Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to surgical instruments and, more particularly, to a multi-function surgical instrument including a bipolar end effector assembly and a deployable monopolar assembly.
Background of Related Art
Bipolar surgical instruments typically include two generally opposing electrodes charged to different electric potentials to selectively apply energy to tissue. Bipolar electrosurgical forceps, for example, utilize both mechanical clamping action and electrical energy to treat, e.g., cauterize, coagulate, desiccate, and/or seal, tissue. Once tissue is treated, it is often desirable to cut the treated tissue. Accordingly, many forceps have been designed which incorporate a knife that effectively severs the tissue after tissue treatment.
Monopolar surgical instruments, on the other hand, include an active electrode, and are used in conjunction with a remote return electrode, e.g., a return pad, to apply energy to tissue. Monopolar instruments have the ability to rapidly move through tissue and dissect through narrow tissue planes.
In some surgical procedures, it may be beneficial to use both bipolar and monopolar instrumentation, e.g., procedures where it is necessary to dissect through one or more layers of tissue in order to reach underlying tissue(s) to be treated. Further, it may be beneficial, particularly with respect to endoscopic surgical procedures, to provide a single instrument incorporating both bipolar and monopolar features, thereby obviating the need to alternatingly remove and insert the bipolar and monopolar instruments in favor of one another.
As can be appreciated, as additional functional components are added to a surgical instrument, additional deployment structures or deployment structures capable of actuating more than one component are required. However, multiple deployment structures and/or combined deployment structures may be limited by spatial constraints within the housing or shaft of the surgical instrument, functional constraints of the components, and/or may overly complicate the operable components of the surgical instrument.
As used herein, the term “distal” refers to the portion that is being described that is further from a user, while the term “proximal” refers to the portion that is being described that is closer to a user. Further, to the extent consistent, any of the aspects described herein may be used in conjunction with any of the other aspects described herein.
Provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is a surgical instrument including a housing, first, second, and third actuators operably coupled to the housing, an at least partially semi-rigid shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, and first, second, and third bars extending through the shaft and disposed in non-coaxial arrangement relative to each other and the shaft. The first bar is operably coupled between the first actuator and the end effector assembly such that actuation of the first actuator effects manipulation of the end effector assembly. The second bar is operably coupled between the second actuator and a first deployable component such that actuation of the second actuator effects deployment of the first deployable component relative to the end effector assembly. The third bar is operably coupled between the third actuator and a second deployable component such that actuation of the third actuator effects deployment of the second deployable component relative to the end effector assembly.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members adapted to connect to a source of energy for conducting energy through tissue. In such aspects, one or both of the jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the first actuator includes a movable handle operably coupled to the housing and movable relative to the housing from an initial position to a compressed position to move the first and/or second jaw members from the spaced-apart position to the approximated position.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the first deployable component is a knife selectively deployable between the first and second jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween.
In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the second actuator includes a trigger operably coupled to the housing and movable relative to the housing from an un-actuated position to an actuated position to deploy the knife between the first and second jaw members.
In still another aspect of the present disclosure, the second deployable component includes an energizable member configured to conduct energy to tissue and movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position, wherein the energizable member is positioned more-proximally, and an extended position, wherein the energizable member extends distally from the end effector assembly.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, an insulative sleeve is coupled to the energizable member and movable therewith such that the insulative sleeve is disposed proximally of the end effector assembly in the retracted position, and disposed about the end effector assembly in the extended position.
In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a proximal sleeve operably couples the first actuator and the first bar. In such aspects, the proximal sleeve and the shaft are co-axial.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a guide member engages the proximal sleeve and the first bar. In such aspects, the guide member may define a first guide channel configured to retain a portion of the first bar, a second guide channel configured to slidably receive the second bar, and a third guide channel configured to slidably receive the third bar.
In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a washer is operable to retain the guide member, proximal sleeve, and first bar in engagement with one another.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a mandrel assembly is disposed about the proximal sleeve. In such aspects, the mandrel assembly operably couples the first actuator and the proximal sleeve, and the mandrel assembly, the proximal sleeve, and the shaft are co-axial.
In still another aspect of the present disclosure, a collar operably couples the second actuator and the second bar. In such aspects, the collar and the shaft are co-axial.
In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the shaft includes at least one support segment defining a first support channel for slidably receiving the first bar, a second support channel for slidably receiving the second bar, and a third support channel for slidably receiving the third bar.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, at least a portion of the shaft defines a cut-out therethrough. In such aspects, at least one of the first, second, or third bars extends at least partially into the cut-out.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a rotation assembly is disposed about the shaft and operably coupled to the shaft and the first, second, and third bars such that rotation of the rotation assembly relative to the housing rotates the shaft, the end effector assembly, the first, second, and third bars, and the first and second deployable components relative to the housing. In such aspects, a clip and retainer may be configured to engage the rotation assembly about the shaft, or a G-shaped clip may be configured to engage the rotation assembly about the shaft.
