The present application relates to a device that facilitates connection of a source of high pressure fluid to the operating portion of various medical instruments. The device is particularly useful in instruments, including those of the disposable variety, in which a high pressure fluid jet is used in the treatment of tissue.
Jets of high pressure fluids, such as saline, have been used in various surgical and medical applications to, for example, remove tissue, debride wounds, and drive small burrs and cutters. Such uses are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,713,878, 5,871,462, 5,944,686, and 6,216,573, owned by the assignee of the present application, as well as in patents to others.
Devices using these water jets typically have two principal subsystems. One part compresses the fluid to high pressure, at least about 500 to 1,000 pounds-per-square inch (psi), and more typically from about 1,000 to 25,000 psi or more, with a preferred range, dependent on the end use of the device, that will often be narrower, such as 6,000 to 15,000 psi, 3,000 to 12,000 psi, or 10,000 to 20,000 psi. (1000 psi is about 7 MPa.) The pressurized fluid is conveyed through flexible tubing to a handpiece, which may utilize the pressurized fluid in various ways. For example, the handpiece may permit the surgeon to direct a stream of fluid at tissue, such as in a tissue removal or debriding operation, or it may use the stream of fluid to drive a rotating burr or cutter. Typically, the handpiece and tubing are sterile, while the pump is internally sterile but located outside of the sterile field. In some applications, the handpiece may be disposable, as cleaning after an operation is not necessarily reliable.
Many prior art methods for connecting high-pressure liquid streams involve tightening screw connections, typically in order to compress and deform gaskets. Gaskets in a high-pressure system can be problematic, because, to the extent that they are elastomeric, they tend to deform and extrude, while stiffer ones may not seal well.
Medical procedures often require the use of more than one type of handpiece. It is therefore useful to be able to detach the handpiece from the high-pressure supply and change the handpiece during a procedure. This procedure requires simplicity of operation in a sterile field, and preferably does not involve manipulations difficult to conduct with gloved hands. At the same time, the connection must be able to sustain high pressures as described above without leaking. Any such mechanism preferably is inexpensive, so as to be disposable, and it should be sterilizable.
The present invention provides a high-pressure connection suited for use in medical systems employing high pressure fluids, particularly liquids. In some of these applications, jets of liquid, such as isotonic saline, are used, for example, to cut tissue, to debride wounds, to lavage, to disinfect, to wash tissue surfaces, and to provide power to devices, for example by driving a turbine. Each different medical application may require a particular form of handpiece optimized for the particular procedure, or may require a family of handpieces. In the course of a medical procedure, it may be useful to use several different handpieces, and perhaps to use a particular handpiece at different times during the procedure. In one aspect, the present invention provides a system that permits changing of the handpieces used during a single medical procedure.
A physician, once scrubbed and gowned and present in a surgical field, needs to be able to execute changes of handpieces without removing gloves or leaving the field, making simplicity of connection and disconnection critical. In another aspect, the invention provides a means by which a single pump or other source of high pressure fluid may be easily connected and disconnected to one or more handpieces during the course of a procedure.
It is also advantageous to be able to use a single high-pressure fluid source sequentially for more than one patient without requiring it to be sterilized between patients. This can be a significant source of savings when the same procedure, decubitus ulcer treatment, for example, is to be performed on multiple patients during the course of a day. In another aspect of the invention, the high-pressure connection facilitates such sequential use.
Various handpieces may also include low-pressure return lines or other conduits that may need to be safely and quickly disconnected when changing handpieces. In another aspect, the invention provides a means for quick connection or disconnection of such auxiliary conduits.
In another aspect of the invention, a high pressure connection includes a gasket that, when compressed by the pressure of fluid flowing through the device, forms a tight seal that prevents the fluid from passing between the gasket and adjacent surfaces.
In another aspect of the invention, a high pressure connection is constructed such that a component of the force resulting from the pressurized fluid operates on a gasket in a direction normal to the direction of fluid flow, so as to form a tight seal that prevents the fluid from passing between the gasket and adjacent surfaces.
In another aspect of the invention, a gasket is annular in shape and is adapted to receive a supply tube through a hole in its center. The annular gasket has an annular channel in an axial surface constructed to direct a component of the force directed on the gasket in approximately radial directions inwardly and outwardly, so as to form a tight seal that prevents the fluid from passing between the gasket and adjacent surfaces.
