US 8,920,438 B2Grant

Apparatus for applying surgical clips

Issue Date:2014-12-30

•12 Claims

•33 Drawing Sheets

Abstract

A clip applying apparatus is described for applying clips seriatim to tissue. The apparatus includes a lockout member for limiting distal movement of the camming member after the proximal-most clip has been applied to tissue. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a jaw locking member for preventing approximation of the jaw members of the apparatus. In one embodiment, a latch assembly is provided to releasably engage a clip pusher of the apparatus to the camming member of the apparatus.

Metadata

Assignee

Covidien LP

Inventors

Ernest Aranyi
Kenneth H. Whitfield
Greg Sorrentino

Application Information

Application Number:US 11/245,866

Filing Date:2005-10-07

Priority Date:2004-10-08

Art Unit:3773

Classifications

IPC:

A61B17/10A61B17/128A61B17/12

Patent Drawings (33 sheets)

Description

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/617,017 filed Oct. 8, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Background

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] This present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus for applying surgical clips to tissue. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for applying a series of clips to tissue seriatim.

[0004] 2. Background of Related Art

[0005] Surgical procedures frequently require ligation of blood vessels, severed tissues and/or other organs to control or stop bleeding. Clip applying apparatus for quickly applying a surgical clip about tissue are well known. Such clip applying apparatus include single clip applicators and multiple clip applicators. In single clip applicators, a new clip is loaded into the apparatus after application of each clip. Multiple clip applicators include a series of clips which can be sequentially applied to tissue during the course of a surgical procedure. Because surgical procedures usually require the use of a multiplicity of surgical clips, multiple clip applicators are generally preferred.

[0006] Typically, clip applying apparatus include a handle mechanism, an elongated body portion, and a clip crimping assembly, e.g., a jaw or pair of jaws. Such clip applying apparatus are configured for endoscopic or open surgical procedures. Although known clip applying apparatus for sequentially advancing individual clips have provided good results, a continuing need exists for a clip applying apparatus which is less complex and provides effective hemostasis.

Summary

[0007] In accordance with the present disclosure, an apparatus for applying surgical clips is provided which includes a handle portion including a housing and at least one movable handle and a body portion housing a clip stack. A pair of jaws is supported at the distal end of the body portion. The body portion includes a clip pusher, a camming member and a clip follower. The clip pusher is movably positioned within the body portion and is operable to advance a distal-most clip from the clip stack to a position between the pair of jaws. The camming member is movably positioned within the body portion and is operable to approximate or move the pair of jaws toward each other to deform the distal-most clip of the clip stack. The clip follower is positioned proximally of the clip stack and is operable to urge the clip stack distally towards the pair of jaws. In one embodiment, the body portion includes a lockout member and a stop member. The lockout member is movable from a first position in slidable relation to the camming member to a second position interlocked with the camming member. In its second position, the lockout member is positioned to abut the stop member to limit distal movement of the camming member.

[0008] In one embodiment, the lockout member includes at least one flexible leg having a projection and the camming member includes at least one slot dimensioned to receive the projection to interlock or secure the lockout member to the camming member. The at least one flexible leg can include a pair of flexible legs and the at least one slot can include a pair of slots. The lockout member can include a resilient finger which is positioned to releasably retain the lockout member in its first position. In one embodiment, the body portion further includes a separator plate which includes an opening dimensioned to receive a portion of the resilient finger of the lockout member to retain the lockout member in its first position. The clip follower may include a tab and the lockout member may include an engagement member such that the tab is movable into the engagement member to move the lockout member from its first position to its second position. In one embodiment, the tab is positioned to engage the engagement member after the proximal most clip has been advanced to the pair of jaws. Alternately, the tab can be positioned to engage the engagement member when one or more clips are remaining in the apparatus.

[0009] In one embodiment, an apparatus for applying surgical clips is provided which includes a handle portion having at least one movable handle and a body portion including a clip pusher and a camming member. The clip pusher is movably supported within the body portion to advance a distal-most clip of a clip stack to a position between a pair of jaws supported at a distal end of the body portion. The camming member is movably supported within the body portion from a retracted position to an advanced position to approximate the pair of jaws. A latch assembly is supported on the clip pusher and includes a pivotal latch member which is movable from a first position engaged with an abutment supported on the camming member to a second position disengaged from the abutment of the camming member. The camming member is operably connected to the at least one movable handle such that movement of the at least one movable handle through an actuation stroke effects movement of the camming member from its advanced position to its retracted position. In one embodiment, the pivotal latch member is urged towards its first position by a biasing member such that movement of the camming member from its retracted position to its advanced position initially effects advancement of the clip pusher. A latch cam is fixedly supported on the body portion and is positioned to engage the pivotal latch member after the clip pusher has advanced the distal-most clip of the clip stack to its position between the jaws to disengage the latch member from the abutment. In one embodiment, a biasing member is positioned to urge the clip pusher to a retracted position after the latch member is disengaged from the abutment. In one embodiment, the body portion includes a housing body and a housing cover and the latch cam is supported on the housing cover. The handle portion can include a yoke which is connected to a proximal end of the camming member. In one embodiment, the at least one handle is operably connected to the yoke by at least one front link such that movement of the at least one handle through an actuation stroke effects advancement of the yoke and the camming member. The handle portion can include a pair of handles with each handle operably connected to the yoke by one front link. In one embodiment, a pair of rear links are provided. Each of the rear links has a first end pivotally connected to a respective front link by a first pivot member and a second end pivotally connected to the handle portion by a second pivot member. Each of the pair of handles defines a cam channel for slidably receiving a respective one of the first pivot members.

