Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.
The field of the invention generally relates to medical devices for treating disorders of the skeletal system.
Scoliosis is a general term for the sideways (lateral) curving of the spine, usually in the thoracic or thoracolumbar region. Scoliosis is commonly broken up into different treatment groups, Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, Early Onset Scoliosis and Adult Scoliosis.
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) typically affects children between ages 10 and 16, and becomes most severe during growth spurts that occur as the body is developing. One to two percent of children between ages 10 and 16 have some amount of scoliosis. Of every 1000 children, two to five develop curves that are serious enough to require treatment. The degree of scoliosis is typically described by the Cobb angle, which is determined, usually from x-ray images, by taking the most tilted vertebrae above and below the apex of the curved portion and measuring the angle between intersecting lines drawn perpendicular to the top of the top vertebrae and the bottom of the bottom. The term idiopathic refers to the fact that the exact cause of this curvature is unknown. Some have speculated that scoliosis occurs when, during rapid growth phases, the ligamentum flavum of the spine is too tight and hinders symmetric growth of the spine. For example, as the anterior portion of the spine elongates faster than the posterior portion, the thoracic spine begins to straighten, until it curves laterally, often with an accompanying rotation. In more severe cases, this rotation actually creates a noticeable deformity, wherein one shoulder is lower than the other. Currently, many school districts perform external visual assessment of spines, for example in all fifth grade students. For those students in whom an “S” shape or “C” shape is identified, instead of an “I” shape, a recommendation is given to have the spine examined by a physician, and commonly followed-up with periodic spinal x-rays.
Typically, patients with a Cobb angle of 20° or less are not treated, but are continually followed up, often with subsequent x-rays. Patients with a Cobb angle of 40° or greater are usually recommended for fusion surgery. It should be noted that many patients do not receive this spinal assessment, for numerous reasons. Many school districts do not perform this assessment, and many children do not regularly visit a physician, so often, the curve progresses rapidly and severely. There is a large population of grown adults with untreated scoliosis, in extreme cases with a Cobb angle as high as or greater than 90°. Many of these adults, though, do not have pain associated with this deformity, and live relatively normal lives, though oftentimes with restricted mobility and motion. In AIS, the ratio of females to males for curves under 10° is about one to one, however, at angles above 30°, females outnumber males by as much as eight to one. Fusion surgery can be performed on the AIS patients or on adult scoliosis patients. In a typical posterior fusion surgery, an incision is made down the length of the back and Titanium or stainless steel straightening rods are placed along the curved portion. These rods are typically secured to the vertebral bodies, for example with hooks or bone screws, or more specifically pedicle screws, in a manner that allows the spine to be straightened. Usually, at the section desired for fusion, the intervertebral disks are removed and bone graft material is placed to create the fusion. If this is autologous material, the bone is harvested from a hip via a separate incision.
Alternatively, the fusion surgery may be performed anteriorly. A lateral and anterior incision is made for access. Usually, one of the lungs is deflated in order to allow access to the spine from this anterior approach. In a less-invasive version of the anterior procedure, instead of the single long incision, approximately five incisions, each about three to four cm long are made in several of the intercostal spaces (between the ribs) on one side of the patient. In one version of this minimally invasive surgery, tethers and bone screws are placed and are secured to the vertebra on the anterior convex portion of the curve. Currently, clinical trials are being performed which use staples in place of the tether/screw combination. One advantage of this surgery in comparison with the posterior approach is that the scars from the incisions are not as dramatic, though they are still located in a visible area, when a bathing suit, for example, is worn. The staples have had some difficulty in the clinical trials. The staples tend to pull out of the bone when a critical stress level is reached.
In some cases, after surgery, the patient will wear a protective brace for a few months as the fusing process occurs. Once the patient reaches spinal maturity, it is difficult to remove the rods and associated hardware in a subsequent surgery, because the fusion of the vertebra usually incorporates the rods themselves. Standard practice is to leave this implant in for life. With either of these two surgical methods, after fusion, the patient's spine is now straight, but depending on how many vertebra were fused, there are often limitations in the degree of flexibility, both in bending and twisting. As these fused patients mature, the fused section can impart large stresses on the adjacent non-fused vertebra, and often, other problems including pain can occur in these areas, sometimes necessitating further surgery. This tends to be in the lumbar portion of the spine that is prone to problems in aging patients. Many physicians are now interested in fusionless surgery for scoliosis, which may be able to eliminate some of the drawbacks of fusion.
One group of patients in which the spine is especially dynamic is the subset known as Early Onset Scoliosis (EOS), which typically occurs in children before the age of five, and more often in boys than in girls. This is a more rare condition, occurring in only about one or two out of 10,000 children, but can be severe, sometimes affecting the normal development of organs. Because of the fact that the spines of these children will still grow a large amount after treatment, non-fusion distraction devices known as growing rods and a device known as the VEPTR—Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib (“Titanium Rib”) have been developed. These devices are typically adjusted approximately every six months, to match the child's growth, until the child is at least eight years old, sometimes until they are 15 years old. Each adjustment requires a surgical incision to access the adjustable portion of the device. Because the patients may receive the device at an age as early as six months old, this treatment requires a large number of surgeries. Because of the multiple surgeries, these patients have a rather high preponderance of infection.
Returning to the AIS patients, the treatment methodology for those with a Cobb angle between 20° and 40° is quite controversial. Many physicians proscribe a brace (for example, the Boston Brace), that the patient must wear on their body and under their clothes 18 to 23 hours a day until they become skeletally mature, for example to age 16. Because these patients are all passing through their socially demanding adolescent years, it is quite a serious prospect to be forced with the choice of either wearing a somewhat bulky brace that covers most of the upper body, having fusion surgery that may leave large scars and also limit motion, or doing nothing and running the risk of becoming disfigured and possibly disabled. It is commonly known that many patients have at times hidden their braces, for example, in a bush outside of school, in order to escape any related embarrassment. The patient compliance with brace wearing has been so problematic that there have been special braces constructed which sense the body of the patient, and keep track of the amount of time per day that the brace is worn. Patients have even been known to place objects into unworn braces of this type in order to fool the sensor. Coupled with the inconsistent patient compliance with brace usage, is a feeling by many physicians that braces, even if used properly, are not at all effective at curing scoliosis. These physicians may agree that bracing can possibly slow down or even temporarily stop curve (Cobb angle) progression, but they have noted that as soon as the treatment period ends and the brace is no longer worn, often the scoliosis rapidly progresses, to a Cobb angle even more severe than it was at the beginning of treatment. Some say the reason for the supposed ineffectiveness of the brace is that it works only on a portion of the torso, and not on the entire spine. Currently a prospective, randomized 500 patient clinical trial known as BrAIST (Bracing in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Trial) is enrolling patients, 50% of whom will be treated with the brace and 50% of who will simply be watched. The Cobb angle data will be measured continually up until skeletal maturity, or until a Cobb angle of 50° is reached, at which time the patient will likely undergo surgery.
Many physicians feel that the BrAIST trial will show that braces are completely ineffective. If this is the case, the quandary about what to do with AIS patients who have a Cobb angle of between 20° and 40° will only become more pronounced. It should be noted that the “20° to 40°” patient population is as much as ten times larger than the “40° and greater” patient population.
Currently, genetic scientists are at work to find one or more genes that may predispose scoliosis. Once identified, some are still skeptical as to whether gene therapy would be possible to prevent scoliosis, however the existence of a scoliosis gene would no doubt allow for easier and earlier identification of probable surgical patients.