In another aspect of the invention, a high pressure connection includes a body and a cap, where a gasket fits into a recess in the body and the cap fits over the body.
In another aspect of the invention, a medical device has a high pressure fluid connection with (a) a first lumen adapted for fluid flow, (b) a second lumen adapted for fluid flow and arranged at least partially within the first lumen, and (c) a gasket positioned between the first lumen and the second lumen and constructed and arranged such that the pressure of the fluid flowing though the connection creates fluid impermeable seals between the gasket and the first lumen and between the gasket and the second lumen.
In another aspect of the invention, a medical device has a quickly changeable connection between a high pressure fluid source and a handpiece, wherein the connection comprises (a) a thin tube having a lumen in fluid connection with a first fluid pathway extending through the handpiece, (b) a chamber having a first opening receiving the thin tube and a second opening connecting to a second fluid pathway, (c) a gasket located in the chamber and having a base disposed adjacent to the first opening and a passage through the base surrounding the thin tube, wherein the gasket has a first rim contacting the wall of the chamber and a second rim contacting the thin tube, and (d) a latching mechanism to maintain the tube in the gasket.
In another aspect of the invention, a system for quickly changing handpieces attached to a high pressure fluid source includes (a) at least one handpiece carrying a portion of a latching mechanism and one of a connecting tube and a chamber having an aperture leading to a gasket, and (b) a high pressure fluid source carrying a complementary portion of a latching mechanism and the other of a connecting tube and a chamber having an aperture leading to a gasket, wherein the gasket has an inner rim and an outer rim and the inner and outer rims engage the connecting tube and the wall of the chamber, respectively, when the connecting tube is inserted in the chamber and pressure is applied to the chamber.
In another aspect of the invention, a medical instrument for performing surgery using a high pressure fluid jet is improved by the addition of a handpiece that is readily connected and disconnected from the source of high pressure fluid, wherein the means of connection is formed by (a) an inlet tube connected to the handpiece, (b) a gasket with inner and outer rims projecting inwardly and outwardly, respectively, with respect to the base, and (c) a chamber for holding the gasket, the chamber being connected to the source of high pressure fluid and having an aperture in alignment with the hole in the gasket. The projections of the inner and outer rims of the gasket are adapted to seal the joints between the gasket and an inner wall of the chamber and between the gasket and the inlet tube. The connection may be made by inserting the inlet tube through the aperture in the chamber and the hole in the gasket, and the connection may be maintained by the engagement of reversible latching means.
In another aspect of the invention, a method for ensuring accurate mating of at least one tube in a handpiece with a corresponding gasket in a connector includes providing corresponding keying features on the handpiece and the connector, and providing a sufficient depth of travel of the connector within the handpiece before contact between the tube and the gasket to ensure angular alignment between the tube and the gasket.
In another aspect of the invention, a high-pressure fluid connection in a surgical instrument or system comprises (a) a chamber containing a high pressure fluid from a fluid source, the chamber having an inner surface; (b) a tube communicating with the chamber for conducting the fluid to the surgical instrument or system, the tube having an outer surface and a central axis; and (c) a gasket surrounding the tube and coupling the tube to the chamber to provide a seal between the inner surface of the chamber and the outer surface of the tube, wherein the gasket includes a central channel for receiving the tube; and an annular channel surrounding the central channel, the annular channel being formed by inner and outer side walls that are disposed at an acute angle with respect to the central axis of the tube and wherein the inner and outer side walls extend away from one another from a closed end to an open end.
In another aspect of the invention, a method for conducting a surgical procedure requiring the use of a high pressure fluid jet applied to more than one exchangeable handpiece includes (a) providing a handpiece that is reversibly connectable to a source of high pressure fluid, wherein the reversible connection is made by the insertion of a tube into a chamber containing a gasket that has an inner rim, an outer rim, and a passage for the tube, wherein the gasket deforms as a result of the pressure of the fluid sufficiently to block the passage of fluid out of the chamber except via the tube, and (b) maintaining the connection between the handpiece and the source of high pressure fluid by releasable latching means.
The success of this simple device is surprising. In contrast to prior art devices, the gasket of the inventive device has no place into which it can extrude, and its deformation by pressure tends to increase the tightness of the sealing.