In still another aspect of the present disclosure, a fixed outer tube is disposed about the shaft. In such aspects, the fixed outer tube and the shaft are co-axial.
In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an insulative sleeve is slidably disposed between the fixed outer tube and the shaft. In such aspects, the insulative sleeve, fixed outer tube, and shaft are co-axial.
Various aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements and:
Referring generally to
Continuing with reference to
Instrument 10 may also include an electrosurgical cable (not shown) that connects instrument 10 to a generator (not shown) or other suitable power source, although instrument 10 may alternatively be configured as a battery-powered instrument. The electrosurgical cable (not shown) includes wires (not shown) extending therethrough that have sufficient length to extend through housing 20 and/or elongated shaft assembly 80 in order to provide energy to at least one of the electrically-conductive surfaces 112, 122 of jaw members 110, 120, respectively, of end effector assembly 100, e.g., upon activation of bipolar activation switch 172 of bipolar activation assembly 170 in the bipolar mode of operation. Similarly, one or more of the wires of the electrosurgical cable (not shown) extends through housing 20 and/or elongated shaft assembly 80 in order to provide energy to monopolar assembly 200, e.g., upon activation of either of the monopolar activation switches 182 of monopolar activation assembly 180 in the monopolar mode of operation.
Elongated shaft assembly 80 includes a fixed outer tube 82 having a proximal ferrule configured for engagement with housing 20 so as to engage fixed outer tube 82 therewith. Fixed outer tube 82 is a semi-rigid component in that it may be resiliently bent up to 35 degrees from a longitudinal axis thereof without permanent deformation or breaking. Fixed outer tube 82 does not extend distally to end effector assembly 100 but, rather, is spaced-apart therefrom, leaving an exposed section of monopolar assembly 200, although it is contemplated that, in some embodiments, fixed outer tube 82 extends to end effector assembly 100. Elongated shaft assembly 80 further includes a shaft having an inner proximal tube 83, an inner distal tube 84, and an inner tube guide 86 formed from a plurality of tube guide segments 87. Inner proximal tube 83 engages rotation assembly 70, as detailed below, and is disposed about a proximal portion of inner tube guide 86. Inner distal tube 84 engages jaw member 120 at the distal end thereof and is disposed about a distal portion of inner tube guide 86. The components of the shaft, e.g., inner proximal tube 83, inner distal tube 84, and inner tube guide 86, are engaged to one another in any suitable manner, e.g., welding, mechanical fastening, gluing, etc., to form the shaft of elongated shaft assembly 80 and such that rotation of inner proximal tube 83 effects corresponding rotation of inner distal tube 84 and inner tube guide 86. As a result, as will become apparent below, rotation of inner proximal tube 83 via rotation of rotation assembly 70 effects corresponding rotation of end effector assembly 100, drive assembly 140, knife assembly 160, and monopolar assembly 200 relative to housing 20 (
As detailed below, elongated shaft assembly 80 is configured to contain and/or support at least a portion of drive bar 148 of drive assembly 140, knife bar 162 of knife assembly 160, and energizable member 220 of monopolar assembly 200 in a non-concentric, non-coaxial arrangement, e.g., wherein drive bar 148, knife bar 162, and energizable member 220 extend alongside one another. Insulative sleeve 210 of monopolar assembly 200 is disposed about drive bar 148, knife bar 162, and energizable member 220 and is likewise non-concentrically and non-coaxially arranged about these components. Insulative sleeve 210 may be semi-rigid, similarly as detailed above, to enable bending. Further, drive bar 148, knife bar 162, and energizable member 220 are at least as flexible as the components of elongated shaft assembly 80, and define diameters significantly smaller than that diameters of the tubes 82, 83, 84, 86 of elongated shaft assembly 80 as well as insulative sleeve 210. For example, the diameters of drive bar 148, knife bar 162, and energizable member 220 may each be between one-third and one-tenth of the diameters of each or any of tubes 82, 83, 84, 86 and insulative sleeve 210. Such a configuration allows for deployment and/or actuation of end effector assembly 100 and monopolar assembly 200 even where elongated shaft assembly 80 (and the components extending therethrough) is resiliently bent up to 35 degrees from the longitudinal axis thereof.