In a first embodiment, a spinal distraction system includes a distraction rod having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured for affixation to a subject's spine at a first location, the distraction rod having a second end containing a recess having a threaded portion disposed therein. The distraction system further includes an adjustable portion configured for placement relative to the subject's spine at a second location remote from the first location, the adjustable portion comprising a housing containing a magnetic assembly, the magnetic assembly affixed at one end thereof to a lead screw via a locking pin passing transversely through the lead screw, the lead screw operatively coupled to the threaded portion.
In a second embodiment, a spinal distraction system includes a distraction rod having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured for affixation to a subject's spine at a first location, the distraction rod having a second end containing a recess having a threaded portion disposed therein. The adjustable portion is configured for placement relative to the subject's spine at a second location remote from the first location, the adjustable portion includes a housing containing a magnetic assembly, the magnetic assembly affixed at one end thereof to a lead screw, the lead screw operatively coupled to the threaded portion. The system further includes a recess disposed in an interior portion of the housing adjacent to one end, the recess having at least one o-ring therein dimensioned to form a fluid tight seal with the distraction rod.
In many Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) patients with a Cobb angle of 40° or greater, spinal fusion surgery is typically the first option.
Each vertebra is different from the other vertebra by its size and shape, with the upper vertebra generally being smaller than the lower vertebra. However, generally, the vertebrae have a similar structure and include a vertebral body 516, a spinous process 518, 520, laminae 526, transverse processes 521, 522 and pedicles 524. In this embodiment, the distraction device 200 includes a distraction rod 206 which is adjustable (lengthwise) via a coupled adjustable portion 208. The distraction device 200 is fixated to the spine 500 via a clamp 600 at the upper end 202 of the distraction rod 206. In
Referring back to
Still referring to
In order to further facilitate this de-rotation, the distraction device 200 may allow for free rotation at its ends. For example, the adjustable portion 208 may be coupled to the connecting rod 532 via an articulating joint. U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/121,355 and 12/250,442 describe various articulating interfaces and joints that may be utilized to couple the adjustable portion 108 to the connecting rod 532 or the like.
It should be noted that distraction rod 206 may be precurved with the typical shape of a normal saggital spine, but it should also be noted that the curve may be slightly different than standard scoliosis fusion instrumentation, because in the non-fusion embodiment described herein, the distraction device 200 is not flush with the spine but rather is placed either subcutaneous or sub-fascial, and thus is not below the back muscles. The only portions of the distraction device 200 that are designed to be placed below the muscles are the clamp 600 and the portion of the distraction rod 206 immediately adjacent the clamp 600, the pedicle screw system 531 and the connecting rod 532. Thus,
Referring back to
Referring back to
Thus, the distraction rod 206 is able to telescope relative to the housing 226 while simultaneously preventing foreign matter from entering the housing 226. While a single o-ring 234 is illustrated in
The o-ring 234 may provide several advantages in keeping foreign materials out of the tubular housing 226. In particular, positive air pressure within the tubular housing 226 may be created during the manufacturing process. The positive air pressure provides additional stored pushing force to aid in distraction of the distraction rod 206. The positive air pressure also aids in preventing ingress of foreign matter. The use of the o-ring 234 within the recess 232 of the o-ring gland 230 permits telescopic movement of the distraction rod 206 while at the same time seals in the interior of the tubular housing 226 from the exterior environment. In vivo animal testing has confirmed that such an arrangement has maintained the integrity of the tubular housing 226 for over seven months. In a seven month study conducted in vivo in pigs, the distraction device 200 was removed and the adjustable portion 208 was fully functional.
As best seen in
The interface between the lead screw 260 and the magnetic assembly 236 has several functions. The interface must withstand heavy compressive loads. It also may need to withstand large tensile loads. Furthermore, the interface must transmit torque from the rotating magnetic assembly 236 to the lead screw 260. The interface must also maintain the concentric alignment between the lead screw 260 and the nut 214. With respect to compressive loads, these are transmitted down the lead screw 260 and across the locking pin 238 and into the magnetic assembly 236. The magnetic assembly 236, as best seen in
With respect to tensile loads, these are transmitted from the magnetic assembly 236 across the locking pin 238 and up the lead screw 260. The locking pin 238 pulls on the magnetic assembly which is retained by the bearing 246. The locking pin 238 may be made from a strong material such as, for instance, 440C stainless steel that has been heat treated for added strength. For instance, the 440C stainless steel may be heated to achieve a hardness of at least C58 Rockwell. The locking pin 238 may have a length of around 0.185 inches and a diameter of around 0.0314 inches. The ends of the locking pin 238 may be beveled. The ultimate pull strength at which the locking pin 238 fails has been determined in testing to be 353 lbs. Thus, the locking pin 238 retains its structural integrity up to a tensile load force of about 350 lbs. This is significantly higher than the highest expected distraction force. For example, other researchers have found that peak distraction forces experienced by growing rods are at or less than 124 lbs. See Teli et al., Measurement of Forces Generated During Distraction of Growing Rods, J. Child Orthop 1:257-258 (2007). The locking pin 238 described herein thus provides a wide margin of safety given the anticipated distraction forces that are experienced by the distraction rod 206.
Torquing forces are transmitted from the magnetic assembly 236 to the lead screw 260 via the locking pin 238. Because the torque available is limited, even small mechanical losses due to component binding is a problem. Here, however, the clearances between the locking pin 238 and the lead screw 260 allow the lead screw 260 to “wiggle” freely in the upper cup 240 of the magnetic assembly 236.
Still referring to
As seen in
Still referring to
As seen in
In one embodiment, the two permanent magnets 1134, 1136 are configured to rotate at the same angular velocity. In another embodiment, the two permanent magnets 1134, 1136 each have at least one north pole and at least one south pole, and the external adjustment device 1130 is configured to rotate the first magnet 1134 and the second magnet 1136 such that the angular location of the at least one north pole of the first magnet 1134 is substantially equal to the angular location of the at least one south pole of the second magnet 1136 through a full rotation of the first and second magnets 1134, 1136.
Still referring to
As seen in
With reference to
During operation of the external adjustment device 1130, the permanent magnets 1134, 1136 may be driven to rotate the internal permanent magnet 254 through one or more full rotations in either direction to increase or decrease distraction of the distraction device 200 as needed. Of course, the permanent magnets 1134, 1136 may be driven to rotate the internal permanent magnet 254 through a partial rotation as well (e.g., ¼, ⅛, 1/16, etc.). The use of two magnets 1134, 1136 is preferred over a single external magnet because the internal permanent magnet 254 may not be oriented perfectly at the start of rotation, so one external magnet 1134, 1136 may not be able to deliver its maximum torque, which depends on the orientation of the internal permanent magnet 254 to some degree. However, when two (2) external magnets (1134, 1136) are used, one of the two 1134 or 1136 will have an orientation relative to the internal permanent magnet 254 that is better or more optimal than the other. In addition, the torques imparted by each external magnet 1134, 1136 are additive. In prior art magnetically driven devices, the external driving device is at the mercy of the particular orientation of the internal driven magnet. The two-magnet embodiment described herein is able to guarantee a larger driving torque—as much as 75% more than a one-magnet embodiment in the AIS application—and thus the internal permanent magnet 254 can be designed smaller in dimension, and less massive. A smaller internal permanent magnet 254 will have a smaller image artifact when performing MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), especially important when using pulse sequences such as gradient echo, which is commonly used in breast imaging, and leads to the largest artifact from implanted magnets. In certain configurations, it may even be optimal to use three or more external magnets, including one or more magnets each on two different sides of the body (for example front and back).