[0010] In one embodiment, an apparatus for applying surgical clips includes a handle portion, a body portion extending distally from the handle portion, and a jaw body supported at a distal end of the body portion. The jaw body includes first and second jaws movable from a spaced position to a more approximated position. In one embodiment, the body portion includes a camming member which is movable from a retracted position to an advanced position to effect movement of the first and second jaws from their spaced position to their more approximated position. The body portion further includes a resilient jaw locking member removably positioned between the first and second jaws to prevent the jaws from moving from their spaced position to their more approximated position. In one embodiment, the jaw locking member is in the form of a resilient plate and the jaw body includes a pair of inwardly deformable legs. Each of the legs supports one of the first and second jaws and the locking member being positioned between the legs of the jaw body. A distal end of the camming is slidably positioned about the legs of the jaw body and is movable from its retracted position to its advanced position to move the locking member from between the legs of the jaw body and subsequently to effect movement of the first and second jaws to their more approximated position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] Various embodiments of the presently disclosed clip applying apparatus are described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the presently disclosed clip applying apparatus;

[0013] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the distal end of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a top view of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the proximal portion of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 4 with the top housing half-section exploded;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the top housing half-section removed;

[0018] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 6;

[0019] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 6;

[0020] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the proximal end of the body portion and the interior of a housing half-section with the internal components of the handle portion removed;

[0021] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the body portion of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the clip stop member of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 12;

[0024] FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of the housing cover of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 13;

[0026] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 13;

[0027] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 10;

[0028] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the proximal end of the clip pusher of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the pusher latch assembly secured thereto;

[0029] FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of the separator plate of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 18;

[0031] FIG. 20 is a bottom perspective view of the clip pusher of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0032] FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view of the housing body of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 22 is a top perspective view of the clip follower of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0034] FIG. 23 is a top perspective view of the jaw body of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 24 is a top perspective view of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0036] FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the handle portion of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the pawl of the handle portion shown in FIG. 25;

[0038] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the pawl biasing member of the handle portion shown in FIG. 25;

[0039] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the yoke of the handle portion shown in FIG. 25;

[0040] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the body portion of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the housing cover removed;

[0041] FIG. 30 is an enlarged perspective view of the distal end of the body portion shown in FIG. 29;

[0042] FIG. 31 is an enlarged perspective view of the proximal end of the body portion shown in FIG. 29;

[0043] FIG. 32 is an enlarged perspective view of the distal end of the body portion shown in FIG. 29 with the clip follower biasing member and the clip stop member removed;

[0044] FIG. 33 is an enlarged perspective view of the distal end of the body portion shown in FIG. 32 with the clip stack removed;

[0045] FIG. 34 is an enlarged perspective view of the distal end of the body portion shown in FIG. 33 with the separator plate shown removed;

[0046] FIG. 35 is an enlarged perspective view of the distal end of the body portion shown in FIG. 34 with the clip pusher removed;

[0047] FIG. 36 is a top cross-sectional view of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 prior to actuation of the apparatus;

[0048] FIG. 37 is a side cross-sectional view of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 36;

[0049] FIG. 38 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 36;

[0050] FIG. 39 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 37;

[0051] FIG. 40 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 37;

[0052] FIG. 41 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 36;

[0053] FIG. 42 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 37;

[0054] FIG. 43 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 36;

[0055] FIG. 44 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 37;

[0056] FIG. 45 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 36;

[0057] FIG. 46 is a top view of the jaw body and the distal end of the camming member of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 36;

[0058] FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view taken along section lines 47-47 of FIG. 44;

[0059] FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view taken along section lines 48-48 of FIG. 40;

[0060] FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view taken along section lines 49-49 of FIG. 42;

[0061] FIG. 50 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 49;

[0062] FIG. 51 is a top cross-sectional view of the handle portion of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 during initial actuation of the handle portion;

[0063] FIG. 52 is a side cross-sectional view of the proximal portion of the body portion of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 during initial actuation of the handle portion.

[0064] FIG. 53 is a side cross-sectional view of the distal end of the body portion of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 during initial actuation of the handle portion;

[0065] FIG. 54 is a side cross-sectional view of the distal end of the body portion of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 during further actuation of the handle portion;

[0066] FIG. 55 is a side cross-sectional view of the distal end of the body portion of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 during further actuation of the handle portion;

[0067] FIG. 56 is a side cross-sectional view of the body portion shown in FIG. 42 after further actuation of the handle portion;

[0068] FIG. 57 is a side cross-sectional view of the body portion shown in FIG. 44 after further actuation of the handle portion;

[0069] FIG. 58 is a side cross-sectional view of the body portion shown in FIG. 57 after further actuation of the handle portion;

[0070] FIG. 59 is a side cross-sectional view of the distal end of the body portion shown in FIG. 55 after further actuation of the handle portion;

[0071] FIG. 60 is a top view of the jaw body and camming member shown in FIG. 46 with the camming member advanced further distally;

[0072] FIG. 61 is a top cross-sectional view of the handle portion shown in FIG. 51 with the handle portion after further actuation of the handle portion;

[0073] FIG. 62 is a side cross-sectional view of the body portion shown in FIG. 58 after further actuation of the handle portion;

[0074] FIG. 63 is a top view of the jaw body and camming member shown in FIG. 60 with camming member fully advanced;

[0075] FIG. 64 is a top cross-section view of the handle portion shown in FIG. 61 after the handle portion has been returned to the unactuated position;

[0076] FIG. 65 is a top view of the distal portion of the body portion of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 36 illustrating the lockout tab of the clip follower engaging the engagement member of the lockout;

[0077] FIG. 66 is top perspective view of a portion of the body portion of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 36 illustrating the lockout engaging the stop member; and

[0078] FIG. 67 is a perspective view of a clip of the clip stack of the clip applying apparatus shown in FIG. 36 deformed about tissue.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

[0079] Embodiments of the presently disclosed surgical clip applier will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. Throughout this description, the term “proximal” will refer to the portion of the instrument closest to the operator and the term “distal” will refer to the portion of the instrument furthest from the operator.