With reference to
End effector assembly 100 is designed as a unilateral assembly, e.g., where jaw member 120 is fixed relative to elongated shaft assembly 80, e.g., jaw member 120 is engaged with inner distal tube 84 of elongated shaft assembly 80, and jaw member 110 is movable relative to elongated shaft assembly 80 and fixed jaw member 120. However, end effector assembly 100 may alternatively be configured as a bilateral assembly, i.e., where both jaw member 110 and jaw member 120 are movable relative to one another and to elongated shaft assembly 80. Further, in some embodiments, a longitudinally-extending knife channel 126 (
Referring to
With reference to
Referring to
Drive bar 148 defines a notch 151 therein towards the proximal end thereof that is configured, in conjunction with a drive bar support member 153 and return washer 155, to facilitate operable coupling of drive bar 148 with proximal sleeve 141. Drive assembly 140 further includes a support tube 158 disposed about drive bar 148. Support tube 158 extends about drive bar 148 but defines a shorter length than drive bar 148 such that the distal end of support tube 158 is position proximally of arm 149 and such that the proximal end of support tube 158 is positioned distally of notch 151. Support tube 158 defines a proximal slot 159a and a distal slot 159b. Support tube 158 and drive bar 148 are configured for receipt within a channel defined within inner guide tube 86 of elongated shaft assembly 80 (see
With reference to
Referring to
With reference to
Turning to
With return washer 155 in position as detailed above, drive bar 148 and drive bar support member 153 are advanced proximally into proximal sleeve 141 and towards return washer 155 such that cantilever spring arm 157a is flexed outwardly. Drive bar 148 and drive bar support member 153 are moved further proximally until elongated protrusion 154d of drive bar support member 153 abuts locking finger 156b of return washer 155. At this point, cantilever spring arm 157a remains outwardly-flexed.
Next, return washer 155 is rotated relative to proximal sleeve 141, drive bar 148, and drive bar support member 153 such that locking finger 156b moves through semi-annular slot 157c of proximal sleeve 141. Return washer 155 is rotated, as indicated by arrow “R” (
Once return washer 155 has been rotated as detailed above, locking finger 156b no longer abuts drive bar support member 153. Drive bar support member 153 may then be moved proximally relative to proximal sleeve 141 until elongated slot 157b defined within cantilever spring arm 157a is aligned with elongated protrusion 154d, thus allowing cantilever spring arm 157a to return inwardly under bias so as to capture elongated protrusion 154d within elongated slot 157b to engage drive bar support member 153 with proximal sleeve 141. Further, with drive bar support member 153 and proximal sleeve 141 engaged in this manner, return washer 155 is inhibited from rotating back in the opposite direction of arrow “R” (
Referring to
Referring to
With additional reference to
Knife assembly 160 includes knife bar 162, knife 164, and a knife collar 166. Knife collar 166 is coaxial with mandrel assembly 142 and proximal sleeve 141 of drive assembly 140 (see
Knife collar 166 is slidably disposed about proximal sleeve 141 of drive assembly 140. Proximal foot 163a of knife bar 162 extends through elongated cut-out 163b of proximal sleeve, as mentioned above, and is received within an annular slot 167 defined within knife collar 166 to rotatably engage knife collar 166 about the proximal end of knife bar 162 with proximal sleeve 141 of drive assembly 140 disposed therebetween. Knife collar 166 further defines a transverse aperture 168 configured to receive transverse pin 68 of trigger assembly 60 to operably couple trigger assembly 60 and knife assembly 160 with one another.
Upon actuation of trigger 62 from the un-actuated position to the actuated position, toggle portion 65 of trigger is pivoted about split pivot 64 in a generally proximal direction while bifurcated portion 66 is pivoted about split pivot 64 in a generally distal direction. Such distal movement of bifurcated portion 66 of trigger 62 urges transverse pin 68 distally, thereby urging knife collar 166 distally. Distal urging of knife collar 166 urges proximal foot 163a of knife bar 162 to translate through elongated cut-out 163b of proximal sleeve 141, thereby translating knife bar 162 and knife 164 distally relative to drive assembly 140, elongated shaft assembly 80, and end effector assembly 100 from the retracted position to the extended position to cut tissue grasped between jaw members 110, 120. In some embodiments, a biasing member (not shown) configured to bias trigger 62 towards the un-actuated position and, thus, knife 164 towards the retracted position, may be provided.
Turning to
Rotation assembly 70 further includes an engagement ferrule 74, an engagement clip 76, and a retainer 78 that, as detailed below, cooperate to enable engagement of rotation wheel 72 and fixed outer tube 82 without the need for precision joining, such as welding, while ensuring accurate placement of rotation wheel 72 on inner proximal tube 83 of elongated shaft assembly 80. This positioning is important to ensure proper spacing of rotation wheel 72 relative to end effector assembly 100 such that the proper positionings, clearances, and/or ranges of motions of the various components extending through elongated shaft assembly 80 to end effector assembly 100 are achieved.