The motor 1132 of the external adjustment device 1130 is controlled via a motor control circuit 1078 operatively connected to a programmable logic controller (PLC) 1080. The PLC 1080 outputs an analog signal to the motor control circuit 1078 that is proportional to the desired speed of the motor 1132. The PLC 1080 may also select the rotational direction of the motor 1132 (i.e., forward or reverse). In one aspect, the PLC 1080 receives an input signal from a shaft encoder 1082 that is used to identify with high precision and accuracy the exact relative position of the external magnets 1134, 1136. For example, the shaft encoder 1082 may be an encoder 1175 as described in
In one aspect of the invention, a sensor 1084 is incorporated into the external adjustment device 1130 that is able to sense or determine the rotational or angular position of the internal permanent magnet 254. The sensor 1084 may acquire positional information using, for example, sound waves, ultrasonic waves, light, radiation, or even changes or perturbations in the magnetic or electromagnetic field between the internal permanent magnet 254 and the external magnets 1134, 1136. For example, the sensor 1084 may detect photons or light that is reflected from the internal permanent magnet 254 or a coupled structure (e.g., rotor) that is attached thereto. For example, light may be passed through the patient's skin and other tissue at wavelength(s) conducive for passage through tissue. Portions of the internal permanent magnet 254 or associated structure may include a reflective surface that reflects light back outside the patient as the internal permanent magnet 254 moves. The reflected light can then be detected by the sensor 1084 which may include, for example, a photodetector or the like.
In another aspect, the sensor 1084 may operate on the Hall effect, wherein two additional magnets are located within the implantable assembly. The additional magnets move axially in relation to each other as the internal permanent magnet 254 rotates and therefore as the distraction increases or decreases, allowing the determination of the current size of the restriction device.
In the embodiment of
During operation of the system 1076, each patient will have a number or indicia that correspond to the adjustment setting or size of their distraction device 200. This number can be stored on an optional storage device 1088 (as shown in
The patient, therefore, carries their medical record with them, and if, for example, they are in another location, or even country, and need to be adjusted, the RFID tag 1088 has all of the information needed. Additionally, the RFID tag 1088 may be used as a security device. For example, the RFID tag 1088 may be used to allow only physicians to adjust the distraction device 200 and not patients. Alternatively, the RFID tag 1088 may be used to allow only certain models or makes of distraction devices to be adjusted by a specific model or serial number of external adjustment device 1130.
In one aspect, the current size or setting of the distraction device 200 is input into the PLC 1080. This may be done automatically or through manual input via, for instance, the keyboard 1083 that is associated with the PLC 1080. The PLC 1080 thus knows the patient's starting point. If the patient's records are lost, the length of the distraction device may be measured by X-ray and the PLC 1080 may be manually programmed to this known starting point.
The external adjustment device 1130 is commanded to make an adjustment. This may be accomplished via a pre-set command entered into the PLC 1080 (e.g. “increase distraction displacement of distraction device 200 by 0.5 cm” or “increase distraction force of distraction device 200 to 20 pounds”). The PLC 1080 configures the proper direction for the motor 1132 and starts rotation of the motor 1132. As the motor 1132 spins, the encoder 1082 is able to continuously monitor the shaft position of the motor directly, as is shown in
The sensor 1084, which may include a microphone sensor 1084, may be monitored continuously. For example, every rotation of the motor 1132 should generate the appropriate number and pitch of clicks generated by rotation of the permanent magnet inside the distraction device 200. If the motor 1132 turns a full revolution but no clicks are sensed, the magnetic coupling may have been lost and an error message may be displayed to the operator on a display 1081 of the PLC 1080. Similarly, an error message may be displayed on the display 1081 if the sensor 1084 acquires the wrong pitch of the auditory signal (e.g., the sensor 1084 detects a shortening pitch but the external adjustment device 1130 was configured to lengthen).
While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The invention, therefore, should not be limited, except to the following claims, and their equivalents.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1599538 | Mintrop | Sep 1926 | A |
2702031 | Wenger | Feb 1955 | A |
3111945 | Von Solbrig | Nov 1963 | A |
3372476 | Peiffer | Mar 1968 | A |
3377576 | Langberg | Apr 1968 | A |
3397928 | Galle | Aug 1968 | A |
3512901 | Law | May 1970 | A |
3527220 | Summers | Sep 1970 | A |
3597781 | Eibes | Aug 1971 | A |
3726279 | Barefoot et al. | Apr 1973 | A |
3749098 | De Bennetot | Jul 1973 | A |
3750194 | Summers | Aug 1973 | A |
3810259 | Summers | May 1974 | A |
3840018 | Heifetz | Oct 1974 | A |
3900025 | Barnes, Jr. | Aug 1975 | A |
3915151 | Kraus | Oct 1975 | A |
3976060 | Hildebrandt et al. | Aug 1976 | A |
4010758 | Rockland et al. | Mar 1977 | A |
4056743 | Clifford et al. | Nov 1977 | A |
4068821 | Morrison | Jan 1978 | A |
4078559 | Nissinen | Mar 1978 | A |
4118805 | Reimels | Oct 1978 | A |
4204541 | Kapitanov | May 1980 | A |
4222374 | Sampson et al. | Sep 1980 | A |
4235246 | Weiss | Nov 1980 | A |
4256094 | Kapp et al. | Mar 1981 | A |
4300223 | Maire | Nov 1981 | A |
4357946 | Dutcher et al. | Nov 1982 | A |
4386603 | Mayfield | Jun 1983 | A |
4395259 | Prestele et al. | Jul 1983 | A |
4448191 | Rodnyansky et al. | May 1984 | A |
4486176 | Tardieu et al. | Dec 1984 | A |
4501266 | McDaniel | Feb 1985 | A |
4522501 | Shannon | Jun 1985 | A |
4537520 | Ochiai et al. | Aug 1985 | A |
4550279 | Klein | Oct 1985 | A |
4561798 | Elcrin et al. | Dec 1985 | A |
4573454 | Hoffman | Mar 1986 | A |
4592339 | Kuzmak et al. | Jun 1986 | A |
4592355 | Antebi | Jun 1986 | A |
4595007 | Mericle | Jun 1986 | A |
4642257 | Chase | Feb 1987 | A |
4658809 | Ulrich et al. | Apr 1987 | A |
4696288 | Kuzmak et al. | Sep 1987 | A |
4700091 | Wuthrich | Oct 1987 | A |
4747832 | Buffet | May 1988 | A |
4760837 | Petit | Aug 1988 | A |
4854304 | Zielke | Aug 1989 | A |
4904861 | Epstein et al. | Feb 1990 | A |
4931055 | Bumpus et al. | Jun 1990 | A |
4940467 | Tronzo | Jul 1990 | A |
4957495 | Kluger | Sep 1990 | A |
4973331 | Pursley et al. | Nov 1990 | A |
5010879 | Moriya et al. | Apr 1991 | A |
