Surgical stapling devices that produce formed staples having different lengths

Abstract
A surgical stapling device that comprises an end effector. According to various embodiments, the end effector comprises a circular anvil having a staple forming surface and a plurality of staples facing the staple forming surface of the anvil. The end effector also comprises a staple driver assembly comprising a plurality of staple drivers. Each staple driver supports one of the plurality of staples and is configured such that, when the staple driver assembly is actuated, each staple driver drives the staple into the staple forming surface of the anvil. A first quantity of the plurality of staple drivers has a first height and a second quantity of the plurality of staple drivers has a second height, wherein the first height is less than the second height.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to stapling instruments that are capable of applying lines of staples and, more particularly, to improvements relating to staple cartridges for use with surgical stapling instruments that are capable of applying lines of staples having differing formed staple heights to tissue while simultaneously cutting the tissue.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Surgical staplers have been used in the prior art to simultaneously make a longitudinal incision in tissue and apply lines of staples on opposing sides of the incision. Such instruments commonly include a pair of cooperating jaw members that, if the instrument is intended for endoscopic or laparoscopic applications, are capable of passing through a cannula passageway. One of the jaw members receives a staple cartridge having at least two laterally spaced rows of staples. The other jaw member defines an anvil having staple-forming pockets aligned with the rows of staples in the cartridge. The instrument includes a plurality of reciprocating wedges that, when driven distally, pass through openings in the staple cartridge and engage drivers supporting the staples to effect the firing of the staples toward the anvil.


An example of a surgical stapler suitable for endoscopic applications is described in U.S. Patent Application No. US 2004/0232196 A1, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In use, a clinician is able to close the jaw members of the stapler upon tissue to position the tissue prior to firing. Once the clinician has determined that the jaw members are properly gripping tissue, the clinician can then fire the surgical stapler, thereby severing and stapling the tissue. The simultaneous severing and stapling avoids complications that may arise when performing such actions sequentially with different surgical tools that respectively only sever or staple.


Whenever a transsection of tissue is across an area of varied tissue composition, it would be advantageous for the staples that are closest to the cut line to have one formed height that is less than the formed height of those staples that are farthest from the cut line. In practice, the rows of inside staples serve to provide a hemostatic barrier, while the outside rows of staples with larger formed heights provide a cinching effect where the tissue transitions from the tightly compressed hemostatic section to the non-compressed adjacent section. In other applications, it may be useful for the staples in a single line of staples to have differing formed heights. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,941,623 and 5,027,834 to Pruitt disclose surgical stapler and cartridge arrangements that employ staples that have different prong lengths to ultimately achieve lines of staples that have differing formed heights. Likewise, WO 2003/094747A1 discloses a surgical stapler and cartridge that has six rows of staples wherein the outer two rows of staples comprise staples that are larger than the staples employed in the inner two rows and middle rows of staples. Thus, all of these approaches require the use of different sizes of staples in the same cartridge.


BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one general aspect, the present invention is directed to surgical stapling devices that are capable of producing staples of different formed lengths. For example, in such a device that also cuts the tissue being stapled, the inside rows of staples closest to the longitudinal incision line could have a formed height that is less than the formed height of the outer rows of staples. That way, the inside rows of staples may provide a hemostatic barrier, while the outside rows of staples with larger formed heights may provide a cinching effect where the tissue transitions from the tightly compressed hemostatic section to the non-compressed adjacent section.


According to various implementations, the staple cartridge may have staple drivers of different heights to product staples having different formed lengths. The staples driven by the shorter staple drivers would have longer formed lengths (assuming no other differences that would affect the formed heights of the staples). Also, the staple forming pockets in the anvil may have different depths. Staples formed in deeper pockets would tend to be longer than staples formed in shallow pockets. In addition, some of the staple forming pockets may be formed in compliant material portions of the anvil. Staples formed in such pockets would tend to be longer than staples formed in a non-compliant (or less compliant) portion of the anvil. Additionally, the channel may have internal steps that would produce staples having different formed heights. Staples formed with staple drivers starting at a lower step would have a longer formed length that stapled formed with staple drivers starting at a higher step. Also, staples with different wire diameters may be used. Thicker staples would tend to produce staples with longer formed lengths. In that connection, embodiments of the present invention are directed to staple pushers that can accommodate staples of varying wire thicknesses. Also, staples of differing materials could be used. Staples made of stronger, less compliant materials, would tend to produce longer formed staples.


According to other embodiments, the surgical stapling device may comprise a plurality of stacked wedge band sets. Each stacked wedge band set may comprise a number of wedge bands stacked one on another. The wedge bands may be actuated in succession in order to drive the staples in successive stages. That is, for example, in an embodiment having three wedge bands in a stack, the first wedge band may be actuated first to partially deploy the staples, the second wedge band in stack may be actuated next to begin to form the staples, and the third wedge band in the stack may be actuated last to finish the formation of the staples. To produce staples having different formed heights, the heights of the stacks (corresponding to the cumulative height of the wedge bands in the stacks) may be different, for example.


The techniques used to create formed staples of different heights could be used in a variety of different surgical stapling devices. For example, the stapling devices could be devices that cut the clamped tissue or devices that include no cutting instrument. The surgical staplers may be, for example, endocutters, open linear stapler devices, or circular staplers.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate by way of example embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention, wherein:



FIG. 1 depicts a partially cut away side elevation view of a surgical stapling and severing instrument in an open position according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional side elevation detail view along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 of an end effector of the surgical stapling and severing instrument according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 3 depicts an enlarged side elevation view of the firing bar of the surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 2 according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 4 depicts an enlarged front view of the firing bar of the surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 2 according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional side elevation detail view of an alternative end effector for the surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1, incorporating a firing bar that lacks a middle pin for preventing pinching of the end effector, according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 6 depicts a side elevational view of a handle portion of a proximal end of the surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1 with a left side removed to expose interior parts in an unclamped, unfired (“start”) position according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 7 depicts a perspective, exploded view of the handle portion of the proximal end of the surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1 according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 8 depicts a side elevational view of the handle portion of the proximal end of the surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1 with the left side removed to expose interior parts in the closed (“clamped”) position according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 9 depicts a side elevational view of the handle portion of proximal end of surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1 with the left side removed to expose interior parts in the stapled and severed (“fired”) position according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 10 depicts a plan view of a staple cartridge installed in an end effector according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of a staple cartridge according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 12 is a side view of a staple that may be employed with various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of one inside double driver supporting two staples thereon according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 14 is a top view of the inside double driver and staples of FIG. 13 according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 14A is an elevational view of the inside double driver of FIG. 13 within a portion of a staple cartridge mounted in the end effector and also illustrating a corresponding portion of the anvil when in a closed position according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 15 is a right side elevational view of the inside double driver and staples of FIGS. 13 and 14 according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 15A is another side elevational view of the inside double driver of FIG. 15 wherein corresponding portions of the cartridge tray and anvil are illustrated in broken lines to depict the relationships therebetween according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of one outside single driver supporting a staple thereon according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 16A is another front view of the outside single driver of FIG. 16 with portions of the cartridge tray and anvil shown to illustrate the relationships therebetween according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 17 is a top view of the outside single driver and staple of FIG. 16 according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 18 is an isometric exploded view of the implement portion of the surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1 according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 19 is a section view taken along line 19-19 of FIG. 10 showing the cross-sectional relationship between the firing bar, elongate channel, wedge sled, staple drivers, staples and staple cartridge according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 19A is another cross-sectional view of an end effector showing the cross-sectional relationship between the firing bar, elongate channel, wedge sled, staple drivers, staples, staple cartridge and anvil according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 20 is a perspective view of one wedge sled according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of an inside sled cam of the wedge sled depicted in FIG. 20 according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of an outside sled cam of the wedge sled depicted in FIG. 20 according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 23 is an isometric view of the end effector at the distal end of the surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1 with the anvil in the up or open position with the cartridge largely removed exposing a single staple driver and a double staple driver as exemplary and the wedge sled in its start position against a middle pin of the firing bar according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 24 is an isometric view of the end effector at the distal end of the surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1 with the anvil in the up or open position exposing the staple cartridge and cutting edge of the firing bar according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the distal end of the surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1 with the anvil in the up or open position with the staple cartridge completely removed and a portion of an elongate channel removed to expose a lowermost pin of the firing bar according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 26 is a side elevation view in section showing a mechanical relationship between the anvil, elongate channel, and staple cartridge in the closed position of the surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1, the section generally taken along lines 26-26 of FIG. 24 to expose wedge sled, staple drivers and staples but also depicting the firing bar along the longitudinal centerline according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a staple cartridge wherein an outside cam of a wedge is adjacent to an outside single driver according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a staple cartridge wherein an outside cam of a wedge sled is engaging three outside single drivers according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 29 is a diagrammatic representation of lines of staples installed on each side of a cut line using a surgical stapling and severing instrument according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 30 depicts a staple formed by one inside driver according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 31 depicts another staple formed by one outside driver according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 32 is a diagrammatic representation of lines of staples installed on each side of a cut line using a surgical stapling and severing instrument according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 33 is a diagrammatic representation of lines of staples installed on each side of a cut line using a surgical stapling and severing instrument according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 34 is a diagrammatic representation of lines of staples installed on each side of a cut line using a surgical stapling and severing instrument according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 35 is a side elevation section view of the surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1 taken along the longitudinal centerline of the end effector in a partially closed but unclamped position gripping tissue according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 36 depicts a partially cut away side elevational view of the surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1 in the closed or clamped position according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 37 depicts a side elevation view of the surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1 in the closed or clamped position with tissue properly compressed according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 38 depicts a view in centerline section of the distal end of the surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1 in a partially fired position according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 39 depicts a partially cut away side elevation view of the surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1 in a partially fired position according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 40 depicts a view in centerline section of the distal end of the surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1 in a fully fired position according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 41 is a partially cut-away side elevational view of the surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1 in a full fired position according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIGS. 42-44 depict aspects of an end effector having a sled with multiple sled cams where one sled cam is taller than another according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 45 depicts aspects of an end effector with staple forming pockets having varying depths according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIGS. 46-47 depict a double staple driver having staples of different pre-formation lengths according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 48 depicts a side-view of an end effector having a double staple driver having different staple driver heights according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIG. 49-50 depict a side-view of an end effector having staple forming pockets of varying depths according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIGS. 51-62 depict aspects of a surgical stapling device having stacks of actuatable wedge bands according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIGS. 63-69 depict aspects of an open linear surgical stapling device according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIGS. 70-77 depicts cross-sectional front views of an end effector according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIGS. 78-83 depict staple drivers that can accommodate staple having different wire diameters according to various embodiments of the present invention;



FIGS. 84-89 depict a circular surgical stapling device according to various embodiments of the present invention; and



FIGS. 90-95 depict another surgical stapling device according to embodiments of the present invention.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning to the figures, wherein like numerals denote like components throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 and 2 depict one embodiment of a surgical stapling and severing instrument 10 that is capable of practicing the unique benefits of the present invention. It should be recognized, however, that the unique and novel aspects of the present invention may be advantageously employed in connection with a variety of other staplers and stapler instruments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of protection afforded to the various embodiments of the present invention should not be limited to use only with the specific type of surgical stapling and severing instruments described herein.


As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the surgical stapling and severing instrument 10 incorporates an end effector 12 having an actuator or E-beam firing mechanism (“firing bar”) 14 that advantageously controls the spacing of the end effector 12. In particular, an elongate channel 16 and a pivotally translatable anvil 18 are maintained at a spacing that assures effective stapling and severing. The problems are avoided associated with varying amounts of tissue being captured in the end effector 12.


It will be appreciated that the terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to a clinician gripping a handle of an instrument. Thus, the end effector 12 is distal with respect to the more proximal handle portion 20. It will be further appreciated that for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical” and “horizontal” are used herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and absolute.


The surgical and stapling and severing instrument 10 includes a handle portion 20 that is connected to an implement portion 22, the latter further comprising a shaft 23 distally terminating in the end effector 12. The handle portion 20 includes a pistol grip 24 toward which a closure trigger 26 is pivotally drawn by the clinician to cause clamping, or closing, of the anvil 18 toward the elongate channel 16 of the end effector 12. A firing trigger 28 is farther outboard of the closure trigger 26 and is pivotally drawn by the clinician to cause the stapling and severing of clamped tissue in the end effector 12.


In practice, closure trigger 26 is actuated first. Once the clinician is satisfied with the positioning of the end effector 12, the clinician may draw back the closure trigger 26 to its fully closed, locked position proximate to the pistol grip 24. Then, the firing trigger 28 is actuated. The firing trigger 28 springedly returns when the clinician removes pressure. A release button 30 when depressed on the proximal end of the handle portion 20 releases any locked closure trigger 26.


A closure sleeve 32 encloses a frame 34, which in turn encloses a firing drive member 36 that is positioned by the firing trigger 28. The frame 34 connects the handle portion 20 to the end effector 12. With the closure sleeve 32 withdrawn proximally by the closure trigger 26 as depicted, the anvil 18 springedly opens, pivoting away from the elongate channel 16 and translating proximally with the closure sleeve 32. The elongate channel 16 receives a staple cartridge 37.


With particular reference to FIGS. 2-4, the firing bar 14 includes three vertically spaced pins that control the spacing of the end effector 12 during firing. In particular, an upper pin 38 is staged to enter an anvil pocket 40 near the pivot between the anvil 18 and elongate channel 16. When fired with the anvil 18 closed, the upper pin 38 advances distally within a longitudinal anvil slot 42 extending distally through anvil 18. Any minor upward deflection in the anvil 18 is overcome by a downward force imparted by the upper pin 38. Firing bar 14 also includes a lowermost pin, or firing bar cap, 44 that upwardly engages a channel slot 45 in the elongate channel 16, thereby cooperating with the upper pin 38 to draw the anvil 18 and the elongate channel 16 slightly closer together in the event of excess tissue clamped therebetween. The firing bar 14 advantageously includes a middle pin 46 that passes through a firing drive slot 47 formed in a lower surface of the cartridge 300 and an upward surface of the elongate channel 16, thereby driving the staples therein as described below. The middle pin 46, by sliding against the elongate channel 16, advantageously resists any tendency for the end effector 12 to be pinched shut at its distal end. To illustrate an advantage of the middle pin 46, FIG. 5 depicts an alternative end effector 12′ that lacks a middle pin on a firing bar 14′. In this depiction, the end effector 12′ is allowed to pinch shut at its distal end, which tends to impair desired staple formation.


Returning to FIGS. 2-4, a distally presented cutting edge 48 between the upper and middle pins 38, 46 on the firing bar 14 traverses through a proximally presented, vertical slot 49 in the cartridge 37 to sever clamped tissue. The affirmative positioning of the firing bar 14 with regard to the elongate channel 16 and anvil 18 assure that an effective cut is performed. The affirmative vertical spacing provided by the E-Beam firing bar 14 is suitable for the limited size available for endoscopic devices. Moreover, the E-Beam firing bar 14 enables fabrication of an anvil 15 with a camber imparting a vertical deflection at its distal end, similar to the position depicted in FIG. 5. This cambered anvil 15 advantageously assists in achieving the desired gap in the end effector 12 even with an anvil 15 having a reduced thickness, which may be more suited to the size limitations of an endoscopic device.


With reference to FIGS. 6-9, the handle portion 20 is comprised of first and second base sections 50 and 52, which are molded from a polymeric material such as a glass-filled polycarbonate. The first base section 50 is provided with a plurality of cylindrically-shaped pins 54. The second base section 52 includes a plurality of extending members 56, each having a hexagonal-shaped opening 58. The cylindrically-shaped pins 54 are received within the hexagonal-shaped openings 58 and are frictionally held therein for maintaining the first and second base sections 50 and 52 in assembly.


A rotating knob 60 has a bore 62 extending completely through it for engaging and rotating the implement portion 22 about its longitudinal axis. The rotating knob 60 includes an inwardly protruding boss 64 extending along at least a portion of the bore 62. The protruding boss 64 is received within a longitudinal slot 66 formed at a proximal portion of the closure sleeve 32 such that rotation of the rotating knob 60 effects rotation of the closure sleeve 32. It will be appreciated that the boss 64 further extends through frame 34 and into contact with a portion of the firing drive member 36 to effect their rotation as well. Thus, the end effector 12 (not shown in FIGS. 6-9) rotates with the rotating knob 60.


A proximal end 68 of the frame 34 passes proximally through the rotating knob 60 and is provided with a circumferential notch 70 that is engaged by opposing channel securement members 72 extending respectively from the base sections 50 and 52. Only the channel securement member 72 of the second base section 52 is shown. The channel securement members 72, extending from the base sections 50, 52 serve to secure the frame 34 to the handle portion 20 such that the frame 34 does not move longitudinally relative to the handle portion 20.


The closure trigger 26 has a handle section 74, a gear segment section 76, and an intermediate section 78. A bore 80 extends through the intermediate section 78. A cylindrical support member 82 extending from the second base section 52 passes through the bore 80 for pivotably mounting the closure trigger 26 on the handle portion 20. A second cylindrical support member 83 extending from the second base section 52 passes through a bore 81 of firing trigger 28 for pivotally mounting on the handle portion 20. A hexagonal opening 84 is provided in the cylindrical support member 83 for receiving a securement pin (not shown) extending from the first base section 50.


A closure yoke 86 is housed within the handle portion 20 for reciprocating movement therein and serves to transfer motion from the closure trigger 26 to the closure sleeve 32. Support members 88 extending from the second base section 52 and securement member 72, which extends through a recess 89 in the yoke 86, support the yoke 86 within the handle portion 20.


A proximal end 90 of the closure sleeve 32 is provided with a flange 92 that is snap-fitted into a receiving recess 94 formed in a distal end 96 of the yoke 86. A proximal end 98 of the yoke 86 has a gear rack 100 that is engaged by the gear segment section 76 of the closure trigger 26. When the closure trigger 26 is moved toward the pistol grip 24 of the handle portion 20, the yoke 86 and, hence, the closure sleeve 32 move distally, compressing a spring 102 that biases the yoke 86 proximally. Distal movement of the closure sleeve 32 effects pivotal translation movement of the anvil 18 distally and toward the elongate channel 16 of the end effector 12 and proximal movement effects closing, as discussed below.


The closure trigger 26 is forward biased to an open position by a front surface 130 interacting with an engaging surface 128 of the firing trigger 28. Clamp first hook 104 that pivots top to rear in the handle portion 20 about a pin 106 restrains movement of the firing trigger 28 toward the pistol grip 24 until the closure trigger 26 is clamped to its closed position. Hook 104 restrains firing trigger 28 motion by engaging a lockout pin 107 in firing trigger 28. The hook 104 is also in contact with the closure trigger 26. In particular, a forward projection 108 of the hook 104 engages a member 10 on the intermediate section 78 of the closure trigger 26, the member 100 being outward of the bore 80 toward the handle section 74. Hook 104 is biased toward contact with member 110 of the closure trigger 26 and engagement with lockout pin 107 in firing trigger 28 by a release spring 112. As the closure trigger 26 is depressed, the hook 104 is moved top to rear, compressing the release spring 112 that is captured between a rearward projection 114 on the hook 104 and a forward projection 116 on the release button 30. As the yoke 86 moves distally in response to proximal movement of the closure trigger 26, an upper latch arm 118 of the release button 30 moves along an upper surface 120 on the yoke 86 until dropping into an upwardly presented recess 122 in a proximal, lower portion of the yoke 86. The release spring 112 urges the release button 30 outward, which pivots the upper latch arm 118 downwardly into engagement with the upwardly presented recess 122, thereby locking the closure trigger 26 in a tissue clamping position, such as depicted in FIG. 8.


The latch arm 118 can be moved out of the recess 122 to release the anvil 18 by pushing the release button 30 inward. Specifically, the upper latch arm 118 pivots upward about pin 123 of the second base section 52. The yoke 86 is then permitted to move proximally in response to return movement of the closure trigger 26.


A firing trigger return spring 124 is located within the handle portion 20 with one end attached to pin 106 of the second base section 52 and the other end attached to a pin 126 on the firing trigger 28. The firing return spring 124 applies a return force to the pin 126 for biasing the firing trigger 28 in a direction away from the pistol grip 24 of the handle portion 20. The closure trigger 26 is also biased away from pistol grip 24 by engaging surface 128 of firing trigger 28 biasing front surface 130 of closure trigger 26.


As the closure trigger 26 is moved toward the pistol grip 24, its front surface 130 engages with the engaging surface 128 on the firing trigger 28 causing the firing trigger 28 to move to its “firing” position. When in its firing position, the firing trigger 28 is located at an angle of approximately 45° to the pistol grip 24. After staple firing, the spring 124 causes the firing trigger 28 to return to its initial position. During the return movement of the firing trigger 28, its engaging surface 128 pushes against the front surface 130 of the closure trigger 26 causing the closure trigger 26 to return to its initial position. A stop member 132 extends from the second base section 52 to prevent the closure trigger 26 from rotating beyond its initial position.


The surgical stapling and severing instrument 10 additionally includes a reciprocating section 134, a multiplier 136 and a drive member 138. The reciprocating section 134 comprises a wedge sled in the implement portion 22 (not shown in FIGS. 6-9) and a metal drive rod 140. The drive member 138 includes first and second gear racks 141 and 142. A first notch 144 is provided on the drive member 138 intermediate the first and second gear racks 141, 142. During return movement of the firing trigger 28, a tooth 146 on the firing trigger 28 engages with the first notch 144 for returning the drive member 138 to its initial position after staple firing. A second notch 148 is located at a proximal end of the metal drive rod 140 for locking the metal drive rod 140 to the upper latch arm 118 of the release button 30 in its unfired position. The multiplier 136 comprises first and second integral pinion gears 150 and 152. The first integral pinion gear 150 is engaged with a first gear rack 154 provided on the metal drive rod 140. The second integral pinion gear 152 is engaged with the first gear rack 141 on the drive member 138. The first integral pinion gear 150 has a first diameter and the second integral pinion gear 152 has a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter.



