Patent Grant
8414524
The invention is generally in the field of intravascular devices. More particularly, it relates to intravascular catheters having a flexible and manipulatable hinge or joint region. The delivery lumen may be also used for placement of occlusive materials, e.g., in an aneurysm.
Endovascular therapy has been used to treat different conditions, such treatments including control of internal bleeding, occlusion of blood supply to tumors, and occlusion of aneurysm. Often the target site of the malady is difficult to reach. Because of their ability to access remote regions of the human body and deliver diagnostic or therapeutic agents, catheters are increasingly becoming components of endovascular therapies. Generally, catheters are introduced into large arteries, such as those in the groin or in the neck, and then pass through narrowing regions of the arterial system until the catheter's distal tip reaches the selected delivery site. To be properly utilized, catheters are often stiffer at their proximal end to allow the pushing and manipulation of the catheter as it progresses through the body but sufficiently flexible at the distal end to allow passage of the catheter tip through the body's blood vessels without causing significant trauma to the vessel or surrounding tissue.
Microcatheters, such as those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,884,579 and 4,739,768, each to Engleson, allow navigation through the body's tortuous vasculature to access such remote sites as the liver or the cerebral arteries of the brain. Although other methods of causing a catheter to proceed through the human vasculature exist (e.g., flow directed catheters), a guidewire-aided catheter is considered to be both quicker and more accurate than other procedures. Catheters with deflectable or variable stiffness distal ends (which increase the flexibility of the catheter's distal end) have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,222, to Klein et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,169, to Furukawa; U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,973, to Saab; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,715, to Berg et al.
The addition of a fluid-expandable balloon on the distal end of the catheter and a coupler on the proximal end allows various percutaneous medical treatments such as pressure monitoring, cardiac output and flow monitoring, angioplasty, artificial vaso-occlusion, and cardiac support. Balloon catheters generally include a lumen that extends from the proximal end and provides fluid to the balloon for inflation. Examples of balloon catheters are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,934 to Engleson et al and U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,632 to Engelson et al. A balloon catheter with an adjustable shaft is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,012, to Ren et al.
For certain vascular malformations and aneurysms, it may be desirable to create an endovascular occlusion at the treatment site. A catheter is typically used to place a vaso-occlusive device or agent within the vasculature of the body either to block the flow of blood through a vessel by forming an embolus or to form such an embolus within an aneurysm stemming from the vessel. Formation of an embolus may also involve the injection of a fluid embolic agent such as microfibrillar collagen, Silastic beads, or polymeric resins such as cyanoacrylate. Ideally, the embolizing agent adapts itself to the irregular shape of the internal walls of the malformation or aneurysm. Inadvertent embolism due to an inability to contain the fluid agent within the aneurysm is one risk which might occur when using fluid embolic agents.
Mechanical vaso-occlusive devices may also be used for embolus formation. A commonly used vaso-occlusive device is a wire coil or braid which may be introduced through a delivery catheter in a stretched linear form and which assumes an irregular shape upon discharge of the device from the end of the catheter to fill an open space such as an aneurysm. U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,069, to Ritchart et al, discloses a flexible, preferably coiled, wire for use in a small vessel vaso-occlusion. Some embolic coils are subject to the same placement risks as that of fluid embolic agents in that it is difficult to contain the occlusive coil within the open space of the aneurysm.
Another example of a steerable catheter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,936, to Buchbinder et al. Buchbinder describes a steerable catheter having a spring coil body defining a lumen and a deflection wire extending through the catheter. The deflection wire is positioned either inside or outside the spring coil body but is not contained within a separate wire lumen.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,411, also to Buchbinder, discloses a steerable catheter device having a deflection wire within a separate wire lumen. The distal end of the wire lumen is a closed end and has the distal end of the deflection wire embedded therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,092, to Qin et al., discloses a deflectable guiding catheter similarly having a deflection wire or member contained within a lumen. The distal end of the wire lumen is similarly closed and has the distal end of the deflection member embedded therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,321,749, to Toti et al., discloses an endotracheal tube which is manipulatable via a tensioning wire within a lumen. The wire is exposed within an open area of the tube and is used in conjunction with a variety of biased deflection members to assist in manipulating the tube.