5030235 | Campbell, Jr. | Jul 1991 | A |
5041112 | Mingozzi et al. | Aug 1991 | A |
5064004 | Lundell | Nov 1991 | A |
5074868 | Kuzmak | Dec 1991 | A |
5074882 | Grammont et al. | Dec 1991 | A |
5092889 | Campbell, Jr. | Mar 1992 | A |
5133716 | Plaza | Jul 1992 | A |
5142407 | Varaprasad et al. | Aug 1992 | A |
5152770 | Bengmark et al. | Oct 1992 | A |
5156605 | Pursley et al. | Oct 1992 | A |
5176618 | Freedman | Jan 1993 | A |
5226429 | Kuzmak | Jul 1993 | A |
5261908 | Campbell, Jr. | Nov 1993 | A |
5263955 | Baumgart et al. | Nov 1993 | A |
5290289 | Sanders et al. | Mar 1994 | A |
5306275 | Bryan | Apr 1994 | A |
5330503 | Yoon | Jul 1994 | A |
5334202 | Carter | Aug 1994 | A |
5336223 | Rogers | Aug 1994 | A |
5356411 | Spievack | Oct 1994 | A |
5356424 | Buzerak et al. | Oct 1994 | A |
5360407 | Leonard et al. | Nov 1994 | A |
5364396 | Robinson et al. | Nov 1994 | A |
5403322 | Herzenberg et al. | Apr 1995 | A |
5429638 | Muschler et al. | Jul 1995 | A |
5433721 | Hooven et al. | Jul 1995 | A |
5437266 | McPherson et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
5449368 | Kuzmak | Sep 1995 | A |
5466261 | Richelsoph | Nov 1995 | A |
5468030 | Walling | Nov 1995 | A |
5480437 | Draenert | Jan 1996 | A |
5509888 | Miller | Apr 1996 | A |
5516335 | Kummer et al. | May 1996 | A |
5527309 | Shelton | Jun 1996 | A |
5536269 | Spievack | Jul 1996 | A |
5536296 | Ten Eyck et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5549610 | Russell et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5573012 | McEwan | Nov 1996 | A |
5575790 | Chen et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
5582616 | Bolduc et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
5620445 | Brosnahan et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
5620449 | Faccioli et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
5626579 | Muschler et al. | May 1997 | A |
5626613 | Schmieding | May 1997 | A |
5632744 | Campbell, Jr. | May 1997 | A |
5659217 | Petersen | Aug 1997 | A |
5662683 | Kay | Sep 1997 | A |
5672175 | Martin | Sep 1997 | A |
5672177 | Seldin | Sep 1997 | A |
5700263 | Schendel | Dec 1997 | A |
5704893 | Timm | Jan 1998 | A |
5704938 | Staehlin et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
5704939 | Justin | Jan 1998 | A |
5720746 | Soubeiran | Feb 1998 | A |
5743910 | Bays et al. | Apr 1998 | A |
5762599 | Sohn | Jun 1998 | A |
5771903 | Jakobsson | Jun 1998 | A |
5800434 | Campbell, Jr. | Sep 1998 | A |
5810815 | Morales | Sep 1998 | A |
5827286 | Incavo et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5829662 | Allen et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5830221 | Stein et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5879375 | Larson, Jr. et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5902304 | Walker et al. | May 1999 | A |
5935127 | Border | Aug 1999 | A |
5938669 | Klaiber et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5945762 | Chen et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5961553 | Coty et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5976138 | Baumgart et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
5979456 | Magovem | Nov 1999 | A |
6022349 | McLeod et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
6033412 | Losken et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6034296 | Elvin et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6067991 | Forsell | May 2000 | A |
6074341 | Anderson et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6074882 | Eckardt | Jun 2000 | A |
6102922 | Jakobsson et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6106525 | Sachse | Aug 2000 | A |
6126660 | Dietz | Oct 2000 | A |
6126661 | Faccioli et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6138681 | Chen et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6139316 | Sachdeva et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6162223 | Orsak et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6183476 | Gerhardt et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6200317 | Aalsma et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6210347 | Forsell | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6234956 | He et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6241730 | Alby | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6245075 | Betz et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6283156 | Motley | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6315784 | Djurovic | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6319255 | Grundei et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6331744 | Chen et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6336929 | Justin | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6343568 | McClasky | Feb 2002 | B1 |
6358283 | Hogfors et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6375682 | Fleischmann et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6386083 | Hwang | May 2002 | B1 |
6389187 | Greenaway et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
6400980 | Lemelson | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6402753 | Cole et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6409175 | Evans et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
D460184 | Schendel et al. | Jul 2002 | S |
6416516 | Stauch et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6417750 | Sohn | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6432040 | Meah | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6450173 | Forsell | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6450946 | Forsell | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6453907 | Forsell | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6454698 | Forsell | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6454699 | Forsell | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6454700 | Forsell | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6454701 | Forsell | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6460543 | Forsell | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6461292 | Forsell | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6461293 | Forsell | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6463935 | Forsell | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6464628 | Forsell | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6470892 | Forsell | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6471635 | Forsell | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6475136 | Forsell | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6482145 | Forsell | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6494879 | Lennox et al. | Dec 2002 | B2 |
6499907 | Baur | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6500110 | Davey et al. | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6503189 | Forsell | Jan 2003 | B1 |
6508820 | Bales | Jan 2003 | B2 |