FIGS. 6, 8 and 9 depict respectively the handle portion 20 in the start position (open and unfired), a clamped position (closed and unfired) and a fired position. The firing trigger 28 is provided with a gear segment section 156. The gear segment section 156 engages with the second gear rack 142 on the drive member 138 such that motion of the firing trigger 28 causes the drive member 138 to move back and forth between a first drive position, shown in FIG. 8, and a second drive position, shown in FIG. 9. In order to prevent staple firing before tissue clamping has occurred, the upper latch arm 118 on the release button 39 is engaged with the second notch 148 on the drive member 138 such that the metal drive rod 140 is locked in its proximal-most position, as depicted in FIG. 6. When the upper latch arm 118 falls into the recess 122, the upper latch arm 118 disengages with the second notch 148 to permit distal movement of the metal drive rod 140, as depicted in FIG. 9.


Because the first gear rack 141 on the drive member 138 and the gear rack 154 on the metal drive rod 140 are engaged with the multiplier 136, movement of the firing trigger 28 causes the metal drive rod 140 to reciprocate between a first reciprocating position, shown in FIG. 8, and a second reciprocating position, shown in FIG. 9. Since the diameter of the first pinion gear 150 is greater than the diameter of the second pinion gear 152, the multiplier 136 moves the reciprocating section 134 a greater distance than the drive member 138 is moved by the firing trigger 28. The diameters of the first and second pinion gears 150 and 152 may be changed to permit the length of the stroke of the firing trigger 28 and the force required to move it to be varied. It will be appreciated that the handle portion 20 is illustrative and that other actuation mechanisms may be employed. For instance, the closing and firing motions may be generated by automated means.


One embodiment of an end effector 12 of the surgical stapling and severing instrument 10 is depicted in further detail in FIGS. 18, 19, and 23-26. As described above, the handle portion 20 produces separate and distinct closing and firing motions that actuate the end effector 12. The end effector 12 advantageously maintains the clinical flexibility of this separate and distinct closing and firing (i.e., stapling and severing). In addition, the end effector 12 introduces the aforementioned ability to affirmatively maintain the closed spacing during firing after the clinician positions and clamps the tissue. Both features procedurally and structurally enhance the ability of the surgical stapling and severing instrument 10 by ensuring adequate spacing for instances where an otherwise inadequate amount of tissue is clamped and to enhance the clamping in instances where an otherwise excessive amount of tissue has been clamped.



FIG. 10 depicts a staple cartridge embodiment 300 of the present invention installed in the end effector 12 with the firing bar 14 in its unfired, proximal position. The staple cartridge 300 has a cartridge body 302 that is divided by an elongated slot 310 that extends from a proximal end 304 of the cartridge 300 towards a tapered outer tip 306. A plurality of staple-receiving channels 320a-320f are formed within the staple cartridge body 302 and are arranged in six laterally spaced longitudinal rows 500, 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, with three rows on each side of the elongated slot 310. Positioned within the staple-receiving channels 320a-320f are the staples 222. See FIGS. 10 and 11.


The cartridge 300 further includes four laterally spaced longitudinal rows of staple drivers 330a, 330b, 370a, and 370b as shown in FIG. 11. The “first” inside staple drivers 330a are slidably mounted within corresponding channels 320b and 320c such that each driver 330a supports two staples 222, one in a channel 320b and one in a channel 320c. Likewise, the “second” inside drivers 330b are slidably mounted within channels 320d and 320e such that each driver 330b supports two staples 222, one in a channel 320d and one in a channel 320e. The “outside” drivers 370a and 370b are slidably mounted within the staple-receiving channels 320a and 320f, respectively. Each of the outside drivers 370a and 370b supports a single staple 222. Drivers 370a are referred to herein as “first” outside drivers and drivers 370b are referred to herein as “second” outside drivers.



FIG. 12 illustrates a staple 222 that may be used in connection with the various embodiments of the present invention. The staple 222 includes a main portion 223 and two prongs 225. The prongs 225 each have a length “P” and the main portion has a width “W”. The reader will appreciate that a variety of different types of staples may be employed. For example, for a vascular staple, “P” may be approximately 0.102 inches; for a regular staple, “P” may be approximately 0.134 inches; and for a thick tissue staple, “P” may be approximately 0.160 inches. “W” may be approximately 0.012 inches. Other sizes of staples 222 may be employed in the manners discussed below.


The inside staple drivers 330a located on one side of the elongated slot 310 are referred to herein as “first” inside staple drivers and the inside staple drivers 330b located on the other side of the elongated slot 310 are referred to herein as “second” inside staple drivers. As will be discussed in further detail below, in one embodiment, the second inside staple drivers 330b are identical to the first inside staple drivers 330a, except for their orientation in their respective channels in the cartridge body 302.



FIGS. 13-15 illustrate one embodiment of a “first” inside double driver 330a for supporting and driving staples 222. As can be seen in those Figures, the staple driver 330a has a primary driver portion 340 and a secondary driver portion 350 that is connected to the first primary portion 340 by a central base member 360. The primary driver portion 340 has a primary driver base 342 that has a groove 343 therein adapted to mate with a corresponding vertically extending tongue (not shown) in the cartridge body 302 for guiding and stabilizing the driver 330a as it moves within its respective channel. The primary driver portion 340 further has a first forward support column 344 and a first rearward support column 346 protruding upward from the first driver base 342. The first forward support column 344 has a first forward staple-receiving groove 345 therein and the first rearward support column 346 has a first rearwardly staple-receiving groove 347 therein. See FIGS. 13-15. The first forward support column 344 and the first rearward support column 346 are spaced from each other and collectively form a first staple cradle 348 for supporting the main portion 223 of the staple 222 therein in an upright position (i.e., prongs facing the anvil). Similarly, the secondary driver portion 350 has a secondary driver base 352 and a secondary forward support column 354 and a secondary rearward support column 356 protruding out from the second driver base 352. The secondary forward support column 354 has a secondary forward staple-receiving groove 355 therein and the secondary rearward support column 356 has a secondary rearward staple-receiving groove 357 therein. The secondary forward support column 354 and the secondary rearward support column 356 are spaced from each other and collectively form a secondary staple cradle 358 for supporting the main portion 223 of another staple 222 therein.


As can be seen in FIGS. 13 and 15, the central base member 360 has an angled rearwardly facing edge 362 adapted to be engaged by a corresponding sled cam as will be discussed in further detail below. As can be seen in FIGS. 13 and 14, in this embodiment, the secondary forward support column 354 of the secondary driver portion is oriented relative to the first rearward support column 346 such that the staple 222 that is supported in the secondary staple cradle 358 is longitudinally offset from the staple 222 in the first staple cradle 348. The reader will appreciate that the first inside drivers 330a are each installed in one orientation into a corresponding pair of channels 320b and 320c located on one side of the elongated slot 310 in the cartridge body 302. The second inside staple drivers 330b (located on the opposite side of the elongated slot 310 from the first inside staple drivers 330a) comprise inside drivers 330a rotated 180 degrees so that their respective angled surfaces 363 face towards the proximal end 304 of the cartridge 300 to enable them to be installed in pairs of corresponding channels 320d and 320e. Thus, in this embodiment, only one inside driver configuration is employed which thereby eliminates the need for two different inside staple driver configurations for channels on each side of the elongated slot 310.



FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate one embodiment of a “first” outside staple driver 370a. As can be seen in those Figures, a first outside staple driver 370a has a second base 372 that has an angled rearwardly facing portion 374. Protruding upward from the second base 372 is a second forward support column 375 that has a second forward staple-receiving groove 376 therein. A second rearward support column 377 also protrudes upward from the second base 372 in a spaced-apart relationship with respect to the second forward support column 375. The second rearward support column 377 has a second rearward staple-receiving groove 378 therein. The support columns 375, 377 collectively form a second staple cradle 379 that is configured to support a staple 222 therein in an upright position as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17. The staple drivers 370a also have a laterally protruding rib 371 which is received in a corresponding groove (not shown) in the cartridge body 302 for guiding and stabilizing the driver 370a as it moves within its respective channel.


The reader will appreciate that a first outside driver 370a is installed in one orientation into a corresponding channel 320a on one side of the elongated slot 310. A second outside staple driver 370b (to be located on the opposite side of the elongated slot 310 from the first outside staple drivers 370a) comprises an outside driver 370a rotated 180 degrees so that the angled surface 374′ thereon faces toward the proximal end 304 of the cartridge 300 to enable it to be installed in a corresponding channel 320f in the cartridge body 302. Thus, in this embodiment, only one outside staple driver configuration is employed which avoids the need for two different outside staple driver configurations for channels on each side of the elongated slot 310. FIGS. 19 and 19A illustrate in cross-section one embodiment of a staple cartridge of the present invention mounted within one type of end effector 12. The end effector 12 in this embodiment employs a “stepped” anvil 18 of the type illustrated in FIGS. 23-25. In other embodiments, however, the bottom surface of the anvil is planar and not stepped. Other As can be seen in FIGS. 19A, and 23-25, the anvil 18 has a central portion 19 that is offset or not coplanar with the two lateral side portions 21, 23. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the upper surface 306 of the cartridge 300 is provided with a recessed central portion 307 and two lateral side portions 309 that are adapted to closely mate with the corresponding portions 19, 21, 23, respectively, of the anvil 18, when the anvil 18 is in the closed position. See FIG. 19A.


As can be seen in FIG. 24, in this embodiment, the under surfaces 200 of anvil 18 are provided with a series of forming pockets 202 that may be arranged in rows that correspond to the rows of channels in the cartridge 300. That is, row 205 of pockets 202 may correspond to channel row 500. Row 207 of pockets may correspond to channel row 502. Row 209 of pockets 202 may correspond to channel row 504. Row 211 of pockets 202 may correspond to channel row 506. Row 213 of pockets 202 may correspond to channel row 508. Row 215 of pockets 202 may correspond to channel row 510. Each pocket 202 has at least one forming surface 203 therein that is adapted to contact the ends of the staple prongs 225 being driven therein to thereby cause the prongs 225 to bend inwardly toward each other. In one embodiment, each pocket 202 has two intersecting arcuate forming surfaces 203 that are oriented as shown in FIG. 14A. Each arcuate forming surface has an apex 203′ that defines a maximum pocket depth “Z”. However other forming pocket configurations could be employed.


Returning to FIGS. 18 and 19, it can be seen that in one embodiment, the cartridge body 302 is mounted within the cartridge tray 224. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the cartridge body 302 is formed with two inside longitudinally extending slots 390 and two outside longitudinally extending slots 392. Slots 390 and 392 extend from the proximal end 304 of the cartridge to its tapered outer tip 306 (shown in FIG. 10). This embodiment further includes a wedge sled 400 that slidably supported on the cartridge tray 224. One wedge sled embodiment 400 includes a pair of inside sled cams 410, wherein one inside sled cam 410 corresponds to one of the inside longitudinally extending slots 390 and wherein the other inside sled cam 410 corresponds to the other inside longitudinally extending slot 390. See FIG. 19. The wedge sled 400 further includes a pair of outside sled cams 420, wherein one outside sled cam 420 corresponds to one of the outside longitudinally extending slots 392 and the other outside sled cam 420 corresponds to the other outside longitudinally extending slot 392 as shown in FIG. 19. When assembled, the cartridge tray 224 holds the wedge sled 400 and the drivers 330a, 330b, 370a, 370b inside the cartridge body 302.


As can be seen in FIG. 18, the elongate channel 16 has a proximally placed attachment cavity 226 that receives a channel anchoring member 228 on the distal end of the frame 34 for attaching the end effector 12 to the handle portion 20. The elongate channel 16 also has an anvil cam slot 230 that pivotally receives an anvil pivot 232 of the anvil 18. The closure sleeve 32 that encompasses the frame 34 includes a distally presented tab 234 that engages an anvil feature 236 proximate but distal to the anvil pivot 232 on the anvil 18 to thereby effect opening and closing of the anvil 18. The firing drive member 36 is shown as being assembled from the firing bar 14 attached to a firing connector 238 by pins 240, which in turn is rotatingly and proximally attached to the metal drive rod 140. The firing bar 14 is guided at a distal end of the frame by a slotted guide 239 inserted therein.



FIGS. 20-23 illustrate one embodiment of the wedge sled 400 of the present invention. As can be seen in FIGS. 20 and 23, the wedge sled 400 includes a central spacer portion 402 that extends between the inside sled cams 410. A pusher block 404 is formed on the central spacer portion 402 for engagement with the middle pin 46 of the firing bar 14. A side profile of one embodiment of an inside sled cam 410 is depicted in FIG. 21. As can be seen in that Figure, the inside sled cam 410 has a bottom surface 412, and a first camming surface 414 that forms an angle “G” with the bottom surface 412 and a second camming surface 415 that extends to a top surface 416. In one embodiment, for example, the angle “G” may be 35 degrees and the angle “G′” may be 20 degrees. The height of the inside sled cam 410 (the distance between the bottom surface 412 and the top surface 416) is represented as “first” sled cam height “H”. In one embodiment, distance “H’ is approximately 0.173 inches and the length of the top surface 416 may vary from embodiment to embodiment. As will be further evident as the present Detailed Description proceeds, the first sled cam height represents the vertical distance that the inside sled cams 410 will drive the corresponding inside drivers 330a, 330b toward the anvil 18 during operation.


The wedge sled 400 further comprises lateral spacer portions 406 that extend between the inside sled cams 410 and the outside sled cams 420 as shown in FIGS. 20 and 23. A side profile of one embodiment of an outside sled cam 420 is depicted in FIG. 22. In this embodiment, the outside sled cam 420 has a bottom surface 422 and a first camming surface 424 that forms an angle “I” with respect to the bottom surface 422 and a second camming surface 425 that to a top surface 426. In one embodiment, angle “I” may be approximately 35 degrees and angle “I” may be approximately 20 degrees. The height of the outside sled cam 420 (the distance between the bottom surface 412 and the top surface 416) is represented as the “second” sled cam height “J”. In one embodiment, distance “J’ is approximately 0.163 inches. The second sled cam height represents the vertical distance that the outside sled cams 420 will drive the corresponding outside drivers 370a, 370b toward the anvil 18 during operation. The reader will understand that the above-recited dimensions are illustrative of one embodiment and may vary for other embodiments.


With particular reference to FIG. 23, a portion of the staple cartridge 300 is removed to expose portions of the elongate channel 16, such as recesses 212, 214 and to expose some components of the staple cartridge 300 in their unfired position. In particular, the cartridge body 302 (shown in FIG. 18) has been removed. The wedge sled 400 is shown at its proximal, unfired position with a pusher block 404 contacting the middle pin 46 (not shown in FIG. 23) of the firing bar 14. The wedge sled 400 is in longitudinal sliding contact upon the cartridge tray 224 and includes wedges sled cams 410, 420 that force upward the double drivers 330a, 330b and the single drivers 370b, 370b as the wedge sled 400 moves distally. Staples 222 (not shown in FIG. 23) resting upon the drivers 330a, 330b, 370a, 370b are thus also forced upward into contact with the anvil forming pockets 202 in anvil 18 to form closed staples. Also depicted is the channel slot 45 in the elongate channel 16 that is aligned with the elongated slot 310 in the staple cartridge 300.



FIG. 24 depicts the end effector 12, which is in an open position by a retracted closure sleeve 32, with a staple cartridge 300 installed in the elongate channel 16. The firing bar 14 is at its proximal position, with the upper pin 38 aligned in a non-interfering fashion with the anvil pocket 40. The anvil pocket 40 is shown as communicating with the longitudinal anvil slot 42 in the anvil 18. The distally presented cutting edge 48 of the firing bar 14 is aligned with and proximally from removed from the vertical slot 49 in the staple cartridge 300, thereby allowing removal of a spent cartridge and insertion of an unfired cartridge, which may be “snapfit” into the elongate channel 16. Specifically, in this embodiment, extension features 316, 318 of the staple cartridge 300 engage recesses 212, 214, respectively (shown in FIG. 23) of the elongate channel 16.



FIG. 25 depicts the end effector 12 of FIG. 23 with all of the staple cartridge 300 removed to show the middle pin 46 of the firing bar 14 as well as portion of the elongate channel 16 removed adjacent to the channel slot 45 to expose the firing bar cap 44. In addition, portions of the shaft 23 are removed to expose a proximal portion of the firing bar 14. Projecting downward from the anvil 18 near the pivot is a pair of opposing tissue stops 244 which serve to prevent tissue from being positioned too far up into the end effector 12 during clamping. FIG. 26 depicts the end effector 12 in a closed position with the firing bar 14 in an unfired position. The upper pin 38 is in the anvil pocket 40 and is vertically aligned with the anvil slot 42 for distal longitudinal movement of the firing bar 14 during firing. The middle pin 46 is positioned to push the wedge sled 400 distally so that the sled cams 410, 420 contact and lift double drivers 330a, 330b and the single drivers 370a, 370b, respectively, to drive them upwardly toward the anvil 18.


As can be appreciated from reference to FIGS. 14A, 15A and 19A, in one embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the bottom of the first staple-receiving grooves 345, 347 forming the first staple cradle 349 and the apex 203′ of forming surfaces 203 of the corresponding forming pocket 202 of anvil 18, when the anvil 18 is in the closed position and when the inside driver 330a, 330b is supported on the cartridge tray 224, is referred to herein as the first staple forming distance “A”. The distance between the bottom of the secondary staple-receiving grooves 345, 347 forming the secondary staple cradle 349 and the apex 203′ of the forming surface 203 of the corresponding forming pocket 202 in the anvil 18 when the anvil 18 is in the closed position and the inside driver 330a, 330b is supported on the cartridge tray 224 is referred to herein as the secondary staple forming distance “B”. In one embodiment, the first staple forming distance “A” and the secondary staple forming distance “B” are substantially equal to each other. In other embodiments, those distances “A” and “B” may differ from each other.


As illustrated in FIGS. 16A and 19A the distance between the bottom of the second staple-receiving grooves 376, 378 that form the second staple cradle 379 and the apex 203′ of the forming surface 203 of a corresponding forming pocket 202 in anvil 18 when the anvil 18 is in the closed position and the outside drivers 370a, 370b are supported on the cartridge channel 224, is referred to herein as a “second” staple forming distance “C”.



FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate the forming of staples supported on some of the first outside drivers 370a. In FIG. 27, one of the outside sled cams 420 of the wedge sled 400 is initially contacting one of the outside drivers 370a. As the wedge sled 400 continues in the driving direction represented by arrow “K” in FIG. 28, the outside sled cam 420 causes the outside drivers 370a drive the staples 222 supported thereby into the staple forming pockets 202 in the anvil 18. Likewise, as the wedge sled 400 is driven in the driving direction “K”, the inside sled cams 410 contact the inside drivers 330a, 330b and causes them to drive the staples 222 supported thereby into the corresponding staple forming pockets 202 in the anvil 18.


As indicated above, in some applications involving an area of varied tissue composition, it can be desirable to form rows of staples wherein the formed (final) heights of the staples in a row that is the farthest distance away from the cut line are greater than the formed (final) heights of those staples in the row that is closest to the cut line. In other applications, it may be desirable for the formed heights of the staples in a single row to increase (or decrease) from staple to staple. Another clinical benefit would be to have the formed heights of the staples in the outermost rows larger than formed heights of the staples in the inside rows. The various embodiments of the subject invention can provide these results while employing identical staples in all of the rows.


In the description to follow, those staples 222 in the outermost rows 520, 530 of staples (those staples formed using the outside staple drivers 370a, 370b) will be referred to hereinafter as staples 222′ and those staples in the innermost rows 522, 524, 526, 528 of staples (those staples formed using the inside staple drivers 330a, 330b) will be referred to hereinafter as staples 222″. It will be understood, however, that staples 222′ and 222″ are identical to each other prior to being formed by the various embodiments of the present invention. That is, staples 222′ and 222″ each have identical prong lengths “P” and widths “W”.


Returning to FIGS. 14A-16A and 21 and 22, the above desired effects may be attained by altering the staple forming distances “A”, “B”, and “C” relative to each other and/or the sled cam heights “H” and “J”. In one embodiment of the subject invention, for example, the height “H” of each of the inside sled cams 410 is substantially equal to the sled height “J” of each of the outside sled cams 420. See FIGS. 21 and 22. In this embodiment, the staple forming distances “A” and “B” are substantially equal to each other, but distances “A” and “B” are less than the staple forming distance “C”. The distance “D” between the bottoms of the first staple-receiving grooves 345, 347 and the bottom surface 342′ of the primary driver base 342 is substantially equal to the distance “E” between the bottoms of the secondary staple-receiving grooves 356, 357 and the bottom surface 352′ of the secondary driver base portion 352. See FIG. 15. Also in this embodiment, the distance “F” between the bottoms of the second staple-receiving grooves 376 and 378 and the bottom surface 373 of the third base 372 of the outside drivers 370a, 370b (FIG. 16) is less than distances “D” and “E” (FIG. 15). Because the forming distance “C” is greater than the forming distances “A” and “B”, the staples 222 supported and formed by the outside drivers 370a, 370b are not compressed as much as the staples supported and formed by the inside drivers 330a, 330b. It will be understood that similar results may be attained on the opposite side of the elongated slot 310 and the cut line 600 formed in the tissue by using the same arrangements and sizes of inside drivers 330b and outside drivers 370b. In an alternative embodiment, the same effect may be achieved by altering the depths of the forming pockets 202 corresponding to the drivers 330a and 370b such that forming distance “C” is greater than the forming distances “A” and “B”. That is, the depth (distance “Z′” in FIG. 16A) of the forming pockets 202 corresponding to the outside drivers 370a. 370b may be greater than the depth (distance “Z” in FIG. 14A) of the forming pockets 202 that correspond to the inside drivers 330a, 330b.