[0080] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the presently disclosed surgical clip applier, shown generally as 10, includes a handle portion 12, an elongated body portion 14 extending distally from handle portion 12 and first and second jaws 16 and 18 which extend from the distal end of body portion 14. Briefly, handle portion 12 includes a handle housing 20 and a pair of movable handles or triggers 22. Each handle 22 includes a finger loop 22a for receiving a finger of a surgeon's hand.

[0081] Referring also to FIGS. 5-9, handle housing 20 can be formed from molded housing half-sections 20a and 20b (FIG. 5) which are secured together using screws 30 and nuts 32. Alternately, other fastening techniques may be used to secure housing half-sections 20a and 20b together, e.g., welding, rivets, interlocking structure, adhesives, etc. In one embodiment, the distal end of each handle 22 is pivotally secured about a pivot member 34 such that handles 22, when actuated, move in a scissor-like manner. Each pivot member 34 is positioned between recesses 36a and 36b formed in half-sections 20a and 20b, respectively, and may be formed integrally with a respective handle 22 or, in the alternative, as a separate element from a respective handle 22. In one embodiment, each handle 22 has a slip resistant grip member 40 secured to an outside surface thereof and a cam channel 42 formed on an inside surface thereof. Slip resistant grip member 40 can be formed from a cushioning material and overmolded onto each handle 22. It is also contemplated that other slip resistant materials and methods of application may be used to form grip member 40 and apply grip member 40 to a handle 22. Each cam channel 42 is configured to receive a pivot member for connecting a pair of pivotal links as will be described in more detail below.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 10, elongated body portion 14 includes a housing body 24 defining a channel 26 for receiving internal components of surgical clip applier 10. A housing cover 28 is secured to housing body 24 and covers channel 26. In one embodiment, housing cover 28 has a series of projections 50 which are dimensioned to be received within openings 52 formed along channel walls 26a of housing body 24 to secure housing cover 28 to housing body 24. Alternately, other securement techniques are contemplated, e.g., adhesives, crimping, screws, etc.

[0083] Referring also to FIGS. 13-15, an internal surface of housing cover 28 includes a first longitudinal groove 54 and a second longitudinal groove 56. Grooves 54 and 56 accommodate other components of the elongated body portion as will be discussed in further detail below. The distal end of housing cover 28 includes an outer surface 28a which is tapered or angled downwardly towards housing body 24. Angled outer surface 28a provides easier access to tissue and reduces the likelihood of the clip applier snagging tissue during use. An inner surface 28b formed on the distal end of housing cover 28 has a curvature which corresponds to the curvature of a top surface of jaws 16 and 18. Inner surface 28b is positioned in abutting relation to jaws 16 and 18 to provide stability to and prevent misalignment of jaws 16 and 18 during operation of clip applier 10.

[0084] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 21, housing body 24 includes a pair of distally located cutouts 60 configured to slidably receive jaws 16 and 18. Cutouts 60 are dimensioned to confine jaws 16 and 18 to prevent misalignment of the jaws during actuation of clip applier 10 (FIG. 30). The proximal end of housing body 24 includes a pair of transversely extending wings 62 which are dimensioned to be received within recesses 64 formed in housing half-sections 20a and 20b (FIG. 9) to secure elongated body portion 14 to handle portion 12.

[0085] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the internal components of clip applier 10 include a jaw body 66, a camming member 68, a clip pusher 70, a clip pusher lockout 72, a clip stack follower 74, and a clip stack 76 including a distal-most clip 76a and a proximal-most clip 76b. Referring also to FIG. 23, jaw body 66 includes jaws 16 and 18, a proximal mounting portion 66a and a pair of spaced distally extending legs 66b. Each of jaws 16 and 18 is supported on a distal end of a respective one of legs 66b and includes a clip channel 16a and 18a, respectively. A cam surface 70 is formed on an outer surface of each jaw 16 and 18. Cam surfaces 70 are positioned to be engaged by camming member 68 (FIG. 10) in a manner to be described in further detail below. Jaw body 66 is mounted within channel 26 of housing body 24 using a bolt 67 or the like. Bolt 67 extends through an opening 66d in body 66 and through housing body 24.

[0086] Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 16, camming member 68 is slidably supported within channel 26 (FIG. 10) of housing body 24 and includes a distal engagement member 72 which is positioned about legs 66b of jaw body 66 (FIG. 48). Engagement member 72 can have a substantially rectangular configuration. Alternately, other configurations are contemplated, e.g., C-shaped configuration. The proximal end of camming member 68 includes a bracket 74 to operably connect camming member 68 to handle portion 12 as will be discussed in further detail below. Handles 22 of handle portion 12 (FIG. 1) are operable to move camming member 68 between a retracted position and an advanced position along channel 26 of housing body 24. In the retracted position of camming member 68, engagement member 72 is positioned about legs 66b of jaw body 66 at a location proximal of cam surfaces 70 (FIG. 46). In the advanced position of camming member 68, engagement member 72 is positioned about jaws 16 and 18 in abutting relation to cam surfaces 70 (FIG. 60).

[0087] The proximal end of camming member 68 supports an abutment member 79. In one embodiment, abutment member 79 is supported within a cutout 78 formed in the proximal end of camming member 68. Cutout 78 includes a plurality of grooves 78a which receive tongues or projections 82 formed on abutment member 79 to secure abutment member 79 to camming member 68. It is contemplated that abutment member 79 may be attached to camming member 68 using other known fastening techniques. Alternately, abutment member 79 can be formed integrally with camming member 68. Abutment member 79 is positioned to engage a pusher latch assembly 80, as will be described in detail below.