6510345 | Van Bentem | Jan 2003 | B1 |
6511490 | Robert | Jan 2003 | B2 |
6527701 | Sayet et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6527702 | Whalen et al. | Mar 2003 | B2 |
6536499 | Voorhees et al. | Mar 2003 | B2 |
6537196 | Creighton, IV et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6547801 | Dargent et al. | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6554831 | Rivard et al. | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6558400 | Deem et al. | May 2003 | B2 |
6565573 | Ferrante et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
6565576 | Stauch et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
6582313 | Perrow | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6583630 | Mendes et al. | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6587719 | Barrett et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6604529 | Kim | Aug 2003 | B2 |
6609025 | Barrett et al. | Aug 2003 | B2 |
6616669 | Ogilvie et al. | Sep 2003 | B2 |
6626917 | Craig | Sep 2003 | B1 |
6627206 | Lloyd | Sep 2003 | B2 |
6656135 | Zogbi et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6656194 | Gannoe et al. | Dec 2003 | B1 |
6657351 | Chen et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6667725 | Simons et al. | Dec 2003 | B1 |
6673079 | Kane | Jan 2004 | B1 |
6676674 | Dudai | Jan 2004 | B1 |
6702816 | Buhler | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6706042 | Taylor | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6709293 | Mori et al. | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6709385 | Forsell | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6730087 | Butsch | May 2004 | B1 |
6749556 | Banik | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6752754 | Feng et al. | Jun 2004 | B1 |
6761503 | Breese | Jul 2004 | B2 |
6765330 | Baur | Jul 2004 | B2 |
6769499 | Cargill et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6789442 | Forch | Sep 2004 | B2 |
6796984 | Soubeiran | Sep 2004 | B2 |
6802844 | Ferree | Oct 2004 | B2 |
6809434 | Duncan et al. | Oct 2004 | B1 |
6835207 | Zacouto et al. | Dec 2004 | B2 |
6849076 | Blunn et al. | Feb 2005 | B2 |
6852113 | Nathanson et al. | Feb 2005 | B2 |
6915165 | Forsell | Jul 2005 | B2 |
6916326 | Benchetrit | Jul 2005 | B2 |
6918838 | Schwarzler et al. | Jul 2005 | B2 |
6918910 | Smith et al. | Jul 2005 | B2 |
6921400 | Sohngen | Jul 2005 | B2 |
6923951 | Contag et al. | Aug 2005 | B2 |
6926719 | Sohngen et al. | Aug 2005 | B2 |
6953429 | Forsell | Oct 2005 | B2 |
6961553 | Zhao et al. | Nov 2005 | B2 |
6971143 | Domroese | Dec 2005 | B2 |
6997952 | Furukawa et al. | Feb 2006 | B2 |
7001346 | White | Feb 2006 | B2 |
7008425 | Phillips | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7011621 | Sayet et al. | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7011658 | Young | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7029472 | Fortin | Apr 2006 | B1 |
7029475 | Panjabi | Apr 2006 | B2 |
7041105 | Michelson | May 2006 | B2 |
7060080 | Bachmann | Jun 2006 | B2 |
7063706 | Wittenstein | Jun 2006 | B2 |
7105029 | Doubler et al. | Sep 2006 | B2 |
7105968 | Nissen | Sep 2006 | B2 |
7114501 | Johnson et al. | Oct 2006 | B2 |
7115129 | Heggeness | Oct 2006 | B2 |
7128750 | Stergiopulos | Oct 2006 | B1 |
7135022 | Kosashvili et al. | Nov 2006 | B2 |
7160312 | Saadat | Jan 2007 | B2 |
7163538 | Altarac et al. | Jan 2007 | B2 |
7172607 | Hofle et al. | Feb 2007 | B2 |
7175589 | Deem et al. | Feb 2007 | B2 |
7175660 | Cartledge et al. | Feb 2007 | B2 |
7189005 | Ward | Mar 2007 | B2 |
7191007 | Desai et al. | Mar 2007 | B2 |
7194297 | Talpade et al. | Mar 2007 | B2 |
7218232 | DiSilvestro et al. | May 2007 | B2 |
7238191 | Bachmann | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7241300 | Sharkawy et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7255682 | Bartol, Jr. et al. | Aug 2007 | B1 |
7282023 | Frering | Oct 2007 | B2 |
7285087 | Moaddeb et al. | Oct 2007 | B2 |
7288064 | Boustani et al. | Oct 2007 | B2 |
7297150 | Cartledge et al. | Nov 2007 | B2 |
7302015 | Kim et al. | Nov 2007 | B2 |
7302858 | Walsh et al. | Dec 2007 | B2 |
7311690 | Burnett | Dec 2007 | B2 |
7314443 | Jordan et al. | Jan 2008 | B2 |
7320706 | Al-Najjar | Jan 2008 | B2 |
7338433 | Coe | Mar 2008 | B2 |
7351198 | Byrum et al. | Apr 2008 | B2 |
7351240 | Hassler, Jr. et al. | Apr 2008 | B2 |
7353747 | Swayze et al. | Apr 2008 | B2 |
7357037 | Hnat et al. | Apr 2008 | B2 |
7357635 | Belfor et al. | Apr 2008 | B2 |
7360542 | Nelson et al. | Apr 2008 | B2 |
7361192 | Doty | Apr 2008 | B2 |
7367937 | Jambor et al. | May 2008 | B2 |
7367938 | Forsell | May 2008 | B2 |
7371244 | Chatlynne et al. | May 2008 | B2 |
7374557 | Conlon et al. | May 2008 | B2 |
7390007 | Helms et al. | Jun 2008 | B2 |
7390294 | Hassler, Jr. | Jun 2008 | B2 |
7402134 | Moaddeb et al. | Jul 2008 | B2 |
7402176 | Malek | Jul 2008 | B2 |
7410461 | Lau et al. | Aug 2008 | B2 |
7416528 | Crawford et al. | Aug 2008 | B2 |
7429259 | Cadeddu et al. | Sep 2008 | B2 |
7431692 | Zollinger et al. | Oct 2008 | B2 |
7441559 | Nelson et al. | Oct 2008 | B2 |
7445010 | Kugler et al. | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7455690 | Cartledge et al. | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7458981 | Fielding et al. | Dec 2008 | B2 |
7468060 | Utley et al. | Dec 2008 | B2 |
7481763 | Hassler, Jr. et al. | Jan 2009 | B2 |
7481841 | Hazebrouck et al. | Jan 2009 | B2 |
7485149 | White | Feb 2009 | B1 |
7489495 | Stevenson | Feb 2009 | B2 |
7530981 | Kutsenko | May 2009 | B2 |
7531002 | Sutton et al. | May 2009 | B2 |
7553298 | Hunt et al. | Jun 2009 | B2 |
7559951 | DiSilvestro et al. | Jul 2009 | B2 |
7561916 | Hunt et al. | Jul 2009 | B2 |
7569057 | Liu et al. | Aug 2009 | B2 |
7584788 | Baron et al. | Sep 2009 | B2 |
7601156 | Robinson | Oct 2009 | B2 |
7601162 | Hassler, Jr. et al. | Oct 2009 | B2 |
7611526 | Carl et al. | Nov 2009 | B2 |
7618435 | Opolski | Nov 2009 | B2 |
7651483 | Byrum et al. | Jan 2010 | B2 |
7658753 | Carl et al. | Feb 2010 | B2 |
7658754 | Zhang et al. | Feb 2010 | B2 |
7666132 | Forsell | Feb 2010 | B2 |
7666184 | Stauch | Feb 2010 | B2 |
7666210 | Franck et al. | Feb 2010 | B2 |
7678139 | Garamszegi et al. | Mar 2010 | B2 |
7691103 | Fernandez et al. | Apr 2010 | B2 |
7695512 | Lashinski et al. | Apr 2010 | B2 |
7708737 | Kraft et al. | May 2010 | B2 |
7708762 | McCarthy et al. | May 2010 | B2 |
7727141 | Hassler, Jr. et al. | Jun 2010 | B2 |
7727143 | Birk et al. | Jun 2010 | B2 |
7749224 | Cresina et al. | Jul 2010 | B2 |
7753913 | Szakelyhidi, Jr. et al. | Jul 2010 | B2 |
7753915 | Eksler et al. | Jul 2010 | B1 |
7762998 | Birk et al. | Jul 2010 | B2 |
7763053 | Gordon | Jul 2010 | B2 |
7763080 | Southworth | Jul 2010 | B2 |
7766815 | Ortiz | Aug 2010 | B2 |
7766855 | Miethke | Aug 2010 | B2 |
7775099 | Bogath et al. | Aug 2010 | B2 |
7775215 | Hassler, Jr. et al. | Aug 2010 | B2 |