FIG. 29 illustrates the rows of staples formed on each side of a cut line 600 utilizing this embodiment of the present invention wherein the forming distances “A” and “B” are equal to each other and the forming distance “C” is greater than the forming distances “A” and “B”. For example, if forming distance “C” is 0.020″ greater than forming distances “A” and “B”, the formed height of the outside staples 222′ (represented as dimension “L” in FIG. 30) in rows 520 and 530 would be 0.020 inches is greater than the formed height of the inside staples 222″ (represented as dimension “M” in FIG. 31) in rows 522, 524, 526, 528.


The same result may be achieved by utilizing another embodiment of the present invention wherein the forming distances “A”, “B” and “C” are essentially equal. In this embodiment, however, the height of each of the inside sled cams 410 (distance “H” in FIG. 21) is greater than the height of each of the outside sled cams 420 (distance “J” in FIG. 22). Thus, because the height “H” of the inside sled cams 410 is greater than the height “J′” of the outside sled cams 420, the inside sled cams 410 will drive the corresponding inside drivers 330a, 330b further towards the anvil than the outside sled cams 420 will drive the corresponding outside drivers 370a, 370b. Such driving action will cause the staples supported by the inside drivers 330a, 330b to be compressed to a greater extent than those staples supported by the outside drivers 370a, 370b. For example, if distance “H” is 0.020 inches greater than distance “J”, the formed height of staples 222′ in lines 520, 530 would be 0.020″ greater than the formed height of staples 222″ in lines 522, 524, 526, 528.


When employing yet another embodiment of the present invention, the outside rows 520, 530 of staples 222′ and the inside rows 522, 528 of staples 222″ may be formed with heights that are greater than the formed heights of the staples 222″ in the inside rows 524, 526. See FIG. 32. This result is achieved by making the forming distances “C” greater than the forming distance “A” and making forming distance “A” greater than secondary forming distance “B”.


Another embodiment of the present invention can be used to install staples where it is desirable for the formed heights of staples in a single row to vary. One such arrangement is depicted in FIG. 33. As can be seen in FIG. 33, the formed heights of the staples 222′ in the outside rows 520, 530 increase when moving from the proximal ends 521, 531 of each row 520, 530, respectively to the distal ends 523, 533 of each row 520, 530, respectively. This effect may be accomplished by decreasing the forming distance “C” for each succeeding driver 370a, 370b. That is, the driver 370a closest the proximal end of the cartridge 300 would be sized to establish a forming distance “C” that is greater than the forming distance “C” achieved by the adjacent driver 370a and so on to achieve a condition wherein each succeeding staple 222′ (moving in the direction from the proximal end to the distal end of the cartridge 300) would have larger formed heights. This result could also be attained in the staples 222″ in rows 522, 524, 526, 528 by similarly altering the forming distances “A” and/or “B” attained by each driver 330a, 330b. Likewise, formed heights of the staples 222′ in the outside rows 520, 530 could be made to decrease when moving from the proximal ends 521, 531 of each row 520, 530, respectively, to the distal ends 523, 533 of each row 520, 530, respectively. This result may be attained by increasing the forming distance of each succeeding driver 370a, 370b. That is, the driver 370a closest the proximal end of the cartridge 300 would have a forming distance “C” that is less than the forming distance “C” of the adjacent driver 370a and so on to achieve a condition wherein each succeeding staple 222′ (moving in the direction from the proximal end to the distal end of the cartridge) would have smaller formed heights. See FIG. 34.


In use, the surgical stapling and severing instrument 10 is used as depicted in FIGS. 1-2 and 35-41. In FIGS. 1-2, the instrument 10 is in its start position, having had an unfired, fully loaded staple cartridge 300 snap-fitted into the distal end of the elongate channel 16. Both triggers 26, 28 are forward and the end effector 12 is open, such as would be typical after inserting the end effector 12 through a trocar or other opening into a body cavity. The instrument 10 is then manipulated by the clinician such that tissue 248 to be stapled and severed is positioned between the staple cartridge 300 and the anvil 18, as depicted in FIG. 35. With reference to FIGS. 36 and 37, the clinician then moves the closure trigger 26 proximally until positioned directly adjacent to the pistol grip 24, locking the handle portion 20 into the closed and clamped position. The retracted firing bar 14 in the end effector 12 does not impede the selective opening and closing of the end effector 12, but rather resides within the anvil pocket 40. With the anvil 18 closed and clamped, the E-beam firing bar 14 is aligned for firing through the end effector 12. In particular, the upper pin 38 is aligned with the anvil slot 42 and the elongate channel 16 is affirmatively engaged about the channel slot 45 by the middle pin 46 and the firing bar cap 44.


With reference to FIGS. 38 and 39, after tissue clamping has occurred, the clinician moves the firing trigger 28 proximally causing the firing bar 14 to move distally into the end effector 12. In particular, the middle pin 46 enters the staple cartridge 300 through the firing drive slot 47 to affect the firing of the staples 222 (not shown in FIGS. 38 and 39) via wedge sled 400 toward the anvil 18. The lowermost pin, or firing bar cap 44, cooperates with the middle pin 46 to slidingly position cutting edge 48 of the firing bar 14 to sever tissue. The two pins 44, 46 also position the upper pin 38 of the firing bar 14 within longitudinal anvil slot 42 of the anvil 18, affirmatively maintaining the spacing between the anvil 18 and the elongate channel 16 throughout its distal firing movement.


With reference to FIGS. 40 and 41, the clinician continues moving the firing trigger 28 until brought proximal to the closure trigger 26 and pistol grip 24. Thereby, all of the ends of the staples 222 are bent over as a result of their engagement with the anvil 18. The firing bar cap 44 is arrested against a firing bar stop 250 projecting toward the distal end of the channel slot 45. The cutting edge 48 has traversed completely through the tissue. The process is complete by releasing the firing trigger 28 and by then depressing the release button 30 while simultaneously squeezing the closure trigger 26 to open the end effector 12.



FIGS. 42-43 show the inside and outside sled cams 410, 420 of the sled 400 having different heights so that the staples, when formed, may have different formed heights. In particular, as shown in FIG. 42 the outside sled cam 420 may be shorter than the inside sled cam 410. That way, the outside staples may have a greater formed height than the inside staples. FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the sled 400 with the different heights for the inside and outside sled cams 410, 420. FIG. 43 is a side view of the end effector 12 showing various stages of driving the staples 222 with a sled 400 having different heights for the inside and outside sled cams 410, 420. As can be seen in FIG. 43, the formed staple 222b may have a greater formed height than the formed staple 222a because the staple 222b was driven by the outside cam sled 420 and the staple 222a was driven by the taller inside cam sled 410.


In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 44, the heights of the driver portions 342, 352 of a double driver 330 may vary so that the staples, when formed, may have different heights. In particular, as shown in FIG. 44, the secondary driver portion 352 may be shorter (having height “E”) than the primary driver portion 342 (having height “D”). That way, the staple 222a driven by the secondary driver portion 352 may have a greater formed height than the staple 222b driven by the primary driver portion 342. In various embodiments, some or all of the inside double drivers 330 could have primary and secondary driver portions 342 of different heights. Further, the heights differential need not be all the same. Different inside double drivers 330 could have different height differentials.


In addition, the height of the primary and secondary driver portions 342, 352 may be the same as or different from the height of the driver portions 372 of the outside staple drivers 370. That is, in various embodiments, the driver height of the outside staple driver portion 372 may be (1) different from the height of both driver portions 342, 352 of the inside double driver 330 when the driver portions 342, 352 are the same height, (2) different from the height of both driver portions 342, 352 when they are different heights, or (3) the same as the height for one of the driver portions 342, 352 when the driver portions 342, 352 have different heights. Also, the heights of the driver portions 372 of the outside staple drivers 370 need not be all the same. Different outside staple drivers 370 could have different heights.



FIG. 45 shows an embodiment having different height drivers (e.g., the primary driver portion 342 taller than the secondary driver portion 352) and with different depth anvil pockets 202. Varying the depth of the anvil pockets 202 can also affect the height of the formed staples. All things being equal, deeper pockets should result in longer formed staples. In the illustrated embodiment, the pockets 202 corresponding to the primary driver portion 342 are deeper than the pockets 202 corresponding to the secondary driver portion 352. Some or all of the pockets 202 for each staple row 500-510 could be deeper. Also, the depth differentials need not be the same. A multitude of different depths could be used in a single row 500-510 or across rows 500-510.


In addition, as shown in FIG. 46, staples 222 with differing pre-formation prong heights (“P”) may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the longer staple 222a is used with the shorter, secondary driver portion 352 of an inside double driver 330 in comparison with staple 222b driven by the primary driver portion 342. The pre-formation staple prong lengths may vary within a staple row 500-510 or across staple rows. That is, for example, all of the staples in the inside rows 504-506 could have the same pre-formation prong length x, all of the staples in the intermediate rows 502, 508 could be longer (e.g., a length 1.10x), and all of the staples in the outer rows 500, 510 could be still longer (e.g., a length of 1.20x). As shown in FIG. 47, the anvil pockets 202 could have the same depth. In other embodiments, varying anvil pocket depths could be used.



FIG. 48 is a side view of the end effector 12 in an embodiment where the outside staple drivers 370 have different heights. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the first staple driver 370′ is taller than the second staple driver 370″. In the illustrated embodiment, the staples 222 have the same pre-formation prong length and the corresponding anvil pockets 202 have the same depth. As such, the formed staple 222″ formed with the second outside staple driver 370″ is longer than the formed staple 222′ formed with the first outside staple driver 370′.



FIG. 49 is a side view of the end effector 12 where the anvil 18 has pockets 202 of different depth for the staples 222 driven by a inside double driver 330. In the illustrated embodiment, the pockets 202 corresponding to the primary driver portion 342 are deeper than the corresponding pockets 202 for the secondary driver portion 352. In this embodiment, the primary and secondary driver portions 342, 352 are the same height and the staples 222 have the same pre-formation prong length. The distance between the top of the primary driver portion 342 and the top of the corresponding anvil pockets 202 is height “A” and the corresponding height for the secondary portion 352 is height “B,” where “A” is greater than “B” by a height differential “h′”. This should result in longer formed staples for the primary driver portion 342, as shown in FIG. 50.



FIGS. 51 and 60 show aspects of an end effector 12 according to other embodiments that can be used to produce staples of different formed lengths. In the illustrated embodiment, the staple drivers 330, 370 are driven in stages by a plurality of actuator wedge cams 709 at the distal end of a plurality of wedge band sets 710, 712, 714. In the illustrated embodiment, each wedge band set comprise four wedge bands (shown best in FIG. 56); two 720 for actuating the inner drivers 330a,b and two 722 for actuating the outer drivers 370a,b. The wedge bands of the wedge band sets 710, 712, 714 may be actuated in serial order and may ride on top of one another in a stack to drive the staple drivers 330a,b, 370a,b (and hence the staples 222) in serial stages. For example, the wedge bands of the lowermost actuator wedge band set 710 may be fired (or actuated) first, and may partially deploy the staples 222. The middle wedge band set 712, which rides on top of the lowermost wedge band set 710 as shown in FIGS. 53-56, may be actuated next, which may have the effect of beginning to form the staples 222. Then the uppermost wedge band set 714, which rides on the middle wedge band set 712, may be actuated, which finishes the formation of the staples 222. FIG. 56 illustrates this operation. In FIG. 56, the lowermost wedge band sets 710 have been fired, the middle wedge band sets 712 have been partially fired, and the uppermost wedge band set 714 has not yet been fired. Thus, such an embodiment may comprise a plurality (in this case four) of stacked wedge band sets, each stack comprising a wedge band from the lowermost set 710, the middle set 712, and the uppermost set 714.


The firing bar 716, with the e-beam firing mechanism 14, may then be fired to cut the tissue clamped by the end effector 12. A hold down spring 718, which may be connected to the frame 34 at a crossbar 719, may engage and urge the firing bar 716 downward.


As can be seen best in FIGS. 54 and 56, the cumulative height of the wedge band stacks of inner row 720 or may be greater than the cumulative height of the wedge band stacks of the outer row 722 (by a height differential h′). That way, the outer row of staples may have a greater formed length than the inner row of formed staples, as shown in the example of FIG. 55, where the outer row staple 222a has a greater formed length than the inner row staple 222b. As shown the example of FIG. 61, according to one embodiment, the wedge bands of the lowermost and middle wedge bands sets 710, 712 may be the same height, and the height of the wedge bands for the outer row 722 of the uppermost wedge band set 714 may be less than the height of the wedge bands of the inner row 720 of the uppermost wedge band set 714 to provide the height differential for the different wedge band stacks.


The end effector 12 in such an embodiment may still comprise a sled 400, but without the sled cams 410, 420, to keep the firing mechanism 14 out of the lockout in the channel (see FIGS. 3-4 and related text).


The inner and outer wedge band stacks 720, 722 may be tightly spaced within the frame 34. Accordingly, the end effector 12 may further comprise an actuator wedge band respective guide 702 for spreading out the wedge band stacks 720, 722 when they enter the end effector 12 to align with the staple drivers 330, 370. The wedge band guide 702 may include wedge band channels for each of the inner and outer wedge band stacks 720, 722. That is, in the illustrated embodiment, the wedge band guide 702 may comprise four wedge band channels—two of the inner rows 720 and two for the outer rows 722. FIGS. 58-60 show one side of the wedge band guide 702 in more detail. As shown in FIG. 60, the wedge band channels 730, 732 may force the wedge band stacks 720, 722 outward as they enter the end effector 12. The inner wedge band channel 730 may direct the inner wedge band stack 720 so that the inner wedge band stack 720 aligns with the inner staple drivers 330 and the outer wedge band channel 732 may direct the outer row wedge band stack 722 so that the outer wedge band stack aligns with the outer staple drivers 370. In the illustrated embodiment, the channels 730, 732 are straight. In other embodiments, one or both of the channels 730, 732 may comprise curved portions.



FIG. 62 is a cross-sectional view of the shaft assembly 10 according to such an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 62, each wedge band set 710-714 may have its own actuation (or firing) bar. The lowermost actuation bar 740 may actuate the wedge bands of the lowermost wedge band set 710, the middle actuation bar 742 may actuate the wedge bands of the middle wedge band set 712, and the uppermost actuation bar 744 may actuate the wedge bands of the uppermost wedge band set 714. The firing bar 716 for actuating the cutting instrument 14 may be connected to the uppermost wedge band set 714 so that the cutting instrument 14 is actuated with the uppermost (last) wedge band set 714. In other embodiments, the firing bar 716 may have its own actuation mechanism so that is may be actuated separately.


In practice, the clinician may choose (or select) to actuate less than all of the wedge band sets 710-714 before actuating the firing rod 716 to cut the tissue to thereby exercise some choice in the length of the staples to be formed. For example, in various embodiments, the clinician may select to actuate the lowermost and middle wedge band sets 710, 712—and not the uppermost wedge band set 714—before cutting.



FIGS. 63-69 illustrate an embodiment of an open linear stapling and cutting device 800 that may use multiple stacked wedge band sets to produce staples of different formed lengths. In the illustrated embodiment, the anvil 810 is below the channel 809. As such, the staples are driven down through tissue clamped in the end effector 12 as part of the stapling operation.


The device 800 may include an upper body piece 802 and a lower body piece 804. The upper body piece 802 may include a channel 806 in which the staple cartridge 809 is inserted. The anvil 810 may be connected to the lower body piece 804 and face the staple cartridge 809 so that the staples 222 can be formed against the staple forming surface 812 of the anvil 810. When the clinician is satisfied with the position of the tissue between the cartridge 809 and the anvil 810, the clinician may lock the device 800 using a clamp lever 814 of a clamp lever assembly 816 connected to the upper body piece 802.


The staple drivers 820 in the cartridge 809 may be actuated in stages using multiple staged wedge band stacks. Because the staples 222 are driven down in this embodiment, the wedge bands of the uppermost wedge band set 822 may be actuated first to partially deploy the staples 222. Next, the wedge bands of the middle wedge band set 824, which ride on the uppermost wedge band set 822, may be actuated to begin forming the staples 222. Then the wedge bands of the lowermost wedge band set 826, which ride on the middle wedge band set 824, may be actuated, which finishes the formation of the staples 222.


In the illustrated embodiment, the firing bar 828, with the knife 830 at is distal end, is connected to the lowermost wedge band set 826 and is fired with the lowermost wedge band set 826. A hold down spring 832 may engage and urge the firing bar 828 upward. A knife retainer 834 may retain the firing bar 828 with the lowermost wedge band set 826.


As best shown in FIGS. 67-68, the clinician may actuate the wedge band sets using a three-part actuation slide bar 840. The upper piece 842 may actuate the uppermost (initial) wedge band set 822. The middle piece 844 may actuate the middle wedge band set 824. The lower piece 846 may actuate the lowermost (last) wedge band set 826.


To form staples of different formed heights, the staple pushers 820 may have different heights. For example, as shown in FIG. 66, one set of staple pusher 820a could be shorter than another set of staple pushers 820b. As such, the formed staple 222a, produced by the shorter staple pusher 820a, may have a longer formed length than the formed staple 222b, formed by the longer staple pusher 820b. In other embodiments, the staples 222 may have different lengths or wire diameters to create different length formed staples, and/or the pockets 202 in the anvil 810 could have different depths to create different length formed staples. Also, the cumulative heights of the wedge band stacks could be different.


According to various embodiments of the present invention, the staple drivers could have a staple/driver interface that permits staples of varying wire diameter to be employed. For example, as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 78-83, the outside staple drivers 370a,b may have a raised dimple configuration on its upper surface for supporting staples having differing wire diameters. The dimple configuration may comprise, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, two inner sets of outwardly protruding dimples (or convex bumps) 620a,b, and two outer sets of dimples 622a,b. Each set of dimples defines a receiving area where a staple 222 may sit in the upright position, as shown in FIGS. 81-83. The dimples of the inner sets 620a,b may be larger than the dimples of the outer dimple sets 622a,b so that the receiving area of the inner sets 620a,b is less than for the outer dimple sets 622a,b. Nevertheless, due to the convex nature of the dimples, staples 222 of varying wire thicknesses may be accommodated, as shown in FIGS. 82 and 83. For example, the dimples could be configured so that the staple drivers 370 can accommodate staples having a wire diameter of 0.006 inches to 0.012 inches, or some other range such as 0.004 inches to 0.008 inches or 0.006 inches to 0.008 inches, etc. As such, staples of different wire thicknesses could be used in a single cartridge 306. Differing wire diameters would produce different formed staple heights all other things being equal (e.g., same drive/crush distance, same pocket depth, etc.). In addition, as shown best in FIG. 78, the staple cradles for the inside drivers 330 may include sharp points 624 that may injure the tissue that is being stapled. The dimple configurations on the outside staple drivers 370 lack such sharp points, which would tend to minimize the trauma on the tissue being stapled.


In the illustrated embodiment, the outer staple drivers 370a,b have the raised dimple configuration in order to accommodate staples of different wire diameters and the staple cradles of the inside staple drivers 342, 352 can only support upright staples of one general wire diameter. In other embodiments, the one or both of the inside staple drivers 342, 352 may also or alternatively have the raised dimple configuration. Also, rather than using the raised dimple configuration, a v-shaped staple channel 349, 379 may be used. Such a v-shaped channel may also accommodate staples having different wire diameters. Also, staple pushers with staple interfaces that accommodate different staple wire diameters could be used with other types of staple drivers than the inside double and outside single staple drivers shown in FIGS. 78-83.



FIGS. 70-77 are cross-sectional frontal views of the end effector 12 according to various embodiments of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 70, the anvil 18 is stepped, having a central portion 19 that is offset relative to (or not coplanar with) the two lateral side portions 21, 23. Also, the upper surface 306 of the cartridge 300 has a recessed central portion 307 and two lateral side portions 309 (see FIG. 19A). All the staples 222 have the same pre-formation prong height and the corresponding anvil pockets 202 have the same depth. However, due to the stepped nature of the anvil 18, the pockets 202 on the two lateral side portions 21, 23 of the anvil 18 are offset from the pockets in the central portion 19 of the anvil. Offsetting the vertical position of the staple forming pockets 202 can affect the length of the formed staples 222. All other things being equal, staples formed by staple forming pockets that are elevated will have a longer formed length than staples formed with pockets that are not elevated. Also in this embodiment, the primary and secondary driver portions 342, 352 of the double inside drivers 330a,b are the same height, and the height of the driver portion 372 of the outside staple drivers 370a,b is greater than the height of the driver portions 342, 352 of the double inside staple drivers 330a,b. Also, the inside and outside sled cams 410, 4120 are the same height in this embodiment.



FIG. 71 shows an embodiment where the end effector 12 has a stepped cartridge tray 224 at the bottom of the cartridge 300 to match the steps in the channel 16. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge tray 224 has a central portion 602 on which the double inside staple drivers 330a,b rest and outer lateral portions 604 on which the outside staple drivers 370a,b rest. As can be seen in FIG. 71, the central portion 602 of the cartridge tray 224 is elevated above the lateral portions 604. As such, the sled 400 may be configured so that the outside sled cam 420 is positioned lower than the inside sled cam 410 so that the outside sled cam 420 can engage the lower outside driver portions 370a,b.


