This application claims priority to Danish Application PA 2002 00208, filed Feb. 12, 2002, the entirety of this reference is incorporated herein.
The invention relates generally to devices for delivering a selected medication or another therapeutic fluid to a patient at a subcutaneous or other infusion site. More particularly, the invention relates to a medication infusion set of the type having a flexible cannula adapted for subcutaneous placement, in combination with an insertion, or puncturing, device comprising an insertion needle extending through the cannula and beyond the outer tip thereof, the insertion device further comprising a shield adapted to cover the insertion needle when the latter is withdrawn from the cannula.
Medication injection or infusion sets are generally well known in the art, to include a relatively soft and flexible cannula providing a transcutaneous pathway through which a selected medication or other therapeutic fluid can be administered to a patient at a selected subcutaneous site. In a common form, the soft cannula is carried by a housing initially assembled with an insertion needle extending through the cannula, wherein the insertion needle is manipulated to pierce the patient's skin to place the cannula transcutaneously, followed by withdrawal of the insertion needle to leave the soft cannula in place on the patient. In order to allow the insertion needle to be handled, the needle is normally provided as an insertion device comprising a hub to which the needle is attached.
The selected medication may then be coupled to the cannula, typically by means of a length of infusion tubing connected to a medication source to deliver the medication through the cannula to the patient.
In one configuration, the infusion tubing is connected to the cannula housing corresponding to the opening through which the insertion needle has been withdrawn from the cannula, i.e. the tubing is arranged axially with respect to the general axial orientation of the cannula. An example of this type of infusion device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,718.
In a second configuration, the infusion tubing is connected to the cannula housing at a location different from the opening through which the insertion needle is inserted into the cannula, this configuration allowing the tubing to be pre-connected to the housing. An example of this type of infusion device is known from WO 00/03757 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,143 both disclosing a device in which the cannula and insertion needle are arranged perpendicular to tubing. In order to seal the device, a self-sealing penetratable septum is provided corresponding to the opening through which the insertion needle is withdrawn, this septum also allowing samples to be taken without having to disconnect the tubing.
The use of insertion needles, or needle devices in general, is associated with some disadvantages during use thereof due to the potential danger of exposure to the pointed tip before use as well as after the needle has been withdrawn and before it has been properly discarded. Correspondingly, a large number of needle protection devices have been proposed to provide a remedy to this problem.
A very simple form of protection is the traditional tubular sleeve which normally covers the needle when supplied to the user, for example as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,143; after use the cover may be used to cover the needle again, however, in most cases the needle and the cover are discarded separately A more elaborate shell-shaped needle guard is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6.056,718, however, basically this guard functions as a simple needle cover to be removed from the insertion device prior to use.
In order to better protect against unintended needle prick, a number of shield devices has been proposed based on the principle that a pivotable shield is mounted corresponding to the front of the device, this allowing the shield to be pivoted away before use of the needle as well as used to cover the needle immediately after use, An example of this type of needle protection device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,475.
For the above-described type of infusion devices in which an insertion needle is arranged through a cannula, different solutions have been proposed. For example, a recent type of needle protection devices is based upon the principle that a protecting means automatically grips the needle tip as the insertion needle is withdrawn from the infusion device, however, this solution requires a separate cover to protect the needle prior to use,
A different approach is known from WO 00/03757 disclosing an infusion device in which an insertion needle hub is provided with a hinged shield member protruding there from, whereby the shield member is adapted to pivot and thereby cover the insertion needle when withdrawn from the infusion device. Also this solution requires a separate cover to protect the needle prior to use.
Having regard to the above discussion of the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide an infusion device comprising a hollow cannula and having an insertion needle arranged there through, in which shielding means is incorporated providing a user with a high degree of protection against injury from unintended needle prick during operation and handling of the device yet providing ease of use as well as allowing the device to be manufactured in a simple and cost effective manner.
The present invention is based on the realisation that an infusion device of the above type having an insertion needle arranged through a cannula can be provided with a fully integrated needle shield by forming the needle with an integrated shield which is capable of both covering the cannula with the needle inserted there through prior to use, as well as covering the needle when it is withdrawn from the cannula, yet allowing the user to insert the cannula More specifically, this functionality is achieved by providing a “bridge” between the hub portion of the insertion device and the shield actually covering the needle/cannula, this allowing the hitherto separately supplied components to be formed integrally with each other.