However, none of the above-mentioned devices discloses an intravascular device having a small diameter, highly flexible construction which permits movement along a small-diameter, tortuous vessel path, and having a flexible method of placement to ensure accuracy, as disclosed herein.
It has also been found that in a catheter assembly including a catheter body including a push-pull wire attached to a distal flexible joint region and passing through a wire lumen extending through the catheter body, that pushing of the push-pull wire can cause a narrowed, more flexible distal tip portion of the push-pull wire to buckle and rupture the wire lumen and catheter body. It would therefore be desirable to provide such a catheter assembly with a reinforcement of the flexible distal tip portion of the push-pull wire to provide for distribution of stress over the flexible distal tip portion of the push-pull wire to prevent buckling of the push-pull wire. It would also be desirable to provide such a catheter assembly with a reinforcement of the distal tip portion of the catheter body to prevent rupture of the lumen, and reinforce flexible distal tip portion of the push-pull wire. The present invention addresses these and other needs.
A catheter or catheter section described below may be utilized for negotiating movement along small-diameter, tortuous vessels. The catheter may comprise a flexible joint region which defines a main lumen and an adjacent wire lumen therethrough, the wire lumen having an opening near or at a distal end of the flexible joint region; a push-pull wire configured to be pushed or pulled along a longitudinal axis of the wire through the wire lumen; and wherein the flexible joint region has a predetermined length sized to affect a flexure of the flexible joint region. Moreover, the catheter assembly may further comprise at least one radio-opaque marker band near or at the distal end of the flexible joint region for securing the push-pull wire thereto, wherein the flexible joint region has a predetermined length sized to affect a flexure of the flexible joint region.
An inflatable balloon member may optionally be used with the catheter assembly. If the inflatable member is utilized, the flexible joint may variously be distal of the inflatable member, within the inflatable member, or proximal of said inflatable member.
One particular variation of the catheter assembly may have a catheter body which defines a main lumen through the length of the assembly. A push-pull wire lumen having an open distal end may also be defined through the length of the catheter body, or at least through a majority of the length of catheter body, extending from a fitting at a proximal end of the catheter assembly to a region near or at the distal end of the device. The catheter body itself may be comprised of several regions each having a different degree of flexibility. For instance, the catheter assembly may comprise a first portion distal of the fitting having a first stiffness. A second portion, having a second stiffness and located distal of the first portion, may be more flexible relative to the first portion. Likewise, a third portion, having a third stiffness and located distal of the second portion, may be more flexible relative to the first and second portions. Thus, the catheter body may have a length comprised of progressively more flexible sections the farther distally located along the catheter. Distal to the third section, bending portion or flexible joint region may be positioned, as described in further detail below.
The push-pull wire lumen may include a braided ribbon integrated throughout the length of the lumen. Alternatively, the braided ribbon may be integrated through the lumen to terminate proximally of the joint region. The braided ribbon may be a uniform braid or it may be braided with a varying braid pitch. The braided ribbon may be made from a number of materials. For instance, metals which are members of a class of alloys known as super-elastic alloys may be utilized for the braid material.
The manipulatable or flexible joint region is generally located at the distal end of the catheter body and is configured to bend when manipulated by the push-pull wire. The bending portion itself may be varied to extend to where the braid terminates, or it may be extended to the bending portion to encompass a portion of the braid. By varying the length of the flexible joint region, the amount of curvature and flexure of the joint region can be controlled. For instance, a joint region having a relatively shortened length between the distal end of the joint region and the terminal end of the braid may allow for a reduced degree of flexure relative to a neutral position of the catheter. In comparison, a lengthened joint region extending to a more proximally located terminal end may allow for a relatively greater degree of flexure. Accordingly, the degree of flexure may be controlled in part by the length of the flexible joint region. Thus, the flexible region may be flexed up to 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the catheter assembly and in some cases, the flexible region may be flexed up to 180° relative to the longitudinal axis depending upon the length of the flexible joint region. To further facilitate bending of the catheter, additional members such as coils may be incorporated into the device, for instance in the transitional region, to aid in further controlling the bending of the joint region.