The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 72 is similar to that shown in FIG. 71 except that in FIG. 72 the cartridge 300 does not include the cartridge tray 224. Rather, the staple drivers 330, 370 rest directly on the channel 16. Such an embodiment may be beneficial because it may allow for more material (e.g., metal) in the channel 16 at points A and B than in a similar embodiment with the cartridge tray 224 (such as shown in FIG. 71).


The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 73 is also similar to that shown in FIG. 71 except that in FIG. 73 the cartridge tray 224 is raised slightly relative to the bottom on the channel 16 in comparison with the embodiment shown in FIG. 71. Such an embodiment may also allow for more material (e.g., metal) in the channel 16 at points A and B than in the embodiment shown in FIG. 71. According to other embodiments, the height of the anvil 18 could be reduced to permit more material in the channel 16 at points A and B.


The embodiment of FIG. 74 is similar to that used in FIG. 73 except that no cartridge tray 224 is included in the embodiment of FIG. 74.


The embodiment of FIG. 75 is similar to that of FIG. 70 except than in FIG. 75 the outer rows of pockets 202 are formed in a compliant material portion 610 of the anvil 18. The compliant material portion 610 may be made from a material that is more compliant to the rest of the anvil 18. For example, the compliant material portion 610 may be made from plastic or a plastic composite material and the rest of the pockets may be defined in a less-compliant material, such as stainless steel, of the anvil 18. The less-compliant anvil portion is sometimes referred to herein as “non-compliant” to distinguish it from the compliant materials portion 610, although it should be recognized that the so-called non-compliant material portion would be somewhat compliant, just less compliant than the compliant material portion 610. All things being equal, staples formed with the outer pockets 202 formed in the compliant material portion 610 of the anvil 18 would be longer than stapled form in the non-compliant (e.g., metal) portion of the anvil 18 because the compliant material portion 610 would compress more during the staple formation process.



FIGS. 76 and 77 collectively show another embodiment. In this embodiment, the channel 16 includes a compliant material portion 612 under the outside drivers 370. The complaint material portion 612 may be plastic or a composite plastic, for example. The inside drivers 330 may rest on the less-compliant (or “non-compliant”) channel 16, which may be made of metal (e.g., stainless steel). The outside sled cam 420 may slightly compress the compliant material portions 612 under the outside drivers 370 when forming the staples in relation to the inside drivers 330 on the channel 16, thereby forming slightly longer staples in the outside rows. In other embodiments, the compliant material portions 612 could be under the inside drivers 330 if it was desired to make the inside staples have a greater formed length.


According to other embodiments, staples of different materials could be used to produce staples of different formed lengths. The different materials may have different modulus of elasticity so that they will be formed differently given the same driving force. Staples having a higher modulus of elasticity will tend to be deformed less given the same driving force, thereby tending to produce staples having a longer formed length. The different materials for the staples 222 may comprise titanium, stainless steel, alloys, etc.


The present invention is also directed to other types of surgical cutting devices that can create formed staples of different heights. For example, FIGS. 84-89 illustrate a circular stapler 900 that is capable of forming staples with different formed heights. As seen in FIG. 84, the circular stapler 900 includes a head 902, an anvil 904, an adjustment knob assembly 906, and a trigger 908. The head 902 is coupled to a handle assembly 910 by an arcuate shaft assembly 912. The trigger 908 is pivotally supported by the handle assembly 910 and acts to operate the stapler 900 when a safety mechanism (not shown) is released. When the trigger 908 is activated, a firing mechanism (not shown in FIG. 84) operates within the shaft assembly 912 so that staples 914 are expelled from the head 902 into forming contact with the anvil 904. Simultaneously, a knife 916 operably supported within the head 902 acts to cut tissue clamped between the head 902 and the anvil 904. The stapler 900 is then pulled through the tissue leaving stapled tissue in its place.



FIGS. 85 and 86 illustrate one form of the anvil 904 and the head 902 that may be employed in connection with various embodiments of the subject invention. As can be seen in these figures, the anvil 904 may have a circular body portion 920 that has an anvil shaft 922 for attaching a trocar (not shown) thereto. The anvil body 920 has a staple forming surface 924 thereon and may also have a shroud 926 attached to the distal end thereof. The anvil 904 may be further provided with a pair of trocar retaining clips or leaf-type springs 928 that serve to releasably retain the trocar in retaining engagement with the anvil shaft 922. A plastic knife board 930 may be fitted into a cavity 932 in the anvil body 904.


The head 902 may comprise a casing member 940 that supports a cartridge supporting assembly in the form of a circular staple driver assembly 942 therein that is adapted to interface with a circular staple cartridge 944 and drive the staples 914 supported therein into forming contact with the staple forming surface 924 of the anvil 904. The circular knife member 916 is also centrally disposed within the staple driver assembly 942. The proximal end of the casing member 940 may be coupled to an outer tubular shroud 946 of the arcuate shaft assembly 912 by a distal ferrule member 948. More details regarding circular staples may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/541,151, entitled “Surgical Cutting and Stapling Device with Closure Apparatus for Limiting Maximum Tissue Compression Force,” by F. Shelton et al., filed Sep. 29, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference.


As can be seen in FIGS. 85-89, the staple driver assembly 942 may comprise an outer ring of staple drivers 950 and an inner ring of staple drivers 952. Correspondingly, the anvil 904 may comprise two concentric rings of staple forming pockets 202. Actuation of the firing trigger 908 of the handle assembly 910 cause a compression shaft (not shown) of the shaft assembly 912 to move distally thereby driving the staple driver assembly 942 distally to fire the staples 914 into forming contact with the staple forming surface 924 of the anvil 904. Thus, the outer staple drivers 950, when actuated by the drive mechanism of the stapler 900, drive an outer ring of staples 914 into the clamped tissue and are formed by surface forming surface 924 of the anvil 904. Similarly, the inner staple drivers 952, when actuated by the drive mechanism of the stapler 900, drive an outer ring of staples 914 into the clamped tissue and are formed by surface forming surface 924 of the anvil 904.


The staple drivers 950, 952 could be of different heights to thereby form different length formed staples (all other things being equal). For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the outer staple drivers 950 may be shorter than the inner staple drivers 952 so that the outer formed staples are longer than the inner formed staples, as shown in FIG. 88. Of course, in other embodiments, the inner staple drivers 952 could be shorter than the outer staple drivers 950. Further, the outer staple drivers 950 may not be a uniform height; there could be height variation among the outer staple drivers 950. Similarly, there could be height variation among the inner staple drivers 952.


In addition, staples with different pre-formation prong heights could be used. Also, the staple forming pockets 202 in the surface forming surface 924 of the anvil 904 may have varying depths to thereby vary the length of the formed staples. Also, as described above, some or all of the staple drivers 950, 952 may have a dimple configuration at their interface with the staples 914 to accommodate staples of different wire diameters or some other configuration that accommodates staples of different wire diameters (e.g., a v-shaped staple channel). Also, some of the pockets 202 in the anvil 1006 may be formed in a compliant material portion of the anvil 1006. Also, the staples 914 could be made of materials that have a different modulus of elasticity.


In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 90-95, the present invention is directed to a linear stapler 1000 that is capable of forming staples of different heights. FIGS. 90-95 focus on the end effector 1002 for such a linear stapler 1000. The end effector 1002 may comprise a replaceable staple cartridge 1004 and a linear anvil 1006. The cartridge 1004 comprises staples which are driven into and formed by the anvil 1006 when the device 1000 is actuated. Unlike the endocutters described before, the anvil 1006 may be non-rotatable in the linear stapler 1000. To clamp tissue in the end effector 1002, the user may squeeze a clamping trigger (not shown), which causes the cartridge 1004 to slide distally toward the anvil 1006 from a closed position to a closed position, More details regarding the operation and components of a liner stapler may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,543, entitled “Linear Stapler With Improved Firing Stroke,” by M. Burdorff (“the '543 patent”), which is incorporated herein by reference. Typically, such linear staplers do not comprise a cutting instrument.



FIGS. 92-93 show the end effector 1002 with the outer cover of the cartridge 1004 removed. As can be seen in these figures, the staple cartridge 1004 may comprise a staple driver assembly 1010 comprising a row of inner staple drivers 1012 and a row of outer staple drivers 1014. The staple drivers 1012, 1014 could be of different heights to thereby form different length formed staples (all other things being equal). For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the outer staple drivers 1014 may be shorter than the inner staple drivers 1012 so that the outer formed staples 222b are longer than the inner formed staples 222a, as shown in FIGS. 94-95. Of course, in other embodiments, the inner staple drivers 1012 could be shorter than the outer staple drivers 1014. Further, the outer staple drivers 1014 may not be a uniform height; there could be height variation among the outer staple drivers 1014. Similarly, there could be height variation among the inner staple drivers 1012. Also, the cartridge 1004 may comprise, for example, three rows of staples, where the outer two rows have shorter staple drivers and the inner row has longer staple drivers.


In addition, staples 1008 having different pre-formation prong heights could be used. Also, the staple forming pockets 202 in the surface forming surface 1016 of the anvil 1006 may have varying depths to thereby vary the length of the formed staples. Also, as described above, some or all of the staple drivers 1012, 1014 may have a dimple configuration at their interface with the staples 1008 to accommodate staples of different wire diameters or some other configuration that accommodates staples of different wire diameters (e.g., a v-shaped staple channel). Also, some of the pockets 202 in the anvil 1006 may be formed in a compliant material portion of the anvil 1006. Also, staples 1008 of different materials could be used.


In operation, as described in more detail in the '543 patent, when the clamping trigger is retracted by the user, the anvil 1006 is cause to slide proximally toward the staple cartridge 1004 into the closed position to clamp tissue in the end effector 102. The cartridge 1004 may comprise a distally-extending tissue retaining pin 1020 that engages an opening 1022 in the anvil when the end effector 1002 is in the closed position to retain the tissue between the cartridge 1004 and the anvil 1002. When the clinician retracts the separate firing trigger (not shown), a distally extending firing bar (not shown) is actuated, which actuates the staple drivers 1010 to drive the staples 1008.


In another embodiment, the linear stapler 1000 could be configured so that the staple cartridge 1004 slides distally toward the anvil when the clamping trigger is actuated.


It should be recognized that stapling devices according to the present invention may combine some of the features described herein for creating staples of different formed lengths. For example, for embodiments having different staple crushing distances, the staples may all have the same pre-formation prong length or some staples may have different pre-formation prong lengths. Also, the staples may all be made out of the same material, or staples made of different materials, with different modulus of elasticity, could be used. Also, the staple wire diameters may all be the same or some of them could be different.


The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after a single use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In either case, however, the device can be reconditioned for reuse after at least one use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the steps of disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement of particular pieces, and subsequent reassembly. In particular, the device can be disassembled, and any number of the particular pieces or parts of the device can be selectively replaced or removed in any combination. Upon cleaning and/or replacement of particular parts, the device can be reassembled for subsequent use either at a reconditioning facility, or by a surgical team immediately prior to a surgical procedure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that reconditioning of a device can utilize a variety of techniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement, and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all within the scope of the present application.


Preferably, the various embodiments of the invention described herein will be processed before surgery. First, a new or used instrument is obtained and if necessary cleaned. The instrument can then be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container, such as a plastic or TYVEK bag. The container and instrument are then placed in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation, x-rays, or high-energy electrons. The radiation kills bacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument can then be stored in the sterile container. The sealed container keeps the instrument sterile until it is opened in the medical facility.


It is preferred that the device is sterilized. This can be done by any number of ways known to those skilled in the art including beta or gamma radiation, ethylene oxide, steam.


While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications may readily appear to those skilled in the art. The various embodiments of the present invention represent vast improvements over prior staple methods that require the use of different sizes of staples in a single cartridge to achieve staples that have differing formed (final) heights.


Accordingly, the present invention has been discussed in terms of endoscopic procedures and apparatus. However, use herein of terms such as “endoscopic” should not be construed to limit the present invention to a surgical stapling and severing instrument for use only in conjunction with an endoscopic tube (i.e., trocar). On the contrary, it is believed that the present invention may find use in any procedure where access is limited to a small incision, including but not limited to laparoscopic procedures, as well as open procedures. Moreover, the unique and novel aspects of the various staple cartridge embodiments of the present invention may find utility when used in connection with other forms of stapling apparatuses without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims
  • 1. A surgical stapling device comprising an end effector that comprises: a circular anvil having a staple forming surface;a plurality of staples facing the staple forming surface of the anvil, each staple comprising a main portion and two prongs, wherein the two prongs each comprise a first end and a second end, wherein the first ends are connected to opposite ends of the main portion, and wherein the two prongs extend non-parallelly from the main portion; anda staple driver assembly comprising a plurality of staple drivers, wherein each staple driver supports one of the plurality of staples and is configured such that, when the staple driver assembly is actuated, each staple driver drives the staple into the staple forming surface of the anvil, wherein a first quantity of the staples have a first pre-deformation height, measured from a lower surface of the main portion to the second end of the first prong, and a second quantity of the staples have a second pre-deformation height, measured from a lower surface of the main portion to the second end of the first prong, wherein the first height is less than the second height, such that when the staple driver assembly is actuated, the first quantity of staples have a different formed staple length than the second quantity of staples.
  • 2. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, wherein the staple driver assembly comprises an outer ring of the staple drivers and an inner ring of the staple drivers.
  • 3. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, further comprising: a handle assembly;a shaft assembly connected to the handle assembly, wherein the end effector is connected to the shaft assembly.
  • 4. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, wherein all of the staples have the same wire diameter.
  • 5. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, wherein a first quantity of the plurality of staples have a first wire diameter and a second quantity of the plurality of staples have a second wire diameter, wherein the first wire diameter is less than the second wire diameter.
  • 6. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, wherein the staple forming undersurface of the anvil defines a plurality of staple forming pockets, each pocket aligned with an end of one of the plurality of staples, wherein a first quantity of the plurality of staple forming pockets has a first depth and a second quantity of the plurality of staple forming pockets has a second depth, wherein the first depth is greater than the second depth.
  • 7. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, wherein the end effector further comprises a knife for cutting tissue clamped by the end effector.
  • 8. A surgical stapling device comprising: a non-pivotable anvil having a staple forming surface; anda staple cartridge facing the anvil, wherein the staple cartridge comprises: a plurality of staples facing the staple forming surface of the anvil, each staple comprising a main portion and two prongs, wherein the two prongs each comprise a first end and a second end, wherein the first ends are connected to opposite ends of the main portion, and wherein the two prongs extend non-parallelly from the main portion; anda plurality of staple drivers, wherein each staple driver supports one of the plurality of staples and is configured such that, when the staple drivers are actuated, each staple driver drives the staple into the staple forming surface of the anvil, wherein a first quantity of the staples have a first pre-deformation height, measured from a lower surface of the main portion to the second end of the first prong, and a second quantity of the staples have a second pre-deformation height, measured from a lower surface of the main portion to the second end of the first prong, wherein the first height is less than the second height, such that when the staple driver assembly is actuated, the first quantity of staples have a different formed staple length than the second quantity of staples.
  • 9. The surgical stapling device of claim 8, wherein the anvil is slideably moveable toward the staple cartridge to clamp tissue between the anvil and the staple cartridge.
  • 10. The surgical stapling device of claim 8, wherein the staple cartridge comprises at least two rows of staple drivers.
  • 11. The surgical stapling device of claim 8, wherein the staple cartridge further comprises a tissue retaining pin for engaging an opening the anvil when the staple cartridge moves toward the anvil into a closed position.
  • 12. The surgical stapling device of claim 8, wherein all of the staples have the same wire diameter.
  • 13. The surgical stapling device of claim 8, wherein a first quantity of the plurality of staples have a first wire diameter and a second quantity of the plurality of staples have a second wire diameter, wherein the first wire diameter is less than the second wire diameter.
  • 14. The surgical stapling device of claim 8, wherein the staple forming undersurface of the anvil defines a plurality of staple forming pockets, each pocket aligned with an end of one of the plurality of staples, wherein a first quantity of the plurality of staple forming pockets has a first depth and a second quantity of the plurality of staple forming pockets has a second depth, wherein the first depth is greater than the second depth.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part under 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/216,562, filed Aug. 31, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,669,746, entitled “Staple Cartridges For Forming Staples Having Differing Formed Staple Heights,” by F. Shelton, which is incorporated herein by reference. The present application is also related to the following, concurrently-filed U.S. patent applications, which are incorporated herein by reference: (1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/711,977, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,673,781, “Surgical Stapling Device With Staple Driver That Supports Multiple Wire Diameter Staples,” by J. Swayze et al;(2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/714,049, now U.S. Publication No. 2007/0194082, “Surgical Stapling Device With Anvil Having Staple Forming Pockets Of Varying Depth,” by J. Morgan et al.;(3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/712,315, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,500,979, “Surgical Stapling Device With Multiple Stacked Actuator Wedge Cams For Driving Staple Drivers,” by J. Hueil et al.; and(4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/711,975, now U.S. Publication No. 2007/0194079, “Surgical Stapling Device With Staple Drivers Of Different Height,” by J. Hueil et al.