[0088] Referring to FIGS. 10, 16, 17 and 20, clip pusher 70 includes an elongated body 82, a distal finger 84, and a proximal latch assembly mount 86. Distal finger 84 is semi-circular in shape and is positioned to engage distal-most clip 76a of the stack of clips 76 when clip pusher 70 is moved from a retracted position to an advanced position (FIG. 53). Latch assembly mount 86 includes a pair of spaced, vertical brackets 88. Brackets 88 each include an opening 90 for receiving a pivot pin 92 (FIG. 16) of pusher latch assembly 80.

[0089] Pusher latch assembly 80 includes a latch member 94, a biasing member 96, and pivot pin 92. Latch member 94 is pivotally secured at its distal end between brackets 88 of clip pusher 70 about pivot pin 92. Biasing member 96 is positioned between the proximal end of clip pusher 70 and latch member 94 to urge the proximal end of latch member 94 away from clip pusher 70 to a position to engage abutment member 79 when camming member 68 is moved from its retracted to its advanced position. Latch member 94 is pivotal against the urging of biasing member 96 towards the proximal end of clip pusher 70 to move latch member 94 out of engagement with abutment member 79 as will be discussed in further detail below.

[0090] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 18, a separator plate 98 is fixedly supported between housing body 24 and housing cover 28. Separator plate 98 includes a series of projections 100 which are received within recesses 102 formed in housing cover 28 to secure separator plate 98 to housing cover 28. The distal end of separator plate 98 includes a pair of spaced spring fingers 104 which are positioned to guide the distal-most clip 76a of clip stack 76 into jaws 16 and 18. A biasing member securement member 106 (FIG. 19) is formed on separator plate 98. A biasing member, which can be a coil spring 108, has one end secured to securement member 106 of separator plate 98 and a second end secured to a securement member 110 (FIG. 20) formed on clip pusher 70. Coil spring 108 is in tension and urges clip pusher 70 to its retracted position. When handles 22 (FIG. 1) are operated to move camming member 68 from its retracted position to its advanced position, abutment member 79 engages latch member 94 to move latch member 94 and clip pusher 70 distally toward its advanced position against the urging of coil spring 108. As clip pusher 70 moves distally with camming member 68, distal finger 82 of clip pusher 70 engages distal-most clip 76a of clip stack 76 to advance distal-most clip 76a into jaws 16 and 18.

[0091] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 12, a pusher latch cam 110 is supported in channel 26 between housing body 24 and housing cover 28. Pusher latch cam 110 includes a pair of tabs 110a which are received within recesses 112 formed in housing cover 28 to fixedly secure pusher latch cam 110 in relation to housing cover 28. Pusher latch cam 110 is positioned in channel 26 at a position to engage the distal end of latch member 94 (FIG. 57) to pivot and disengage latch member 94 from abutment member 79 when distal-most clip 76a has been fully advanced into jaws 16 and 18. When latch member 94 is disengaged from abutment member 79, coil spring 108 returns clip pusher 70 to its retracted position. Although pusher latch cam 110 is illustrated as block shaped, other configurations are envisioned. Further, pusher latch cam may be integrally formed with housing cover 28 or housing body 24.

[0092] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 22, clip stack 76 is slidably supported on a top surface of separator plate 98. A clip follower 74 is positioned behind the proximal-most clip 76b of clip stack 76. Clip follower 74 includes a pair of distally extending arms 74a. The distal end of each arm 74a is configured to engage the backspan of proximal-most clip 76b. A top surface of clip follower 74 includes a spring securement member 112 and a lockout tab 114. Lockout tab 114 is positioned to travel in second longitudinal groove 56 (FIG. 14) of housing cover 28 and is movable with clip follower 74 as clip follower 74 is advanced to move clip stack 76 distally within elongated body portion 14.

[0093] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a clip stop member 116 includes a spring arm 118, a spring securement member 120 and a pair of anchor members 122. Anchor members 122 are dimensioned to be snap-fit into a pair of openings 124 formed through a distal portion of housing cover 28 to secure clip stop member 116 to the underside of housing cover 28. A biasing member 126 extends between spring securement member 120 of clip stop member 116 and spring securement member 112 of follower 74. Biasing member 126, which can be a coil spring, is supported in tension between follower 74 and clip stop member 116 to urge follower 74 and clip stack 76 distally within body portion 14 towards jaws 16 and 18. Biasing member 126 is positioned within first longitudinal groove 54 of housing cover 28 (FIG. 14). Clip stop member 116 prevents distal-most clip 76a from being pushed distally into jaws 16 and 18 until clip pusher 70 is moved to its advanced position. When clip pusher 70 is moved to its advanced position, clip stop member 116 is deflected upwardly by movement of distal-most clip 76a (FIG. 53).

[0094] A jaw locking member, e.g., plate 130 (FIG. 10) is secured to housing body 24 within channel 26 of housing body 24. Jaw locking plate 130 includes openings 131 which are dimensioned to receive projections 133 (FIG. 59) formed on housing body 24 to secure plate 130 to body 24. Jaw locking plate 130 has a resilient and flexible arm 130a which is positioned between legs 66b of jaw body 66 to prevent jaws 16 and 18 from being closed inadvertently during positioning of clip applier 10 at a surgical site. When camming member 68 is moved to its advanced position, the distal end of engagement member 72 of camming member 68 deflects arm 130a downwardly to move arm 130a from between jaws 16 and 18 and allow for closure of jaws 16 and 18 (FIG. 59). Alternately, the jaw locking member need not be in the form of a flat plate but rather other configurations are envisioned, e.g., cylindrical or any configuration positionable between jaws 16 and 18 to prevent closure of the jaws.