Rotation wheel 72, as shown in
Engagement ferrule 74, as shown in
Engagement clip 76, as shown in
Retainer 78, as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
With reference to
Turning to
Assembly using G-clip 476 is initially similar to that detailed above. That is, engagement ferrule 74 is first engaged with rotation wheel 72, and then inner proximal tube 83 of elongated shaft assembly 80 is inserted into engagement ferrule 74 such that window 88 defined through inner proximal tube 83 is aligned with window 75f defined within engagement ferrule 74. Once this position has been achieved, G-clip 476 is inserted about engagement ferrule 74 transversely. That is, G-clip 476 is urged transversely about engagement ferrule 74 such that engagement ferrule 74 urges cantilever arms 477b, 477c outwardly relative to one another to widen gap 477d and permit insertion of engagement ferrule 74 therethrough. G-clip 476 is moved further transversely relative to engagement ferrule 74 such that middle finger 477h of hand 477f extends through windows 75f, 88, thereby engaging inner proximal tube 83 and engagement ferrule 74 with one another. Upon reaching this position, the inward bias of arms 477b, 477c into contact with engagement ferrule 74 retains G-clip 476 about engagement ferrule 74, while outer fingers 477g and 477i are biased inwardly into engagement within annular recess 75e of engagement ferrule 74 to retain middle finger 477h in engagement with windows 75f, 88. This completes the assembly of rotation wheel 72 to inner proximal tube 83 using G-clip 476.
With reference to
Energizable member 220 of monopolar assembly 200 includes a proximal cap 222, a bar 224, and an energizable element 226. Proximal cap 222 is engaged to bar 224 at the proximal end thereof and is operably engaged with deployment and retraction mechanism 300 for selectively deploying and retracting monopolar assembly 200. Bar 224 extends from proximal cap 222 distally through housing 20. Energizable element 226 extends through proximal bar 224 and distally therefrom to a distal tissue-treating portion 227. Energizable element 226 is coupled to the source of energy (not shown) and monopolar activation assembly 180 (
Referring to
Referring also to
Turning to
Referring to
The various embodiments disclosed herein may also be configured to work with robotic surgical systems and what is commonly referred to as “Telesurgery.” Such systems employ various robotic elements to assist the surgeon in the operating room and allow remote operation (or partial remote operation) of surgical instrumentation. Various robotic arms, gears, cams, pulleys, electric and mechanical motors, etc. may be employed for this purpose and may be designed with a robotic surgical system to assist the surgeon during the course of an operation or treatment. Such robotic systems may include remotely steerable systems, automatically flexible surgical systems, remotely flexible surgical systems, remotely articulating surgical systems, wireless surgical systems, modular or selectively configurable remotely operated surgical systems, etc.
The robotic surgical systems may be employed with one or more consoles that are next to the operating theater or located in a remote location. In this instance, one team of surgeons or nurses may prep the patient for surgery and configure the robotic surgical system with one or more of the instruments disclosed herein while another surgeon (or group of surgeons) remotely control the instruments via the robotic surgical system. As can be appreciated, a highly skilled surgeon may perform multiple operations in multiple locations without leaving his/her remote console which can be both economically advantageous and a benefit to the patient or a series of patients.
The robotic arms of the surgical system are typically coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the working ends of any type of surgical instrument (e.g., end effectors, graspers, knifes, scissors, etc.) which may complement the use of one or more of the embodiments described herein. The movement of the master handles may be scaled so that the working ends have a corresponding movement that is different, smaller or larger, than the movement performed by the operating hands of the surgeon. The scale factor or gearing ratio may be adjustable so that the operator can control the resolution of the working ends of the surgical instrument(s).
The master handles may include various sensors to provide feedback to the surgeon relating to various tissue parameters or conditions, e.g., tissue resistance due to manipulation, cutting or otherwise treating, pressure by the instrument onto the tissue, tissue temperature, tissue impedance, etc. As can be appreciated, such sensors provide the surgeon with enhanced tactile feedback simulating actual operating conditions. The master handles may also include a variety of different actuators for delicate tissue manipulation or treatment further enhancing the surgeon's ability to mimic actual operating conditions.