US Referenced Citations (1597)
Number Name Date Kind
66052 Smith Jun 1867 A
2037727 La Chapelle Apr 1936 A
2214870 West Sep 1940 A
2441096 Happe May 1948 A
2526902 Rublee Oct 1950 A
2804848 O'Farrell et al. Sep 1957 A
2808482 Zanichkowsky et al. Oct 1957 A
2853074 Olson Sep 1958 A
3032769 Palmer May 1962 A
3075062 Iaccarino Jan 1963 A
3078465 Bobrov Feb 1963 A
3266494 Brownrigg et al. Aug 1966 A
3269630 Fleischer Aug 1966 A
3357296 Lefever Dec 1967 A
3490675 Green et al. Jan 1970 A
3551987 Wilkinson Jan 1971 A
3598943 Barrett Aug 1971 A
3643851 Green et al. Feb 1972 A
3662939 Bryan May 1972 A
3717294 Green Feb 1973 A
3734207 Fishbein May 1973 A
3740994 DeCarlo, Jr. Jun 1973 A
3751902 Kingsbury et al. Aug 1973 A
3819100 Noiles et al. Jun 1974 A
3821919 Knohl Jul 1974 A
3892228 Mitsui Jul 1975 A
3894174 Cartun Jul 1975 A
3940844 Colby et al. Mar 1976 A
RE28932 Noiles et al. Aug 1976 E
4129059 Van Eck Dec 1978 A
4213562 Garrett et al. Jul 1980 A
4250436 Weissman Feb 1981 A
4261244 Becht et al. Apr 1981 A
4272662 Simpson Jun 1981 A
4275813 Noiles Jun 1981 A
4289133 Rothfuss Sep 1981 A
4305539 Korolkov et al. Dec 1981 A
4317451 Cerwin et al. Mar 1982 A
4321002 Froehlich Mar 1982 A
4331277 Green May 1982 A
4340331 Savino Jul 1982 A
4347450 Colligan Aug 1982 A
4349028 Green Sep 1982 A
4353371 Cosman Oct 1982 A
4379457 Gravener et al. Apr 1983 A
4380312 Landrus Apr 1983 A
4383634 Green May 1983 A
4396139 Hall et al. Aug 1983 A
4402445 Green Sep 1983 A
4408692 Sigel et al. Oct 1983 A
4415112 Green Nov 1983 A
4428376 Mericle Jan 1984 A
4429695 Green Feb 1984 A
4442964 Becht Apr 1984 A
4451743 Suzuki et al. May 1984 A
4454887 Krüger Jun 1984 A
4467805 Fukuda Aug 1984 A
4475679 Fleury, Jr. Oct 1984 A
4485816 Krumme Dec 1984 A
4489875 Crawford et al. Dec 1984 A
4500024 DiGiovanni et al. Feb 1985 A
4505273 Braun et al. Mar 1985 A
4505414 Filipi Mar 1985 A
4506671 Green Mar 1985 A
4520817 Green Jun 1985 A
4522327 Korthoff et al. Jun 1985 A
4526174 Froehlich Jul 1985 A
4527724 Chow et al. Jul 1985 A
4530453 Green Jul 1985 A
4548202 Duncan Oct 1985 A
4565189 Mabuchi Jan 1986 A
4566620 Green et al. Jan 1986 A
4573469 Golden et al. Mar 1986 A
4573622 Green et al. Mar 1986 A
4576167 Noiles et al. Mar 1986 A
4580712 Green Apr 1986 A
4589416 Green May 1986 A
4591085 Di Giovanni May 1986 A
4604786 Howie, Jr. Aug 1986 A
4605001 Rothfuss et al. Aug 1986 A
4606343 Conta et al. Aug 1986 A
4607638 Crainich Aug 1986 A
4608981 Rothfuss et al. Sep 1986 A
4610250 Green Sep 1986 A
4610383 Rothfuss et al. Sep 1986 A
4619262 Taylor Oct 1986 A
4629107 Fedotov et al. Dec 1986 A
4632290 Green et al. Dec 1986 A
4633874 Chow et al. Jan 1987 A
4641076 Linden Feb 1987 A
4646722 Silverstein et al. Mar 1987 A
4655222 Florez et al. Apr 1987 A
4663874 Sano et al. May 1987 A
4664305 Blake, III et al. May 1987 A
4665916 Green May 1987 A
4667674 Korthoff et al. May 1987 A
4671445 Barker et al. Jun 1987 A
4676245 Fukuda Jun 1987 A
4693248 Failla Sep 1987 A
4709120 Pearson Nov 1987 A
4715520 Roehr, Jr. et al. Dec 1987 A
4719917 Barrows et al. Jan 1988 A
4728020 Green et al. Mar 1988 A
4728876 Mongeon et al. Mar 1988 A
4729260 Dudden Mar 1988 A
4741336 Failla et al. May 1988 A
4752024 Green et al. Jun 1988 A
4754909 Barker et al. Jul 1988 A
4767044 Green Aug 1988 A
4777780 Holzwarth Oct 1988 A
4787387 Burbank, III et al. Nov 1988 A
4790225 Moody et al. Dec 1988 A
4805617 Bedi et al. Feb 1989 A
4805823 Rothfuss Feb 1989 A
4809695 Gwathmey et al. Mar 1989 A
4817847 Redtenbacher et al. Apr 1989 A
4819853 Green Apr 1989 A
4821939 Green Apr 1989 A
4827911 Broadwin et al. May 1989 A
4844068 Arata et al. Jul 1989 A
4869414 Green et al. Sep 1989 A
4869415 Fox Sep 1989 A
4880015 Nierman Nov 1989 A
4892244 Fox et al. Jan 1990 A
4915100 Green Apr 1990 A
4930503 Pruitt Jun 1990 A
4938408 Bedi et al. Jul 1990 A
4941623 Pruitt Jul 1990 A
4944443 Oddsen et al. Jul 1990 A
4955959 Tompkins et al. Sep 1990 A
4978049 Green Dec 1990 A
4986808 Broadwin et al. Jan 1991 A
4988334 Hornlein et al. Jan 1991 A
5002553 Shiber Mar 1991 A
5009661 Michelson Apr 1991 A
5014899 Presty et al. May 1991 A
5015227 Broadwin et al. May 1991 A
5027834 Pruitt Jul 1991 A
5031814 Tompkins et al. Jul 1991 A
5040715 Green et al. Aug 1991 A
5042707 Taheri Aug 1991 A
5061269 Muller Oct 1991 A
5062563 Green et al. Nov 1991 A
5065929 Schulze et al. Nov 1991 A
5071052 Rodak et al. Dec 1991 A
5071430 de Salis et al. Dec 1991 A
5080556 Carreno Jan 1992 A
5083695 Foslien et al. Jan 1992 A
5084057 Green et al. Jan 1992 A
5088979 Filipi et al. Feb 1992 A
5088997 Delahuerga et al. Feb 1992 A
5094247 Hernandez et al. Mar 1992 A
5100420 Green et al. Mar 1992 A
5104025 Main et al. Apr 1992 A
5106008 Tompkins et al. Apr 1992 A
5111987 Moeinzadeh et al. May 1992 A
5116349 Aranyi May 1992 A
5129570 Schulze et al. Jul 1992 A
5137198 Nobis et al. Aug 1992 A
5139513 Segato Aug 1992 A
5156315 Green et al. Oct 1992 A
5156614 Green et al. Oct 1992 A
5158567 Green Oct 1992 A
5163598 Peters et al. Nov 1992 A
5171247 Hughett et al. Dec 1992 A
5171249 Stefanchik et al. Dec 1992 A
5188111 Yates et al. Feb 1993 A
5190517 Zieve et al. Mar 1993 A
5195968 Lundquist et al. Mar 1993 A
5197648 Gingold Mar 1993 A
5200280 Karasa Apr 1993 A
5205459 Brinkerhoff et al. Apr 1993 A
5207697 Carusillo et al. May 1993 A
5211649 Kohler et al. May 1993 A
5217457 Delahuerga et al. Jun 1993 A
5217478 Rexroth Jun 1993 A
5219111 Bilotti et al. Jun 1993 A
5221036 Takase Jun 1993 A
5221281 Klicek Jun 1993 A
5222963 Brinkerhoff et al. Jun 1993 A
5222975 Crainich Jun 1993 A
5222976 Yoon Jun 1993 A
5223675 Taft Jun 1993 A
5234447 Kaster et al. Aug 1993 A
5236440 Hlavacek Aug 1993 A
5240163 Stein et al. Aug 1993 A
5242457 Akopov et al. Sep 1993 A
5244462 Delahuerga et al. Sep 1993 A
5246156 Rothfuss et al. Sep 1993 A
5246443 Mai Sep 1993 A
5253793 Green et al. Oct 1993 A
5258009 Conners Nov 1993 A
5259366 Reydel et al. Nov 1993 A
5260637 Pizzi Nov 1993 A
5263629 Trumbull et al. Nov 1993 A
5263973 Cook Nov 1993 A
5268622 Philipp Dec 1993 A
5271543 Grant et al. Dec 1993 A
5271544 Fox et al. Dec 1993 A
RE34519 Fox et al. Jan 1994 E
5275323 Schulze et al. Jan 1994 A
5275608 Forman et al. Jan 1994 A
5281216 Klicek Jan 1994 A
5282806 Haber et al. Feb 1994 A
5282829 Hermes Feb 1994 A
5297714 Kramer Mar 1994 A
5304204 Bregen Apr 1994 A
5307976 Olson et al. May 1994 A
5309927 Welch May 1994 A
5312023 Green et al. May 1994 A
5312329 Beaty et al. May 1994 A
5314424 Nicholas May 1994 A
5318221 Green et al. Jun 1994 A
5330502 Hassler et al. Jul 1994 A
5332142 Robinson et al. Jul 1994 A
5333422 Warren et al. Aug 1994 A
5334183 Wuchinich Aug 1994 A
5339799 Kami et al. Aug 1994 A
5341724 Vatel Aug 1994 A
5342395 Jarrett et al. Aug 1994 A
5342396 Cook Aug 1994 A
5344060 Gravener et al. Sep 1994 A
5350400 Esposito et al. Sep 1994 A
5352235 Koros et al. Oct 1994 A
5352238 Green et al. Oct 1994 A
5354303 Spaeth et al. Oct 1994 A
5356006 Alpern et al. Oct 1994 A
5358510 Luscombe et al. Oct 1994 A
5359231 Flowers et al. Oct 1994 A
D352780 Glaeser et al. Nov 1994 S
5360428 Hutchinson, Jr. Nov 1994 A
5364003 Williamson, IV Nov 1994 A
5366134 Green et al. Nov 1994 A
5366479 McGarry et al. Nov 1994 A
5370645 Klicek et al. Dec 1994 A
5372596 Klicek et al. Dec 1994 A
5372602 Burke Dec 1994 A
5374277 Hassler Dec 1994 A
5379933 Green et al. Jan 1995 A
5381782 DeLaRama et al. Jan 1995 A
5382247 Cimino et al. Jan 1995 A
5383880 Hooven Jan 1995 A
5383881 Green et al. Jan 1995 A
5383888 Zvenyatsky et al. Jan 1995 A
5383895 Holmes et al. Jan 1995 A
5389098 Tsuruta et al. Feb 1995 A
5391180 Tovey et al. Feb 1995 A
5392979 Green et al. Feb 1995 A
5395030 Kuramoto et al. Mar 1995 A
5395033 Byrne et al. Mar 1995 A
5395312 Desai Mar 1995 A
5397046 Savage et al. Mar 1995 A
5397324 Carroll et al. Mar 1995 A
5403312 Yates et al. Apr 1995 A
5405072 Zlock et al. Apr 1995 A
5405344 Williamson et al. Apr 1995 A
5407293 Crainich Apr 1995 A
5409498 Braddock et al. Apr 1995 A
5411508 Bessler et al. May 1995 A
5413267 Solyntjes et al. May 1995 A
5413268 Green et al. May 1995 A
5413272 Green et al. May 1995 A
5415334 Williamson, IV et al. May 1995 A
5415335 Knodell, Jr. May 1995 A
5417361 Williamson, IV May 1995 A
5421829 Olichney et al. Jun 1995 A
5422567 Matsunaga Jun 1995 A
5423809 Klicek Jun 1995 A
5425745 Green et al. Jun 1995 A
5431322 Green et al. Jul 1995 A
5431668 Burbank, III et al. Jul 1995 A
5433721 Hooven et al. Jul 1995 A
5438302 Goble Aug 1995 A
5441193 Gravener Aug 1995 A
5441494 Ortiz Aug 1995 A
5445304 Plyley et al. Aug 1995 A
5445644 Pietrafitta et al. Aug 1995 A
5447417 Kuhl et al. Sep 1995 A
5447513 Davison et al. Sep 1995 A
5449355 Rhum et al. Sep 1995 A
5449365 Green et al. Sep 1995 A
5452836 Huitema et al. Sep 1995 A
5454827 Aust et al. Oct 1995 A
5456401 Green et al. Oct 1995 A
5458579 Chodorow et al. Oct 1995 A
5462215 Viola et al. Oct 1995 A
5464300 Crainich Nov 1995 A
5465894 Clark et al. Nov 1995 A
5465895 Knodel et al. Nov 1995 A
5465896 Allen et al. Nov 1995 A
5466020 Page et al. Nov 1995 A
5467911 Tsuruta et al. Nov 1995 A
5470006 Rodak Nov 1995 A
5470007 Plyley et al. Nov 1995 A
5472132 Savage et al. Dec 1995 A
5472442 Klicek Dec 1995 A
5473204 Temple Dec 1995 A
5474057 Makower et al. Dec 1995 A
5474566 Alesi et al. Dec 1995 A
5476206 Green et al. Dec 1995 A
5476479 Green et al. Dec 1995 A
5478003 Green et al. Dec 1995 A
5478354 Tovey et al. Dec 1995 A
5480089 Blewett Jan 1996 A
5480409 Riza Jan 1996 A
5482197 Green et al. Jan 1996 A
5484095 Green et al. Jan 1996 A
5484398 Stoddard Jan 1996 A
5484451 Akopov et al. Jan 1996 A
5485947 Olson et al. Jan 1996 A
5485952 Fontayne Jan 1996 A
5487499 Sorrentino et al. Jan 1996 A
5487500 Knodel et al. Jan 1996 A
5489058 Plyley et al. Feb 1996 A
5489256 Adair Feb 1996 A
5496312 Klicek Mar 1996 A
5496317 Goble et al. Mar 1996 A
5497933 DeFonzo et al. Mar 1996 A
5503320 Webster et al. Apr 1996 A
5503635 Sauer et al. Apr 1996 A
5503638 Cooper et al. Apr 1996 A
5505363 Green et al. Apr 1996 A
5509596 Green et al. Apr 1996 A
5509916 Taylor Apr 1996 A
5511564 Wilk Apr 1996 A
5514129 Smith May 1996 A
5514157 Nicholas et al. May 1996 A
5518163 Hooven May 1996 A
5518164 Hooven May 1996 A
5520678 Heckele et al. May 1996 A
5520700 Beyar et al. May 1996 A
5522817 Sander et al. Jun 1996 A
5527320 Carruthers et al. Jun 1996 A
5529235 Boiarski et al. Jun 1996 A
D372086 Grasso et al. Jul 1996 S
5531744 Nardella et al. Jul 1996 A
5533521 Granger Jul 1996 A
5533581 Barth et al. Jul 1996 A
5533661 Main et al. Jul 1996 A
5535934 Boiarski et al. Jul 1996 A
5535935 Vidal et al. Jul 1996 A
5535937 Boiarski et al. Jul 1996 A
5540375 Bolanos et al. Jul 1996 A
5541376 Ladtkow et al. Jul 1996 A
5542594 McKean et al. Aug 1996 A
5543119 Sutter et al. Aug 1996 A
5547117 Hamblin et al. Aug 1996 A
5549628 Cooper et al. Aug 1996 A
5549637 Crainich Aug 1996 A
5553675 Pitzen et al. Sep 1996 A
5553765 Knodel et al. Sep 1996 A
5554169 Green et al. Sep 1996 A
5556416 Clark et al. Sep 1996 A
5558665 Kieturakis Sep 1996 A
5558671 Yates Sep 1996 A
5560530 Bolanos et al. Oct 1996 A
5560532 DeFonzo et al. Oct 1996 A
5562239 Boiarski et al. Oct 1996 A
5562241 Knodel et al. Oct 1996 A
5562682 Oberlin et al. Oct 1996 A
5562701 Huitema et al. Oct 1996 A
5562702 Huitema et al. Oct 1996 A
5564615 Bishop et al. Oct 1996 A
5569161 Ebling et al. Oct 1996 A
5571090 Sherts Nov 1996 A
5571100 Goble et al. Nov 1996 A
5571116 Bolanos et al. Nov 1996 A
5573543 Akopov et al. Nov 1996 A
5574431 McKeown et al. Nov 1996 A
5575789 Bell et al. Nov 1996 A
5575799 Bolanos et al. Nov 1996 A
5575803 Cooper et al. Nov 1996 A
5577654 Bishop Nov 1996 A
5579978 Green et al. Dec 1996 A
5580067 Hamblin et al. Dec 1996 A
5582611 Tsuruta et al. Dec 1996 A
5582617 Klieman et al. Dec 1996 A
5584425 Savage et al. Dec 1996 A
5586711 Plyley et al. Dec 1996 A
5588579 Schnut et al. Dec 1996 A
5588580 Paul et al. Dec 1996 A
5588581 Conlon et al. Dec 1996 A
5591170 Spievack et al. Jan 1997 A
5591187 Dekel Jan 1997 A
5597107 Knodel et al. Jan 1997 A
5599151 Daum et al. Feb 1997 A
5599344 Paterson Feb 1997 A
5599350 Schulze et al. Feb 1997 A
5601224 Bishop et al. Feb 1997 A
5603443 Clark et al. Feb 1997 A
5605272 Witt et al. Feb 1997 A
5605273 Hamblin et al. Feb 1997 A
5607094 Clark et al. Mar 1997 A
5607095 Smith et al. Mar 1997 A
5607450 Zvenyatsky et al. Mar 1997 A
5609285 Grant et al. Mar 1997 A
5611709 McAnulty Mar 1997 A
5613966 Makower et al. Mar 1997 A
5618294 Aust et al. Apr 1997 A
5618303 Marlow et al. Apr 1997 A
5620289 Curry Apr 1997 A
5624452 Yates Apr 1997 A
5626587 Bishop et al. May 1997 A
5628446 Geiste et al. May 1997 A
5628743 Cimino May 1997 A
5630539 Plyley et al. May 1997 A
5630540 Blewett May 1997 A
5630782 Adair May 1997 A
5632432 Schulze et al. May 1997 A
5632433 Grant et al. May 1997 A
5634584 Okorocha et al. Jun 1997 A
5636779 Palmer Jun 1997 A
5636780 Green et al. Jun 1997 A
5639008 Gallagher et al. Jun 1997 A
5643291 Pier et al. Jul 1997 A
5645209 Green et al. Jul 1997 A
5647526 Green et al. Jul 1997 A
5647869 Goble et al. Jul 1997 A
5649937 Bito et al. Jul 1997 A
5651491 Heaton et al. Jul 1997 A
5653373 Green et al. Aug 1997 A
5653374 Young et al. Aug 1997 A
5653677 Okada et al. Aug 1997 A
5653721 Knodel et al. Aug 1997 A
5655698 Yoon Aug 1997 A
5657921 Young et al. Aug 1997 A
5658281 Heard Aug 1997 A
5658300 Bito et al. Aug 1997 A
5662258 Knodel et al. Sep 1997 A
5662260 Yoon Sep 1997 A
5662662 Bishop et al. Sep 1997 A
5667517 Hooven Sep 1997 A
5667527 Cook Sep 1997 A
5669544 Schulze et al. Sep 1997 A
5669904 Platt, Jr. et al. Sep 1997 A
5669907 Platt, Jr. et al. Sep 1997 A
5669918 Balazs et al. Sep 1997 A
5673840 Schulze et al. Oct 1997 A
5673841 Schulze et al. Oct 1997 A
5673842 Bittner et al. Oct 1997 A
5678748 Plyley et al. Oct 1997 A
5680981 Mililli et al. Oct 1997 A
5680982 Schulze et al. Oct 1997 A
5680983 Plyley et al. Oct 1997 A
5683349 Makower et al. Nov 1997 A
5685474 Seeber Nov 1997 A
5688270 Yates et al. Nov 1997 A
5690269 Bolanos et al. Nov 1997 A
5692668 Schulze et al. Dec 1997 A
5693042 Boiarski et al. Dec 1997 A
5693051 Schulze et al. Dec 1997 A
5695494 Becker Dec 1997 A
5695504 Gifford, III et al. Dec 1997 A
5697543 Burdorff Dec 1997 A
5697943 Sauer et al. Dec 1997 A
5700270 Peyser et al. Dec 1997 A
5702387 Arts et al. Dec 1997 A
5702408 Wales et al. Dec 1997 A
5702409 Rayburn et al. Dec 1997 A
5704087 Strub Jan 1998 A
5704534 Huitema et al. Jan 1998 A
5706997 Green et al. Jan 1998 A
5706998 Plyley et al. Jan 1998 A
5707392 Kortenbach Jan 1998 A
5709334 Sorrentino et al. Jan 1998 A
5709680 Yates et al. Jan 1998 A
5711472 Bryan Jan 1998 A
5713128 Schrenk et al. Feb 1998 A
5713505 Huitema Feb 1998 A
5713895 Lontine et al. Feb 1998 A
5715987 Kelley et al. Feb 1998 A
5715988 Palmer Feb 1998 A
5716366 Yates Feb 1998 A
5718359 Palmer et al. Feb 1998 A
5718360 Green et al. Feb 1998 A
5718548 Cotellessa Feb 1998 A
5720744 Eggleston et al. Feb 1998 A
D393067 Geary et al. Mar 1998 S
5725536 Oberlin et al. Mar 1998 A
5725554 Simon et al. Mar 1998 A
5728121 Bimbo et al. Mar 1998 A
5730758 Allgeyer Mar 1998 A
5732871 Clark et al. Mar 1998 A
5732872 Bolduc et al. Mar 1998 A
5735445 Vidal et al. Apr 1998 A
5735848 Yates et al. Apr 1998 A
5735874 Measamer et al. Apr 1998 A
5738474 Blewett Apr 1998 A
5738648 Lands et al. Apr 1998 A
5743456 Jones et al. Apr 1998 A
5747953 Philipp May 1998 A
5749889 Bacich et al. May 1998 A
5749893 Vidal et al. May 1998 A
5752644 Bolanos et al. May 1998 A
5752965 Francis et al. May 1998 A
5755717 Yates et al. May 1998 A
5758814 Gallagher et al. Jun 1998 A
5762255 Chrisman et al. Jun 1998 A
5762256 Mastri et al. Jun 1998 A
5766188 Igaki Jun 1998 A
5766205 Zvenyatsky et al. Jun 1998 A
5769892 Kingwell Jun 1998 A
5772578 Heimberger et al. Jun 1998 A
5772659 Becker et al. Jun 1998 A
5776130 Buysse et al. Jul 1998 A
5779130 Alesi et al. Jul 1998 A
5779131 Knodel et al. Jul 1998 A
5779132 Knodel et al. Jul 1998 A
5782396 Mastri et al. Jul 1998 A
5782397 Koukline Jul 1998 A
5782749 Riza Jul 1998 A
5782859 Nicholas et al. Jul 1998 A
5784934 Izumisawa Jul 1998 A
5785232 Vidal et al. Jul 1998 A
5787897 Kieturakis Aug 1998 A
5792135 Madhani et al. Aug 1998 A
5792165 Klieman et al. Aug 1998 A
5794834 Hamblin et al. Aug 1998 A
5796188 Bays Aug 1998 A
5797536 Smith et al. Aug 1998 A
5797537 Oberlin et al. Aug 1998 A
5797538 Heaton et al. Aug 1998 A
5797906 Rhum et al. Aug 1998 A
5797959 Castro et al. Aug 1998 A
5799857 Robertson et al. Sep 1998 A
5807378 Jensen et al. Sep 1998 A
5807393 Williamson, IV et al. Sep 1998 A
5809441 McKee Sep 1998 A
5810811 Yates et al. Sep 1998 A
5810855 Rayburn et al. Sep 1998 A
5813813 Daum et al. Sep 1998 A
5814057 Oi et al. Sep 1998 A
5817084 Jensen Oct 1998 A
5817091 Nardella et al. Oct 1998 A
5817093 Williamson, IV et al. Oct 1998 A
5817109 McGarry et al. Oct 1998 A
5817119 Klieman et al. Oct 1998 A
5820009 Melling et al. Oct 1998 A
5823066 Huitema et al. Oct 1998 A
5826776 Schulze et al. Oct 1998 A
5827271 Buysse et al. Oct 1998 A
5829662 Allen et al. Nov 1998 A
5833690 Yates et al. Nov 1998 A
5833695 Yoon Nov 1998 A
5833696 Whitfield et al. Nov 1998 A
5836503 Ehrenfels et al. Nov 1998 A
5836960 Kolesa et al. Nov 1998 A
5839639 Sauer et al. Nov 1998 A
5843132 Ilvento Dec 1998 A
5846254 Schulze et al. Dec 1998 A
5849011 Jones et al. Dec 1998 A
5855311 Hamblin et al. Jan 1999 A
5855583 Wang et al. Jan 1999 A
5860975 Goble et al. Jan 1999 A
5865361 Milliman et al. Feb 1999 A
5868760 McGuckin, Jr. Feb 1999 A
5871135 Williamson, IV et al. Feb 1999 A
5873885 Weidenbenner Feb 1999 A
5876401 Schulze et al. Mar 1999 A
5878193 Wang et al. Mar 1999 A
5878937 Green et al. Mar 1999 A
5878938 Bittner et al. Mar 1999 A
5891160 Williamson, IV et al. Apr 1999 A
5893506 Powell Apr 1999 A
5894979 Powell Apr 1999 A
5897562 Bolanos et al. Apr 1999 A
5899914 Zirps et al. May 1999 A
5901895 Heaton et al. May 1999 A
5902312 Frater et al. May 1999 A
5904693 Dicesare et al. May 1999 A
5906625 Bito et al. May 1999 A
5908402 Blythe Jun 1999 A
5908427 McKean et al. Jun 1999 A
5911353 Bolanos et al. Jun 1999 A
5915616 Viola et al. Jun 1999 A
5918791 Sorrentino et al. Jul 1999 A
5919198 Graves, Jr. et al. Jul 1999 A
5928256 Riza Jul 1999 A
5931847 Bittner et al. Aug 1999 A