In another presently preferred aspect, the catheter section of the present invention includes a tubing extension extending distally from the main lumen of the distal end of the flexible joint region. In a presently preferred aspect, the radio-opaque marker band may be attached to the tubing extension. The push-pull wire typically extends through the opening of the wire lumen at the distal end of the flexible joint region, and may be attached to the marker band attached to the tubing extension.
In another presently preferred aspect, the catheter section of the present invention includes a control in communication with a proximal end of the push-pull wire for manipulating the flexible joint region. The control typically includes a handle receiving the proximal end of the push-pull wire; and a wire control member mounted to the handle and engaging the push-pull wire, whereby movement of the wire control member translates the push-pull wire along the longitudinal axis of the push-pull wire. In one presently preferred aspect, the handle includes a push-pull wire guide extending from the handle, and the push-pull wire passes through the push-pull wire guide for transitioning the push-pull wire to the catheter body. In another presently preferred aspect, the handle is integrated into a catheter fitting connected to the catheter body, the catheter fitting including a main lumen access and a push-pull wire access.
In one currently preferred embodiment of the control, the proximal end of the push-pull wire is attached to a rack bearing a plurality of engagement teeth, and the wire control member engaging the engagement teeth of the rack, whereby movement of the wire control member advances the rack proximally or distally to thereby translate the attached push-pull wire along the longitudinal axis of the push-pull wire. In a presently preferred embodiment, the wire control member includes a wheel defining a concentrically configured gear engaging the engagement teeth of the rack, whereby rotation of the wheel advances the rack proximally or distally to thereby translate the push-pull wire along the longitudinal axis of the push-pull wire.
In another presently preferred embodiment, the proximal end of the push-pull wire is attached to a wire carriage, and the wire control member includes a carriage screw disposed within the handle, the wire carriage being configured to travel within an advancement channel defined within the handle, and a proximal end of the carriage screw being attached to a control knob that may be rotated to advance the wire carriage and the push-pull wire either proximally or distally along the longitudinal axis of the push-pull wire.
In another presently preferred embodiment, the proximal end of the push-pull wire is attached to a wire carriage, and the handle comprises a control release knob attached to a release screw attached to the wire carriage, whereby the control release knob may be translated proximally or distally such that the wire carriage travels within an advancement channel to advance or retract the push-pull wire. In a presently preferred aspect, the control release knob may be tightened about the release screw against the handle to lock a position of the push-pull wire.
In another presently preferred embodiment, the proximal end of the push-pull wire is attached to a wire carriage, and wherein the wire control member comprises a control slide configured to proximally or distally advance the wire carriage within the handle to thereby translate the push-pull wire along the longitudinal axis of the push-pull wire.
In another presently preferred embodiment, the present invention provides for a catheter section including a catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter body including a distal flexible joint region, a main lumen extending through the catheter body and through the flexible joint region, and a wire lumen adjacent to the main lumen and extending through the catheter body and through the flexible joint region. The wire lumen of the flexible joint region has an opening near or at a distal end of the flexible joint region, and a tapered push-pull wire is provided, having a proximal portion of a first diameter and a distal portion of a smaller diameter than the first diameter. The push-pull wire is configured to be pushed or pulled along a longitudinal axis of the wire through the wire lumen, and the distal end of the push-pull wire is attached to the distal flexible joint region. In a presently preferred embodiment, a coating of a material with a low coefficient of friction is disposed over the push-pull wire.
A coil is also preferably disposed around the smaller diameter distal portion of the push-pull wire, which has the effect of distributing stress along the smaller diameter portion of the push-pull wire to prevent buckling of the smaller diameter portion of the push-pull wire, so that the tip of the push-pull wire does not deflect and rupture the catheter body. A control is also provided in communication with a proximal end of the push-pull wire for manipulating the flexible joint region.
