1. Field of the Invention
The inventions relate generally to medical connectors. In particular, certain embodiments of the inventions relate to medical connectors for use with standard luer connectors. In certain embodiments, the medical connectors generate a positive flow of fluid away from a medical implement as the implement is removed from an end or port of the medical connector.
2. Description of the Related Art
Medical connectors are often used to selectively open and close fluid pathways for use in treating patients. In some connectors, a small amount of retrograde fluid flow occurs when the connector is closed, drawing fluid away from the patient and toward the connector. This retrograde flow can lead to clotting or obstructions in the fluid line, effectively shortening the time period during which a particular injection point is useable. In many applications, it is advantageous to minimize or eliminate such retrograde flow or to produce a positive flow of fluid toward the patient as the valve closes.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,599,273 (incorporated herein in its entirety) includes a general description of some examples of medical connectors in which retrograde fluid flow may occur. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,245,048, 6,428,520, 6,695,817, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006-0161115A1 (incorporated herein in their entireties) include general descriptions of some examples of medical valves in which a positive flow of fluid is produced away from the medical connector and toward the patient as the connector closes. There are many different types of medical connectors, and the foregoing patents are cited merely to illustrate some ways in which fluid can be transferred through connectors. The methods, structures, and principles disclosed herein can be used in or adapted to function with the connectors (and components thereof) disclosed in the foregoing patents as well as in many different types of medical connectors known or used in this field.
In some embodiments, a medical connector for use with a first and second medical implement is described including a housing having a first proximal end and a second distal end, each configured for attachment to standard luer connectors. In some embodiments, the connector further includes an inner rigid element extending within the housing having at least one opening on a side thereof. The inner rigid element may be substantially hollow in its interior with the said opening extending from an outer surface of the inner rigid element to the hollow interior. A substantially hollow flexible element may be positioned within the housing substantially surrounding the inner rigid element. The flexible element may include at least one inward projection on an inner wall thereof, wherein at least a portion of the inward projection may be shaped to cooperate with the opening in the inner rigid element such that when the connector is in a substantially closed position, wherein fluid is not permitted to flow through the connector, the portion of the inward projection is within the opening and when the connector is in a substantially open position, the portion of the inward projection is outside of the opening to permit a reduction in the inner volume of the flexible element and/or the interior of the inner rigid element when the connector is in the substantially closed position.
Having thus summarized the general nature of the invention and some of its features and advantages, certain preferred embodiments and modifications thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description herein having reference to the figures that follow, of which:
While the description sets forth various embodiment specific details, it will be appreciated that the description is illustrative only and should not be construed in any way as limiting the invention. Furthermore, various applications of the invention, and modifications thereto, which may be apparent to those who are skilled in the art, are also encompassed by the general concepts described herein. For example, any of the structures in the devices illustrated or described in the patent documents incorporated herein by reference may be combined with or used instead of the structures disclosed herein.
In some embodiments, inner rigid element 30 has multiple openings. For example, openings 34 can be used to permit fluid to flow into an internal passage or fluid-flow path 36 inside of inner rigid element 30. In some embodiments, two openings 34 are disposed on opposite sides of inner rigid element 30. Additional openings similar to opening 34 can also be provided. In some embodiments, an opening can be provided at the proximal end 31 of inner rigid element 30. In some embodiments, one or more of openings 34 and 38 are combined (i.e., the same openings(s) are configured to receive fluid and to receive one or more protrusions 52 (see
In some embodiments, one or more openings 38 are provided in inner rigid element 30, and may be located in a direction distal from opening 34. As will be described below, in some embodiments, opening 38 is intended to receive a protrusion on an internal surface of flexible element 26 when the connector 16 is in the closed configuration (see
As illustrated, the fluid-flow path 36 may extend from the proximal end of the inner rigid element 30 along a generally axially-oriented linear path to the male end 22. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the fluid-flow path 36 in the distal region of the inner rigid element 30 is generally non-tortuous; for example, the fluid-flow path 36 may not turn in a direction that is perpendicular to or substantially non-parallel with the axis of the inner rigid element 30, and/or it may not include fluid-exiting side openings in the distal region of the inner rigid element 30. Such a fluid-flow path may provide a higher fluid flow rate and create less turbulence in the fluid flow (which can be especially advantageous when the fluid includes blood cells).