5931853 McEwen et al. Aug 1999 A
5937951 Izuchukwu et al. Aug 1999 A
5938667 Peyser et al. Aug 1999 A
5941442 Geiste et al. Aug 1999 A
5944172 Hannula Aug 1999 A
5944715 Goble et al. Aug 1999 A
5948030 Miller et al. Sep 1999 A
5951552 Long et al. Sep 1999 A
5951574 Stefanchik et al. Sep 1999 A
5954259 Viola et al. Sep 1999 A
5964774 McKean et al. Oct 1999 A
5988479 Palmer Nov 1999 A
6003517 Sheffield et al. Dec 1999 A
6004319 Goble et al. Dec 1999 A
6010054 Johnson et al. Jan 2000 A
6012494 Balazs Jan 2000 A
6013076 Goble et al. Jan 2000 A
6015406 Goble et al. Jan 2000 A
6017356 Frederick et al. Jan 2000 A
6022352 Vandewalle Feb 2000 A
6024741 Williamson, IV et al. Feb 2000 A
6024748 Manzo et al. Feb 2000 A
6027501 Goble et al. Feb 2000 A
6032849 Mastri et al. Mar 2000 A
6033378 Lundquist et al. Mar 2000 A
6033399 Gines Mar 2000 A
6033427 Lee Mar 2000 A
6039733 Buysse et al. Mar 2000 A
6039734 Goble Mar 2000 A
6045560 McKean et al. Apr 2000 A
6050472 Shibata Apr 2000 A
6053390 Green et al. Apr 2000 A
6056746 Goble et al. May 2000 A
6063097 Oi et al. May 2000 A
6063098 Houser et al. May 2000 A
6068627 Orszulak et al. May 2000 A
6071233 Ishikawa et al. Jun 2000 A
6074386 Goble et al. Jun 2000 A
6077286 Cuschieri et al. Jun 2000 A
6079606 Milliman et al. Jun 2000 A
6082577 Coates et al. Jul 2000 A
6083234 Nicholas et al. Jul 2000 A
6083242 Cook Jul 2000 A
6086600 Kortenbach Jul 2000 A
6090106 Goble et al. Jul 2000 A
6093186 Goble Jul 2000 A
6099537 Sugai et al. Aug 2000 A
6099551 Gabbay Aug 2000 A
6102271 Longo et al. Aug 2000 A
6109500 Alli et al. Aug 2000 A
6117158 Measamer et al. Sep 2000 A
6119913 Adams et al. Sep 2000 A
6123241 Walter et al. Sep 2000 A
H1904 Yates et al. Oct 2000 H
6126058 Adams et al. Oct 2000 A
6126670 Walker et al. Oct 2000 A
6131789 Schulze et al. Oct 2000 A
6132368 Cooper Oct 2000 A
6139546 Koenig et al. Oct 2000 A
6155473 Tompkins et al. Dec 2000 A
6156056 Kearns et al. Dec 2000 A
6159146 El Gazayerli Dec 2000 A
6159200 Verdura et al. Dec 2000 A
6162208 Hipps Dec 2000 A
6165175 Wampler et al. Dec 2000 A
6168605 Measamer et al. Jan 2001 B1
6171316 Kovac et al. Jan 2001 B1
6171330 Benchetrit Jan 2001 B1
6174308 Goble et al. Jan 2001 B1
6179776 Adams et al. Jan 2001 B1
6181105 Cutolo et al. Jan 2001 B1
6193129 Bittner et al. Feb 2001 B1
6197042 Ginn et al. Mar 2001 B1
6202914 Geiste et al. Mar 2001 B1
6214028 Yoon et al. Apr 2001 B1
6220368 Ark et al. Apr 2001 B1
6223835 Habedank et al. May 2001 B1
6228081 Goble May 2001 B1
6228084 Kirwan, Jr. May 2001 B1
6231565 Tovey et al. May 2001 B1
6234178 Goble et al. May 2001 B1
6241139 Milliman et al. Jun 2001 B1
6241723 Heim et al. Jun 2001 B1
6249076 Madden et al. Jun 2001 B1
6250532 Green et al. Jun 2001 B1
6258107 Balázs et al. Jul 2001 B1
6261286 Goble et al. Jul 2001 B1
6264086 McGuckin, Jr. Jul 2001 B1
6264087 Whitman Jul 2001 B1
6270508 Klieman et al. Aug 2001 B1
6273897 Dalessandro et al. Aug 2001 B1
6277114 Bullivant et al. Aug 2001 B1
6293942 Goble et al. Sep 2001 B1
6296640 Wampler et al. Oct 2001 B1
6302311 Adams et al. Oct 2001 B1
6306134 Goble et al. Oct 2001 B1
6309403 Minor et al. Oct 2001 B1
6315184 Whitman Nov 2001 B1
6320123 Reimers Nov 2001 B1
6324339 Hudson et al. Nov 2001 B1
6325799 Goble Dec 2001 B1
6325810 Hamilton et al. Dec 2001 B1
6330965 Milliman et al. Dec 2001 B1
6331181 Tierney et al. Dec 2001 B1
6331761 Kumar et al. Dec 2001 B1
6336926 Goble Jan 2002 B1
6346077 Taylor et al. Feb 2002 B1
6352503 Matsui et al. Mar 2002 B1
6358224 Tims et al. Mar 2002 B1
6364877 Goble et al. Apr 2002 B1
6364888 Niemeyer et al. Apr 2002 B1
6387113 Hawkins et al. May 2002 B1
6387114 Adams May 2002 B2
6398781 Goble et al. Jun 2002 B1
6398797 Bombard et al. Jun 2002 B2
6406440 Stefanchik Jun 2002 B1
6409724 Penny et al. Jun 2002 B1
H2037 Yates et al. Jul 2002 H
6416486 Wampler Jul 2002 B1
6416509 Goble et al. Jul 2002 B1
RE37814 Allgeyer Aug 2002 E
6436097 Nardella Aug 2002 B1
6436107 Wang et al. Aug 2002 B1
6436122 Frank et al. Aug 2002 B1
6439446 Perry et al. Aug 2002 B1
6440146 Nicholas et al. Aug 2002 B2
6443973 Whitman Sep 2002 B1
6468275 Wampler et al. Oct 2002 B1
6471106 Reining Oct 2002 B1
6482200 Shippert Nov 2002 B2
6485490 Wampler et al. Nov 2002 B2
6488196 Fenton, Jr. Dec 2002 B1
6488197 Whitman Dec 2002 B1
6491201 Whitman Dec 2002 B1
6491690 Goble et al. Dec 2002 B1
6492785 Kasten et al. Dec 2002 B1
6494896 D'Alessio et al. Dec 2002 B1
6503257 Grant et al. Jan 2003 B2
6503259 Huxel et al. Jan 2003 B2
6505768 Whitman Jan 2003 B2
6510854 Goble Jan 2003 B2
6511468 Cragg et al. Jan 2003 B1
6517535 Edwards Feb 2003 B2
6517565 Whitman et al. Feb 2003 B1
6522101 Malackowski Feb 2003 B2
6543456 Freeman Apr 2003 B1
6547786 Goble Apr 2003 B1
6550546 Thurler et al. Apr 2003 B2
6551333 Kuhns et al. Apr 2003 B2
6554861 Knox et al. Apr 2003 B2
6558379 Batchelor et al. May 2003 B1
6565560 Goble et al. May 2003 B1
6569085 Kortenbach et al. May 2003 B2
6569171 DeGuillebon et al. May 2003 B2
6578751 Hartwick Jun 2003 B2
6582427 Goble et al. Jun 2003 B1
6588643 Bolduc et al. Jul 2003 B2
6592597 Grant et al. Jul 2003 B2
6596432 Kawakami et al. Jul 2003 B2
D478665 Isaacs et al. Aug 2003 S
D478986 Johnston et al. Aug 2003 S
6601749 Sullivan et al. Aug 2003 B2
6602252 Mollenauer Aug 2003 B2
6605078 Adams Aug 2003 B2
6605669 Awokola et al. Aug 2003 B2
6616686 Coleman et al. Sep 2003 B2
6619529 Green et al. Sep 2003 B2
6620166 Wenstrom, Jr. et al. Sep 2003 B1
6629630 Adams Oct 2003 B2
6629974 Penny et al. Oct 2003 B2
6629988 Weadock Oct 2003 B2
6636412 Smith Oct 2003 B2
6638108 Tachi Oct 2003 B2
6638285 Gabbay Oct 2003 B2
6644532 Green et al. Nov 2003 B2
6648816 Irion et al. Nov 2003 B2
D484243 Ryan et al. Dec 2003 S
D484595 Ryan et al. Dec 2003 S
D484596 Ryan et al. Dec 2003 S
6656193 Grant et al. Dec 2003 B2
6666875 Sakurai et al. Dec 2003 B1
6669073 Milliman et al. Dec 2003 B2
D484977 Ryan et al. Jan 2004 S
6676660 Wampler et al. Jan 2004 B2
6679410 Würsch et al. Jan 2004 B2
6681978 Geiste et al. Jan 2004 B2
6681979 Whitman Jan 2004 B2
6682528 Frazier et al. Jan 2004 B2
6685727 Fisher et al. Feb 2004 B2
6695199 Whitman Feb 2004 B2
6698643 Whitman Mar 2004 B2
6704210 Myers Mar 2004 B1
6705503 Pedicini et al. Mar 2004 B1
6716223 Leopold et al. Apr 2004 B2
6716232 Vidal et al. Apr 2004 B1
6716233 Whitman Apr 2004 B1
6723087 O'Neill et al. Apr 2004 B2
6723091 Goble et al. Apr 2004 B2
6726697 Nicholas et al. Apr 2004 B2
6740030 Martone et al. May 2004 B2
6747121 Gogolewski Jun 2004 B2
6749560 Konstorum et al. Jun 2004 B1
6752768 Burdorff et al. Jun 2004 B2
6752816 Culp et al. Jun 2004 B2
6755195 Lemke et al. Jun 2004 B1
6755338 Hahnen et al. Jun 2004 B2
6758846 Goble et al. Jul 2004 B2
6761685 Adams et al. Jul 2004 B2
6767352 Field et al. Jul 2004 B2
6767356 Kanner et al. Jul 2004 B2
6769594 Orban, III Aug 2004 B2
6773438 Knodel et al. Aug 2004 B1
6780151 Grabover et al. Aug 2004 B2
6780180 Goble et al. Aug 2004 B1
6783524 Anderson et al. Aug 2004 B2
6786382 Hoffman Sep 2004 B1
6786864 Matsuura et al. Sep 2004 B2
6786896 Madhani et al. Sep 2004 B1
6790173 Saadat et al. Sep 2004 B2
6793652 Whitman et al. Sep 2004 B1
6805273 Bilotti et al. Oct 2004 B2
6806808 Watters et al. Oct 2004 B1
6808525 Latterell et al. Oct 2004 B2
6814741 Bowman et al. Nov 2004 B2
6817508 Racenet et al. Nov 2004 B1
6817509 Geiste et al. Nov 2004 B2
6817974 Cooper et al. Nov 2004 B2
6821273 Mollenauer Nov 2004 B2
6827725 Batchelor et al. Dec 2004 B2
6828902 Casden Dec 2004 B2
6830174 Hillstead et al. Dec 2004 B2
6832998 Goble Dec 2004 B2
6834001 Myono Dec 2004 B2
6835199 McGuckin, Jr. et al. Dec 2004 B2
6843403 Whitman Jan 2005 B2
6843789 Goble Jan 2005 B2
6846307 Whitman et al. Jan 2005 B2
6846308 Whitman et al. Jan 2005 B2
6846309 Whitman et al. Jan 2005 B2
6849071 Whitman et al. Feb 2005 B2
RE38708 Bolanos et al. Mar 2005 E
6866178 Adams et al. Mar 2005 B2
6866671 Tierney et al. Mar 2005 B2
6872214 Sonnenschein et al. Mar 2005 B2
6874669 Adams et al. Apr 2005 B2
6877647 Green et al. Apr 2005 B2
6878106 Herrmann Apr 2005 B1
6893435 Goble May 2005 B2
6905057 Swayze et al. Jun 2005 B2
6905497 Truckai et al. Jun 2005 B2
6913608 Liddicoat et al. Jul 2005 B2
6913613 Schwarz et al. Jul 2005 B2
6923803 Goble Aug 2005 B2
6929641 Goble et al. Aug 2005 B2
6931830 Liao Aug 2005 B2
6939358 Palacios et al. Sep 2005 B2
6942662 Goble et al. Sep 2005 B2
6945444 Gresham et al. Sep 2005 B2
6953138 Dworak et al. Oct 2005 B1
6953139 Milliman et al. Oct 2005 B2
6959851 Heinrich Nov 2005 B2
6959852 Shelton, IV et al. Nov 2005 B2
6960163 Ewers et al. Nov 2005 B2
6960220 Marino et al. Nov 2005 B2
6964363 Wales et al. Nov 2005 B2
6966907 Goble Nov 2005 B2
6966909 Marshall et al. Nov 2005 B2
6972199 Lebouitz et al. Dec 2005 B2
6974462 Sater Dec 2005 B2
6978921 Shelton, IV et al. Dec 2005 B2
6981628 Wales Jan 2006 B2
6981941 Whitman et al. Jan 2006 B2
6981978 Gannoe Jan 2006 B2
6984203 Tartaglia et al. Jan 2006 B2
6984231 Goble et al. Jan 2006 B2
6986451 Mastri et al. Jan 2006 B1
6988649 Shelton, IV et al. Jan 2006 B2
6988650 Schwemberger et al. Jan 2006 B2
6990796 Schnipke et al. Jan 2006 B2
6997931 Sauer et al. Feb 2006 B2
7000818 Shelton, IV et al. Feb 2006 B2
7000819 Swayze et al. Feb 2006 B2
7001380 Goble Feb 2006 B2
7001408 Knodel et al. Feb 2006 B2
7008435 Cummins Mar 2006 B2
7018390 Turovskiy et al. Mar 2006 B2
7025743 Mann et al. Apr 2006 B2
7029435 Nakao Apr 2006 B2
7032798 Whitman et al. Apr 2006 B2
7032799 Viola et al. Apr 2006 B2
7033356 Latterell et al. Apr 2006 B2
7036680 Flannery May 2006 B1
7037344 Kagan et al. May 2006 B2
7044352 Shelton, IV et al. May 2006 B2
7044353 Mastri et al. May 2006 B2
7048687 Reuss et al. May 2006 B1
7052494 Goble et al. May 2006 B2
7055730 Ehrenfels et al. Jun 2006 B2
7055731 Shelton, IV et al. Jun 2006 B2
7056284 Martone et al. Jun 2006 B2
7056330 Gayton Jun 2006 B2
7059508 Shelton, IV et al. Jun 2006 B2
7063712 Vargas et al. Jun 2006 B2
7066944 Laufer et al. Jun 2006 B2
7070083 Jankowski Jul 2006 B2
7070559 Adams et al. Jul 2006 B2
7071287 Rhine et al. Jul 2006 B2
7075770 Smith Jul 2006 B1
7077856 Whitman Jul 2006 B2
7080769 Vresh et al. Jul 2006 B2
7081114 Rashidi Jul 2006 B2
7083073 Yoshie et al. Aug 2006 B2
7083075 Swayze et al. Aug 2006 B2
7083571 Wang et al. Aug 2006 B2
7087071 Nicholas et al. Aug 2006 B2
7090637 Danitz et al. Aug 2006 B2
7090673 Dycus et al. Aug 2006 B2
7090684 McGuckin, Jr. et al. Aug 2006 B2
7094202 Nobis et al. Aug 2006 B2
7097089 Marczyk Aug 2006 B2
7098794 Lindsay et al. Aug 2006 B2
7104741 Krohn Sep 2006 B2
7108695 Witt et al. Sep 2006 B2
7108701 Evens et al. Sep 2006 B2
7108709 Cummins Sep 2006 B2
7111769 Wales et al. Sep 2006 B2
7112214 Peterson et al. Sep 2006 B2
RE39358 Goble Oct 2006 E
7114642 Whitman Oct 2006 B2
7118582 Wang et al. Oct 2006 B1
7121446 Arad et al. Oct 2006 B2
7122028 Looper et al. Oct 2006 B2
7128253 Mastri et al. Oct 2006 B2
7128254 Shelton, IV et al. Oct 2006 B2
7128748 Mooradian et al. Oct 2006 B2
7131445 Amoah Nov 2006 B2
7133601 Phillips et al. Nov 2006 B2
7140527 Ehrenfels et al. Nov 2006 B2
7140528 Shelton, IV Nov 2006 B2
7143923 Shelton, IV et al. Dec 2006 B2
7143924 Scirica et al. Dec 2006 B2
7143925 Shelton, IV et al. Dec 2006 B2
7143926 Shelton, IV et al. Dec 2006 B2
7147138 Shelton, IV Dec 2006 B2
7147139 Schwemberger et al. Dec 2006 B2
7147637 Goble Dec 2006 B2
7147650 Lee Dec 2006 B2
7150748 Ebbutt et al. Dec 2006 B2
7153300 Goble Dec 2006 B2
7156863 Sonnenschein et al. Jan 2007 B2
7159750 Racenet et al. Jan 2007 B2
7160299 Baily Jan 2007 B2
7161036 Oikawa et al. Jan 2007 B2
7168604 Milliman et al. Jan 2007 B2
7172104 Scirica et al. Feb 2007 B2
7179223 Motoki et al. Feb 2007 B2
7179267 Nolan et al. Feb 2007 B2
7182239 Myers Feb 2007 B1
7188758 Viola et al. Mar 2007 B2
7195627 Amoah et al. Mar 2007 B2
7204835 Latterell et al. Apr 2007 B2
7207233 Wadge Apr 2007 B2
7207471 Heinrich et al. Apr 2007 B2
7207472 Wukusick et al. Apr 2007 B2
7208005 Frecker et al. Apr 2007 B2
7210609 Leiboff et al. May 2007 B2
7211081 Goble May 2007 B2
7211084 Goble et al. May 2007 B2
7213736 Wales et al. May 2007 B2
7214224 Goble May 2007 B2
7217285 Vargas et al. May 2007 B2
7220260 Fleming et al. May 2007 B2
7220272 Weadock May 2007 B2
7225963 Scirica Jun 2007 B2
7225964 Mastri et al. Jun 2007 B2
7234624 Gresham et al. Jun 2007 B2
7235089 McGuckin, Jr. Jun 2007 B1
7235302 Jing et al. Jun 2007 B2
7237708 Guy et al. Jul 2007 B1
7241288 Braun Jul 2007 B2
7246734 Shelton, IV Jul 2007 B2
7247161 Johnston et al. Jul 2007 B2
7252660 Kunz Aug 2007 B2
7255696 Goble et al. Aug 2007 B2
7258262 Mastri et al. Aug 2007 B2
7260431 Libbus et al. Aug 2007 B2
7265374 Lee et al. Sep 2007 B2
7267679 McGuckin, Jr. et al. Sep 2007 B2
7278562 Mastri et al. Oct 2007 B2
7278563 Green Oct 2007 B1
7278994 Goble Oct 2007 B2
7282048 Goble et al. Oct 2007 B2
7295907 Lu et al. Nov 2007 B2
7296724 Green et al. Nov 2007 B2
7297149 Vitali et al. Nov 2007 B2
7300450 Vleugels et al. Nov 2007 B2
7303106 Milliman et al. Dec 2007 B2
7303107 Milliman et al. Dec 2007 B2
7303108 Shelton, IV Dec 2007 B2
7303556 Metzger Dec 2007 B2
7322975 Goble et al. Jan 2008 B2
7324572 Chang Jan 2008 B2
7328829 Arad et al. Feb 2008 B2
7330004 DeJonge et al. Feb 2008 B2
7334717 Rethy et al. Feb 2008 B2
7336184 Smith et al. Feb 2008 B2
7338513 Lee et al. Mar 2008 B2
7348763 Reinhart et al. Mar 2008 B1
7351258 Ricotta et al. Apr 2008 B2
7364060 Milliman Apr 2008 B2
7377928 Zubik et al. May 2008 B2
7388217 Buschbeck et al. Jun 2008 B2
7397364 Govari Jul 2008 B2
7398907 Racenet et al. Jul 2008 B2
7398908 Holsten et al. Jul 2008 B2
7404508 Smith et al. Jul 2008 B2
7404509 Ortiz et al. Jul 2008 B2
7418078 Blanz et al. Aug 2008 B2
7419080 Smith et al. Sep 2008 B2
7422136 Marczyk Sep 2008 B1
7424965 Racenet et al. Sep 2008 B2
7431188 Marczyk Oct 2008 B1
7431694 Stefanchik et al. Oct 2008 B2
7434715 Shelton, IV et al. Oct 2008 B2
7434717 Shelton, IV et al. Oct 2008 B2
7438209 Hess et al. Oct 2008 B1
7439354 Lenges et al. Oct 2008 B2
7441685 Boudreaux Oct 2008 B1
7455208 Wales et al. Nov 2008 B2
7461767 Viola et al. Dec 2008 B2
7464847 Viola et al. Dec 2008 B2
7472814 Mastri et al. Jan 2009 B2
7473253 Dycus et al. Jan 2009 B2
7481349 Holsten et al. Jan 2009 B2
7481824 Boudreaux et al. Jan 2009 B2
7485133 Cannon et al. Feb 2009 B2
7490749 Schall et al. Feb 2009 B2
7494039 Racenet et al. Feb 2009 B2
7494499 Nagase et al. Feb 2009 B2
7506790 Shelton, IV Mar 2009 B2
7510107 Timm et al. Mar 2009 B2
7524320 Tierney et al. Apr 2009 B2
7530985 Takemoto et al. May 2009 B2
7546940 Milliman et al. Jun 2009 B2
7547312 Bauman et al. Jun 2009 B2
7549564 Boudreaux Jun 2009 B2
7552854 Wixey et al. Jun 2009 B2
7556185 Viola Jul 2009 B2
7556186 Milliman Jul 2009 B2
7563862 Sieg et al. Jul 2009 B2
7566300 Devierre et al. Jul 2009 B2
7568604 Ehrenfels et al. Aug 2009 B2
7568619 Todd et al. Aug 2009 B2
7575144 Ortiz et al. Aug 2009 B2
7588175 Timm et al. Sep 2009 B2
7588176 Timm et al. Sep 2009 B2
7597229 Boudreaux et al. Oct 2009 B2
7600663 Green Oct 2009 B2
7604150 Boudreaux Oct 2009 B2
7604151 Hess et al. Oct 2009 B2
7611038 Racenet et al. Nov 2009 B2
7615003 Stefanchik et al. Nov 2009 B2
7624902 Marczyk et al. Dec 2009 B2
7631793 Rethy et al. Dec 2009 B2
7641092 Kruszynski et al. Jan 2010 B2
7641093 Doll et al. Jan 2010 B2
7651498 Shifrin et al. Jan 2010 B2
7658311 Boudreaux Feb 2010 B2
7665646 Prommersberger Feb 2010 B2
7669747 Weisenburgh, II et al. Mar 2010 B2
7673782 Hess et al. Mar 2010 B2
7674255 Braun Mar 2010 B2
7682307 Danitz et al. Mar 2010 B2
7686826 Lee et al. Mar 2010 B2
7691098 Wallace et al. Apr 2010 B2
7699204 Viola Apr 2010 B2
7717312 Beetel May 2010 B2
7721930 McKenna et al. May 2010 B2
7721931 Shelton, IV et al. May 2010 B2
7721936 Shalton, IV et al. May 2010 B2
7722610 Viola et al. May 2010 B2
7726537 Olson et al. Jun 2010 B2
7726538 Holsten et al. Jun 2010 B2
7731072 Timm et al. Jun 2010 B2
7735703 Morgan et al. Jun 2010 B2
7738971 Swayze et al. Jun 2010 B2
7743960 Whitman et al. Jun 2010 B2
7744627 Orban, III et al. Jun 2010 B2
7753245 Boudreaux et al. Jul 2010 B2
7766209 Baxter, III et al. Aug 2010 B2
7766894 Weitzner et al. Aug 2010 B2
7771396 Stefanchik et al. Aug 2010 B2
7776060 Mooradian et al. Aug 2010 B2
7780054 Wales Aug 2010 B2
7780055 Scirica et al. Aug 2010 B2
7780685 Hunt et al. Aug 2010 B2
7784662 Wales et al. Aug 2010 B2
7793812 Moore et al. Sep 2010 B2
7798386 Schall et al. Sep 2010 B2
7803151 Whitman Sep 2010 B2
7806891 Nowlin et al. Oct 2010 B2
7810692 Hall et al. Oct 2010 B2
7810693 Broehl et al. Oct 2010 B2
7815565 Stefanchik et al. Oct 2010 B2
7819296 Hueil et al. Oct 2010 B2
7819297 Doll et al. Oct 2010 B2
7819298 Hall et al. Oct 2010 B2
7819299 Shelton, IV et al. Oct 2010 B2
7824401 Manzo et al. Nov 2010 B2
7828794 Sartor Nov 2010 B2
7828808 Hinman et al. Nov 2010 B2
7832408 Shelton, IV et al. Nov 2010 B2
7832611 Boyden et al. Nov 2010 B2
7832612 Baxter, III et al. Nov 2010 B2
7836400 May et al. Nov 2010 B2
7837080 Schwemberger Nov 2010 B2
7845533 Marczyk et al. Dec 2010 B2
7845534 Viola et al. Dec 2010 B2
7846149 Jankowski Dec 2010 B2
7857185 Swayze et al. Dec 2010 B2
7857186 Baxter, III et al. Dec 2010 B2
7861906 Doll et al. Jan 2011 B2
7866527 Hall et al. Jan 2011 B2
7870989 Viola et al. Jan 2011 B2
7887530 Zemlok et al. Feb 2011 B2
7900805 Shelton, IV et al. Mar 2011 B2
7905380 Shelton, IV et al. Mar 2011 B2
7905381 Baxter, III et al. Mar 2011 B2
7909191 Baker et al. Mar 2011 B2
7909221 Viola et al. Mar 2011 B2
7913891 Doll et al. Mar 2011 B2
7918377 Measamer et al. Apr 2011 B2
7922061 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2011 B2
7922063 Zemlok et al. Apr 2011 B2
7934630 Shelton, IV et al. May 2011 B2
7942303 Shah May 2011 B2
7950560 Zemlok et al. May 2011 B2
7954682 Giordano et al. Jun 2011 B2
7954684 Boudreaux Jun 2011 B2
7954686 Baxter, III et al. Jun 2011 B2
7959050 Smith et al. Jun 2011 B2
7959051 Smith et al. Jun 2011 B2
7967180 Scirica Jun 2011 B2
7972298 Wallace et al. Jul 2011 B2
7980443 Scheib et al. Jul 2011 B2
8002795 Beetel Aug 2011 B2
8011551 Marczyk et al. Sep 2011 B2
8020743 Shelton, IV Sep 2011 B2
8056787 Boudreaux et al. Nov 2011 B2
8066167 Measamer et al. Nov 2011 B2
D650074 Hunt et al. Dec 2011 S
8083120 Shelton, IV et al. Dec 2011 B2