The objects, advantages and features of this invention will be more clearly appreciated from the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
a is a perspective view of a gasket according to the present invention;
b is a top plan view of the gasket of
c is cross-sectional view of the gasket of
d is a perspective view of an alternative gasket according to the present invention;
e is a perspective view of a second alternative gasket according to the present invention;
a is cross-sectional view of an alternative chamber assembly according to the present invention;
b shows cross-sectional and perspective views of an alternative chamber assembly according to the present invention;
c shows cross-sectional and top plan views of an alternative gasket according to the present invention;
d shows cross-sectional and perspective views of an alternative gasket according to the present invention;
a is an end view of a cap according to the present invention;
b is a cross-sectional view of the cap of
c is a detail of
a is an end view of a stem according to the present invention;
b is a cross-sectional view the stem of
a is a cross-sectional view of a supply assembly according to the present invention;
b is perspective view of a supply assembly according to the present invention;
a is a cross-sectional view of an alternative means of binding a cap to a stem according to the present invention;
b is a cross-sectional view of a second alternative means of binding a cap to a stem according to the present invention;
a is a cross-sectional view of an alternative chamber according to the present invention;
b is a cross-sectional view of a second alternative chamber according to the present invention;
c is a cross-sectional view of a third alternative chamber according to the present invention;
a is an exploded perspective view of a handpiece according to the present invention;
b is an exploded perspective view of a coupler according to the present invention;
a illustrates a partial, side schematic diagram of an alternative means of attaching a handle to a coupler according to the present invention;
b illustrates a partial, side schematic diagram of a second alternative means of attaching a handle to a coupler according to the present invention;
c illustrates a partial, side schematic diagram of a third alternative means of attaching a handle to a coupler according to the present invention;
d illustrates a partial, side schematic diagram of a fourth alternative means of attaching a handle to a coupler according to the present invention; and
e is a detail of
The invention will now be described with particular reference to
The side walls 152 and 154 of the channel 150 of this embodiment preferably form acute angles with respect to a central axis of hole 130 or with respect to a flow of fluid through hole 130. Outer walls 152 preferably flare or extend radially outwardly from base portion 140 to a top of gasket 100, while inner walls 154 preferably flare or extend radially inwardly from base portion 140 to a top of gasket 100, as shown in
The inner surface 135 of the central hole 130 of this embodiment preferably flares or extends radially inwardly from the bottom 160 to the top of the gasket 100, and the outside surface 170 of the gasket 100 preferably flares or extends radially outwardly from bottom 160 to the top of gasket 100, as shown in
d and 2e show other embodiments of the gasket, illustrating that the rims and base may be of differing thicknesses. The appropriate thickness depends on the pressures to be employed and on the precise configuration of the gasket 100 and the related components. In all other respects, the gaskets of
Of course, the invention includes within its scope many other variations of the gasket 100. For example, the gasket 100 may have a cross-section that is taller or wider than illustrated, or in which the outer and inner rims 110, 120 are of different heights. Similarly, the channel 150 may be shallower or deeper than illustrated, its walls 152, 154 may have different and in some cases non-uniform angles of flare, and it may have a “V”-shaped or rounded bottom. The gasket 100, rather than being circular in plan, may be oval, rectangular, triangular, or have any number of other shapes. The central hole 130 may also take other shapes and sizes, depending on the nature of the handpiece supply tube 410 that it is meant to fit. In addition, the central hole 130 need be not be located in the center of the gasket 130. Also, certain embodiments may have more than one hole 130. Also, and, in some embodiments, the gasket 100 need not fully encircle the handpiece supply tube 410.
A variation on gasket 100 is illustrated in
In another embodiment, as shown in
In other embodiments of the invention, it might be desirable to have more than one high pressure outlet from the chamber. In such an embodiment, two holes could be provided in the side of the gasket 200 of
d shows another variant of the gasket of
Gasket 100 is preferably made of an elastomeric plastic, although with appropriate design (e.g., the design of
The gasket 100 of the illustrated embodiment is enclosed in a chamber 500, as illustrated in
The cap 530 is shown most clearly in
The diameter of the aperture 534 relative to the outer diameter of the handpiece supply tube 410 is not critical. There must be enough clearance to allow ready insertion of the handpiece supply tube 410 into the aperture 534 and through the gasket 100, while the upper limit of the allowable clearance is set by the need to prevent extrusion of the gasket 100 under pressure of the fluid. Clearly, harder gaskets and lower pressures permit greater clearance. As a practical matter, a minimum clearance between wall 415 and the inner surface of aperture 534 is about 0.0005 inch, a typical clearance is of about 0.001 to about 0.005 inch, and clearances up to about 0.02 inch, or more, are possible.