In some embodiments, upper or proximal edges 54 of protrusions 52 can be slanted and/or beveled. Similarly, lower or distal edges 56 of protrusions 52 can be also slanted and/or beveled. Slanting or beveling these surfaces may facilitate fluid flow through the connector 16 and may minimize turbulence in the fluid flow. In general, the shape, materials, and structure of rigid element 28 and flexible element 26 can be selected to allow protrusions 52 to be positioned within openings 38 when the connector is closed, and protrusions 52 can be completely or partially withdrawn from openings 38 when the connector is opened. When the connector 16 is in the substantially closed position, the inward protrusions 52 function so as to reduce the fluid space within the connector 16 and the fluid flow path as compared to when the connector 16 is in the substantially open position.
In some embodiments, flexible element 26 can be made of silicon, and the remaining components of connector 16 can be made of a polymer material such as polycarbonate. A proximal region 58 of flexible element 26 can include a portion with an increased wall thickness or a structure (or materials of composition) that contribute to the proximal region 58 being stiffer or harder than the portion of the flexible element 26 that flexes during compression. By providing increased stiffness or hardness for the proximal region 58, there is a lower likelihood that fluid within the valve will be forced back into the fluid path 32 inside of flexible element 26 as flexible element 26 expands to its original height when the valve is closed. Moreover, in some embodiments, a proximal portion 60 of fluid pathway 32 inside the flexible element 26 has a horizontal cross-sectional area that is substantially less than the horizontal cross-sectional area of a region in the fluid path 36 of element 28, so that fluid flow out of the distal end of the connector is encouraged and retrograde fluid flow toward the proximal end of the connector is discouraged.
In some embodiments, orifice 27 extends along an axis substantially perpendicular to inward projections 52, as shown in
As shown in
In
The foregoing description is provided to illustrate certain examples. The inventive concepts, principles, structures, steps, and methods disclosed herein can be applied to the devices and methods disclosed in the attached patents and in many other types of medical connectors.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/854,524, filed Oct. 25, 2006(entitled “MEDICAL CONNECTOR”), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
274447 | Kennish | Mar 1883 | A |
1578517 | Hein | Mar 1926 | A |
1923501 | Perry | Aug 1933 | A |
2210098 | Ravenscroft | Aug 1940 | A |
2289677 | Perelson | Jul 1942 | A |
2577780 | Lockhart | Dec 1951 | A |
2756282 | Deane | Jul 1956 | A |
2756740 | Deane | Jul 1956 | A |
2809665 | Crowe | Oct 1957 | A |
2847995 | Adams | Aug 1958 | A |
2999499 | Willet | Sep 1961 | A |
3134380 | Armao | May 1964 | A |
3135261 | Carroll | Jun 1964 | A |
3171412 | Braun | Mar 1965 | A |
3176021 | Volungis et al. | Mar 1965 | A |
3191655 | McCord | Jun 1965 | A |
3193154 | Bross et al. | Jul 1965 | A |
3334860 | Bolton, Jr. | Aug 1967 | A |
3352531 | Kilmarx | Nov 1967 | A |
3354881 | Bloch | Nov 1967 | A |
3385301 | Harautuneian | May 1968 | A |
3502097 | Muller | Mar 1970 | A |
3534771 | Eyerdam et al. | Oct 1970 | A |
3570484 | Steer et al. | Mar 1971 | A |
3630199 | Gangarosa | Dec 1971 | A |
3648684 | Barnwell et al. | Mar 1972 | A |
3659602 | Cloyd | May 1972 | A |
3717174 | Dewall | Feb 1973 | A |
3726282 | Patel | Apr 1973 | A |
3788519 | Mengel | Jan 1974 | A |
3830241 | Dye et al. | Aug 1974 | A |
3831629 | Mackal et al. | Aug 1974 | A |
3852385 | Huggins | Dec 1974 | A |
3861388 | Vaughn | Jan 1975 | A |