From the foregoing and with reference to the various drawing figures, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications can also be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the same. While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4005714 | Hiltebrandt | Feb 1977 | A |
D249549 | Pike | Sep 1978 | S |
D263020 | Rau, III | Feb 1982 | S |
D295893 | Sharkany et al. | May 1988 | S |
D295894 | Sharkany et al. | May 1988 | S |
D298353 | Manno | Nov 1988 | S |
D299413 | DeCarolis | Jan 1989 | S |
5026379 | Yoon | Jun 1991 | A |
D343453 | Noda | Jan 1994 | S |
5312391 | Wilk | May 1994 | A |
5318589 | Lichtman | Jun 1994 | A |
5324254 | Phillips | Jun 1994 | A |
D348930 | Olson | Jul 1994 | S |
D349341 | Lichtman et al. | Aug 1994 | S |
5342359 | Rydell | Aug 1994 | A |
5368600 | Failla et al. | Nov 1994 | A |
D354564 | Medema | Jan 1995 | S |
5401274 | Kusunoki | Mar 1995 | A |
D358887 | Feinberg | May 1995 | S |
5411519 | Tovey et al. | May 1995 | A |
5445638 | Rydell et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
5458598 | Feinberg et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
5527313 | Scott et al. | Jun 1996 | A |
5556397 | Long et al. | Sep 1996 | A |
5611813 | Lichtman | Mar 1997 | A |
D384413 | Zlock et al. | Sep 1997 | S |
5735873 | MacLean | Apr 1998 | A |
H1745 | Paraschac | Aug 1998 | H |
5792164 | Lakatos et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5807393 | Williamson, IV et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
D402028 | Grimm et al. | Dec 1998 | S |
D408018 | McNaughton | Apr 1999 | S |
5893863 | Yoon | Apr 1999 | A |
5919202 | Yoon | Jul 1999 | A |
5967997 | Turturro | Oct 1999 | A |
D416089 | Barton et al. | Nov 1999 | S |
6004319 | Goble et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
D424694 | Tetzlaff et al. | May 2000 | S |
D425201 | Tetzlaff et al. | May 2000 | S |
6113596 | Hooven et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
H1904 | Yates et al. | Oct 2000 | H |
6156009 | Grabek | Dec 2000 | A |
6190386 | Rydell | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6270497 | Sekino et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
D449886 | Tetzlaff et al. | Oct 2001 | S |
6299625 | Bacher | Oct 2001 | B1 |
D453923 | Olson | Feb 2002 | S |
D454951 | Bon | Mar 2002 | S |
D457958 | Dycus et al. | May 2002 | S |
D457959 | Tetzlaff et al. | May 2002 | S |
6387094 | Eitenmuller | May 2002 | B1 |
H2037 | Yates et al. | Jul 2002 | H |
6447445 | Hirano | Sep 2002 | B1 |
D465281 | Lang | Nov 2002 | S |
D466209 | Bon | Nov 2002 | S |
6551313 | Levin | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6558385 | McClurken et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
6679882 | Kornerup | Jan 2004 | B1 |
D493888 | Reschke | Aug 2004 | S |
D496997 | Dycus et al. | Oct 2004 | S |
6808525 | Latterell et al. | Oct 2004 | B2 |
D499181 | Dycus et al. | Nov 2004 | S |
6837888 | Ciarrocca et al. | Jan 2005 | B2 |
D502994 | Blake, III | Mar 2005 | S |
D509297 | Wells | Sep 2005 | S |
6942662 | Goble et al. | Sep 2005 | B2 |
7033356 | Latterell et al. | Apr 2006 | B2 |
7063699 | Hess et al. | Jun 2006 | B2 |
D525361 | Hushka | Jul 2006 | S |
D531311 | Guerra et al. | Oct 2006 | S |
7128254 | Shelton, IV et al. | Oct 2006 | B2 |
D533274 | Visconti et al. | Dec 2006 | S |
D533942 | Kerr et al. | Dec 2006 | S |
D535027 | James et al. | Jan 2007 | S |
D538932 | Malik | Mar 2007 | S |
D541418 | Schechter et al. | Apr 2007 | S |
7208005 | Frecker et al. | Apr 2007 | B2 |
D541611 | Aglassinger | May 2007 | S |
D541938 | Kerr et al. | May 2007 | S |
D545432 | Watanabe | Jun 2007 | S |
7232440 | Dumbauld et al. | Jun 2007 | B2 |
D547154 | Lee | Jul 2007 | S |
D564662 | Moses et al. | Mar 2008 | S |
D567943 | Moses et al. | Apr 2008 | S |
7367976 | Lawes et al. | May 2008 | B2 |
7402162 | Ouchi | Jul 2008 | B2 |
D575395 | Hushka | Aug 2008 | S |
D575401 | Hixson et al. | Aug 2008 | S |
7442194 | Dumbauld et al. | Oct 2008 | B2 |
7445621 | Dumbauld et al. | Nov 2008 | B2 |