One configuration for stem 510 of this embodiment is shown in
While the use of threads 518, 528 to connect the cap 530 to the stem 510 has been found to be particularly effective, other methods also may be used. In different embodiments, for example, the threaded connection between the cap 530 and the stem 510 could be replaced by a clamp, a bayonet-type connector, a weld or braze, glue or other adhesive, a press-fit, or a crimp forming a seal. Crimping and welding are preferred in production for economy and simplicity.
The invention also includes within its scope chambers 500 formed in other ways. For example, in another embodiment, as illustrated in
As can be seen from
a and 9b are exploded views of a preferred embodiment of a handle 700 containing the handpiece supply tube 410 that mates with a coupler 800 that houses the chamber 500 (not shown). As shown in
The connection between the handle 700 and the coupler 800 may be broken by depression of the flexible arms 812, for example at pressing points 820. The exact shape and location of the pressing points 820 is not critical, although it is preferable that they have tactile features, such as reliefs, roughening, or the like, so the operator can feel where to pinch the opposing flexible arms 812. Depression of arms 812 depresses the tabs 810 below the level of the slots 706, and allows the handpiece 400 to be removed by the other hand, by lodging the handpiece 400 in a separate device (not illustrated), or even by shaking it.
While the slot and tab method of connection has been found to be effective, the means by which the handle 700 is attached to the coupler 800 is not critical to the invention, and a variety of attachment means will accomplish the desired retention. The means selected must be sufficient to withstand the applied force, and should preferably be simple, easy to operate (optionally, with one hand), and, when the handpiece 400 is a disposable item, inexpensive. In low pressure applications, the connection means may be light duty, while in other applications, more robust connection means, such as screw connectors, may be employed. In some applications, it may be desirable to connect a handpiece 400 with the use of a connector that is designed not to be releasable. Such a device is also within the scope of the invention. A number of alternative connection methods are illustrated in
a shows a method of connecting a handle 700 and a coupler 800 in which the handle 700 carries a sleeve 900 that has internal threads 902. The coupler 800 of this embodiment has external threads 904 and the device is assembled by screwing the internal threads 902 onto the external threads 904.
In the embodiment of
c shows an embodiment which the handle 700 may be connected to coupler 800 by means of a lever-type arrangement. In this embodiment, two levers 940 are attached to the handle 700 by means of pivots 946. Springs 948 bias the ends 942 of the levers 940 away from the handle 700 about the pivot 946. The device of this embodiment is assembled by pinching the ends 942 of the levers 940 in the direction of the handle 700, which causes the jaws 944 of the levers 940 to open. After the handle 700 is inserted into the coupler 800, the ends 942 are released and the springs 948 cause the jaws 944 to close. The closed jaws 944 fit into coupler recesses 950, thereby retaining the handle 700 in the coupler 800. The handle 700 can be released by again by pinching the handle ends 942 to open the jaws 944.
In the embodiment of
It is preferable that the high pressure source be turned off or otherwise disengaged during changing of handpieces. In addition to the creation of an undesirable spray of fluid, the insertion or withdrawal of the tube while the gasket 100 is under pressure is potentially damaging to the gasket 100. To this end, the attachment means can be designed to make it difficult to unlatch the handpiece while pressure is applied to the device. For example, referring to
As seen in
In this embodiment, the device is assembled by inserting the handle 700 into the coupler 800. In a preferred embodiment, a cutout 846 on block 840 mates with the key 730 to ensure correct orientation. The position of the handpiece supply tube 410 and the connector 710 within the handpiece also helps ensure that the coupler 800 is inserted into the handle 700 in the proper alignment and reduces the possibility that the handpiece supply tube 410 might be bent or otherwise damaged. Upon assembly, the handpiece supply tube 410 passes through opening 843, tube 845, aperture 534 of cap 530, and gasket 100. Connector 710 of low pressure hose 708 passes through opening 842 and tube 844 and mates with connector 850. As described above, the attachment means secures handle 700 to the coupler 800.
The operation of this illustrative embodiment may be appreciated by reference to
While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, embodiments set forth herein are intended to be illustrative of the various aspects of the invention, not limiting, and various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should also be appreciated that this system does not significantly change the design of the handpiece, other than to require a chamber or a tube and a latch or other connector, so any of the known handpiece types for using high pressure fluids in medical and other procedures can be connected by means of this connecting system. The handpieces themselves may have further interchangeable features, which may also make use of the connection system of the invention.