Thus, in accordance with the invention, an infusion set comprising an infusion device and an insertion (puncturing) device is provided, the infusion device having a housing comprising an opening and a soft cannula extending from the housing and being in flow communication with the opening, the soft cannula having an outer tip, an insertion device adapted to be connected to said housing, the insertion device comprising a hub and a needle mounted thereon the needle being adapted to extend through the cannula and beyond the outer tip thereof when the insertion device is connected to the housing, the needle being at the outer end adapted for facilitating puncturing, wherein a shield member is provided having an initial position in which it covers the cannula and the protruding outer tip of the needle, a retracted position allowing the cannula to be inserted, and a final position in which the shield covers the needle when the insertion device has been removed from the housing.
The final position may be identical with the initial position, or it may be different as in a preferred embodiment in which the needle is bend when the shield member and the hub is locked together, whereby the bend needle provides a biasing effect between cooperating locking means on the shield part and the handle part, and whereby the bend needle closely abuts on the shield to ensure that unintended contact with the needle is avoided.
In a preferred embodiment the shield member is in the form of a single cover member extending generally along the axis of the cannula/needle, and being pivotally connected to the hub allowing it to be pivoted between its different positions. The pivoting action may be provided by a “traditional” hinge or by any flexible arrangement allowing the shield member to pivot or deflect relative to the hub. The shield member may be arranged to pivot corresponding to any desired axis, e.g. parallelly with or perpendicular to the skin surface in a situation of use.
Preferably the different positions are predefined, the housing and/or insertion device comprising mating coupling means so as to allow the shield member to lock into its initial, its retracted respectively its final position. Indeed, the mating coupling means for the initial and for the retracted positions should be adapted for releasably securing the shield in the respective positions, whereas the mating coupling means for locking the shield to the hub preferably are non-releasable to prevent reuse of the needle or inadvertent release of the shield. In case the different positions are not predefined, there may be an indefinite number of equivalent positions for each of the “functional” positions; however, the term “position” when used in the present context covers any such plurality of functionally equivalent positions.
In a preferred embodiment the housing comprises a resilient self-sealing septum mounted generally at a proximal end of the cannula for normally closing the proximal end thereof. The infusion needle being mounted there through in its initial coupled position.
In a further preferred embodiment the housing comprises a cavity having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet being in fluid communication with the cannula, the inlet being adapted for receiving the insertion needle and preferably comprises a resilient self-sealing septum as described above. The cavity may be provided with one or more additional openings providing access thereto, each opening being closed by a self-sealing septum or any other suitable closure means for sealing the opening when not in use. Indeed, in a simple configuration, the opening may be formed by the proximal end of the cannula.
All of the above features are desirably provided in an infusion set constructed from relatively simple and preferably disposable components which can be manufactured in a cost-efficient manner from medical grade plastic or the like, the needle itself preferably being made from stainless steal.
In the following the invention will be further described with references to the drawings, wherein
The housing 110 generally has a disc-formed, circular configuration (see
The cannula 150 comprises a straight tubular main portion 152 forming the cannula per se and having an outer tip 151 with a distal opening, and a rear portion 153 adapted to be sealingly received and mounted coaxially in the front-most portion of the bore, thereby defining an outlet from the cavity. In the rear-most portion of the cavity a resilient self-sealing septum 120 is mounted generally axially in respect of the cannula and defining an inlet for the cavity, this allowing an infusion needle to be mounted through the septum and out through the cannula. As appears, the cannula and the central bore are arranged slightly inclined with respect to the general plane of the housing, this for facilitating mounting of the infusion device on the skin surface of a user.
In the shown embodiment the housing comprises a further bore 130 in communication with the central bore and arranged perpendicularly thereto, the further bore comprising a further resilient self-sealing septum 131 defining a further inlet for the cavity, the septum being protected by a releasably mounted semi-circular cap 132, however, in order to allow a standard tube connector to be connected, the septum may be dispensed with. Optionally the housing may be provided with a peripheral cover member 118 to improve grip and appearance.