In another presently preferred embodiment, a strapping coil is disposed around the outside of the catheter, and an outer covering formed of a polymeric material, such as PEBAX, for example, may be disposed around the strapping coil. In another variation, an outer covering of a mesh formed of a polymeric material, such as polyethylene terephthalate, for example, may be disposed around the distal tip of the catheter. In another presently preferred aspect, at least one radio-opaque band may be mounted to the catheter body near or at the distal end of the flexible joint region, the push-pull wire extends through the opening of the wire lumen at the distal end of the flexible joint region, and push-pull wire is attached to the marker band. In another presently preferred aspect, the wire lumen further comprises a braid along at least a substantial portion of the wire lumen, and typically the braid terminates proximally of the flexible joint region. In another presently preferred aspect, the main lumen includes a lining, such as a lubricious lining, for example, along at least a substantial portion of the main lumen. The wire lumen may also be provided with a lining, such as a lubricious lining, for example, along at least a substantial portion of the wire lumen.
All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.
This invention involves a multi-lumen catheter for the delivery of vaso-occlusive materials or implants. The device may optionally include a balloon member. The device is shown in detail in the figures wherein like numerals indicate like elements. The catheter preferably includes a shapeable, flexible distal section which may be in the vicinity of the balloon, if the balloon member is utilized. The flexible section, or “hinge region”, preferably is manipulated from outside the body during the process of delivering the vaso-occlusive device or material. The terms “hinge region”, “hinge”, or “flexible joint” may be used interchangeably.
The catheter assembly may be utilized for access through the vasculature to the brain often, but not necessarily, using a guide wire. If an optional balloon member is included in the catheter assembly, the balloon member may be inflated to close or to restrict any hollow body lumen, such as an artery, vein, orifice, cavity, etc., or the mouth of an aneurysm prior to or during placement of a vaso-occlusive device. Generally, the assembly may be flexed at a “hinge region” near or at the distal end of the catheter by a push-pull wire extending proximally through the catheter. A main lumen defined through the catheter assembly may be utilized for the introduction of a vaso-occlusive device or material for eventual placement in the vasculature.
The proximal catheter end 24 may be provided with a fitting 18 (e.g., a “LuerLok”) through which fluid may be supplied to the catheter's inflation lumen through a side port 16. The proximal end of the catheter is provided with a second port 20 and a fitting 22 through which the push-pull wire may be used to manipulate the hinge region 32 in the distal catheter tip. The proximal end fitting 18 includes an axially extending port 14 which communicates with the catheter's delivery/guide wire lumen. The optional guide wire 12 may have any suitable construction for guiding the flexible catheter to its intended site within the body. The proximal end of the guidewire 12 may be equipped with a handle 10 for applying torque to the guidewire 12 during catheter operation, as described in further detail below. The guidewire may have a variable stiffness or stepped diameter along its length which typically, e.g., a larger-diameter, stiffer proximal region and one or more smaller-diameter, more flexible distal regions.
The distal portion 35 of the catheter may include an optional inflatable member 30, typically a balloon. An opening 36 at the distal end of the catheter may also be used for delivery of drugs and/or vaso-occlusive devices to a pre-selected vascular site. The distal end region 35 of the catheter 25 may be provided with an inflatable balloon 30 which, when inflated, may aid in the placement of vaso-occlusive materials or devices by blocking the entrance to the aneurysm or the artery adjacent to the aneurysm. An example of a catheter assembly which incorporates a balloon member with a flexible joint is disclosed in further detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/643,085 filed Aug. 21, 2000, which is co-owned and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Although a balloon member is illustrated in several variations, use of the balloon member is merely optional. The balloon wall section (discussed in greater detail below) is preferably formed from a thin sleeve of polymeric material and attached at its opposite sleeve ends to a relatively more rigid tube section.
Manipulation of the push-pull wire 62 via the proximal wire port 20 in
As shown in
In
Some of the various configurations of the catheter's lumina (inflation, push-pull, delivery, etc.) are displayed in
The tube constructions, hinge region construction, and other tubing forming the various lumina discussed herein may be created through extrusion, sequential production (in which the parts are manufactured separately and later assembled together), or some other method known to one of skill in the art. Moreover, if use of the balloon is omitted from the catheter assembly, the inflation lumen may be omitted entirely as well.