D582038 | Swayer et al. | Dec 2008 | S |
7481810 | Dumbauld et al. | Jan 2009 | B2 |
7510562 | Lindsay | Mar 2009 | B2 |
7588570 | Wakikaido et al. | Sep 2009 | B2 |
7658311 | Boudreaux | Feb 2010 | B2 |
D617900 | Kingsley et al. | Jun 2010 | S |
D617901 | Unger et al. | Jun 2010 | S |
D617902 | Twomey et al. | Jun 2010 | S |
D617903 | Unger et al. | Jun 2010 | S |
D618798 | Olson et al. | Jun 2010 | S |
7758577 | Nobis et al. | Jul 2010 | B2 |
D621503 | Otten et al. | Aug 2010 | S |
7789878 | Dumbauld et al. | Sep 2010 | B2 |
7815636 | Ortiz | Oct 2010 | B2 |
7819872 | Johnson et al. | Oct 2010 | B2 |
D627462 | Kingsley | Nov 2010 | S |
D628289 | Romero | Nov 2010 | S |
D628290 | Romero | Nov 2010 | S |
D630324 | Reschke | Jan 2011 | S |
7879035 | Garrison et al. | Feb 2011 | B2 |
D649249 | Guerra | Nov 2011 | S |
D649643 | Allen, IV et al. | Nov 2011 | S |
D661394 | Romero et al. | Jun 2012 | S |
8257352 | Lawes et al. | Sep 2012 | B2 |
8333765 | Johnson et al. | Dec 2012 | B2 |
8353437 | Boudreaux | Jan 2013 | B2 |
8454602 | Kerr et al. | Jun 2013 | B2 |
8523898 | Bucciaglia et al. | Sep 2013 | B2 |
8529566 | Kappus et al. | Sep 2013 | B2 |
8568408 | Townsend et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
8591510 | Allen, IV et al. | Nov 2013 | B2 |
8628557 | Collings et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
8679098 | Hart | Mar 2014 | B2 |
8679140 | Butcher | Mar 2014 | B2 |
RE44834 | Dumbauld et al. | Apr 2014 | E |
8685009 | Chernov et al. | Apr 2014 | B2 |
8685056 | Evans et al. | Apr 2014 | B2 |
8696667 | Guerra et al. | Apr 2014 | B2 |
8702737 | Chojin et al. | Apr 2014 | B2 |
8702749 | Twomey | Apr 2014 | B2 |
8745840 | Hempstead et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
8747413 | Dycus | Jun 2014 | B2 |
8747434 | Larson et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
8752264 | Ackley et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
8756785 | Allen, IV et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
8845636 | Allen, IV et al. | Sep 2014 | B2 |
8852185 | Twomey | Oct 2014 | B2 |
8864753 | Nau, Jr. et al. | Oct 2014 | B2 |
8864795 | Kerr et al. | Oct 2014 | B2 |
8887373 | Brandt et al. | Nov 2014 | B2 |
8888771 | Twomey | Nov 2014 | B2 |
8900232 | Ourada | Dec 2014 | B2 |
8920461 | Unger et al. | Dec 2014 | B2 |
8939972 | Twomey | Jan 2015 | B2 |
8961513 | Allen, IV et al. | Feb 2015 | B2 |
8961514 | Garrison | Feb 2015 | B2 |
8961515 | Twomey et al. | Feb 2015 | B2 |
8968283 | Kharin | Mar 2015 | B2 |
8968298 | Twomey | Mar 2015 | B2 |
8968305 | Dumbauld et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
8968306 | Unger | Mar 2015 | B2 |
8968307 | Evans et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
8968308 | Horner et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
8968309 | Roy et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
8968310 | Twomey et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
8968311 | Allen, IV et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
8968317 | Evans et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
8968360 | Garrison et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
9011435 | Brandt et al. | Apr 2015 | B2 |
9023035 | Allen, IV et al. | May 2015 | B2 |
9028492 | Kerr et al. | May 2015 | B2 |
9033981 | Olson et al. | May 2015 | B2 |
9034009 | Twomey et al. | May 2015 | B2 |
9039691 | Moua et al. | May 2015 | B2 |
9039704 | Joseph | May 2015 | B2 |
9039732 | Sims et al. | May 2015 | B2 |
9060780 | Twomey et al. | Jun 2015 | B2 |
9113882 | Twomey et al. | Aug 2015 | B2 |
9113899 | Garrison et al. | Aug 2015 | B2 |
9113901 | Allen, IV et al. | Aug 2015 | B2 |
9113909 | Twomey et al. | Aug 2015 | B2 |
9113933 | Chernova et al. | Aug 2015 | B2 |
9113934 | Chernov et al. | Aug 2015 | B2 |
9113938 | Kerr | Aug 2015 | B2 |
9161807 | Garrison | Oct 2015 | B2 |
20020049442 | Roberts et al. | Apr 2002 | A1 |
20040236326 | Schulze et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20050113827 | Dumbauld | May 2005 | A1 |