The present patent application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/215,209, filed Aug. 8, 2002 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,923,792 on Aug. 2, 2005, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/310,807, filed Aug. 8, 2001, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1128755 | Carlson | Feb 1915 | A |
1773629 | Millmine | Aug 1930 | A |
RE24329 | Booth | Jun 1957 | E |
2808302 | Bowerman | Oct 1957 | A |
2885227 | Burger | May 1959 | A |
2937444 | Kern | May 1960 | A |
3310283 | Carlton | Mar 1967 | A |
3456915 | Smolen | Jul 1969 | A |
3583710 | Burelle | Jun 1971 | A |
3590813 | Roszyk | Jul 1971 | A |
3620653 | Gaylord et al. | Nov 1971 | A |
3771907 | Neumann et al. | Nov 1973 | A |
3818913 | Wallach | Jun 1974 | A |
3835858 | Hagen | Sep 1974 | A |
3930505 | Wallach | Jan 1976 | A |
3989283 | Pepper | Nov 1976 | A |
3994208 | Boyer | Nov 1976 | A |
4116452 | Schanz | Sep 1978 | A |
4155559 | Sieghartner | May 1979 | A |
4165084 | Kempf | Aug 1979 | A |
4196909 | Porsch et al. | Apr 1980 | A |
4214507 | Hock et al. | Jul 1980 | A |
4235595 | Arnegger | Nov 1980 | A |
4270440 | Lewis, II | Jun 1981 | A |
4281590 | Weaver | Aug 1981 | A |
4336946 | Wheeler | Jun 1982 | A |
4465438 | Brauer et al. | Aug 1984 | A |
4517977 | Frost | May 1985 | A |
4521027 | Marshall | Jun 1985 | A |
4560373 | Sugino et al. | Dec 1985 | A |
4601235 | Roberts | Jul 1986 | A |
4690672 | Veltrup | Sep 1987 | A |
4705038 | Sjostrom et al. | Nov 1987 | A |
4730550 | Bramstedt et al. | Mar 1988 | A |
4735129 | Sjoberg | Apr 1988 | A |
4743033 | Guess | May 1988 | A |
4761039 | Hilaris | Aug 1988 | A |
4776616 | Umehara et al. | Oct 1988 | A |
4776769 | Hilaris | Oct 1988 | A |
4795217 | Hilaris | Jan 1989 | A |
4798339 | Sugino et al. | Jan 1989 | A |
4798589 | Tseo | Jan 1989 | A |
4811902 | Nagata | Mar 1989 | A |
4813343 | Schaefer | Mar 1989 | A |
4818190 | Pelmulder et al. | Apr 1989 | A |
4827679 | Earle, III | May 1989 | A |
4872813 | Gorton et al. | Oct 1989 | A |
4898574 | Uchiyama et al. | Feb 1990 | A |
4913698 | Ito et al. | Apr 1990 | A |
4932114 | Morse et al. | Jun 1990 | A |
4937985 | Boers et al. | Jul 1990 | A |
4940399 | Gorton et al. | Jul 1990 | A |
4950238 | Sullivan | Aug 1990 | A |
5002316 | Chohan | Mar 1991 | A |
5006043 | Katsumata et al. | Apr 1991 | A |
5011468 | Lundquist et al. | Apr 1991 | A |
5018670 | Chalmers | May 1991 | A |
5037431 | Summers et al. | Aug 1991 | A |
5052624 | Boers et al. | Oct 1991 | A |
5074862 | Rausis | Dec 1991 | A |
5087056 | Baglin | Feb 1992 | A |
5092744 | Boers | Mar 1992 | A |
5125582 | Surjaatmadja et al. | Jun 1992 | A |
5133687 | Malloy | Jul 1992 | A |
5135482 | Neracher | Aug 1992 | A |
5162016 | Malloy | Nov 1992 | A |
5171045 | Pasbrig | Dec 1992 | A |
5195754 | Dietle | Mar 1993 | A |
5197955 | Stephens et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
5205779 | O'Brien et al. | Apr 1993 | A |
5211633 | Stouder et al. | May 1993 | A |
5217465 | Steppe | Jun 1993 | A |
5230443 | Du | Jul 1993 | A |
5250065 | Clement et al. | Oct 1993 | A |
5252044 | Raines et al. | Oct 1993 | A |
5259842 | Plechinger et al. | Nov 1993 | A |
5261883 | Hood et al. | Nov 1993 | A |
RE34556 | Sjostrom et al. | Mar 1994 | E |
5290245 | Dennis | Mar 1994 | A |
5300036 | Mueller et al. | Apr 1994 | A |
5300046 | Scarfone et al. | Apr 1994 | A |
5314375 | O'Brien et al. | May 1994 | A |
5322504 | Doherty et al. | Jun 1994 | A |
5364234 | Eickmann | Nov 1994 | A |
5370609 | Drasler et al. | Dec 1994 | A |
5392694 | Muller et al. | Feb 1995 | A |
5423752 | Haber et al. | Jun 1995 | A |
5468028 | Olson | Nov 1995 | A |
5474336 | Hoff et al. | Dec 1995 | A |
5480163 | Miser et al. | Jan 1996 | A |
5482297 | Burns et al. | Jan 1996 | A |
5490680 | Patel et al. | Feb 1996 | A |
5496267 | Drasler et al. | Mar 1996 | A |