[0095] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 24, a lockout member 272 is positioned above camming member 68 within channel 26 of housing body 24. Lockout member 272 includes a central body portion 140, a pair of flexible legs 142 and a distally extending engagement member or flag 144. Central body portion 140 includes a proximally extending resilient finger 146 which extends upwardly towards separator plate 98 and includes a downwardly curved end 146a. End 146a is positioned to extend through an elongated slot 148 formed in clip pusher 70 and to be partially received within an opening 150 formed in separator plate 98. Engagement of end 146a of finger 146 in opening 150 of separator plate 98 releasably retains lockout 272 at a fixed position in relation to separator plate 98 until an external force is applied to engagement member 144 as will be discussed in detail below.

[0096] Each of flexible legs 142 of lockout 272 includes a radial projection 142a. Legs 142 are positioned within the confines of sidewalls 152 of camming member 68 and are urged inwardly by sidewalls 152. A pair of slots 152a are formed in sidewalls 152 such that when projections 142a are moved into alignment with slots 152a, legs 142 spring outwardly to move radial projections 142a into slots 152a. When projections 142a are positioned within slots 152a, lockout 272 is fixedly secured to camming member 68.

[0097] As discussed above, follower 74 is urged distally by biasing member 126 to urge clip stack 76 distally along separator plate 98. As each clip 76a is advanced into jaws 16 and 18, follower 74 moves further distally within elongated body 14. As the proximal-most clip 76b is advanced in jaws 16 and 18, lockout tab 114 of follower 74 engages engagement member or flag 144 of lockout 272 and effects distal movement of lockout 272 in relation to camming member 68, such that after proximal-most clip 76b is crimped between jaws 16 and 18 and camming member 68 is returned to its retracted position, radial projections 142a align with slots 152a in camming member 68 to fixedly secure lockout 272 to camming member 68.

[0098] A stop member 156 (FIG. 10) is secured to a proximal end of mounting portion 66a of jaw body 66. In one embodiment, stop member 156 includes a cylindrical dowel. Alternately, other stop member configurations are envisioned. The distal end of lockout 272 includes a recess 158 for receiving stop member 156. Since stop member 156 is fixedly secured within channel 26 of housing body 24, engagement between lockout 272 and stop member 156 prevents further distal advancement of lockout 272. As discussed above, after the proximal-most clip 76b has been applied to tissue, lockout 272 is fixedly secured to camming member 68. Stop member 156 is also received in recess 158 of lockout 272. Thus, after proximal-most clip 76b has been applied to tissue and lockout 272 is fixed to camming member 86, engagement between lockout 272 and stop member 156 prevents distal advancement of camming member 68. As will be discussed below, since camming member 68 is connected via linkages to handles 22 (FIG. 1), engagement between lockout 272 and stop member 156 will prevent actuation of handles 22 and thus, indicate to a surgeon that the clip applier clip stack 76 has been depleted.

[0099] Referring to FIGS. 5, 8, 25 and 28, handle portion 12 includes a yoke 170 which is slidably positioned between housing half-sections 20a and 20b between retracted and advanced positions. The distal end of yoke 170 includes an annular recess 172 which is dimensioned to be positioned in a semi-circular slot 174 (FIG. 16) formed in bracket 74 of camming member 68 to attach yoke 170 to camming member 68. The proximal end of yoke 170 includes a U-shaped connector 176 having a throughbore 178 dimensioned to receive a pivot pin 180. Pivot pin 180 pivotally connects yoke 170 to the distal end of front links 182a and 182b of a linkage assembly which connects handles 22 to yoke 170. The proximal end of front links 182a and 182b are pivotally secured to the distal end of rear links 184a and 184b, respectively, by pivot members 186. The proximal ends of rear links 184a and 184b are connected to each other and to handle housing 20 by a pivot member 188. Pivot member 188 is pivotally mounted between bores 190 formed in housing half-sections 20a and 20b (FIG. 5). Pivot members 186 are received within a respective cam channel 42 formed in a respective handle 22. When handles 22 are actuated, i.e., moved towards housing 20, pivot members 186 are caused to move through cam channels 42 such that front links 182a, 182b and rear links 184a, 184b are moved from a first misaligned position towards an aligned position (FIG. 51). Since the proximal end of rear links 184a and 184b are axially fixed between housing half-sections 20a and 20b, movement of front links 182a and 182b and rear links 184a and 184b toward an aligned position moves the distal end of front links 182a and 182b distally within housing 20. As discussed above, the distal end of front links 182a and 182b is axially fixed to yoke 170 by pivot member 180. As such, when handles 22 are actuated, yoke 170 is moved distally to move camming member 68 distally. A biasing member, e.g., coil spring 179, is positioned about a distal end of yoke 170 and abuts a spring stop 181 supported within housing 20 to urge yoke 170 to its retracted position.

[0100] Referring to FIGS. 25-27, handle portion 12 includes an anti-reverse ratchet mechanism which includes a pawl 192, a rack 194, and a pawl biasing member 196. Rack 194 includes a series of teeth 194a and is supported within a recess 198 formed in housing half-section 20a. In one embodiment, recess 198 is dovetail shaped and the backside of rack 194 has a dovetail shape projection 194b which is slidably received within recess 198 to secure rack 194 within housing 20. Alternately, other fastening techniques can be used to secure rack 194 within housing 20, e.g., adhesives, pins, welding, etc.

[0101] Pawl 192 includes a bore 192a dimensioned to receive pivot member 180 such that pawl 192 is rotatably mounted to yoke 170 about pivot member 180. Pawl biasing member 196 includes a pair of mounting holes 200 for securing bracket 196 to a plate extension 202 (FIG. 28) of yoke 170. Pawl biasing member 196 also includes a semi-circular cutout 204 which is positioned to be clipped partially about pivot member 180, and a cantilever or spring arm 206 which is positioned within a slot 192b formed in a backside of pawl 192. Cantilever arm 206 is resilient and provides a biasing force to urge pawl 192 to a position in which pawl finger 192c is substantially perpendicular to arm 206. Finger 192c is positioned to engage teeth 194a of rack 194 to retain yoke 170 at partially advanced positions during actuation of clip applier 10 against the bias of spring 179 which urges yoke 170 to its retracted position. The anti-reverse ratchet mechanism prevents retraction of yoke 170 and camming member 68 after handles 22 have been partially actuated until the clip applier has been fully actuated.