The push-pull wire lumen 214 is preferably reinforced along at least a substantial portion of its length. The wire lumen 214 may include a braided ribbon 236 integrated throughout the length of lumen 214 along catheter body length 226. Alternatively, the braided ribbon 236 may be integrated through lumen 214 to terminate proximally of joint region 218, as shown in the
The braided ribbon 236 may be made from a number of materials. For instance, metals which are members of a class of alloys know as super-elastic alloys may be utilized for the braid material. Preferred super-elastic alloys include the class of nickel-titanium materials typically known as Nitinol. Other appropriate metals may also be utilized, such as stainless steel or polymers may also be used such as liquid crystal polymers (LCP's). The braids which may be utilized in this invention are preferably made using commercially available tubular braiders. The term “braid” may generally include tubular constructions in which the ribbons making up the construction may be woven radially in an in-and-out fashion as they cross to form a tubular member defining a single lumen. Other braiding variations may also be utilized as typically known in the art. The braid may also be made from a suitable number of ribbons or wires.
Although three sections of variable stiffness are described in this variation, this is intended to be illustrative. Catheters having as few as two sections or multiple (i.e., greater than three) sections of variable stiffness are also contemplated to be within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, although it is preferable to have the sections with decreasing stiffness (or greater flexibility) the further distally along the catheter body 212, other variations may include distally located sections with increasing stiffness or alternating sections of relatively stiffer and more flexible sections, or any other combinations.
First portion 220 may, for example in one variation, have a typical length of about 100 cm (±1 cm) with a stiffness or relative durometer hardness value of 72 D. The second portion 222 may have a length of about 30 cm (±1 cm) with a lower stiffness or hardness of 63 D. Third portion 224 may likewise have a length of about 30 cm (±1 cm) with an even lower stiffness or hardness value of 40 D. In either case, the main lumen 216 may be defined by a tubing having a stiffness or relative hardness of, e.g., 63 D, encased throughout the length of the device. Each of the sections are preferably integral with adjacent sections. The variable stiffness may be effected through one of any variety of methods generally known in the art, e.g., different sheaths or coverings having differing stiffness. For instance, PEBAX (Atochem Corporation of France) or any other polymeric material mentioned above, having the variable stiffness may be utilized to cover the respective sections.
The manipulatable or flexible joint region 218 is generally located at the distal end of the catheter body 212 and is configured to bend when manipulated by the push-pull wire. Flexible joint region 218 may be configured to have a length ranging from, e.g., 3 mm to 3 cm. As mentioned above, the braided ribbon 236 may terminate proximally of the flexible joint region 218. The bending portion 218 itself may be varied to extend to where braid 236 terminates, or it may be extended to bending portion 228 to encompass a portion of the braid 236. The flexible joint region 218 may be covered by PEBAX, or any other polymeric material mentioned above, having a stiffness or hardness of, e.g., 25 D, which is lower than a stiffness of third portion 224.
As mentioned above, the proximal portion of the catheter body 212 may be attached to fitting 232. Fitting 232 may be any variety of fitting typically utilized with intra-luminal catheters. In this variation, fitting 232 may define an opening 234 which is in communication with main lumen 216 to allow for the passage of guidewires, various tools, therapeutic drugs, etc. It may also be configured to accept a separately manufactured push-pull wire handle 238 with a control 240 for manipulating the push-pull wire distally or proximally along a longitudinal axis of the wire. Alternatively, the push-pull wire handle 238 may be formed as an integrated piece with fitting 232. Although the figure shows the inclusion of opening 234 in the proximal end of fitting 232, other variations may include rapid-exchange (RX) type catheter designs having guidewire lumen openings defined along the body of catheter body 212 itself.