The hub 210 comprises a mounting portion 211 to which the needle 250 is fixedly mounted, two laterally arranged handle portions 212, 213 providing gripping surfaces for handling the device, an upwardly open groove 214 being defined therebetween and extending coaxially with the needle, and a forwardly protruding “bridge” portion 215 extending as a continuation of the groove. As appears, a transverse slot or opening 216 having front and rear edges 217, 218 is provided in the bridge portion as well as coupling means 219 is associated with groove, the importance of which will be described in detail below.
The shield member comprises a generally flat roof-like cover portion 231 having lateral edges 236, 237 and a rounded nose portion 232 at the distal end thereof adapted to substantially surround the pointed needle tip 251, and a rearwardly protruding “bridge” portion 233 pivotably attached to the bridge portion of the hub, thereby defining a hinge 235 which in the shown embodiment is in the form of a film-hinge. As appears, the bridge portions span across the upper surface of the housing thereby connecting the hub with the shield member. Indeed, functionally the bridge may be formed as a single portion, the hinge being arranged corresponding to a rear or front portion of the housing, or it may be provided by lateral members arranged along the sides of the housing, or in any other suitable way.
Protruding downwardly from the proximal portion of the cover are arranged coupling arms 240 formed with coupling means adapted to engage corresponding mating coupling means on the housing. The coupling means may be in the form of distal hook members arranged on the arms gripping edge portions on the housing, or the arms may be slightly inwardly curved as shown. In
In
Next, use of the device in accordance with the invention will be described. In order to insert the cannula with the needle arranged there through, the shield member 230 is pivoted upwardly and backwardly approximately 180 degrees as shown in
In the shown embodiment no special locking means is provided between the hub and the housing, the components being coupled to each by the frictional engagement between the needle and the septum respectively the inside of the cannula. In case the resistance to penetration by the needle is high, the user will grip the infusion set to gently press the components together corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the cannula. If deemed necessary, a releasable locking means may be provided between the hub and the housing.
In order to indicate that the needle tip has been positioned in a blood vessel, the proximal end of the needle may be in fluid communication with a ventilated so-called flash chamber (not shown) which is adapted to be filled with blood a transparent window allowing this to be observed by the user. Indeed, in case the cannula is intended for being placed at a selected subcutaneous site, such a chamber would not be relevant.
When the needle tip has been positioned properly, e.g. at a selected subcutaneous site or in a blood vessel, the insertion device and thus the needle is retracted from the cannula and the housing. The lower surface of the housing may be provided with an adhesive allowing it to be attached to the skin surface of the user, or it may be held in place by additional adhesive means. After this, a fluid source may be connected to any of the fluid inlets to the cavity for supplying a fluid out through the cannula.
When the insertion device has been withdrawn from the infusion device, the shield member is disengaged from the groove and pivoted to a final position at least covering the needle. In the shown embodiment the shield member is pivoted further downwardly and subsequently upwardly until engagement with a lower surface of the hub thereby bending the needle as shown in
As the needle is bend when the shield member and the hub is locked together, the bend needle provides a biasing effect between the locking means and assures that the bend needle closely abuts on the shield to further ensure that unintended contact with the needle is avoided.
With reference to
More specifically,
Next, use of the device corresponding to the second embodiment will be described. In order to insert the cannula with the needle arranged there through, the shield member 430 is pivoted backwardly towards the hub 410 approximately 160 degrees as shown in
After the cannula has been placed, the insertion device is withdrawn from the infusion device and the shield member is disengaged from the hub and “pivoted” to a final position covering the needle, see
As in the first embodiment, the needle is bend when the shield member and the hub is locked together, the bend needle providing a biasing effect between the locking means.
While the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiment shown in the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating there from. For example, the shield may be provided by two or more members connected to each other, just as the means allowing the shield member to move between the different positions relative to the hub may be provided by e.g. a telescoping arrangement instead of one or more hinges.
Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in accordance with the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2002 00208 | Feb 2002 | DK | national |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
643544 | Simmons | Feb 1900 | A |
1838825 | Goldstein | Dec 1931 | A |
1991103 | King | Feb 1935 | A |
2047010 | Dickinson | Jul 1936 | A |
2295849 | Kayden | Sep 1942 | A |
2319731 | Garrett | May 1943 | A |
2533731 | Gomberg | Dec 1950 | A |
2630803 | Baran | Mar 1953 | A |
2690529 | Lindblad | Sep 1954 | A |
2730099 | Sullivan | Jan 1956 | A |
2839060 | Ormo | Jun 1958 | A |
2936141 | Rapata | May 1960 | A |
2952420 | Von Hoom | Sep 1960 | A |
3055361 | Ballard | Sep 1962 | A |
3107785 | Roehr | Oct 1963 | A |
3074541 | Roehr | Nov 1963 | A |
3154080 | Rowan et al. | Oct 1964 | A |
3317166 | Janssen | May 1967 | A |
3545286 | Stenstrom | Dec 1970 | A |
3610240 | Harautuneian | Oct 1971 | A |
3648999 | Bauer | Mar 1972 | A |
3783996 | Gerard et al. | Jan 1974 | A |
3831729 | Howard | May 1974 | A |
3814097 | Ganderton et al. | Jun 1974 | A |
3840011 | Wright | Oct 1974 | A |
3865236 | Rycroft | Feb 1975 | A |
3942528 | Loeser | Mar 1976 | A |
3986508 | Barrington | Oct 1976 | A |
4014328 | Cluff et al. | Mar 1977 | A |
4022205 | Tenczar | May 1977 | A |
4146113 | Gavel | Mar 1979 | A |
4150798 | Aragon | Apr 1979 | A |
4188950 | Wardlaw | Feb 1980 | A |
4201406 | Dennehey et al. | May 1980 | A |
4227528 | Wardlaw | Oct 1980 | A |
4267836 | Whitney et al. | May 1981 | A |
4306705 | Svenson | Dec 1981 | A |
4315505 | Crandall et al. | Feb 1982 | A |
4334551 | Pfister | Jun 1982 | A |
D267199 | Koenig | Dec 1982 | S |
4365630 | McFarlane | Dec 1982 | A |
4400861 | Parker | Aug 1983 | A |
4406042 | McPhee | Sep 1983 | A |
4458344 | Coogler | Jul 1984 | A |
4472024 | Konomura et al. | Sep 1984 | A |
4473369 | Lueders et al. | Sep 1984 | A |
4500312 | McFarlane | Feb 1985 | A |
4517971 | Sorbonne | May 1985 | A |
4530695 | Phillips et al. | Jul 1985 | A |
4531686 | Shaw | Jul 1985 | A |
4576846 | Noel | Mar 1986 | A |
4606735 | Wilder et al. | Aug 1986 | A |
4610469 | Wolff-Mooij | Sep 1986 | A |
4616790 | Beltran | Oct 1986 | A |
4619349 | Braun | Oct 1986 | A |
4635683 | Nielsen | Jan 1987 | A |
4637404 | Gessman | Jan 1987 | A |
4662873 | Lash et al. | May 1987 | A |
4682702 | Gach | Jul 1987 | A |
4713059 | Bickelhaupt et al. | Dec 1987 | A |
4734092 | Millerd | Mar 1988 | A |
4755173 | Konopka et al. | Jul 1988 | A |
4758020 | Boyd | Jul 1988 | A |
4800629 | Ikeda | Jan 1989 | A |
4802638 | Burger et al. | Feb 1989 | A |
4817603 | Turner et al. | Apr 1989 | A |
RE32922 | Levin et al. | May 1989 | E |
4838871 | Luther | Jun 1989 | A |
4840613 | Balbierz | Jun 1989 | A |
4850974 | Bickelhaupt et al. | Jul 1989 | A |
4878897 | Katzin | Nov 1989 | A |
4895570 | Larkin | Jan 1990 | A |
D306500 | Brahler | Mar 1990 | S |
4913369 | Lia et al. | Apr 1990 | A |
4917669 | Bonaldo | Apr 1990 | A |
4935010 | Cox et al. | Jun 1990 | A |
4950163 | Zimble | Aug 1990 | A |
4950252 | Luther et al. | Aug 1990 | A |
4978338 | Melsky et al. | Dec 1990 | A |
4982842 | Hollister | Jan 1991 | A |
4986817 | Code | Jan 1991 | A |
4994045 | Ranford | Feb 1991 | A |
5011475 | Olson | Apr 1991 | A |
5024662 | Menes et al. | Jun 1991 | A |
5067496 | Eisele | Nov 1991 | A |
5077872 | Guthammar | Jan 1992 | A |
5083757 | Barsky | Jan 1992 | A |
5098389 | Cappucci | Mar 1992 | A |
5112313 | Sallee | May 1992 | A |
5116319 | van den Haak | May 1992 | A |
5116324 | Bierley et al. | May 1992 | A |
5116325 | Paterson | May 1992 | A |
5121751 | Panalletta | Jun 1992 | A |
5134593 | Logan et al. | Jul 1992 | A |
5134594 | Woo | Jul 1992 | A |
5137524 | Lynn et al. | Aug 1992 | A |
5141496 | Dalto et al. | Aug 1992 | A |
5147319 | Ishikawa et al. | Sep 1992 | A |
5147375 | Sullivan et al. | Sep 1992 | A |
5161681 | Kemp et al. | Nov 1992 | A |
5163915 | Holleron | Nov 1992 | A |
5176662 | Bartholomew et al. | Jan 1993 | A |
5188314 | Peters | Feb 1993 | A |
5188611 | Orgain | Feb 1993 | A |
RE34223 | Bonaldo | Apr 1993 | E |
5222947 | D'Amico | Jun 1993 | A |
5232454 | Hollister | Aug 1993 | A |