3889675 | Stewart | Jun 1975 | A |
3896853 | Bernhard | Jul 1975 | A |
3965910 | Fisher | Jun 1976 | A |
3974832 | Kruck | Aug 1976 | A |
3976063 | Henneman et al. | Aug 1976 | A |
3976073 | Quick et al. | Aug 1976 | A |
3977403 | Patel | Aug 1976 | A |
3986508 | Barrington | Oct 1976 | A |
3993063 | Larrabee | Nov 1976 | A |
3994293 | Ferro | Nov 1976 | A |
4005710 | Zeddies et al. | Feb 1977 | A |
4019512 | Tenczar | Apr 1977 | A |
4022205 | Tenczar | May 1977 | A |
4040420 | Speer | Aug 1977 | A |
4076285 | Martinez | Feb 1978 | A |
4079738 | Dunn et al. | Mar 1978 | A |
4080965 | Phillips | Mar 1978 | A |
4121585 | Becker, Jr. | Oct 1978 | A |
4128098 | Bloom et al. | Dec 1978 | A |
4133441 | Mittleman et al. | Jan 1979 | A |
4143853 | Abramson | Mar 1979 | A |
4149535 | Volder | Apr 1979 | A |
4161949 | Thanawalla | Jul 1979 | A |
4186775 | Muroi | Feb 1980 | A |
4187846 | Lolachi et al. | Feb 1980 | A |
4191183 | Mendelson | Mar 1980 | A |
4198983 | Becker et al. | Apr 1980 | A |
4200096 | Charvin | Apr 1980 | A |
4214779 | Losell | Jul 1980 | A |
4219912 | Adams | Sep 1980 | A |
4243034 | Brandt | Jan 1981 | A |
4257416 | Prager | Mar 1981 | A |
D259278 | McCaw et al. | May 1981 | S |
4294249 | Sheehan et al. | Oct 1981 | A |
4294250 | Dennehey | Oct 1981 | A |
4296949 | Muetterties et al. | Oct 1981 | A |
4306705 | Svensson | Dec 1981 | A |
4324239 | Gordon et al. | Apr 1982 | A |
4328802 | Curley et al. | May 1982 | A |
4329987 | Rogers et al. | May 1982 | A |
4334551 | Pfister | Jun 1982 | A |
4338933 | Bayard et al. | Jul 1982 | A |
4342315 | Jackson | Aug 1982 | A |
4346703 | Dennehey et al. | Aug 1982 | A |
4362156 | Feller et al. | Dec 1982 | A |
4387879 | Tauschinski | Jun 1983 | A |
RE31315 | Jenkins et al. | Jul 1983 | E |
4392851 | Elias | Jul 1983 | A |
4405163 | Voges et al. | Sep 1983 | A |
4405312 | Gross et al. | Sep 1983 | A |
4411662 | Pearson | Oct 1983 | A |
4417890 | Dennehey et al. | Nov 1983 | A |
4421296 | Stephens | Dec 1983 | A |
4429856 | Jackson | Feb 1984 | A |
4432759 | Gross et al. | Feb 1984 | A |
4432765 | Oscarsson | Feb 1984 | A |
4439188 | Dennehey et al. | Mar 1984 | A |
4439193 | Larkin | Mar 1984 | A |
4449693 | Gereg | May 1984 | A |
4457749 | Bellotti et al. | Jul 1984 | A |
4483368 | Panthafer | Nov 1984 | A |
4508367 | Oreopoulos et al. | Apr 1985 | A |
4511359 | Vaillancourt | Apr 1985 | A |
4512766 | Vaillancourt | Apr 1985 | A |
4564054 | Gustavsson | Jan 1986 | A |
4592356 | Gutierrez | Jun 1986 | A |
4607868 | Harvey et al. | Aug 1986 | A |
4610469 | Wolff-Mooij | Sep 1986 | A |
4617012 | Vaillancourt | Oct 1986 | A |
4619640 | Poholshy et al. | Oct 1986 | A |
4623068 | Brown et al. | Nov 1986 | A |
4645494 | Lee et al. | Feb 1987 | A |
4666429 | Stone | May 1987 | A |
4673400 | Martin | Jun 1987 | A |
4676228 | Krasner et al. | Jun 1987 | A |
4683916 | Raines | Aug 1987 | A |
4706487 | Bandou et al. | Nov 1987 | A |
4710168 | Schwab et al. | Dec 1987 | A |
4725267 | Vaillancourt | Feb 1988 | A |
4730635 | Linden | Mar 1988 | A |
4752292 | Lopez et al. | Jun 1988 | A |
D296592 | Wellenstam | Jul 1988 | S |
4759756 | Forman et al. | Jul 1988 | A |
4775369 | Schwartz | Oct 1988 | A |
4778447 | Velde et al. | Oct 1988 | A |
4778453 | Lopez | Oct 1988 | A |
4781702 | Herrli | Nov 1988 | A |
4804015 | Albinsson | Feb 1989 | A |
D300177 | Bellotti et al. | Mar 1989 | S |
4810241 | Rogers et al. | Mar 1989 | A |
4813938 | Raulerson | Mar 1989 | A |
4819684 | Zaugg et al. | Apr 1989 | A |
4832214 | Schrader et al. | May 1989 | A |
4834664 | Lin | May 1989 | A |
4834716 | Ogle, II | May 1989 | A |
D303013 | Konopka | Aug 1989 | S |
4874377 | Newgard et al. | Oct 1989 | A |
4878897 | Katzin | Nov 1989 | A |
4880414 | Whipple | Nov 1989 | A |
4889527 | Herrli | Dec 1989 | A |
4915687 | Sivert | Apr 1990 | A |