20050187547 | Sugi | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20060129146 | Dycus | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20070078458 | Dumbauld et al. | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20070106295 | Garrison | May 2007 | A1 |
20070213707 | Dumbauld et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070278277 | Wixey et al. | Dec 2007 | A1 |
20080083813 | Zemlok et al. | Apr 2008 | A1 |
20080215050 | Bakos | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20080243120 | Lawes et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20090012556 | Boudreaux et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090112206 | Dumbauld et al. | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090125026 | Rioux et al. | May 2009 | A1 |
20090125027 | Fischer | May 2009 | A1 |
20090131974 | Pedersen et al. | May 2009 | A1 |
20090171350 | Dycus et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090182327 | Unger | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090254084 | Naito | Oct 2009 | A1 |
20100185196 | Sakao et al. | Jul 2010 | A1 |
20100185197 | Sakao et al. | Jul 2010 | A1 |
20100292690 | Livneh | Nov 2010 | A1 |
20110009863 | Marczyk et al. | Jan 2011 | A1 |
20110071525 | Dumbauld et al. | Mar 2011 | A1 |
20110087218 | Boudreaux et al. | Apr 2011 | A1 |
20110130757 | Horlle et al. | Jun 2011 | A1 |
20110264093 | Schall | Oct 2011 | A1 |
20110276049 | Gerhardt | Nov 2011 | A1 |
20110319886 | Chojin et al. | Dec 2011 | A1 |
20120083827 | Artale et al. | Apr 2012 | A1 |
20120209263 | Sharp et al. | Aug 2012 | A1 |
20120239034 | Horner et al. | Sep 2012 | A1 |
20120259331 | Garrison | Oct 2012 | A1 |
20120265241 | Hart et al. | Oct 2012 | A1 |
20120296205 | Chernov et al. | Nov 2012 | A1 |
20120296238 | Chernov et al. | Nov 2012 | A1 |
20120296239 | Chernov et al. | Nov 2012 | A1 |
20120296323 | Chernov et al. | Nov 2012 | A1 |
20120296371 | Kappus et al. | Nov 2012 | A1 |
20120303026 | Dycus et al. | Nov 2012 | A1 |
20120323238 | Tyrrell et al. | Dec 2012 | A1 |
20120330308 | Joseph | Dec 2012 | A1 |
20120330351 | Friedman et al. | Dec 2012 | A1 |
20130018364 | Chernov et al. | Jan 2013 | A1 |
20130022495 | Allen, IV et al. | Jan 2013 | A1 |
20130071282 | Fry | Mar 2013 | A1 |
20130072927 | Allen, IV et al. | Mar 2013 | A1 |
20130079760 | Twomey et al. | Mar 2013 | A1 |
20130079774 | Whitney et al. | Mar 2013 | A1 |
20130085496 | Unger et al. | Apr 2013 | A1 |
20130103030 | Garrison | Apr 2013 | A1 |
20130103031 | Garrison | Apr 2013 | A1 |
20130138101 | Kerr | May 2013 | A1 |
20130144284 | Behnke, II et al. | Jun 2013 | A1 |
20130165907 | Attar et al. | Jun 2013 | A1 |
20130197503 | Orszulak | Aug 2013 | A1 |
20130218198 | Larson et al. | Aug 2013 | A1 |
20130238016 | Garrison | Sep 2013 | A1 |
20130245623 | Twomey | Sep 2013 | A1 |
20130247343 | Horner et al. | Sep 2013 | A1 |
20130253489 | Nau, Jr. et al. | Sep 2013 | A1 |
20130255063 | Hart et al. | Oct 2013 | A1 |
20130267948 | Kerr et al. | Oct 2013 | A1 |
20130267949 | Kerr | Oct 2013 | A1 |
20130274736 | Garrison | Oct 2013 | A1 |
20130282010 | McKenna et al. | Oct 2013 | A1 |
20130289561 | Waaler et al. | Oct 2013 | A1 |
20130296854 | Mueller | Nov 2013 | A1 |
20130296922 | Allen, IV et al. | Nov 2013 | A1 |
20130296923 | Twomey et al. | Nov 2013 | A1 |
20130304058 | Kendrick | Nov 2013 | A1 |
20130304059 | Allen, IV et al. | Nov 2013 | A1 |
20130304066 | Kerr et al. | Nov 2013 | A1 |
20130310832 | Kerr et al. | Nov 2013 | A1 |
20130310865 | Merz | Nov 2013 | A1 |
20130325057 | Larson et al. | Dec 2013 | A1 |
20130331837 | Larson | Dec 2013 | A1 |
20130338666 | Bucciaglia et al. | Dec 2013 | A1 |
20130338693 | Kerr et al. | Dec 2013 | A1 |
20130345701 | Allen, IV et al. | Dec 2013 | A1 |
20130345706 | Garrison | Dec 2013 | A1 |
20130345735 | Mueller | Dec 2013 | A1 |