[0102] Referring to FIGS. 36-67, operation of clip applier 10 will now be described. FIGS. 36-50 illustrate clip applier 10 prior to actuation of handles 22, i.e., in the prefired position. In the prefired position, biasing member 179 urges yoke 170 to its retracted position. When yoke 170 is in its retracted position, pivot members 186 are positioned within cam channels 42 (FIG. 36) such that front links 182a and 182b and rear links 184a and 184b are in their misaligned position, handles 22 are spaced from housing 20 of clip applier 10, and pawl 192 (FIG. 38) is positioned proximally of rack 194 (FIG. 38). Referring to FIGS. 40-50, in the prefired position, caroming member 68 is urged to its retracted position by yoke 170 and biasing member 179 (FIG. 39). Clip pusher 70 is urged to its retracted position by biasing member 108 (FIG. 42). Clip stack 76 is urged by follower 74 (FIG. 44) and biasing member 126 distally within body 14, but distal-most clip 76a is prevented from moving into jaws 16 and 18 by spring arm 118 of clip stop member 116 (FIG. 40). Jaw locking plate 130 is positioned between jaw legs 66b to prevent inadvertent closure of jaws 16 and 18 (FIG. 40). It is also noted that latch member 94 of pusher latch assembly 80 is spaced distally of but in a position to engage abutment member 79 which is supported on caroming member 68 (FIG. 44). Further, radial projections 142a of lockout 272 are positioned proximally of slots 152a of caroming member 68 and recess 158 of lockout 272 is positioned proximally of stop member 156.

[0103] FIGS. 51-63 illustrate clip applier 10 in various stages of operation. Referring to FIG. 51, handles 22 have been partially actuated or moved towards housing 20 in the direction indicated by arrow “A”. Actuation of handles 22 moves front links 182a and 182b towards their aligned position to advance yoke 170 distally in the direction indicated by arrow “B”. Referring to FIG. 52, as yoke 170 is advanced, camming member 68 which is secured to yoke 170 is advanced distally within elongated body 14 of clip applier 10. Abutment member 79 is supported on camming member 68 and is also advanced distally within elongated body 14 in the direction indicated by arrow “C”. During the initial actuation stroke of handles 22, abutment member 79 engages latch member 94 of pusher latch assembly 80 to effect advancement of clip pusher 70 in the direction indicated by arrow “D”. Referring to FIG. 53, as clip pusher 70 advances, engagement finger 84 of clip pusher 70 advances distal-most clip 76a of clip stack 76 past spring arm 118 of clip stop member 116 into jaws 16 and 18. As the distal-most clip 76a of clip stack 76 is advanced into the jaws, follower 74 (FIG. 52) under the force of biasing member 126 advances clip stack 76 distally in the direction indicated by arrow “E” in FIG. 53 to position the second distal-most clip 77 adjacent clip stop member 116 (See FIGS. 53-55).

[0104] Referring to FIGS. 55-57, as camming member 68 and clip pusher 70 advance within elongated body 14, the tension in spring 108 is increased, i.e., spring 108 is stretched (FIG. 56). When distal-most clip 76a is fully positioned within jaws 16 and 18, pusher latch cam 110 engages a distal end of latch member 94 and pivots latch member 94 in the direction indicated by arrow “F” against the urging of biasing member 96 to release latch member 94 from abutment member 79. When latch member 94 is released from abutment member 79, biasing member 108 returns clip pusher 70 to its retracted position (FIGS. 58 and 59).

[0105] As handles 22 are more fully actuated, i.e., moved closer to housing 20, camming member 68 engages finger 130a of jaw locking plate 130 (FIG. 55) to deform plate 130 downwardly from between legs 66b of jaw body 66. Continued advancement of camming member 68 advances engagement member 72 into camming surfaces 70 of jaws 16 and 18 to move jaws 16 and 18 from a spaced position (FIG. 46) to a crimping position (FIG. 63).

[0106] Referring to FIG. 51, as yoke 170 is moved from its retracted position within housing 20 to its advanced position, a finger 192c of pawl 192 engages teeth 194a of rack 194 to prevent spring 179 from returning yoke 170 to its retracted position when handles 22 are released. As such, once handles 22 begin to be actuated and pawl 192 engages rack 194 (FIG. 51) yoke 170 cannot be returned to its retracted position until clip applier 10 is fully actuated. When yoke 170 is moved to its advanced position, pawl 192 passes by the distal end of rack 194 (FIG. 61) and cantilevered or spring arm 206 of pawl biasing member 196 will rotate pawl 192 in the direction indicated by arrow “G” in FIG. 61 to a position in which finger 192a of pawl 192 is positioned at 12:00. Thus, when handles 22 are released and spring 179 returns yoke 170 to its retracted positioned (FIG. 64) finger 192c will engage the distal end of rack 194 and rotate counter-clockwise in the direction indicated by arrow “H” in FIG. 64 and ratchet over teeth 194a of rack 194. Note, in the fully retracted position of yoke 170, pawl 192 is positioned proximally of rack 194. In this position cantilevered arm 206 (FIG. 61) returns finger 192c of pawl 192 to the 12:00 position.

[0107] After the device has been fully actuated as shown in FIGS. 61-63 and handles 22 have been released, yoke 170 is moved to its retracted position by spring 179. Camming member 68, which is secured to yoke 170, is also moved toward its retracted position. As this occurs, resilient jaws 16 and 18 return to their spaced position and camming member 68 moves past jaw locking plate 130 allowing locking plate finger 130a to return to a position located between legs 66b of jaw body 66. As discussed above, the positioning of locking plate 130 between legs 66b of jaw body 66 prevents inadvertent closure of jaws 16 and 18.