4917668 | Haindl | Apr 1990 | A |
4919167 | Manska | Apr 1990 | A |
4928212 | Benavides | May 1990 | A |
4934657 | Dodson | Jun 1990 | A |
4943896 | Johnson | Jul 1990 | A |
4946445 | Lynn | Aug 1990 | A |
4963133 | Whipple | Oct 1990 | A |
4964855 | Todd et al. | Oct 1990 | A |
4966199 | Ruschke | Oct 1990 | A |
4969883 | Gilbert et al. | Nov 1990 | A |
D314050 | Sone | Jan 1991 | S |
4985399 | Matsuda et al. | Jan 1991 | A |
4987181 | Bichon et al. | Jan 1991 | A |
4991413 | Arnalda | Feb 1991 | A |
4991629 | Ernesto et al. | Feb 1991 | A |
4998713 | Vaillancourt | Mar 1991 | A |
4998927 | Vaillancourt | Mar 1991 | A |
5006114 | Rogers et al. | Apr 1991 | A |
5009490 | Kouno et al. | Apr 1991 | A |
5018532 | Ethridge, III | May 1991 | A |
5024657 | Needham et al. | Jun 1991 | A |
5031675 | Lindqren | Jul 1991 | A |
5041087 | Loo et al. | Aug 1991 | A |
5046456 | Heyman et al. | Sep 1991 | A |
5049128 | Duquette | Sep 1991 | A |
D321250 | Jepson et al. | Oct 1991 | S |
D321251 | Jepson et al. | Oct 1991 | S |
5061253 | Yoshida | Oct 1991 | A |
5064416 | Newgard | Nov 1991 | A |
5065783 | Ogle, II | Nov 1991 | A |
5071411 | Hillstead | Dec 1991 | A |
5098385 | Walsh | Mar 1992 | A |
5098405 | Peterson et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
5098406 | Sawyer | Mar 1992 | A |
5100394 | Dudar et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
5108380 | Heritze et al. | Apr 1992 | A |
5114408 | Fleischhaker et al. | May 1992 | A |
5116361 | Kim et al. | May 1992 | A |
5122123 | Vaillancourt | Jun 1992 | A |
5125915 | Berry et al. | Jun 1992 | A |
5135489 | Jepson et al. | Aug 1992 | A |
5137524 | Lynn et al. | Aug 1992 | A |
5147333 | Raines | Sep 1992 | A |
5154703 | Bonaldo | Oct 1992 | A |
5158554 | Jepson et al. | Oct 1992 | A |
5163922 | McElveen, Jr. et al. | Nov 1992 | A |
5167238 | Newman | Dec 1992 | A |
5167636 | Clement | Dec 1992 | A |
5171234 | Jepson et al. | Dec 1992 | A |
5180761 | Shiao | Jan 1993 | A |
5188620 | Jepson et al. | Feb 1993 | A |
5190067 | Paradis et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
5199947 | Lopez et al. | Apr 1993 | A |
5201717 | Wyatt et al. | Apr 1993 | A |
5201722 | Moorehead et al. | Apr 1993 | A |
5203775 | Frank et al. | Apr 1993 | A |
5211638 | Dudar et al. | May 1993 | A |
5215538 | Larkin | Jun 1993 | A |
5221271 | Nicholson et al. | Jun 1993 | A |
5224515 | Foster et al. | Jul 1993 | A |
5242393 | Brimhall et al. | Sep 1993 | A |
5242423 | Goodsir et al. | Sep 1993 | A |
5242425 | Whine et al. | Sep 1993 | A |
5242432 | DeFrank | Sep 1993 | A |
5251873 | Atkinson et al. | Oct 1993 | A |
5253842 | Huebscher et al. | Oct 1993 | A |
5255676 | Russo | Oct 1993 | A |
5256155 | Yerlikaya et al. | Oct 1993 | A |
5267966 | Paul | Dec 1993 | A |
5269771 | Thomas et al. | Dec 1993 | A |
5273533 | Bonaldo | Dec 1993 | A |
5280876 | Atkins | Jan 1994 | A |
5284475 | Mackal | Feb 1994 | A |
5290254 | Vaillancourt | Mar 1994 | A |
5292308 | Ryan | Mar 1994 | A |
5293902 | Lapierie | Mar 1994 | A |
5295657 | Atkinson | Mar 1994 | A |
5295658 | Atkinson et al. | Mar 1994 | A |
5301686 | Newman | Apr 1994 | A |
5306265 | Ragazzi | Apr 1994 | A |
5312083 | Ekman | May 1994 | A |
5312377 | Dalhon | May 1994 | A |
5322518 | Schneider | Jun 1994 | A |
5324270 | Kayan et al. | Jun 1994 | A |
5342316 | Wallace | Aug 1994 | A |
5342326 | Peppel et al. | Aug 1994 | A |
5344414 | Lopez et al. | Sep 1994 | A |
5348542 | Ellis | Sep 1994 | A |
5353837 | Faust | Oct 1994 | A |
5356396 | Wyatt et al. | Oct 1994 | A |
5360413 | Leason et al. | Nov 1994 | A |
5380306 | Brinon | Jan 1995 | A |
5389086 | Attermeier et al. | Feb 1995 | A |
5395348 | Ryan | Mar 1995 | A |
5398530 | Derman | Mar 1995 | A |
5401245 | Haining | Mar 1995 | A |
5402826 | Molnar et al. | Apr 1995 | A |
5402982 | Atkinson et al. | Apr 1995 | A |
