | Ohmstede | Sep 2003 | B2 |
6638270 | Johnson | Oct 2003 | B2 |
6648862 | Watson | Nov 2003 | B2 |
6663349 | Discenzo et al. | Dec 2003 | B1 |
6685681 | Lockwood et al. | Feb 2004 | B2 |
6691047 | Fredericks | Feb 2004 | B1 |
6695823 | Lina et al. | Feb 2004 | B1 |
6749592 | Lord | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6752794 | Lockwood et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6755807 | Risk, Jr. et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6764462 | Risk, Jr. et al. | Jul 2004 | B2 |
6800074 | Henley et al. | Oct 2004 | B2 |
6814079 | Heaton et al. | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6824533 | Risk, Jr. et al. | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6855135 | Lockwood et al. | Feb 2005 | B2 |
7022113 | Lockwood et al. | Apr 2006 | B2 |
20010029956 | Argenta et al. | Oct 2001 | A1 |
20010043943 | Coffey | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20020065494 | Lockwood et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
20020082668 | Ingman | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020115952 | Johnson et al. | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20020161317 | Risk et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020193723 | Batdorf, Sr. et al. | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20030208149 | Coffey | Nov 2003 | A1 |
20040030304 | Hunt | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040064111 | Lockwood et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040243073 | Lockwood et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040249353 | Risks, Jr. et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050004534 | Lockwood et al. | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050010153 | Lockwood et al. | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050070858 | Lockwood et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050085795 | Lockwood et al. | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050090787 | Risk, Jr. et al. | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050131327 | Lockwood et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20060015087 | Risk, Jr. et al. | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060029650 | Coffey | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060041247 | Petrosenko et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060129137 | Lockwood et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20070005028 | Risk, Jr. et al. | Jan 2007 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2303085 | Mar 1999 | CA |
372727 | Mar 1923 | DE |
28 09 828 | Sep 1978 | DE |
3102674 | Sep 1982 | DE |
3539533 | May 1987 | DE |
4111122 | Apr 1993 | DE |
29504378 | Oct 1995 | DE |
19722075 | Oct 1998 | DE |
64055 | Oct 1945 | DK |
0117632 | Sep 1984 | EP |
0424165 | Apr 1991 | EP |
0485657 | May 1992 | EP |
0547496 | Jun 1993 | EP |
0853 950 | Jul 1998 | EP |
0 777 504 | Oct 1998 | EP |
0 880 953 | Dec 1998 | EP |
1 088 569 | Apr 2001 | EP |
500253 | Mar 1920 | FR |
1303238 | Jul 1962 | FR |
3090 | Jun 1902 | GB |
641061 | Aug 1950 | GB |
1549756 | Aug 1979 | GB |
1584772 | Feb 1981 | GB |
2220357 | Jan 1990 | GB |
2307180 | May 1997 | GB |
2329127 | Mar 1999 | GB |
2333965 | Aug 1999 | GB |
2336546 | Oct 1999 | GB |
2342584 | Apr 2000 | GB |
2344531 | Jun 2000 | GB |
2351025 | Dec 2000 | GB |
199304 | Jan 1989 | HU |
51150 | Apr 1990 | HU |
205557 | Apr 1990 | HU |
76351 | Aug 1997 | HU |
215563 | Aug 1997 | HU |
84485 | Oct 1935 | SE |
587941 | Jan 1978 | SU |
1268175 | Nov 1986 | SU |
WO 8904158 | May 1989 | WO |
WO 9011795 | Oct 1990 | WO |
WO 9100718 | Jan 1991 | WO |
WO 9116030 | Oct 1991 | WO |
WO9219313 | Nov 1992 | WO |
WO 9220299 | Nov 1992 | WO |
WO 9309727 | May 1993 | WO |
WO 9400090 | Jan 1994 | WO |
WO 9420041 | Sep 1994 | WO |
9605873 | Feb 1996 | WO |
WO 9605873 | Feb 1996 | WO |
WO 9615745 | May 1996 | WO |
WO9718007 | May 1997 | WO |
9838944 | Sep 1998 | WO |
9901173 | Jan 1999 | WO |
WO 9913793 | Mar 1999 | WO |
9959816 | Nov 1999 | WO |
WO 0007653 | Feb 2000 | WO |
WO 0015277 | Mar 2000 | WO |
0021586 | Apr 2000 | WO |
WO 0021586 | Apr 2000 | WO |
WO 0026100 | May 2000 | WO |
WO 0030567 | Jun 2000 | WO |
WO 0032247 | Jun 2000 | WO |
WO 0038552 | Jul 2000 | WO |
WO 0038755 | Jul 2000 | WO |
WO 0042958 | Jul 2000 | WO |
WO 0059418 | Oct 2000 | WO |
WO 0059424 | Oct 2000 | WO |
WO 0061206 | Oct 2000 | WO |
WO 0064394 | Nov 2000 | WO |
WO 0134223 | May 2001 | WO |
WO 0137922 | May 2001 | WO |
WO 0149233 | Jul 2001 | WO |
0185248 | Nov 2001 | WO |
0189431 | Nov 2001 | WO |
WO 0185248 | Nov 2001 | WO |
WO 0189431 | Nov 2001 | WO |
03005943 | Jan 2003 | WO |
03045492 | Jun 2003 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20050085795 A1 | Apr 2005 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60360405 | Feb 2002 | US |