5236143 | Dragon | Aug 1993 | A |
5240199 | Peters | Aug 1993 | A |
5248301 | Koenig et al. | Sep 1993 | A |
5256152 | Marks | Oct 1993 | A |
5257980 | Van Antwerp et al. | Nov 1993 | A |
5265822 | Shober, Jr. et al. | Nov 1993 | A |
5269799 | Daniel | Dec 1993 | A |
5279579 | D'Amico | Jan 1994 | A |
5279591 | Simon | Jan 1994 | A |
5282793 | Larson | Feb 1994 | A |
5300030 | Crossman et al. | Apr 1994 | A |
5312359 | Wallace | May 1994 | A |
5312369 | Arcusin et al. | May 1994 | A |
5316246 | Scott et al. | May 1994 | A |
5324302 | Crouse | Jun 1994 | A |
5342319 | Watson et al. | Aug 1994 | A |
5342324 | Tucker | Aug 1994 | A |
5343637 | Schindler | Sep 1994 | A |
5350392 | Purcell et al. | Sep 1994 | A |
5354280 | Haber et al. | Oct 1994 | A |
5366469 | Steg et al. | Nov 1994 | A |
5372592 | Gambale | Dec 1994 | A |
5376082 | Phelps | Dec 1994 | A |
5380067 | Turvill et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
5384174 | Ward et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
5387197 | Smith et al. | Feb 1995 | A |
5388931 | Carlson | Feb 1995 | A |
5390669 | Stuart et al. | Feb 1995 | A |
5391151 | Wilmot | Feb 1995 | A |
5403288 | Stanners | Apr 1995 | A |
5405332 | Opalek | Apr 1995 | A |
5429607 | McPhee | Jul 1995 | A |
5429613 | D'Amico | Jul 1995 | A |
5433307 | Jeppe | Jul 1995 | A |
D362718 | Deily et al. | Sep 1995 | S |
5449349 | Sallee et al. | Sep 1995 | A |
5487506 | Drummond et al. | Jan 1996 | A |
5490841 | Landis | Feb 1996 | A |
5492313 | Pan et al. | Feb 1996 | A |
5505709 | Funderburk et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
5507730 | Haber et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
5519167 | Kunimoto et al. | May 1996 | A |
5520654 | Wahlberg | May 1996 | A |
5522803 | Teissen-Simony | Jun 1996 | A |
5533974 | Gaba | Jul 1996 | A |
5540709 | Ramel | Jul 1996 | A |
5545143 | Fischell | Aug 1996 | A |
5545152 | Funderburk et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5554130 | McDonald et al. | Sep 1996 | A |
5558650 | McPhee | Sep 1996 | A |
5562636 | Utterberg | Oct 1996 | A |
5584813 | Livingston et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
5591188 | Waisman | Jan 1997 | A |
5599309 | Marshall et al. | Feb 1997 | A |
5599315 | McPhee | Feb 1997 | A |
5599318 | Sweeney et al. | Feb 1997 | A |
5628765 | Morita | May 1997 | A |
5643214 | Marshall | Jul 1997 | A |
5643216 | White | Jul 1997 | A |
5643220 | Cosme | Jul 1997 | A |
5662617 | Odell et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
5665071 | Wyrick | Sep 1997 | A |
5665075 | Gyure et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
5681323 | Arick | Oct 1997 | A |
5695476 | Harris | Dec 1997 | A |
5704920 | Gyure | Jan 1998 | A |
5709516 | Peterson et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
5714225 | Hansen et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
5741288 | Rife | Apr 1998 | A |
5752923 | Terwilliger | May 1998 | A |
5810835 | Ryan et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5820598 | Gazza et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
D402538 | Wagter et al. | Dec 1998 | S |
5843001 | Goldenberg | Dec 1998 | A |
5851197 | Marano et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5858001 | Tsals et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
5865806 | Howell | Feb 1999 | A |
5873540 | Hardin | Feb 1999 | A |
5899886 | Cosme | May 1999 | A |
5913846 | Szabo | Jun 1999 | A |
5915640 | Wagter et al. | Jun 1999 | A |
5919167 | Mulhauser et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5925032 | Clements | Jul 1999 | A |
5947935 | Rhinehart et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5951523 | Osterlind et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5954643 | VanAntwerp et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5957892 | Thorne | Sep 1999 | A |
5968011 | Larsen et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5975120 | Novosel | Nov 1999 | A |
5980488 | Thorne | Nov 1999 | A |
5980506 | Mathiasen | Nov 1999 | A |
5984640 | Wang | Nov 1999 | A |
5984897 | Peterson et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