8113410 Hall et al. Feb 2012 B2
8136712 Zingman Mar 2012 B2
8141762 Bedi et al. Mar 2012 B2
8157145 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 B2
8157153 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 B2
8161977 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 B2
8167185 Shelton, IV et al. May 2012 B2
8172124 Shelton, IV et al. May 2012 B2
8186560 Hess et al. May 2012 B2
8196795 Moore et al. Jun 2012 B2
8196796 Shelton, IV et al. Jun 2012 B2
20020022836 Goble et al. Feb 2002 A1
20020029036 Goble et al. Mar 2002 A1
20020117534 Green et al. Aug 2002 A1
20020134811 Napier et al. Sep 2002 A1
20020165541 Whitman Nov 2002 A1
20030093103 Malackowski et al. May 2003 A1
20030105478 Whitman et al. Jun 2003 A1
20030130677 Whitman et al. Jul 2003 A1
20030139741 Goble et al. Jul 2003 A1
20030153908 Goble et al. Aug 2003 A1
20030178465 Bilotti et al. Sep 2003 A1
20030195387 Kortenbach et al. Oct 2003 A1
20030205029 Chapolini et al. Nov 2003 A1
20030216732 Truckai et al. Nov 2003 A1
20030220660 Kortenbach et al. Nov 2003 A1
20040002726 Nunez et al. Jan 2004 A1
20040006340 Latterell et al. Jan 2004 A1
20040006372 Racenet et al. Jan 2004 A1
20040030333 Goble Feb 2004 A1
20040034357 Beane et al. Feb 2004 A1
20040034369 Sauer et al. Feb 2004 A1
20040044364 DeVries et al. Mar 2004 A1
20040068161 Couvillon, Jr. Apr 2004 A1
20040068307 Goble Apr 2004 A1
20040078037 Batchelor et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040093024 Lousararian et al. May 2004 A1
20040094597 Whitman et al. May 2004 A1
20040097987 Pugsley et al. May 2004 A1
20040101822 Weisner et al. May 2004 A1
20040108357 Milliman et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040111081 Whitman et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040115022 Albertson et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040116952 Sakurai et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040122471 Toby et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040147909 Johnston et al. Jul 2004 A1
20040164123 Racenet et al. Aug 2004 A1
20040167572 Roth et al. Aug 2004 A1
20040173659 Green et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040181219 Goble et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040186470 Goble et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040222268 Bilotti et al. Nov 2004 A1
20040230214 Donofrio et al. Nov 2004 A1
20040232201 Wenchell et al. Nov 2004 A1
20040243151 Demmy et al. Dec 2004 A1
20040243163 Casiano et al. Dec 2004 A1
20040243176 Hahnen et al. Dec 2004 A1
20040254566 Plicchi et al. Dec 2004 A1
20040254608 Huitema et al. Dec 2004 A1
20040267310 Racenet et al. Dec 2004 A1
20050023324 Doll et al. Feb 2005 A1
20050032511 Malone et al. Feb 2005 A1
20050033357 Braun Feb 2005 A1
20050054946 Krzyzanowski Mar 2005 A1
20050059997 Bauman et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050070929 Dalessandro et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050070958 Swayze et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050072827 Mollenauer Apr 2005 A1
20050080454 Drews et al. Apr 2005 A1
20050085693 Belson et al. Apr 2005 A1
20050103819 Racenet et al. May 2005 A1
20050107814 Johnston et al. May 2005 A1
20050107824 Hillstead et al. May 2005 A1
20050113820 Goble et al. May 2005 A1
20050119525 Takemoto Jun 2005 A1
20050119669 Demmy Jun 2005 A1
20050124855 Jaffe et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050125009 Perry et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050131173 McDaniel et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050131211 Bayley et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050131390 Heinrich et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050131436 Johnston et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050131437 Johnston et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050131457 Douglas et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050137454 Saadat et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050137455 Ewers et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050143759 Kelly Jun 2005 A1
20050145671 Viola Jul 2005 A1
20050145675 Hartwick et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050154258 Tartaglia et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050165419 Sauer et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050165435 Johnston et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050169974 Tenerz et al. Aug 2005 A1
20050171522 Christopherson Aug 2005 A1
20050177181 Kagan et al. Aug 2005 A1
20050182298 Ikeda et al. Aug 2005 A1
20050184121 Heinrich Aug 2005 A1
20050187545 Hooven et al. Aug 2005 A1
20050187572 Johnston et al. Aug 2005 A1
20050187576 Whitman et al. Aug 2005 A1
20050189397 Jankowski Sep 2005 A1
20050192609 Whitman et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050192628 Viola Sep 2005 A1
20050203550 Laufer et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050216055 Scirica et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050228224 Okada et al. Oct 2005 A1
20050230453 Viola Oct 2005 A1
20050240222 Shipp Oct 2005 A1
20050245965 Orban, III et al. Nov 2005 A1
20050251128 Amoah Nov 2005 A1
20050256522 Francischelli et al. Nov 2005 A1
20050261676 Hall et al. Nov 2005 A1
20050261677 Hall et al. Nov 2005 A1
20050263562 Shelton, IV et al. Dec 2005 A1
20050263563 Racenet et al. Dec 2005 A1
20050274768 Cummins et al. Dec 2005 A1
20060004407 Hiles et al. Jan 2006 A1
20060008787 Hayman et al. Jan 2006 A1
20060011699 Olson et al. Jan 2006 A1
20060015009 Jaffe et al. Jan 2006 A1
20060020247 Kagan et al. Jan 2006 A1
20060025811 Shelton, IV Feb 2006 A1
20060025812 Shelton, IV Feb 2006 A1
20060025813 Shelton et al. Feb 2006 A1
20060047275 Goble Mar 2006 A1
20060047303 Ortiz et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060047307 Ortiz et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060047308 Ortiz et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060049229 Milliman et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060052825 Ransick et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060060630 Shelton, IV et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060079735 Martone et al. Apr 2006 A1
20060085031 Bettuchi Apr 2006 A1
20060085033 Criscuolo et al. Apr 2006 A1
20060086032 Valencic et al. Apr 2006 A1
20060100643 Laufer et al. May 2006 A1
20060108393 Heinrich et al. May 2006 A1
20060111711 Goble May 2006 A1
20060111723 Chapolini et al. May 2006 A1
20060122636 Bailly et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060142772 Ralph et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060149163 Hibner et al. Jul 2006 A1
20060151567 Roy Jul 2006 A1
20060161185 Saadat et al. Jul 2006 A1
20060173470 Oray et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060180634 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060183246 Wiesner et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060190028 Wales et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060200123 Ryan Sep 2006 A1
20060212069 Shelton, IV Sep 2006 A1
20060217729 Eskridge et al. Sep 2006 A1
20060226196 Hueil et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060235469 Viola Oct 2006 A1
20060241655 Viola Oct 2006 A1
20060241692 McGuckin, Jr. et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060244460 Weaver Nov 2006 A1
20060245971 Burns et al. Nov 2006 A1
20060258904 Stefanchik et al. Nov 2006 A1
20060259073 Miyamoto et al. Nov 2006 A1
20060264927 Ryan Nov 2006 A1
20060264929 Goble et al. Nov 2006 A1
20060271042 Latterell et al. Nov 2006 A1
20060271102 Bosshard et al. Nov 2006 A1
20060278680 Viola et al. Dec 2006 A1
20060278681 Viola et al. Dec 2006 A1
20060289602 Wales et al. Dec 2006 A1
20060291981 Viola et al. Dec 2006 A1
20070023476 Whitman et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070023477 Whitman et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070027468 Wales et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070027469 Smith et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070034666 Holsten et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070034668 Holsten et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070045379 Shelton, IV Mar 2007 A1
20070055219 Whitman et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070070574 Nerheim et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070073340 Shelton, IV et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070073341 Smith Mar 2007 A1
20070075114 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070078484 Talarico et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070083234 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070084897 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070102452 Shelton, IV et al. May 2007 A1
20070102453 Morgan et al. May 2007 A1
20070102472 Shelton, IV May 2007 A1
20070102473 Shelton, IV et al. May 2007 A1
20070102474 Shelton, IV et al. May 2007 A1
20070102475 Ortiz et al. May 2007 A1
20070102476 Shelton, IV et al. May 2007 A1
20070106317 Shelton, IV et al. May 2007 A1
20070114261 Ortiz et al. May 2007 A1
20070131732 Holsten et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070135803 Belson Jun 2007 A1
20070158358 Mason, II et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070158385 Hueil et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070170225 Shelton, IV et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070173806 Orszulak et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070173813 Odom Jul 2007 A1
20070175949 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070175950 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070175951 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070175952 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070175953 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070175955 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070175956 Swayze et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070175957 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070175958 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070175959 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070175960 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070175961 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070175962 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070175964 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070179476 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070181632 Milliman Aug 2007 A1
20070194079 Hueil et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070194080 Swayze et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070194082 Morgan et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070203510 Bettuchi Aug 2007 A1
20070213750 Weadock Sep 2007 A1
20070221700 Ortiz et al. Sep 2007 A1
20070221701 Ortiz et al. Sep 2007 A1
20070225562 Spivey et al. Sep 2007 A1
20070233053 Shelton, IV et al. Oct 2007 A1
20070246505 Pace-Floridia et al. Oct 2007 A1
20070260278 Wheeler et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070262116 Hueil et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070270784 Smith et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070288044 Jinno et al. Dec 2007 A1
20070295780 Shelton et al. Dec 2007 A1
20080015598 Prommersberger Jan 2008 A1
20080029570 Shelton et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080029571 Shelton et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080029572 Shelton et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080029573 Shelton et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080029574 Shelton et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080029575 Shelton et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080029576 Shelton et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080029577 Shelton et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080030170 Dacquay et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080035701 Racenet et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080041916 Milliman et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080041917 Racenet et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080078800 Hess et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080078801 Shelton et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080078802 Hess et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080078803 Shelton et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080078804 Shelton et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080078805 Omaits et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080078806 Omaits et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080078807 Hess et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080078808 Hess et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080082114 McKenna et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080082115 Morgan et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080082124 Hess et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080082125 Murray et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080082126 Murray et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080083813 Zemlok et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080114385 Byrum et al. May 2008 A1
20080129253 Shiue et al. Jun 2008 A1
20080140115 Stopek Jun 2008 A1
20080167522 Giordano et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080167672 Giordano et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080169328 Shelton Jul 2008 A1
20080169329 Shelton et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080169330 Shelton et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080169331 Shelton et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080169332 Shelton et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080169333 Shelton et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080172087 Fuchs et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080183193 Omori et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080197167 Viola et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080228029 Mikkaichi et al. Sep 2008 A1
20080251568 Zemlok et al. Oct 2008 A1
20080255413 Zemlok et al. Oct 2008 A1
20080262654 Omori et al. Oct 2008 A1
20080283570 Boyden et al. Nov 2008 A1
20080290134 Bettuchi et al. Nov 2008 A1
20080296346 Shelton, IV et al. Dec 2008 A1
20080308602 Timm et al. Dec 2008 A1
20080308603 Shelton et al. Dec 2008 A1
20080308608 Prommersberger Dec 2008 A1
20080314960 Marczyk et al. Dec 2008 A1
20090001121 Hess et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090001122 Prommersberger et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090001124 Hess et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090001130 Hess et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090005807 Hess et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090005808 Hess et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090005809 Hess et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090012556 Boudreaux et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090020958 Soul Jan 2009 A1
20090054908 Zand et al. Feb 2009 A1
20090057369 Smith et al. Mar 2009 A1
20090090763 Zemlok et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090108048 Zemlok et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090114701 Zemlok et al. May 2009 A1
20090143805 Palmer et al. Jun 2009 A1
20090149871 Kagan et al. Jun 2009 A9
20090157067 Kane et al. Jun 2009 A1
20090206125 Huitema et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090206126 Huitema et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090206131 Weisenburgh, II et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090206132 Hueil et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090206133 Morgan et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090206137 Hall et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090206139 Hall et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090206141 Huitema et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090206142 Huitema et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090206143 Huitema et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090209946 Swayze et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090209979 Yates et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090209990 Yates et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090218384 Aranyi Sep 2009 A1
20090242610 Shelton, IV et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090255974 Viola Oct 2009 A1
20090255975 Zemlok et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090255976 Marczyk et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090255977 Zemlok Oct 2009 A1
20090255978 Viola et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090292283 Odom Nov 2009 A1
20090308907 Nalagatla et al. Dec 2009 A1
20100012704 Tarinelli Racenet et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100023024 Zeiner et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100049084 Nock et al. Feb 2010 A1
20100069942 Shelton, IV Mar 2010 A1
20100072254 Aranyi et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100076474 Yates et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100076475 Yates et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100089970 Smith et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100089972 Marczyk Apr 2010 A1
20100108741 Hessler et al. May 2010 A1
20100127042 Shelton, IV May 2010 A1
20100133317 Shelton, IV et al. Jun 2010 A1
20100133318 Boudreaux Jun 2010 A1
20100163598 Belzer Jul 2010 A1
20100179382 Shelton, IV et al. Jul 2010 A1
20100181364 Shelton, IV et al. Jul 2010 A1
20100193566 Scheib et al. Aug 2010 A1
20100193567 Scheib et al. Aug 2010 A1
20100193568 Scheib et al. Aug 2010 A1
20100193569 Yates et al. Aug 2010 A1
20100198220 Boudreaux et al. Aug 2010 A1
20100200637 Beetel Aug 2010 A1
20100213241 Bedi et al. Aug 2010 A1