7776061 | Garner et al. | Aug 2010 | B2 |
7776068 | Ainsworth et al. | Aug 2010 | B2 |
7776075 | Bruneau et al. | Aug 2010 | B2 |
7776091 | Mastrorio et al. | Aug 2010 | B2 |
7787958 | Stevenson | Aug 2010 | B2 |
7793583 | Radinger et al. | Sep 2010 | B2 |
7794447 | Dann et al. | Sep 2010 | B2 |
7794476 | Wisnewski | Sep 2010 | B2 |
7811298 | Birk | Oct 2010 | B2 |
7811328 | Molz, IV et al. | Oct 2010 | B2 |
7828813 | Mouton | Nov 2010 | B2 |
7835779 | Anderson et al. | Nov 2010 | B2 |
7837691 | Cordes et al. | Nov 2010 | B2 |
7850660 | Uth et al. | Dec 2010 | B2 |
7862546 | Conlon et al. | Jan 2011 | B2 |
7862586 | Malek | Jan 2011 | B2 |
7867235 | Fell et al. | Jan 2011 | B2 |
7875033 | Richter et al. | Jan 2011 | B2 |
7887566 | Hynes | Feb 2011 | B2 |
7901381 | Birk et al. | Mar 2011 | B2 |
7901419 | Bachmann et al. | Mar 2011 | B2 |
7909839 | Fields | Mar 2011 | B2 |
7909852 | Boomer et al. | Mar 2011 | B2 |
7918844 | Byrum et al. | Apr 2011 | B2 |
7927357 | Sacher et al. | Apr 2011 | B2 |
7932825 | Berger | Apr 2011 | B2 |
7938841 | Sharkawy et al. | May 2011 | B2 |
7942908 | Sacher et al. | May 2011 | B2 |
7951067 | Byrum et al. | May 2011 | B2 |
7972346 | Bachmann et al. | Jul 2011 | B2 |
7987241 | St Jacques, Jr. et al. | Jul 2011 | B2 |
7988709 | Clark et al. | Aug 2011 | B2 |
7993397 | Lashinski et al. | Aug 2011 | B2 |
8002809 | Baynham | Aug 2011 | B2 |
8007474 | Uth et al. | Aug 2011 | B2 |
8011308 | Picchio | Sep 2011 | B2 |
8016745 | Hassler, Jr. et al. | Sep 2011 | B2 |
8016837 | Giger et al. | Sep 2011 | B2 |
8029477 | Byrum et al. | Oct 2011 | B2 |
8037871 | McClendon | Oct 2011 | B2 |
8043206 | Birk | Oct 2011 | B2 |
8043290 | Harrison et al. | Oct 2011 | B2 |
8043299 | Conway | Oct 2011 | B2 |
8043338 | Dant | Oct 2011 | B2 |
8057473 | Orsak et al. | Nov 2011 | B2 |
8083741 | Morgan et al. | Dec 2011 | B2 |
8092499 | Roth | Jan 2012 | B1 |
8095317 | Ekseth et al. | Jan 2012 | B2 |
8096938 | Forsell | Jan 2012 | B2 |
8100967 | Makower et al. | Jan 2012 | B2 |
8105360 | Connor | Jan 2012 | B1 |
8105363 | Fielding et al. | Jan 2012 | B2 |
8105364 | McCarthy et al. | Jan 2012 | B2 |
8123805 | Makower et al. | Feb 2012 | B2 |
8137349 | Soubeiran | Mar 2012 | B2 |
8147517 | Trieu et al. | Apr 2012 | B2 |
8147549 | Metcalf, Jr. et al. | Apr 2012 | B2 |
8162897 | Byrum | Apr 2012 | B2 |
8162979 | Sachs et al. | Apr 2012 | B2 |
8177789 | Magill et al. | May 2012 | B2 |
8182411 | Dlugos | May 2012 | B2 |
8187324 | Webler et al. | May 2012 | B2 |
8211149 | Justis | Jul 2012 | B2 |
8211151 | Schwab et al. | Jul 2012 | B2 |
8211179 | Molz, IV et al. | Jul 2012 | B2 |
8216275 | Fielding et al. | Jul 2012 | B2 |
8221420 | Keller | Jul 2012 | B2 |
8236002 | Fortin et al. | Aug 2012 | B2 |
8241331 | Arnin | Aug 2012 | B2 |
8251888 | Roslin et al. | Aug 2012 | B2 |
8252063 | Stauch | Aug 2012 | B2 |
8263024 | Wan et al. | Sep 2012 | B2 |
8278941 | Kroh et al. | Oct 2012 | B2 |
8282671 | Connor | Oct 2012 | B2 |
8298240 | Giger et al. | Oct 2012 | B2 |
8317802 | Manzi et al. | Nov 2012 | B1 |
8323290 | Metzger et al. | Dec 2012 | B2 |
8357169 | Henniges et al. | Jan 2013 | B2 |
8366628 | Denker et al. | Feb 2013 | B2 |
8372078 | Collazo | Feb 2013 | B2 |
8386018 | Stauch et al. | Feb 2013 | B2 |
8394124 | Biyani | Mar 2013 | B2 |
8403958 | Schwab | Mar 2013 | B2 |
8414584 | Brigido | Apr 2013 | B2 |
8419801 | DiSilvestro et al. | Apr 2013 | B2 |
8425608 | Dewey et al. | Apr 2013 | B2 |
8435268 | Thompson et al. | May 2013 | B2 |
8439915 | Harrison et al. | May 2013 | B2 |
8439926 | Bojarski et al. | May 2013 | B2 |
8449580 | Voellmicke et al. | May 2013 | B2 |
8469908 | Asfora | Jun 2013 | B2 |
8470003 | Voellmicke et al. | Jun 2013 | B2 |
8470004 | Reiley | Jun 2013 | B2 |
8475354 | Phillips et al. | Jul 2013 | B2 |
8475499 | Cournoyer et al. | Jul 2013 | B2 |
8486070 | Morgan et al. | Jul 2013 | B2 |
8486076 | Chavarria et al. | Jul 2013 | B2 |
8486110 | Fielding et al. | Jul 2013 | B2 |
8486147 | de Villiers et al. | Jul 2013 | B2 |
8494805 | Roche et al. | Jul 2013 | B2 |
8496662 | Novak et al. | Jul 2013 | B2 |
8500810 | Mastrorio et al. | Aug 2013 | B2 |
8518062 | Cole et al. | Aug 2013 | B2 |
8518086 | Seme et al. | Aug 2013 | B2 |
8523866 | Sidebotham et al. | Sep 2013 | B2 |
8529474 | Gupta et al. | Sep 2013 | B2 |
8529606 | Alamin et al. | Sep 2013 | B2 |
8529607 | Alamin et al. | Sep 2013 | B2 |
8556901 | Anthony et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
8556911 | Mehta et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
8556975 | Ciupik et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
8562653 | Alamin et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
8568457 | Hunziker | Oct 2013 | B2 |
8579979 | Edie et al. | Nov 2013 | B2 |
8585595 | Heilman | Nov 2013 | B2 |
8585740 | Ross et al. | Nov 2013 | B1 |
8591549 | Lange | Nov 2013 | B2 |
8591553 | Eisermann et al. | Nov 2013 | B2 |
8597362 | Shenoy et al. | Dec 2013 | B2 |
8613758 | Linares | Dec 2013 | B2 |
8617220 | Skaggs | Dec 2013 | B2 |
8622936 | Schenberger et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
8623036 | Harrison et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
8632544 | Haaja et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
8632548 | Soubeiran | Jan 2014 | B2 |
8632563 | Nagase et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
8632594 | Williams et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
8636771 | Butler et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
8636802 | Serhan et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
8641719 | Gephart et al. | Feb 2014 | B2 |
8641723 | Connor | Feb 2014 | B2 |
8657856 | Gephart et al. | Feb 2014 | B2 |
8663285 | Dall et al. | Mar 2014 | B2 |
8663287 | Butler et al. | Mar 2014 | B2 |
8668719 | Alamin et al. | Mar 2014 | B2 |
8673001 | Cartledge et al. | Mar 2014 | B2 |
8734318 | Forsell | May 2014 | B2 |
8758347 | Weiner et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
8758372 | Cartledge et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
8762308 | Najarian et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
8771272 | LeCronier et al. | Jul 2014 | B2 |
8777947 | Zahrly et al. | Jul 2014 | B2 |
8777995 | McClintock et al. | Jul 2014 | B2 |
8784482 | Randert et al. | Jul 2014 | B2 |
8790343 | McClellan et al. | Jul 2014 | B2 |
8790380 | Buttermann | Jul 2014 | B2 |
8790409 | Van den Heuvel et al. | Jul 2014 | B2 |
8795339 | Boomer et al. | Aug 2014 | B2 |
8801795 | Makower et al. | Aug 2014 | B2 |
8828058 | Elsebaie et al. | Sep 2014 | B2 |
8828087 | Stone et al. | Sep 2014 | B2 |
8845724 | Shenoy et al. | Sep 2014 | B2 |
8870881 | Rezach et al. | Oct 2014 | B2 |
8870959 | Arnin | Oct 2014 | B2 |
8882830 | Cartledge et al. | Nov 2014 | B2 |
8894663 | Giger et al. | Nov 2014 | B2 |
8915915 | Harrison et al. | Dec 2014 | B2 |
8915917 | Doherty et al. | Dec 2014 | B2 |
8920422 | Homeier et al. | Dec 2014 | B2 |
8945188 | Rezach et al. | Feb 2015 | B2 |