The distal end of flexible joint region 218 may have a portion of the tubing defining the main lumen 216 extending as an extension 230 past distal face 242 of joint region 218, as shown in the detail side view of
Returning to
The flexible joint region 218 may flex beginning where braiding 236 terminates 254. Flexible joint region 218 may also incorporate an optional transitional joint region 252 between the flexible joint region 218 and the remainder of the catheter body. This transition region 252 may have an intermediate flexibility between that of joint region 218 and the catheter body or it may be configured to be more flexible than either region to facilitate bending of the region. Flexibility may be imparted to region 252, at least in part, by omitting any liners or coatings from the main lumen 216 and/or the wire lumen 214 along the region 252. In either case, the transition region 252 may be omitted entirely. The covering or sheath 256, which is preferably hydrophilic and may be disposed over the entire device or portions of the device, may also be omitted from the flexible joint region 218. This covering 256 may also be included or omitted entirely from the transitional joint region 252, depending upon the desired results. Optionally, the distal portion of the device (optionally including the joint region 252), perhaps 35 to 50 cm, may be covered with the hydrophilic coating, again depending upon the desired results.
By varying the length of flexible joint region 218, the amount of curvature and flexure of the joint region 218 can be controlled. For instance, a joint region having a relatively shortened length between the distal end of the joint region 218 and the terminal end 264 of the braid, as shown in
As mentioned above, the distal flexible joint region 218 may have a coating or liner 267, preferably one that is hydrophilic for ease of use within a body, disposed over it and over extension 230 to encase the assembly, as shown in the cross-sectional side view of
In order to control the advancement or retraction of the push-pull wire, which controls the flexure of the flexible joint region, a variety of controls may be utilized.
In yet another variation in
The push-pull wire lumen is preferably reinforced along at least a substantial portion of its length, and, as described above, may include a braided ribbon 352 integrated throughout the length of push-pull wire lumen along catheter body length, to terminate proximally of the flexible joint region. The push-pull wire lumen may have a liner 354, e.g., a lubricious polymeric liner, disposed upon the lumen wall to facilitate movement of the push-pull wire 356 therethrough. The lubricious polymeric liner may be formed of a material with a low coefficient of friction, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), for example, available commercially under the trade name “TEFLON,” although other similar materials with a low coefficient of friction, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, for example, may also be suitable, and the liner may be made from any variety of suitable polymeric materials such as are mentioned above. The main lumen may also have such a lubricious liner 357. The push-pull wire is preferably a tapered wire which has a larger diameter portion 358 along a proximal portion and a smaller diameter distal portion 360 at or near its distal end 362, and may be fabricated from a biocompatible metallic material such as stainless steel, platinum, and the like. A coil 364 is placed around the smaller diameter portion, typically approximately 6 cm at the end of an 8 cm long catheter, so that the tip of the push-pull wire does not deflect and rupture the otherwise constant diameter catheter. The coil has the effect of distributing stress along the smaller diameter portion of the push-pull wire to prevent buckling of the smaller diameter portion of the push-pull wire. The push-pull wire is also preferably coated with a material 366 with a low coefficient of friction, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, for example, available commercially under the trade name “TEFLON,” although other similar materials with a low coefficient of friction, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, for example, may also be suitable.
A radio-opaque marker band 368, as mentioned above, may be attached over and/or onto the catheter body at or near the distal section of the catheter assembly. The push-pull wire positioned within the push-pull wire lumen may attach to the marker band, such as by welding the distal end of the push-pull wire to a radially inner surface 370 of the marker band, for example, although the push-pull wire may be attached at its distal end to the catheter through a variety of methods, e.g., adhesives, crimping, mechanical fasteners, and the like. An additional marker band may be positioned about the push-pull wire lumen to aid in positional orientation of the catheter under an imaging system, such as a fluoroscope.
In another variation shown in
The applications of the inventive catheter discussed above are not limited to certain treatments, but may include any number of vascular maladies. Modification of the above-described methods for carrying out the invention, and variations of the mechanical aspects of the invention that are obvious to those of skill in the mechanical and guide wire and/or catheter arts are intended to be within the scope of the claims. Moreover, various combinations of aspects between examples is also contemplated and are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.
This application is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 10/678,008, filed Oct. 1, 2003 now U.S.Pat.No. 7,591,813, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and to which application we claim priority under 35 U.S.C. §120.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20070173757 A1 | Jul 2007 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10678008 | Oct 2003 | US |
| Child | 11641490 | US |