5407437 | Heimreid | Apr 1995 | A |
5409471 | Atkinson et al. | Apr 1995 | A |
5411483 | Loomas et al. | May 1995 | A |
5411499 | Dudar et al. | May 1995 | A |
5417673 | Gordon | May 1995 | A |
5439451 | Collingsworth et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
5439452 | McCarty | Aug 1995 | A |
5441487 | Vedder | Aug 1995 | A |
5442941 | Kahonan et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
5456676 | Nelson et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
5470319 | Mayer | Nov 1995 | A |
5474544 | Lynn | Dec 1995 | A |
5480393 | Bommarito | Jan 1996 | A |
5487731 | Denton | Jan 1996 | A |
5501426 | Atkinson et al. | Mar 1996 | A |
5501526 | Asai et al. | Mar 1996 | A |
5509433 | Paradis | Apr 1996 | A |
5514116 | Vaillancourt et al. | May 1996 | A |
5520665 | Fleetwood | May 1996 | A |
5522804 | Lynn | Jun 1996 | A |
5533708 | Atkinson et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5533996 | Murphey et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5535771 | Purdy et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5535785 | Werge et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5540661 | Tomisaka et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5549566 | Elias et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5549577 | Siegel et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5549651 | Lynn | Aug 1996 | A |
5555908 | Edwards et al. | Sep 1996 | A |
5556388 | Johlin, Jr. | Sep 1996 | A |
5562632 | Davila et al. | Oct 1996 | A |
5569235 | Ross et al. | Oct 1996 | A |
5573516 | Tyner | Nov 1996 | A |
5577706 | King | Nov 1996 | A |
5578059 | Patzer | Nov 1996 | A |
5597536 | Mayer | Jan 1997 | A |
5603706 | Wyatt et al. | Feb 1997 | A |
5609584 | Gettig et al. | Mar 1997 | A |
5616129 | Mayer | Apr 1997 | A |
5616130 | Mayer | Apr 1997 | A |
5617897 | Myers | Apr 1997 | A |
5620424 | Abramson | Apr 1997 | A |
5620434 | Brony | Apr 1997 | A |
5624414 | Boettger | Apr 1997 | A |
5632735 | Wyatt et al. | May 1997 | A |
5639810 | Smith, III et al. | Jun 1997 | A |
5660205 | Epstein | Aug 1997 | A |
5669891 | Vaillancourt | Sep 1997 | A |
5674206 | Allton et al. | Oct 1997 | A |
5676346 | Leinsing | Oct 1997 | A |
5685866 | Lopez | Nov 1997 | A |
5690612 | Lopez et al. | Nov 1997 | A |
5690865 | Kindt-Larsen et al. | Nov 1997 | A |
5694686 | Lopez | Dec 1997 | A |
5695466 | Lopez et al. | Dec 1997 | A |
5699821 | Paradis | Dec 1997 | A |
5700248 | Lopez | Dec 1997 | A |
5728751 | Patnaik | Mar 1998 | A |
5730418 | Feith et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
5738663 | Lopez | Apr 1998 | A |
5749861 | Guala et al. | May 1998 | A |
5769825 | Lynn | Jun 1998 | A |
5775671 | Cote, Sr. | Jul 1998 | A |
5776113 | Daugherty et al. | Jul 1998 | A |
5782816 | Werschmidt et al. | Jul 1998 | A |
5788215 | Ryan | Aug 1998 | A |
5797897 | Jepson et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5806551 | Meloul et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5806831 | Paradis | Sep 1998 | A |
5807348 | Zinger et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5817069 | Arnett | Oct 1998 | A |
5820601 | Mayer | Oct 1998 | A |
5833213 | Ryan | Nov 1998 | A |
5836923 | Mayer | Nov 1998 | A |
5839715 | Leinsing | Nov 1998 | A |
5843046 | Motisi et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5846233 | Lilley et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5865807 | Blake, III | Feb 1999 | A |
5873862 | Lopez | Feb 1999 | A |
5882348 | Winterton et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5899888 | Jepson et al. | May 1999 | A |
5901942 | Lopez | May 1999 | A |
5911710 | Barry et al. | Jun 1999 | A |
5928204 | Lopez | Jul 1999 | A |
5935620 | Baudin | Aug 1999 | A |
5947954 | Bonaldo | Sep 1999 | A |
5954313 | Ryan | Sep 1999 | A |