5992787 | Burke | Nov 1999 | A |
D417733 | Howell et al. | Dec 1999 | S |
6017328 | Fischell et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
D421119 | Musgrave et al. | Feb 2000 | S |
6039629 | Mitchell | Mar 2000 | A |
6042570 | Bell et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6045533 | Kriesel et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
6050976 | Thorne et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
6056718 | Funderburk et al. | May 2000 | A |
6074371 | Fischell | Jun 2000 | A |
6086008 | Gray et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
6086575 | Mejslov | Jul 2000 | A |
6090068 | Chanut | Jul 2000 | A |
6093172 | Funderburk et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
6093179 | O'Hara et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
6099503 | Stardella | Aug 2000 | A |
6105218 | Reekie | Aug 2000 | A |
6120482 | Szabo | Sep 2000 | A |
6123690 | Mejslov | Sep 2000 | A |
6132755 | Eicher et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6183464 | Sharp et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6193694 | Bell et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6219574 | Cormier et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6221058 | Kao et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6248093 | Moberg | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6293925 | Safabash et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6302866 | Marggi | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6319232 | Kashmer | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6322535 | Hitchins et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6322808 | Trautman et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6334856 | Allen et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6355021 | Nielsen et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6379335 | Rigon et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
D456692 | Epstein | May 2002 | S |
6387076 | Landuyt | May 2002 | B1 |
6488663 | Steg | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6517517 | Farrugia et al. | Feb 2003 | B1 |
6520938 | Funderburk et al. | Feb 2003 | B1 |
D472316 | Douglas et al. | Mar 2003 | S |
D472630 | Douglas et al. | Apr 2003 | S |
6572586 | Wojcik | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6579267 | Lynch et al. | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6582397 | Alesi et al. | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6595962 | Perthu | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6607509 | Bobroff et al. | Aug 2003 | B1 |
6607511 | Halseth et al. | Aug 2003 | B1 |
6629949 | Douglas | Oct 2003 | B1 |
6645182 | Szabo | Nov 2003 | B1 |
6685674 | Douglas et al. | Feb 2004 | B1 |
6702779 | Connelly et al. | Mar 2004 | B1 |
6726649 | Swenson et al. | Apr 2004 | B1 |
6736797 | Larsen et al. | May 2004 | B1 |
6749589 | Douglas et al. | Jun 2004 | B1 |
6790199 | Gianakos | Sep 2004 | B1 |
6805686 | Fathallah et al. | Oct 2004 | B1 |
6811545 | Vaillancourt | Nov 2004 | B1 |
6814720 | Olsen et al. | Nov 2004 | B1 |
6824530 | Wagner et al. | Nov 2004 | B1 |
6824531 | Zecha, Jr. et al. | Nov 2004 | B1 |
6830562 | Mogensen et al. | Dec 2004 | B1 |
6837877 | Zurcher | Jan 2005 | B1 |
6840922 | Nielsen et al. | Jan 2005 | B1 |
6880701 | Bergeron et al. | Apr 2005 | B1 |
6916017 | Noe | Jul 2005 | B1 |
6923791 | Douglas | Aug 2005 | B1 |
6926694 | Marano-Ford et al. | Aug 2005 | B1 |
6939331 | Ohshima | Sep 2005 | B1 |
6949084 | Marggi et al. | Sep 2005 | B1 |
20010004970 | Hollister et al. | Jun 2001 | A1 |
20010016714 | Bell et al. | Aug 2001 | A1 |
20010021827 | Ferguson et al. | Sep 2001 | A1 |
20010039401 | Ferguson et al. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20010041875 | Higuchi et al. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20020022855 | Bobroff et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20050101933 | Marrs et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