[0108] Referring to FIGS. 65 and 66, after the proximal-most clip 76b has been advanced beyond clip stop member 116, clip follower 74 is advanced towards its fully advanced position by biasing member 126. As this occurs, lockout tab 114 formed on follower 74 engages engagement member 144 of lockout 272 to advance lockout 272 distally in relation to camming member 68 to move radial projections 142a of flexible legs 142 of lockout 272 into slots 152a of camming member 68 and secure or interlock lockout 272 to camming member 68. When lockout 272 is moved distally within elongated body 14 by follower 74, distal recess 158 of lockout 272 receives stop member 156, which is secured to mounting portion 66a of jaw body 66 such that the distal end of lockout 272 engages stop member 156. Engagement between the distal end of lockout 272 and stop member 156 prevents further distal movement of lockout 272 and, thus, camming member 68.

[0109] It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for applying surgical clips comprising:

a body portion housing a clip stack; and

a pair of jaws supported at a distal end of the body portion;

the body portion including a clip pusher, a camming member and a clip follower, the clip pusher being movably positioned within the body portion and being operable to advance a distal-most clip from the clip stack to a position between the pair of jaws, the camming member being movably positioned within the body portion and being operable to approximate the pair of jaws in response to direct engagement with the pair of jaws to deform the distal-most clip resulting from a distal movement of the camming member, and the clip follower being positioned proximally of the clip stack and operable to urge the clip stack distally towards the pair of jaws;

wherein the body portion further includes a lockout member and a stop member, the lockout member including a central body portion defining a recess in a distal end of the central body portion, the lockout member being movable from a first position in slidable relation to the caroming member to a second position interlocked with the camming member such that the lockout member and the camming member move in unison with one another, wherein in its second position, the recess of the lockout member abuts the stop member to limit distal movement of the camming member.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lockout member includes at least one flexible leg having a projection and the camming member includes at least one slot dimensioned to receive the projection to interlock the lockout member to the camming member.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one flexible leg includes a pair of flexible legs and the at least one slot includes a pair of slots.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the clip follower includes a tab and the lockout member includes an engagement member that extends distally from a distal end of the lockout member, the tab being movable into the engagement member to move the lockout member from its first position to its second position.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the lockout member is disposed in the second position, the lockout member and the camming member are positioned to simultaneously move distally until a recess defined in the lockout abuts the stop member to prevent further distal movement of lockout and camming member.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lockout member includes a resilient finger which is positioned to releasably retain the lockout member in its first position.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the body portion further includes a separator plate, the separator plate including an opening dimensioned to receive a portion of the resilient finger of the lockout member.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clip follower includes a tab and the lockout member includes an engagement member, the tab being movable into the engagement member to move the lockout member from its first position to its second position.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the tab is positioned to engage the engagement member after the proximal most clip has been advanced to the pair of jaws.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the engagement member extends distally from a distal end of the lockout member.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lockout member includes at least one flexible leg having a projection, the camming member includes at least one slot, and the clip follower includes at least one tab that is movable into an engagement member that extends distally from a central body portion of the lockout member, wherein engagement of the at least one tab with the engagement member moves the lockout member to the second position so that the projection of the at least one flexible leg is received by the at least one slot of the camming member to interlock the lockout member to the camming member.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lockout member defines a plane in the first position, the lockout member being movable along and remaining within the plane as the lockout member moves from the first position to the second position.

Patent Citations (457)