5957898 | Jepson et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5967490 | Pike | Oct 1999 | A |
5979868 | Wu et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
6009902 | Troiani et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
6019748 | Lopez | Feb 2000 | A |
6029946 | Doyle | Feb 2000 | A |
6036171 | Weinheimer et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6039302 | Cote, Sr. et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6048335 | Mayer | Apr 2000 | A |
6050978 | Orr et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
6063062 | Paradis | May 2000 | A |
6079432 | Paradis | Jun 2000 | A |
6089541 | Weinheier et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
6113068 | Ryan | Sep 2000 | A |
6116571 | Hettinger | Sep 2000 | A |
6117114 | Paradis | Sep 2000 | A |
6132403 | Lopez | Oct 2000 | A |
6132404 | Lopez | Oct 2000 | A |
6142446 | Leinsing | Nov 2000 | A |
6152900 | Mayer | Nov 2000 | A |
6162206 | Bindokas et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6162251 | Kredovski | Dec 2000 | A |
6170800 | Meloul et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6171287 | Lynn et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6177037 | Mayer | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6183448 | Mayer | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6189859 | Rohrbough et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6206861 | Mayer | Mar 2001 | B1 |
7100890 | Cote et al. | Mar 2001 | B2 |
6210624 | Mayer | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6213996 | Jepson et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6228065 | Lynn | May 2001 | B1 |
6228069 | Barth et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6245048 | Fangrow et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6254579 | Cogger et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6261282 | Jepson et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6261630 | Nazarova et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6279783 | Brown et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6290206 | Doyle | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6299131 | Ryan | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6299132 | Wienheimer | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6325782 | Lopez | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6364869 | Bonaldo | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6428520 | Lopez et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6444324 | Yang et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6482188 | Rogers et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
D468016 | Mosler et al. | Dec 2002 | S |
6541802 | Doyle | Apr 2003 | B2 |
6543745 | Enerson | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6871838 | Raines et al. | Apr 2003 | B2 |
6572592 | Lopez | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6585229 | Cote, Sr. et al. | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6595964 | Finley et al. | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6595981 | Huet | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6599273 | Lopez | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6605076 | Jepson et al. | Aug 2003 | B1 |
6609696 | Enerson | Aug 2003 | B2 |
6635044 | Lopez | Oct 2003 | B2 |
6651956 | Miller | Nov 2003 | B2 |
6656517 | Michal et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6669673 | Lopez | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6669681 | Jepson et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6673053 | Wang et al. | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6682509 | Lopez | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6689109 | Lynn | Feb 2004 | B2 |
6695817 | Fangrow, Jr. | Feb 2004 | B1 |