20140005663 | Heard | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140005666 | Moua | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140025052 | Nau, Jr. et al. | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140025053 | Nau, Jr. et al. | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140025059 | Kerr | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140025060 | Kerr | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140025066 | Kerr | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140025067 | Kerr et al. | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140025070 | Kerr et al. | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140025073 | Twomey et al. | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140031821 | Garrison | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140031860 | Stoddard et al. | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140046323 | Payne et al. | Feb 2014 | A1 |
20140066910 | Nau, Jr. | Mar 2014 | A1 |
20140066911 | Nau, Jr. | Mar 2014 | A1 |
20140074091 | Arya et al. | Mar 2014 | A1 |
20140100564 | Garrison | Apr 2014 | A1 |
20140100568 | Garrison | Apr 2014 | A1 |
20140100600 | Kendrick | Apr 2014 | A1 |
20140257284 | Artale | Sep 2014 | A1 |
20140276797 | Batchelor et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2011253698 | Dec 2001 | AU |
21299462 | Sep 2009 | CN |
201299462 | Sep 2009 | CN |
2415263 | Oct 1975 | DE |
0251451 | Oct 1976 | DE |
2627679 | Jan 1977 | DE |
03423356 | Jun 1986 | DE |
03612646 | Apr 1987 | DE |
8712328 | Feb 1988 | DE |
4242143 | Jun 1994 | DE |
04303882 | Feb 1995 | DE |
04403252 | Aug 1995 | DE |
19515914 | Jul 1996 | DE |
19506363 | Aug 1996 | DE |
29616210 | Nov 1996 | DE |
19608716 | Apr 1997 | DE |
19751106 | May 1998 | DE |
19751108 | May 1999 | DE |
19946527 | Jul 2001 | DE |
20121161 | Apr 2002 | DE |
10045375 | Oct 2002 | DE |
202007009165 | Aug 2007 | DE |
202007009317 | Aug 2007 | DE |
202007009318 | Aug 2007 | DE |
10031773 | Nov 2007 | DE |
202007016233 | Jan 2008 | DE |
19738457 | Jan 2009 | DE |
102004026179 | Jan 2009 | DE |
102008018406 | Jul 2009 | DE |
1281878 | Feb 2003 | EP |
1159926 | Mar 2003 | EP |
1530952 | May 2005 | EP |
2316367 | May 2011 | EP |
2853221 | Apr 2015 | EP |
2982326 | Feb 2016 | EP |
61-501068 | Sep 1984 | JP |
10-24051 | Jan 1989 | JP |
11-47150 | Jun 1989 | JP |
65502328 | Mar 1992 | JP |
5-5106 | Jan 1993 | JP |
05-40112 | Feb 1993 | JP |
0006030945 | Feb 1994 | JP |
6-121797 | May 1994 | JP |
6-285078 | Oct 1994 | JP |
6-511401 | Dec 1994 | JP |
06343644 | Dec 1994 | JP |
07265328 | Oct 1995 | JP |
8-56955 | Mar 1996 | JP |
08252263 | Oct 1996 | JP |
8-2989895 | Nov 1996 | JP |
8-317934 | Dec 1996 | JP |
8-317936 | Dec 1996 | JP |
9-10223 | Jan 1997 | JP |
09000538 | Jan 1997 | JP |
9-122138 | May 1997 | JP |
2010000195 | Jan 1998 | JP |
10-155798 | Jun 1998 | JP |
11-47149 | Feb 1999 | JP |
11-070124 | Mar 1999 | JP |
11-169381 | Jun 1999 | JP |
11-192238 | Jul 1999 | JP |
11244298 | Sep 1999 | JP |
2000-102545 | Apr 2000 | JP |
2000-135222 | May 2000 | JP |
2000342599 | Dec 2000 | JP |
2000350732 | Dec 2000 | JP |
2001008944 | Jan 2001 | JP |
2001-29355 | Feb 2001 | JP |
2001029356 | Feb 2001 | JP |
2001-03400 | Apr 2001 | JP |
2001128990 | May 2001 | JP |
2001-190564 | Jul 2001 | JP |
2002-136525 | May 2002 | JP |
2002-528166 | Sep 2002 | JP |
2003-116871 | Apr 2003 | JP |
2003-175052 | Jun 2003 | JP |
2003245285 | Sep 2003 | JP |
2004-517668 | Jun 2004 | JP |
2004-528869 | Sep 2004 | JP |
2005-152663 | Jun 2005 | JP |
2005-253789 | Sep 2005 | JP |
2006-015078 | Jan 2006 | JP |
2006-501939 | Jan 2006 | JP |
2006-095316 | Apr 2006 | JP |
2011125195 | Jun 2011 | JP |
401367 | Oct 1973 | SU |
0036986 | Jun 2000 | WO |
0059392 | Oct 2000 | WO |
0115614 | Mar 2001 | WO |
0154604 | Aug 2001 | WO |
0245589 | Jun 2002 | WO |
2005110264 | Nov 2005 | WO |
2006021269 | Mar 2006 | WO |
05110264 | Apr 2006 | WO |
2007118608 | Oct 2007 | WO |
08040483 | Apr 2008 | WO |
2011018154 | Feb 2011 | WO |
Entry |
---|
Extended European Search Report for application No. 17156975 dated Jul. 31, 2017. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20170245921 A1 | Aug 2017 | US |