20100222901 Swayze et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100224669 Shelton, IV et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100243707 Olson et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100243708 Aranyi et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100243709 Hess et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100264193 Huang et al. Oct 2010 A1
20100264194 Huang et al. Oct 2010 A1
20100276471 Whitman Nov 2010 A1
20100294827 Boyden et al. Nov 2010 A1
20100294829 Giordano et al. Nov 2010 A1
20100301095 Shelton, IV et al. Dec 2010 A1
20100305552 Shelton, IV et al. Dec 2010 A1
20100308100 Boudreaux Dec 2010 A1
20100312261 Suzuki et al. Dec 2010 A1
20110006099 Hall et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110006101 Hall et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110006103 Laurent et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110011914 Baxter, III et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110011915 Shelton, IV Jan 2011 A1
20110017801 Zemlok et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110022032 Zemlok et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110024477 Hall Feb 2011 A1
20110024478 Shelton, IV Feb 2011 A1
20110024479 Swensgard et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110036887 Zemlok et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110042441 Shelton, IV et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110060363 Hess et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110068145 Bedi et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110068148 Hall et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110084112 Kostrzewski Apr 2011 A1
20110084115 Bedi et al. Apr 2011 A1
20110087276 Bedi et al. Apr 2011 A1
20110101065 Milliman May 2011 A1
20110114697 Baxter, III et al. May 2011 A1
20110114698 Baxter, III et al. May 2011 A1
20110114699 Baxter, III et al. May 2011 A1
20110114700 Baxter, III et al. May 2011 A1
20110118761 Baxter, III et al. May 2011 A1
20110125176 Yates et al. May 2011 A1
20110125177 Yates et al. May 2011 A1
20110132963 Giordano et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110132964 Weisenburgh, II et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110132965 Moore et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110144430 Spivey et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110147433 Shelton, IV et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110147434 Hueil et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110155780 Boudreaux Jun 2011 A1
20110155781 Swensgard et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110155785 Laurent et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110155787 Baxter, III et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110163147 Laurent et al. Jul 2011 A1
20110174863 Shelton, IV et al. Jul 2011 A1
20110192882 Hess et al. Aug 2011 A1
20110226837 Baxter, III et al. Sep 2011 A1
20110233258 Boudreaux Sep 2011 A1
20110253766 Baxter, III et al. Oct 2011 A1
20110275901 Shelton, IV Nov 2011 A1
20110276083 Shelton, IV et al. Nov 2011 A1
20110288573 Yates et al. Nov 2011 A1
20110290851 Shelton, IV Dec 2011 A1
20110290853 Shelton, IV et al. Dec 2011 A1
20110290854 Timm et al. Dec 2011 A1
20110290855 Moore et al. Dec 2011 A1
20110290856 Shelton, IV et al. Dec 2011 A1
20110290857 Shelton, IV et al. Dec 2011 A1
20110295242 Spivey et al. Dec 2011 A1
20110295269 Swensgard et al. Dec 2011 A1
20110295270 Giordano et al. Dec 2011 A1
20110295295 Shelton, IV et al. Dec 2011 A1
20120024934 Shelton, IV et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120024935 Shelton, IV et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120024936 Baxter, III et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120029272 Shelton, IV et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120029544 Shelton, IV et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120029547 Shelton, IV et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120061448 Zingman Mar 2012 A1
20120071711 Shelton, IV et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120071866 Kerr et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120074196 Shelton, IV et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120074198 Huitema et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120074200 Schmid et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120074201 Baxter, III et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120080332 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080333 Woodard, Jr. et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080334 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080335 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080336 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080337 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080338 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080339 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080340 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080344 Shelton, IV Apr 2012 A1
20120080345 Morgan et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080477 Leimbach et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080478 Morgan et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080479 Shelton, IV Apr 2012 A1
20120080480 Woodard, Jr. et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080481 Widenhouse et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080482 Schall et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080483 Riestenberg et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080484 Morgan et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080485 Woodard, Jr. et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080486 Woodard, Jr. et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080487 Woodard, Jr. et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080488 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080489 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080490 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080491 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080493 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080496 Schall et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080498 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080499 Schall et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080500 Morgan et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080501 Morgan et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080502 Morgan et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080503 Woodard, Jr. et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120083833 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120083834 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120083835 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120083836 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120132450 Timm et al. May 2012 A1
20120138660 Shelton, IV Jun 2012 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (504)
Number Date Country
2458946 Mar 2003 CA
2512960 Jan 2006 CA
2514274 Jan 2006 CA
1868411 Nov 2006 CN
1915180 Feb 2007 CN
101095621 Jan 2008 CN
273689 May 1914 DE
1775926 Jan 1972 DE
3036217 Apr 1982 DE
3210466 Sep 1983 DE
9412228 Sep 1994 DE
19509116 Sep 1996 DE
19851291 Jan 2000 DE
19924311 Nov 2000 DE
69328576 Jan 2001 DE
10052679 May 2001 DE
20112837 Oct 2001 DE
20121753 Apr 2003 DE
10314072 Oct 2004 DE
202007003114 Jun 2007 DE
0122046 Oct 1984 EP
0070230 Oct 1985 EP
0387980 Oct 1985 EP
0033548 May 1986 EP
0276104 Jul 1988 EP
0248844 Jan 1993 EP
0545029 Jun 1993 EP
0277959 Oct 1993 EP
0233940 Nov 1993 EP
0261230 Nov 1993 EP
0639349 Feb 1994 EP
0324636 Mar 1994 EP
0593920 Apr 1994 EP
0427949 Jun 1994 EP
0523174 Jun 1994 EP
0600182 Jun 1994 EP
0310431 Nov 1994 EP
0375302 Nov 1994 EP
0376562 Nov 1994 EP
0630612 Dec 1994 EP
0634144 Jan 1995 EP
0646356 Apr 1995 EP
0646357 Apr 1995 EP
0653189 May 1995 EP
0669104 Aug 1995 EP
0511470 Oct 1995 EP
0679367 Nov 1995 EP
0392547 Dec 1995 EP
0685204 Dec 1995 EP
0364216 Jan 1996 EP
0699418 Mar 1996 EP
0702937 Mar 1996 EP
0705571 Apr 1996 EP
0711611 May 1996 EP
0484677 Jun 1996 EP
0541987 Jul 1996 EP
0667119 Jul 1996 EP
0708618 Mar 1997 EP
0770355 May 1997 EP
0503662 Jun 1997 EP
0447121 Jul 1997 EP
0625077 Jul 1997 EP
0633749 Aug 1997 EP
0710090 Aug 1997 EP
0578425 Sep 1997 EP
0625335 Nov 1997 EP
0552423 Jan 1998 EP
0592244 Jan 1998 EP
0648476 Jan 1998 EP
0649290 Mar 1998 EP
0598618 Sep 1998 EP
0676173 Sep 1998 EP
0678007 Sep 1998 EP
0603472 Nov 1998 EP
0605351 Nov 1998 EP
0878169 Nov 1998 EP
0879742 Nov 1998 EP
0695144 Dec 1998 EP
0722296 Dec 1998 EP
0760230 Feb 1999 EP
0623316 Mar 1999 EP
0650701 Mar 1999 EP
0537572 Jun 1999 EP
0923907 Jun 1999 EP
0843906 Mar 2000 EP
0552050 May 2000 EP
0833592 May 2000 EP
0830094 Sep 2000 EP
1034747 Sep 2000 EP
1034748 Sep 2000 EP
0694290 Nov 2000 EP
1050278 Nov 2000 EP
1053719 Nov 2000 EP
1053720 Nov 2000 EP
1055399 Nov 2000 EP
1055400 Nov 2000 EP
1080694 Mar 2001 EP
1090592 Apr 2001 EP
1095627 May 2001 EP
1256318 May 2001 EP
0806914 Sep 2001 EP
0768840 Dec 2001 EP
0908152 Jan 2002 EP
0872213 May 2002 EP
0862386 Jun 2002 EP
0949886 Sep 2002 EP
1238634 Sep 2002 EP
0858295 Dec 2002 EP
0656188 Jan 2003 EP
1284120 Feb 2003 EP
1287788 Mar 2003 EP
0717966 Apr 2003 EP
0869742 May 2003 EP
0829235 Jun 2003 EP
0887046 Jul 2003 EP
0852480 Aug 2003 EP
0891154 Sep 2003 EP
0813843 Oct 2003 EP
0873089 Oct 2003 EP
0856326 Nov 2003 EP
1374788 Jan 2004 EP
0741996 Feb 2004 EP
0814712 Feb 2004 EP
1402837 Mar 2004 EP
0705570 Apr 2004 EP
0959784 Apr 2004 EP
1407719 Apr 2004 EP
1086713 May 2004 EP
0996378 Jun 2004 EP
1426012 Jun 2004 EP
0833593 Jul 2004 EP
1442694 Aug 2004 EP
0888749 Sep 2004 EP
0959786 Sep 2004 EP
1459695 Sep 2004 EP
1473819 Nov 2004 EP
1477119 Nov 2004 EP
1479345 Nov 2004 EP
1479347 Nov 2004 EP
1479348 Nov 2004 EP
0754437 Dec 2004 EP
1025807 Dec 2004 EP
1001710 Jan 2005 EP
1520521 Apr 2005 EP
1520523 Apr 2005 EP
1520525 Apr 2005 EP
1522264 Apr 2005 EP
1523942 Apr 2005 EP
1550408 Jul 2005 EP
1557129 Jul 2005 EP
1064883 Aug 2005 EP
1067876 Aug 2005 EP
0870473 Sep 2005 EP
1157666 Sep 2005 EP
0880338 Oct 2005 EP
1158917 Nov 2005 EP
1344498 Nov 2005 EP
1330989 Dec 2005 EP
0771176 Jan 2006 EP
1621138 Feb 2006 EP
1621139 Feb 2006 EP
1621141 Feb 2006 EP
1621145 Feb 2006 EP
1621151 Feb 2006 EP
1034746 Mar 2006 EP
1632191 Mar 2006 EP
1065981 May 2006 EP
1082944 May 2006 EP
1652481 May 2006 EP
1382303 Jun 2006 EP
1253866 Jul 2006 EP
1032318 Aug 2006 EP
1045672 Aug 2006 EP
1617768 Aug 2006 EP
1693015 Aug 2006 EP
1400214 Sep 2006 EP
1702567 Sep 2006 EP
1129665 Nov 2006 EP
1400206 Nov 2006 EP
1721568 Nov 2006 EP
1256317 Dec 2006 EP
1285633 Dec 2006 EP
1728473 Dec 2006 EP
1728475 Dec 2006 EP
1479346 Jan 2007 EP
1484024 Jan 2007 EP
1754445 Feb 2007 EP
1759812 Mar 2007 EP
1767163 Mar 2007 EP
1769756 Apr 2007 EP
1769758 Apr 2007 EP
1581128 May 2007 EP
1785097 May 2007 EP
1790293 May 2007 EP
1800610 Jun 2007 EP
1300117 Aug 2007 EP
1813199 Aug 2007 EP
1813201 Aug 2007 EP
1813203 Aug 2007 EP
1813207 Aug 2007 EP
1813209 Aug 2007 EP
1487359 Oct 2007 EP
1599146 Oct 2007 EP
1839596 Oct 2007 EP
1402821 Dec 2007 EP
1872727 Jan 2008 EP
1897502 Mar 2008 EP
1330201 Jun 2008 EP
1702568 Jul 2008 EP
1943957 Jul 2008 EP
1943976 Jul 2008 EP
1593337 Aug 2008 EP
1970014 Sep 2008 EP
1980213 Oct 2008 EP
1759645 Nov 2008 EP
1990014 Nov 2008 EP
1693008 Dec 2008 EP
1759640 Dec 2008 EP
2000102 Dec 2008 EP
1736104 Mar 2009 EP
1749486 Mar 2009 EP
2039316 Mar 2009 EP
1721576 Apr 2009 EP
1733686 Apr 2009 EP
2044890 Apr 2009 EP
1550413 Jun 2009 EP
1745748 Aug 2009 EP
2090256 Aug 2009 EP
1813208 Nov 2009 EP
1607050 Dec 2009 EP
1566150 Apr 2010 EP
1813206 Apr 2010 EP
1769754 Jun 2010 EP
1535565 Oct 2010 EP
1702570 Oct 2010 EP
1785098 Oct 2010 EP
1627605 Dec 2010 EP
1813205 Jun 2011 EP
1785102 Jan 2012 EP
999646 Feb 1952 FR
1112936 Mar 1956 FR
2765794 Jan 1999 FR
939929 Oct 1963 GB
1210522 Oct 1970 GB
1217159 Dec 1970 GB
1339394 Dec 1973 GB
2109241 Jun 1983 GB
2272159 May 1994 GB
2284242 May 1995 GB
2336214 Oct 1999 GB
2425903 Nov 2006 GB
S 58500053 Jan 1983 JP
61-98249 May 1986 JP
3-12126 Jan 1991 JP
5-212039 Aug 1993 JP
6007357 Jan 1994 JP
7051273 Feb 1995 JP
8033641 Feb 1996 JP
8229050 Sep 1996 JP
2000033071 Feb 2000 JP
2000171730 Jun 2000 JP
2000287987 Oct 2000 JP
2000325303 Nov 2000 JP
2001-514541 Sep 2001 JP
2001286477 Oct 2001 JP
2002143078 May 2002 JP
2002369820 Dec 2002 JP
2004-344663 Dec 2004 JP
2005-028149 Feb 2005 JP
2005505322 Feb 2005 JP
2005103293 Apr 2005 JP
2005131163 May 2005 JP
2005131164 May 2005 JP
2005131173 May 2005 JP
2005131211 May 2005 JP
2005131212 May 2005 JP
2005137423 Jun 2005 JP
2005152416 Jun 2005 JP
2005-523105 Aug 2005 JP
2005524474 Aug 2005 JP
2006-281405 Oct 2006 JP
2008830 Mar 1994 RU
2187249 Aug 2002 RU
2225170 Mar 2004 RU
189517 Jan 1967 SU
328636 Sep 1972 SU
886900 Dec 1981 SU
1009439 Apr 1983 SU
1333319 Aug 1987 SU
1377053 Feb 1988 SU
1561964 May 1990 SU
1722476 Mar 1992 SU
WO 8202824 Sep 1982 WO
WO 9115157 Oct 1991 WO
WO 9220295 Nov 1992 WO
WO 9221300 Dec 1992 WO
WO 9308755 May 1993 WO
WO 9313718 Jul 1993 WO
WO 9314690 Aug 1993 WO
WO 9315648 Aug 1993 WO
WO 9315850 Aug 1993 WO
WO 9319681 Oct 1993 WO
WO 9400060 Jan 1994 WO
WO 9411057 May 1994 WO
WO 9412108 Jun 1994 WO
WO 9418893 Sep 1994 WO
WO 9422378 Oct 1994 WO
WO 9423659 Oct 1994 WO
WO 9502369 Jan 1995 WO
WO 9503743 Feb 1995 WO
WO 9506817 Mar 1995 WO
WO 9509576 Apr 1995 WO
WO 9509577 Apr 1995 WO
WO 9514436 Jun 1995 WO
WO 9517855 Jul 1995 WO
WO 9518383 Jul 1995 WO
WO 9518572 Jul 1995 WO
WO 9519739 Jul 1995 WO
WO 9520360 Aug 1995 WO
WO 9523557 Sep 1995 WO
WO 9524865 Sep 1995 WO
WO 9525471 Sep 1995 WO
WO 9526562 Oct 1995 WO
WO 9529639 Nov 1995 WO
WO 9604858 Feb 1996 WO
WO 9619151 Jun 1996 WO
WO 9619152 Jun 1996 WO
WO 9620652 Jul 1996 WO
WO 9621119 Jul 1996 WO
WO 9622055 Jul 1996 WO
WO 9623448 Aug 1996 WO
WO 9624301 Aug 1996 WO
WO 9627337 Sep 1996 WO
WO 9631155 Oct 1996 WO
WO 9635464 Nov 1996 WO
WO 9639085 Dec 1996 WO
WO 9639086 Dec 1996 WO
WO 9639087 Dec 1996 WO
WO 9639088 Dec 1996 WO
WO 9639089 Dec 1996 WO
WO 9700646 Jan 1997 WO
WO 9700647 Jan 1997 WO
WO 9706582 Feb 1997 WO
WO 9710763 Mar 1997 WO
WO 9710764 Mar 1997 WO
WO 9711648 Apr 1997 WO
WO 9711649 Apr 1997 WO
WO 9715237 May 1997 WO
WO 9724073 Jul 1997 WO
WO 9724993 Jul 1997 WO
WO 9730644 Aug 1997 WO
WO 9734533 Sep 1997 WO
WO 9737598 Oct 1997 WO
WO 9739688 Oct 1997 WO
WO 9817180 Apr 1998 WO
WO 9827880 Jul 1998 WO
WO 9830153 Jul 1998 WO
WO 9847436 Oct 1998 WO
WO 9903407 Jan 1999 WO
WO 9903408 Jan 1999 WO
WO 9903409 Jan 1999 WO
WO 9912483 Mar 1999 WO
WO 9912487 Mar 1999 WO
WO 9912488 Mar 1999 WO
WO 9915086 Apr 1999 WO
WO 9915091 Apr 1999 WO
WO 9923933 May 1999 WO
WO 9923959 May 1999 WO
WO 9925261 May 1999 WO
WO 9929244 Jun 1999 WO
WO 9934744 Jul 1999 WO
WO 9945849 Sep 1999 WO
WO 9948430 Sep 1999 WO
WO 9951158 Oct 1999 WO
WO 0024322 May 2000 WO
WO 0024330 May 2000 WO
WO 0041638 Jul 2000 WO
WO 0048506 Aug 2000 WO
WO 0053112 Sep 2000 WO
WO 0054653 Sep 2000 WO
WO 0057796 Oct 2000 WO
WO 0064365 Nov 2000 WO
WO 0072762 Dec 2000 WO
WO 0072765 Dec 2000 WO
WO 0103587 Jan 2001 WO
WO 0105702 Jan 2001 WO
WO 0110482 Feb 2001 WO
WO 0135845 May 2001 WO
WO 0154594 Aug 2001 WO
WO 0158371 Aug 2001 WO
WO 0162158 Aug 2001 WO
WO 0162161 Aug 2001 WO
WO 0162162 Aug 2001 WO
WO 0162164 Aug 2001 WO
WO 0162169 Aug 2001 WO
WO 0178605 Oct 2001 WO
WO 0191646 Dec 2001 WO
WO 0207608 Jan 2002 WO
WO 0207618 Jan 2002 WO
WO 0217799 Mar 2002 WO
WO 0219920 Mar 2002 WO
WO 0219932 Mar 2002 WO
WO 0230297 Apr 2002 WO
WO 0232322 Apr 2002 WO
WO 0236028 May 2002 WO
WO 0243571 Jun 2002 WO
WO 02058568 Aug 2002 WO
WO 02060328 Aug 2002 WO
WO 02067785 Sep 2002 WO
WO 02098302 Dec 2002 WO
WO 03000138 Jan 2003 WO
WO 03001329 Jan 2003 WO
WO 03013363 Feb 2003 WO
WO 03015604 Feb 2003 WO
WO 03020106 Mar 2003 WO
WO 03020139 Mar 2003 WO
WO 03024339 Mar 2003 WO
WO 03079909 Mar 2003 WO
WO 03030743 Apr 2003 WO
WO 03037193 May 2003 WO
WO 03047436 Jun 2003 WO
WO 03057048 Jul 2003 WO
WO 03057058 Jul 2003 WO
WO 2003055402 Jul 2003 WO
WO 03063694 Aug 2003 WO
WO 03077769 Sep 2003 WO
WO 03082126 Oct 2003 WO
WO 03088845 Oct 2003 WO
WO 2003079911 Oct 2003 WO
WO 03090630 Nov 2003 WO
WO 03094743 Nov 2003 WO
WO 03094745 Nov 2003 WO
WO 03094746 Nov 2003 WO
WO 03094747 Nov 2003 WO
WO 03101313 Dec 2003 WO
WO 03105702 Dec 2003 WO
WO 2003105698 Dec 2003 WO
WO 2004006980 Jan 2004 WO
WO 2004011037 Feb 2004 WO
WO 2004019769 Mar 2004 WO
WO 2004021868 Mar 2004 WO
WO 2004028585 Apr 2004 WO
WO 2004032754 Apr 2004 WO
WO 2004032760 Apr 2004 WO
WO 2004032762 Apr 2004 WO
WO 2004032763 Apr 2004 WO
WO 2004034875 Apr 2004 WO
WO 2004047626 Jun 2004 WO
WO 2004047653 Jun 2004 WO
WO 2004049956 Jun 2004 WO
WO 2004052426 Jun 2004 WO
WO 2004056276 Jul 2004 WO
WO 2004056277 Jul 2004 WO
WO 2004062516 Jul 2004 WO
WO 2004078050 Sep 2004 WO
WO 2004078051 Sep 2004 WO
WO 2004086987 Oct 2004 WO
WO 2004096015 Nov 2004 WO
WO 2004096057 Nov 2004 WO
WO 2004103157 Dec 2004 WO
WO 2004105593 Dec 2004 WO
WO 2004105621 Dec 2004 WO
WO 2004112618 Dec 2004 WO
WO 2004112652 Dec 2004 WO
WO 2005027983 Mar 2005 WO
WO 2005037329 Apr 2005 WO
WO 2005044078 May 2005 WO
WO 2005055846 Jun 2005 WO
WO 2005072634 Aug 2005 WO
WO 2005078892 Aug 2005 WO
WO 2005079675 Sep 2005 WO
WO 2005096954 Oct 2005 WO
WO 2005112806 Dec 2005 WO
WO 2005112808 Dec 2005 WO
WO 2005115251 Dec 2005 WO
WO 2005117735 Dec 2005 WO
WO 2005122936 Dec 2005 WO
WO 2006027014 Mar 2006 WO
WO 2006044490 Apr 2006 WO
WO 2006044581 Apr 2006 WO
WO 2006044810 Apr 2006 WO
WO 2006051252 May 2006 WO
WO 2006059067 Jun 2006 WO
WO 2006083748 Aug 2006 WO
WO 2006092563 Sep 2006 WO
WO 2006092565 Sep 2006 WO
WO 2006115958 Nov 2006 WO
WO 2006125940 Nov 2006 WO
WO 2006132992 Dec 2006 WO
WO 2007002180 Jan 2007 WO
WO 2007016290 Feb 2007 WO
WO 2007018898 Feb 2007 WO
WO 2007098220 Aug 2007 WO
WO 2007121579 Nov 2007 WO
WO 2007137304 Nov 2007 WO
WO 2007139734 Dec 2007 WO
WO 2007142625 Dec 2007 WO
WO 2007147439 Dec 2007 WO
WO 2008021969 Feb 2008 WO
WO 2008039270 Apr 2008 WO
WO 2008045383 Apr 2008 WO
WO 2008089404 Jul 2008 WO
WO 2008109125 Sep 2008 WO
WO 2010063795 Jun 2010 WO
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20070194081 A1 Aug 2007 US
Continuation in Parts (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 11216562 Aug 2005 US
Child 11711979 US