6706022 | Leinsing et al. | Mar 2004 | B1 |
6712791 | Lui et al. | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6727294 | Kanayama et al. | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6740063 | Lynn | May 2004 | B2 |
6745998 | Doyle | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6755391 | Newton et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6758833 | Lopez | Jul 2004 | B2 |
6783709 | Harreld et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6802490 | Leinsing | Oct 2004 | B2 |
6840501 | Doyle | Jan 2005 | B2 |
6848139 | Simon et al. | Feb 2005 | B2 |
6866656 | Tingey et al. | Mar 2005 | B2 |
6869426 | Ganem | Mar 2005 | B2 |
6883778 | Newton et al. | Apr 2005 | B1 |
6892998 | Newton | May 2005 | B2 |
6908459 | Harding et al. | Jun 2005 | B2 |
6916309 | Fangrow, Jr. | Jul 2005 | B2 |
6932795 | Lopez et al. | Aug 2005 | B2 |
6964406 | Doyle | Nov 2005 | B2 |
6991215 | Kiehne | Jan 2006 | B2 |
6994315 | Ryan et al. | Feb 2006 | B2 |
7014169 | Newton et al. | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7025744 | Utterberg et al. | Apr 2006 | B2 |
7033339 | Lynn | Apr 2006 | B1 |
7037302 | Vaillancourt | May 2006 | B2 |
7044441 | Doyle | May 2006 | B2 |
7074216 | Fowles et al. | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7104520 | Leinsing et al. | Sep 2006 | B2 |
7114701 | Peppel | Oct 2006 | B2 |
7125396 | Leinsing et al. | Oct 2006 | B2 |
7184825 | Leinsing et al. | Feb 2007 | B2 |
7244249 | Leinsing et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7252652 | Moorehead et al. | Aug 2007 | B2 |
7264859 | Souns et al. | Sep 2007 | B2 |
7306197 | Parrino et al. | Dec 2007 | B2 |
7306199 | Leinsing et al. | Dec 2007 | B2 |
7314061 | Peppel | Jan 2008 | B2 |
7329249 | Bonaldo | Feb 2008 | B2 |
7335182 | Hilaire | Feb 2008 | B1 |
7357792 | Newton et al. | Apr 2008 | B2 |
7396348 | Newton et al. | Jul 2008 | B2 |
7422369 | Bergman et al. | Sep 2008 | B2 |
7470261 | Lynn | Dec 2008 | B2 |
7470262 | Hiejima et al. | Dec 2008 | B2 |
7497848 | Leinsing et al. | Mar 2009 | B2 |
7510545 | Peppel | Mar 2009 | B2 |
7497849 | Fangrow, Jr. | Apr 2009 | B2 |
7520489 | Ruschke | Apr 2009 | B2 |
7530546 | Ryan et al. | May 2009 | B2 |
7563243 | Mendels | Jul 2009 | B2 |
7581561 | Funamura et al. | Sep 2009 | B2 |
7584767 | Funamura et al. | Sep 2009 | B2 |
7588563 | Guala | Sep 2009 | B2 |
7591449 | Raines et al. | Sep 2009 | B2 |
7601141 | Dikeman et al. | Oct 2009 | B2 |
7615035 | Peppel | Nov 2009 | B2 |
7628774 | Fangrow, Jr. | Dec 2009 | B2 |
7666170 | Guala | Feb 2010 | B2 |
7713250 | Harding et al. | May 2010 | B2 |
7717886 | Lopez | May 2010 | B2 |
7753338 | Desecki | Jul 2010 | B2 |
7753892 | Newton et al. | Jul 2010 | B2 |
7758566 | Simpson et al. | Jul 2010 | B2 |
7763199 | Fangrow | Jul 2010 | B2 |
7784766 | Guala | Aug 2010 | B2 |
7815168 | Vangsness et al. | Oct 2010 | B2 |
7824393 | Fangrow, Jr. | Nov 2010 | B2 |
7837658 | Cote, Sr. et al. | Nov 2010 | B2 |
7857284 | Kimball et al. | Dec 2010 | B2 |
7857285 | Lee et al. | Dec 2010 | B2 |
7867204 | Bartholomew et al. | Jan 2011 | B2 |
7879012 | Kane et al. | Feb 2011 | B2 |
7914502 | Newton et al. | Mar 2011 | B2 |
20010049508 | Fangrow, Jr. | Dec 2001 | A1 |
20020120333 | Keogh et al. | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20040006330 | Fangrow, Jr. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20050020981 | Kurth | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050038397 | Newton et al. | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050059952 | Giuliano et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050121638 | Doyle | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050222541 | Lopez et al. | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20060004331 | Fangrow, Jr. | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060161115 | Fangrow, Jr. | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060200088 | Lopez | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060200089 | Lopez et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060200090 | Lopez et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060206061 | Lopez et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060211997 | Fangrow, Jr. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060211998 | Fangrow, Jr. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060211999 | Fangrow, Jr. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060212001 | Fangrow, Jr. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060212003 | Fangrow, Jr. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060212006 | Fangrow, Jr. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060224127 | Fangrow, Jr. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060264842 | Fangrow, Jr. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060264844 | Fangrow, Jr. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060264849 | Lopez et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060264909 | Fangrow, Jr. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060264910 | Fangrow, Jr. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060270999 | Fangrow, Jr. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060271016 | Fangrow, Jr. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060276757 | Fangrow, Jr. | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20060276758 | Fangrow, Jr. | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20070100284 | Leinsing et al. | May 2007 | A1 |
20070106205 | Connell et al. | May 2007 | A1 |
20070112312 | Fangrow, Jr. | May 2007 | A1 |
20070112313 | Fangrow, Jr. | May 2007 | A1 |
20070224865 | Fangrow, Jr. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070225425 | Nash et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070235676 | Vangsness et al. | Oct 2007 | A1 |
20070254000 | Guo et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070270756 | Peppel et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20080039802 | Vangsness et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080086097 | Rasmussen et al. | Apr 2008 | A1 |
20080086099 | McKinnon et al. | Apr 2008 | A1 |
20080097407 | Plishka | Apr 2008 | A1 |
20080103482 | Fangrow | May 2008 | A1 |
20080249508 | Lopez et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20080287920 | Fangrow et al. | Nov 2008 | A1 |
20090209922 | Boisjoly | Aug 2009 | A1 |
20090292252 | Lareau et al. | Nov 2009 | A1 |
20100036330 | Plishka et al. | Feb 2010 | A1 |
20100059702 | Mansour et al. | Mar 2010 | A1 |
20100174242 | Anderson et al. | Jul 2010 | A1 |
20100249723 | Fangrow, Jr. | Sep 2010 | A1 |
20100249724 | Cote, Sr. et al. | Sep 2010 | A1 |
20100249725 | Cote, Sr. et al. | Sep 2010 | A1 |
20110022031 | Fangrow, Jr. | Jan 2011 | A1 |
20110046572 | Fangrow | Feb 2011 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
1 105 959 | Jul 1981 | CA |
2 149 725 | Nov 1995 | CA |
2 175 021 | Nov 1996 | CA |
636526 | Jun 1983 | CH |
670955 | Jul 1989 | CH |
855 319 | Sep 1952 | DE |
84 25 197.2 | Sep 1985 | DE |
37 40 269 | Jun 1989 | DE |
0 263 789 | Apr 1988 | EP |
0 309 771 | Apr 1989 | EP |
0 399 119 | Nov 1990 | EP |
0 446 463 | Sep 1991 | EP |
2 000 685 | Jan 1979 | GB |
2 019 219 | Oct 1979 | GB |
2 034 185 | Jun 1980 | GB |
WO 9220736 | Nov 1992 | WO |
WO 9959672 | Nov 1999 | WO |
WO 9961093 | Dec 1999 | WO |
WO 03018104 | Mar 2003 | WO |
WO 2005115521 | Aug 2005 | WO |
WO 2006013433 | Feb 2006 | WO |
WO 2006062912 | Jun 2006 | WO |
WO 2008048777 | Apr 2008 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20080103482 A1 | May 2008 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60854524 | Oct 2006 | US |