5509911 | Cottone, Sr. et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
5511464 | Cezanne et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
5511830 | Olson et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
5533879 | Chen | Jul 1996 | A |
5540568 | Rosen et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5551448 | Matula et al. | Sep 1996 | A |
5558646 | Roche | Sep 1996 | A |
5562186 | Osenbaugh | Oct 1996 | A |
5562640 | McCabe et al. | Oct 1996 | A |
5607391 | Klinger et al. | Mar 1997 | A |
5624395 | Mikhail et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
5626072 | Mirand et al. | May 1997 | A |
5711151 | Engfer | Jan 1998 | A |
5713878 | Moutafis et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
5735815 | Bair | Apr 1998 | A |
5749885 | Sjostrom et al. | May 1998 | A |
5785675 | Drasler et al. | Jul 1998 | A |
5842701 | Cawthorne et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5849023 | Mericle | Dec 1998 | A |
5865442 | Iwashita | Feb 1999 | A |
5871462 | Yoder et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
5941162 | Kiesel | Aug 1999 | A |
5944686 | Patterson et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5960700 | Staggs et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
6017354 | Culp et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
6083189 | Gonon et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
6085631 | Kownacki | Jul 2000 | A |
6142484 | Valls, Jr. | Nov 2000 | A |
6161834 | Pollack et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6216573 | Moutafis et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6280302 | Hashish et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6346093 | Allman et al. | Feb 2002 | B1 |
6375635 | Moutafis et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6419654 | Kadan | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6451017 | Moutafis et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6464567 | Hashish et al. | Oct 2002 | B2 |
6511493 | Moutafis et al. | Jan 2003 | B1 |
6669710 | Moutafis et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6899712 | Moutafis et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
6923792 | Staid et al. | Aug 2005 | B2 |
6960182 | Moutafis et al. | Nov 2005 | B2 |
20010002562 | Moutafis et al. | Jun 2001 | A1 |
20020050197 | Moutafis et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
20020176788 | Moutafis et al. | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20020177802 | Moutafis et al. | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20030055404 | Moutafis | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030083681 | Moutafis et al. | May 2003 | A1 |
20030125660 | Moutafis et al. | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20040228736 | Moutafis et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040230211 | Moutafis et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040234380 | Moutafis et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040243157 | Connor et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
3421 390 | Dec 1985 | DE |
225 618 | Aug 1988 | DE |
0 411 170 | Feb 1991 | EP |
0 485 133 | May 1992 | EP |
0 489 496 | Jun 1992 | EP |
0 551 920 | Jul 1993 | EP |
0 855 507 | Jul 1998 | EP |
1 241 277 | Sep 1960 | FR |
2 094 507 | Feb 1972 | FR |
199057 | Jun 1923 | GB |
617567 | Feb 1949 | GB |
651836 | Apr 1951 | GB |
38-26972 | Dec 1963 | JP |
40-4710 | Mar 1965 | JP |
45-14746 | May 1970 | JP |
WO 9414584 | Jul 1994 | WO |
WO 9933510 | Jul 1999 | WO |
WO 2004069064 | Aug 2004 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20050267443 A1 | Dec 2005 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60310807 | Aug 2001 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 10215209 | Aug 2002 | US |
Child | 11193225 | US |