8961521 | Keefer et al. | Feb 2015 | B2 |
8961567 | Hunziker | Feb 2015 | B2 |
8968402 | Myers et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
8968406 | Arnin | Mar 2015 | B2 |
8992527 | Guichet | Mar 2015 | B2 |
9005298 | Makower et al. | Apr 2015 | B2 |
9022917 | Kasic et al. | May 2015 | B2 |
9044218 | Young | Jun 2015 | B2 |
9060810 | Kercher et al. | Jun 2015 | B2 |
9078703 | Arnin | Jul 2015 | B2 |
20010011543 | Forsell | Aug 2001 | A1 |
20020050112 | Koch et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
20020164905 | Bryant | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20030032857 | Forsell | Feb 2003 | A1 |
20030040671 | Somogyi et al. | Feb 2003 | A1 |
20030114731 | Cadeddu et al. | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20030208212 | Cigaina | Nov 2003 | A1 |
20030220643 | Ferree | Nov 2003 | A1 |
20030220644 | Thelen et al. | Nov 2003 | A1 |
20040023623 | Stauch et al. | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040055610 | Forsell | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20040064030 | Forsell | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040098121 | Opolski | May 2004 | A1 |
20040116773 | Furness et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040133219 | Forsell | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040138725 | Forsell | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040193266 | Meyer | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040250820 | Forsell | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040260319 | Egle | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050002984 | Byrum et al. | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050055025 | Zacouto et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050055039 | Burnett et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050070937 | Jambor et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050080427 | Govari et al. | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050090823 | Bartimus | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050119672 | Benchetrit | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050131352 | Conlon et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050159754 | Odrich | Jul 2005 | A1 |
20050165440 | Cancel et al. | Jul 2005 | A1 |
20050192629 | Saadat et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050234448 | McCarthy | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050234462 | Hershberger | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050246034 | Soubeiran | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20050251109 | Soubeiran | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20050261779 | Meyer | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20050272976 | Tanaka et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20060036259 | Carl et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060036323 | Carl et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060036324 | Sachs et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060079897 | Harrison et al. | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20060124140 | Forsell | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060136062 | DiNello et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060142767 | Green et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060155279 | Ogilvie | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060155347 | Forsell | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060184240 | Jimenez et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060200134 | Freid et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060204156 | Takehara et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060211909 | Anstadt et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060235299 | Martinelli | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060235424 | Vitale et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060241746 | Shaoulian et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060241748 | Lee et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060249914 | Dulin | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060252983 | Lembo et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060271107 | Harrison et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060276812 | Hill et al. | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20060282073 | Simanovsky | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20060293683 | Stauch | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20070010814 | Stauch | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070015955 | Tsonton | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070021644 | Woolson et al. | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070031131 | Griffitts | Feb 2007 | A1 |
20070043376 | Leatherbury et al. | Feb 2007 | A1 |
20070050030 | Kim | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070055368 | Rhee et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070118215 | Moaddeb | May 2007 | A1 |
20070135913 | Moaddeb et al. | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070173837 | Chan et al. | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070179493 | Kim | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070213751 | Scirica et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070239159 | Altarac et al. | Oct 2007 | A1 |
20070255088 | Jacobson et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070264605 | Belfor et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070270803 | Giger | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070276369 | Allard et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070288024 | Gollogly | Dec 2007 | A1 |
20080015577 | Loeb | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080021454 | Chao et al. | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080021455 | Chao et al. | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080021456 | Gupta et al. | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080033436 | Song et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080051784 | Gollogly | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080086128 | Lewis | Apr 2008 | A1 |
20080091059 | Machold et al. | Apr 2008 | A1 |
20080108995 | Conway et al. | May 2008 | A1 |
20080140188 | Randert et al. | Jun 2008 | A1 |
20080161933 | Grotz et al. | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080167685 | Allard et al. | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080172063 | Taylor | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080177319 | Schwab | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080177326 | Thompson | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080228186 | Gall et al. | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20080255615 | Vittur et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20080272928 | Shuster | Nov 2008 | A1 |