20020068904 | Pluth et al. | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020072720 | Hague et al. | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020077599 | Wojcik | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020107489 | Lee | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20020111581 | Sasso | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20020145073 | Swanson et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020156424 | Suzuki et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020156427 | Suzuki et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020161332 | Ramey | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020169419 | Steg | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20020173748 | McConnell et al. | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20020183688 | Lastovich et al. | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20020189688 | Roorda | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20020193737 | Popovsky | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20020193744 | Alesi et al. | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20030069548 | Connelly et al. | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20030105430 | Lavi et al. | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20030109829 | Mogensen et al. | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20030125669 | Safabash et al. | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030125678 | Swenson et al. | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030130619 | Safabash et al. | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030139704 | Lin | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030158520 | Safabash et al. | Aug 2003 | A1 |
20030176843 | Wilkinson | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030181863 | Davis et al. | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030181868 | Swenson | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030181873 | Swenson | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030181874 | Bressler et al. | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030187394 | Wilkinson et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20030187395 | Wilkinson et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20030199823 | Bobroff et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20030216686 | Lynch et al. | Nov 2003 | A1 |
20030225373 | Bobroff et al. | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20030225374 | Mathiasen | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20030229308 | Tsals et al. | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20030229316 | Hwang et al. | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20040002682 | Kovelman et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040006316 | Patton | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040026840 | Eckel et al. | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040044306 | Lynch et al. | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20040049159 | Barrus et al. | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20040068231 | Blondeau | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040087913 | Rogers et al. | May 2004 | A1 |
20040111068 | Swenson | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040112781 | Hofverberg et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040116865 | Bengtsson | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040138612 | Shermer et al. | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040138620 | Douglas et al. | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040143216 | Douglas et al. | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040143218 | Das | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040158202 | Jensen | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040158207 | Hunn et al. | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040162518 | Connelly et al. | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040171989 | Horner et al. | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040178098 | Swenson et al. | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040186446 | Ohshima | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040199123 | Nielsen | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040204687 | Mogensen et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040204690 | Yashiro et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040220528 | Garcia, Jr. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040238392 | Peterson et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040243065 | McConnell et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040254433 | Bandis et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040260235 | Douglas | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040260250 | Harris et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050035014 | Cane | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050101932 | Cote et al. | May 2005 | A1 |
20050107743 | Fangrow, Jr. | May 2005 | A1 |
20050113761 | Faust et al. | May 2005 | A1 |
20050119637 | Lundgren et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050124936 | Mogensen et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050159709 | Wilkinson | Jul 2005 | A1 |
20050215979 | Konerup et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050251098 | Wyss et al. | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20050277892 | Chen | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20050283114 | Bresina et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20060030815 | Csincsura et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
893 296 | Dec 1953 | DE |
1 053 541 | Mar 1959 | DE |
26 20 009 | Dec 1977 | DE |
28 03 509 | Aug 1978 | DE |
37 15 965 | Jan 1988 | DE |
196 31 921 | Mar 1997 | DE |
298 18 311 | Mar 1999 | DE |
19847143 | Jan 2000 | DE |
299 24 406 | Jan 2001 | DE |
101 06 074 | Jun 2002 | DE |
37 22 893 | Jun 1988 | DK |
38 23 447 | Feb 1996 | DK |
196 10 692 | Sep 1997 | DK |
198 47 143 | Jan 2000 | DK |
100 49 001 | Apr 2002 | DK |
0 188 014 | Oct 1985 | EP |
0 239 244 | Feb 1987 | EP |
0 298 521 | Sep 1990 | EP |
0 184 231 | Jan 1992 | EP |
0 475 857 | Mar 1992 | EP |
0 544 837 | Jun 1993 | EP |
0 633 039 | Jul 1994 | EP |
0 651 662 | May 1995 | EP |
0 714 631 | Jun 1996 | EP |
744 183 | Nov 1996 | EP |
0 747 006 | Dec 1996 | EP |
0 688 232 | Dec 1998 | EP |
0 884 108 | Dec 1998 | EP |
0 916 361 | May 1999 | EP |
0 931 560 | Jul 1999 | EP |
0 956 879 | Nov 1999 | EP |
1 045 145 | Oct 2000 | EP |
1 060 757 | Dec 2000 | EP |
1 086 718 | Mar 2001 | EP |
1 125 593 | Aug 2001 | EP |
1 167 765 | Jan 2002 | EP |
0 775 501 | Jun 2002 | EP |
0 894 216 | Jul 2003 | EP |
1 380 315 | Jan 2004 | EP |
0 956 879 | Jul 2004 | EP |
576 849 | Aug 1924 | FR |
2 611 013 | Aug 1988 | FR |
2725902 | Oct 1994 | FR |
2 733 915 | Nov 1996 | FR |
2733915 | Nov 1996 | FR |
2 781 617 | Jan 2000 | FR |
2781617 | Jan 2000 | FR |
478803 | Jan 1938 | GB |
591730 | Mar 1946 | GB |
906574 | Sep 1962 | GB |
1 268 575 | Mar 1972 | GB |
1 403 034 | Aug 1975 | GB |
2 224 808 | May 1990 | GB |
2 270 552 | Mar 1994 | GB |
05326062 | Dec 1993 | JP |
5326062 | Dec 1993 | JP |
7051251 | Nov 1995 | JP |
9217584 | Sep 1997 | JP |
2000-59877 | Feb 2000 | JP |
3140740 | Feb 2000 | JP |
2000059877 | Feb 2000 | JP |
3140740 | Mar 2001 | JP |
2002-028246 | Jan 2002 | JP |
1017427 | Nov 2002 | NL |
WO 8706474 | Nov 1987 | WO |
WO 9303787 | Mar 1993 | WO |
WO 9305840 | Apr 1993 | WO |
WO 9420160 | Sep 1994 | WO |
WO 9528327 | Oct 1995 | WO |
WO 9635472 | Nov 1996 | WO |
WO 9809065 | Mar 1998 | WO |
WO 9858693 | Dec 1998 | WO |
WO 9907435 | Feb 1999 | WO |
WO 9933504 | Jul 1999 | WO |
WO 9936009 | Jul 1999 | WO |
WO 9956802 | Nov 1999 | WO |
WO 9961815 | Dec 1999 | WO |
WO 0002614 | Jan 2000 | WO |
WO 0003757 | Jan 2000 | WO |
WO 0044324 | Aug 2000 | WO |
WO 0104507 | Jan 2001 | WO |
WO 0130419 | May 2001 | WO |
WO 0168180 | Sep 2001 | WO |
WO 0181785 | Nov 2001 | WO |
WO 0193926 | Dec 2001 | WO |
WO 0246080 | Jun 2002 | WO |
WO 02066854 | Aug 2002 | WO |
WO 02094352 | Nov 2002 | WO |
WO 02100457 | Dec 2002 | WO |
WO 02068014 | Jan 2003 | WO |
WO 03015861 | Feb 2003 | WO |
WO 03026728 | Apr 2003 | WO |
WO 04030726 | Apr 2004 | WO |
WO 04087240 | Oct 2004 | WO |
WO 05004973 | Jan 2005 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20030225374 A1 | Dec 2003 | US |