20090076597 | Dahlgren et al. | Mar 2009 | A1 |
20090082815 | Zylber et al. | Mar 2009 | A1 |
20090088803 | Justis et al. | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090093820 | Trieu et al. | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090093890 | Gelbart | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090163780 | Tieu | Jun 2009 | A1 |
20090171356 | Klett | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090192514 | Feinberg et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090216113 | Meier et al. | Aug 2009 | A1 |
20090275984 | Kim et al. | Nov 2009 | A1 |
20090318919 | Robinson | Dec 2009 | A1 |
20100004654 | Schmitz et al. | Jan 2010 | A1 |
20100057127 | McGuire et al. | Mar 2010 | A1 |
20100100185 | Trieu et al. | Apr 2010 | A1 |
20100106192 | Barry | Apr 2010 | A1 |
20100114103 | Harrison et al. | May 2010 | A1 |
20100114322 | Clifford et al. | May 2010 | A1 |
20100121457 | Clifford et al. | May 2010 | A1 |
20100137872 | Kam et al. | Jun 2010 | A1 |
20100145449 | Makower et al. | Jun 2010 | A1 |
20100168751 | Anderson et al. | Jul 2010 | A1 |
20100228167 | Ilovich et al. | Sep 2010 | A1 |
20100249782 | Durham | Sep 2010 | A1 |
20100249847 | Jung et al. | Sep 2010 | A1 |
20100256626 | Muller et al. | Oct 2010 | A1 |
20100262160 | Boyden et al. | Oct 2010 | A1 |
20100262239 | Boyden et al. | Oct 2010 | A1 |
20100318129 | Seme et al. | Dec 2010 | A1 |
20100331883 | Schmitz et al. | Dec 2010 | A1 |
20110004076 | Janna et al. | Jan 2011 | A1 |
20110057756 | Marinesou et al. | Mar 2011 | A1 |
20110060422 | Makower et al. | Mar 2011 | A1 |
20110066188 | Seme et al. | Mar 2011 | A1 |
20110098748 | Jangra | Apr 2011 | A1 |
20110137415 | Clifford et al. | Jun 2011 | A1 |
20110152725 | Demir et al. | Jun 2011 | A1 |
20110196371 | Forsell | Aug 2011 | A1 |
20110196435 | Forsell | Aug 2011 | A1 |
20110202138 | Shenoy et al. | Aug 2011 | A1 |
20110238126 | Soubeiran | Sep 2011 | A1 |
20110257655 | Copf, Jr. | Oct 2011 | A1 |
20110284014 | Cadeddu et al. | Nov 2011 | A1 |
20120019341 | Gabay et al. | Jan 2012 | A1 |
20120019342 | Gabay et al. | Jan 2012 | A1 |
20120053633 | Stauch | Mar 2012 | A1 |
20120088953 | King | Apr 2012 | A1 |
20120089191 | Altarac et al. | Apr 2012 | A1 |
20120109207 | Trieu | May 2012 | A1 |
20120116522 | Makower et al. | May 2012 | A1 |
20120116535 | Ratron et al. | May 2012 | A1 |
20120136449 | Makower et al. | May 2012 | A1 |
20120158061 | Koch et al. | Jun 2012 | A1 |
20120172883 | Sayago | Jul 2012 | A1 |
20120179215 | Soubeiran | Jul 2012 | A1 |
20120179273 | Clifford et al. | Jul 2012 | A1 |
20120203282 | Sachs et al. | Aug 2012 | A1 |
20120221106 | Makower et al. | Aug 2012 | A1 |
20120271353 | Barry | Oct 2012 | A1 |
20120296234 | Wilhelm et al. | Nov 2012 | A1 |
20120329882 | Messersmith et al. | Dec 2012 | A1 |
20130013066 | Landry et al. | Jan 2013 | A1 |
20130072932 | Stauch | Mar 2013 | A1 |
20130123847 | Anderson et al. | May 2013 | A1 |
20130138017 | Jundt et al. | May 2013 | A1 |
20130138154 | Reiley | May 2013 | A1 |
20130150709 | Baumgartner | Jun 2013 | A1 |
20130150863 | Baumgartner | Jun 2013 | A1 |
20130150889 | Fening et al. | Jun 2013 | A1 |
20130178903 | Abdou | Jul 2013 | A1 |
20130197639 | Clifford et al. | Aug 2013 | A1 |
20130211521 | Shenoy et al. | Aug 2013 | A1 |
20130245692 | Hayes et al. | Sep 2013 | A1 |
20130253344 | Griswold et al. | Sep 2013 | A1 |
20130253587 | Carls et al. | Sep 2013 | A1 |
20130261672 | Horvath | Oct 2013 | A1 |
20130296863 | Globerman et al. | Nov 2013 | A1 |
20130296864 | Burley et al. | Nov 2013 | A1 |
20130296940 | Northcutt et al. | Nov 2013 | A1 |
20130325006 | Michelinie et al. | Dec 2013 | A1 |
20130325071 | Niemiec et al. | Dec 2013 | A1 |
20130331889 | Alamin et al. | Dec 2013 | A1 |
20140005788 | Haaja et al. | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140025172 | Lucas et al. | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140039558 | Alamin et al. | Feb 2014 | A1 |
20140052134 | Orisek | Feb 2014 | A1 |
20140058392 | Mueckter et al. | Feb 2014 | A1 |
20140058450 | Arlet | Feb 2014 | A1 |
20140066987 | Hestad et al. | Mar 2014 | A1 |
20140067075 | Makower et al. | Mar 2014 | A1 |
20140088715 | Ciupik | Mar 2014 | A1 |
20140128920 | Kantelhardt | May 2014 | A1 |
20140142631 | Hunziker | May 2014 | A1 |
20140142698 | Landry et al. | May 2014 | A1 |
20140156004 | Shenoy et al. | Jun 2014 | A1 |
20140163664 | Goldsmith | Jun 2014 | A1 |
20140172097 | Clifford et al. | Jun 2014 | A1 |
20140236234 | Kroll et al. | Aug 2014 | A1 |
20140236311 | Vicatos et al. | Aug 2014 | A1 |
20140257412 | Patty et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
20140277446 | Clifford et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
20140296918 | Fening et al. | Oct 2014 | A1 |
20140303538 | Baym et al. | Oct 2014 | A1 |
20140303539 | Baym et al. | Oct 2014 | A1 |
20140324047 | Zahrly et al. | Oct 2014 | A1 |
20140358150 | Kaufman et al. | Dec 2014 | A1 |
20150105782 | DLima et al. | Apr 2015 | A1 |
20150105824 | Moskowitz et al. | Apr 2015 | A1 |
20150157364 | Hunziker | Jun 2015 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
101040807 | Sep 2007 | CN |
1541262 | Jun 1969 | DE |
8515687 | Oct 1985 | DE |
19626230 | Jan 1998 | DE |
19751733 | Dec 1998 | DE |
19745654 | Apr 1999 | DE |
0663184 | Jul 1995 | EP |
1547549 | Jun 2005 | EP |
1745765 | Jan 2007 | EP |
1905388 | Apr 2008 | EP |
2802406 | Jun 2001 | FR |
2823663 | Oct 2002 | FR |
2827756 | Jan 2003 | FR |
2892617 | May 2007 | FR |
2900563 | Nov 2007 | FR |
2901991 | Dec 2007 | FR |
2916622 | Dec 2008 | FR |
2961386 | Dec 2011 | FR |
1174814 | Dec 1969 | GB |
WO8604498 | Aug 1986 | WO |
WO8707134 | Dec 1987 | WO |
WO9601597 | Jan 1996 | WO |
WO9808454 | Mar 1998 | WO |
WO9830163 | Jul 1998 | WO |
WO9923744 | May 1999 | WO |
WO9951160 | Oct 1999 | WO |
WO9963907 | Dec 1999 | WO |
WO0105463 | Jan 2001 | WO |
WO0124742 | Apr 2001 | WO |
WO0167973 | Sep 2001 | WO |
WO0178614 | Oct 2001 | WO |
WO2004019796 | Mar 2004 | WO |
WO2005072195 | Aug 2005 | WO |
WO2005072664 | Aug 2005 | WO |
WO2005105001 | Nov 2005 | WO |
WO2006090380 | Aug 2006 | WO |
WO2006103071 | Oct 2006 | WO |
WO2006103074 | Oct 2006 | WO |
WO2007013059 | Feb 2007 | WO |
WO2007015239 | Feb 2007 | WO |
WO2007025191 | Mar 2007 | WO |
WO2007048012 | Apr 2007 | WO |
WO2007118179 | Oct 2007 | WO |
WO2007144489 | Dec 2007 | WO |
WO2008003952 | Jan 2008 | WO |
WO2008015679 | Feb 2008 | WO |
WO2008040880 | Apr 2008 | WO |
WO2010017649 | Feb 2010 | WO |
WO2010050891 | May 2010 | WO |
WO2011018778 | Feb 2011 | WO |
WO2013119528 | Aug 2013 | WO |
WO2014040013 | Mar 2014 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20180153582 A1 | Jun 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 14332286 | Jul 2014 | US |
Child | 15820067 | US | |
Parent | 13477945 | May 2012 | US |
Child | 14332286 | US | |
Parent | 12391109 | Feb 2009 | US |
Child | 13477945 | US |