Patent	Date	Inventor	Cited By
US4242902(A)	1981-01-01	Green	Applicant
US4430997(A)	1984-02-01	DiGiovanni et al.	Examiner
US4480640(A)	1984-11-01	Becht	Applicant
US4480641(A)	1984-11-01	Failla et al.	Applicant
US4487204(A)	1984-12-01	Hrouda	Applicant
US4491133(A)	1985-01-01	Menges et al.	Applicant
US4492232(A)	1985-01-01	Green	Applicant
US4500024(A)	1985-02-01	DiGiovanni et al.	Applicant
US4509518(A)	1985-04-01	McGarry et al.	Applicant
US4512345(A)	1985-04-01	Green	Applicant
US4532925(A)	1985-08-01	Blake, III	Applicant
US4534351(A)	1985-08-01	Rothfuss et al.	Applicant
US4549544(A)	1985-10-01	Favaron	Applicant
US4556058(A)	1985-12-01	Green	Applicant
US4557263(A)	1985-12-01	Green	Applicant
US4562839(A)	1986-01-01	Blake, III et al.	Applicant
US4572183(A)	1986-02-01	Juska	Applicant
US4576165(A)	1986-03-01	Green et al.	Applicant
US4576166(A)	1986-03-01	Montgomery	Applicant
US4590937(A)	1986-05-01	Deniega	Applicant
US4598711(A)	1986-07-01	Deniega	Applicant
US4602631(A)	1986-07-01	Funatsu	Applicant
US4611595(A)	1986-09-01	Klieman et al.	Applicant
US4612932(A)	1986-09-01	Caspar et al.	Applicant
US4616650(A)	1986-10-01	Green et al.	Applicant
US4616651(A)	1986-10-01	Golden	Applicant
US4624254(A)	1986-11-01	McGarry et al.	Applicant
US4637395(A)	1987-01-01	Caspar et al.	Applicant
US4646740(A)	1987-03-01	Peters et al.	Applicant
US4647504(A)	1987-03-01	Kimimura et al.	Applicant
US4658822(A)	1987-04-01	Kees, Jr.	Applicant
US4660558(A)	1987-04-01	Kees, Jr.	Applicant
US4662373(A)	1987-05-01	Montgomery	Applicant
US4662374(A)	1987-05-01	Blake, III	Applicant
US4671278(A)	1987-06-01	Chin	Applicant
US4674504(A)	1987-06-01	Klieman et al.	Applicant
US4681107(A)	1987-07-01	Kees, Jr.	Applicant
US4696396(A)	1987-09-01	Samuels	Applicant
US4702247(A)	1987-10-01	Blake, III et al.	Applicant
US4706668(A)	1987-11-01	Backer	Applicant
US4712549(A)	1987-12-01	Peters	Applicant
US4733664(A)	1988-03-01	Kirsch et al.	Applicant
US4733666(A)	1988-03-01	Mercer, Jr.	Applicant
US4759364(A)	1988-07-01	Boebel	Applicant
US4765335(A)	1988-08-01	Schmidt et al.	Applicant
US4777949(A)	1988-10-01	Perlin	Applicant
US4777950(A)	1988-10-01	Kees, Jr.	Applicant
US4796625(A)	1989-01-01	Kees, Jr.	Applicant
US4799481(A)	1989-01-01	Transue et al.	Applicant
US4821721(A)	1989-04-01	Chin et al.	Applicant
US4850355(A)	1989-07-01	Brooks et al.	Examiner
US4854317(A)	1989-08-01	Braun	Applicant
US4929239(A)	1990-05-01	Braun	Applicant
US4934364(A)	1990-06-01	Green	Applicant
US4967949(A)	1990-11-01	Sandhaus	Applicant
US5026379(A)	1991-06-01	Yoon	Applicant
US5030226(A)	1991-07-01	Green et al.	Applicant
US5032127(A)	1991-07-01	Frazee et al.	Applicant
US5035692(A)	1991-07-01	Lyon et al.	Applicant
US5047038(A)	1991-09-01	Peters et al.	Applicant
US5049152(A)	1991-09-01	Simon	Applicant
US5049153(A)	1991-09-01	Nakao et al.	Applicant
US5084057(A)	1992-01-01	Green et al.	Applicant
US5100416(A)	1992-03-01	Oh et al.	Applicant
US5100420(A)	1992-03-01	Green et al.	Applicant
US5104394(A)	1992-04-01	Knoepfler	Applicant
US5104395(A)	1992-04-01	Thornton et al.	Applicant
US5112343(A)	1992-05-01	Thornton	Applicant
US5156608(A)	1992-10-01	Troidl et al.	Applicant
US5163945(A)	1992-11-01	Ortiz et al.	Applicant
US5171247(A)	1992-12-01	Hughett et al.	Applicant
US5171249(A)	1992-12-01	Stefanchik	Applicant
US5171250(A)	1992-12-01	Yoon	Applicant
US5192288(A)	1993-03-01	Thompson et al.	Applicant
US5197970(A)	1993-03-01	Green et al.	Applicant
US5199566(A)	1993-04-01	Ortiz et al.	Applicant
US5201746(A)	1993-04-01	Shichman	Applicant
US5207691(A)	1993-05-01	Nardella	Applicant
US5207692(A)	1993-05-01	Kraus et al.	Applicant
US5246450(A)	1993-09-01	Thornton et al.	Applicant
US5269792(A)	1993-12-01	Kovac et al.	Applicant
US5282807(A)	1994-02-01	Knoepfler	Applicant
US5282808(A)	1994-02-01	Kovac et al.	Applicant
US5282832(A)	1994-02-01	Toso et al.	Applicant
US5290299(A)	1994-03-01	Fain et al.	Applicant
US5300081(A)	1994-04-01	Young et al.	Applicant
US5304183(A)	1994-04-01	Gourlay et al.	Applicant
US5306280(A)	1994-04-01	Bregen et al.	Applicant
US5306283(A)	1994-04-01	Conners	Applicant
US5330442(A)	1994-07-01	Green et al.	Applicant
US5330487(A)	1994-07-01	Thornton et al.	Applicant
US5340360(A)	1994-08-01	Stefanchik	Applicant
US5354304(A)	1994-10-01	Allen	Applicant
US5366458(A)	1994-11-01	Korthoff et al.	Applicant
US5368600(A)	1994-11-01	Failla et al.	Applicant
US5382253(A)	1995-01-01	Hogendijk	Applicant
US5382254(A)	1995-01-01	McGarry	Applicant
US5382255(A)	1995-01-01	Castro	Applicant
US5383881(A)	1995-01-01	Green	Applicant
US5395381(A)	1995-03-01	Green	Applicant
US5403327(A)	1995-04-01	Thornton et al.	Applicant
US5409498(A)	1995-04-01	Braddock et al.	Applicant
US5413584(A)	1995-05-01	Schulze	Applicant
US5423835(A)	1995-06-01	Green	Applicant
US5431667(A)	1995-07-01	Thompson	Applicant
US5431668(A)	1995-07-01	Burbank, III et al.	Applicant
US5431669(A)	1995-07-01	Thompson	Applicant
US5439468(A)	1995-08-01	Schulze et al.	Applicant
US5441509(A)	1995-08-01	Vidal	Applicant
US5447513(A)	1995-09-01	Davison et al.	Applicant
US5449365(A)	1995-09-01	Green	Applicant
US5462555(A)	1995-10-01	Bolanos	Applicant
US5462558(A)	1995-10-01	Kolesa	Applicant
US5474566(A)	1995-12-01	Alesi	Applicant
US5474567(A)	1995-12-01	Stefanchik et al.	Applicant
US5501693(A)	1996-03-01	Gravener	Applicant
US5509920(A)	1996-04-01	Phillips	Applicant
US5514149(A)	1996-05-01	Green	Applicant
US5520701(A)	1996-05-01	Lerch	Applicant
US5522823(A)	1996-06-01	Kuntz et al.	Applicant
US5527318(A)	1996-06-01	McGarry	Applicant
US5527319(A)	1996-06-01	Green	Applicant
US5527320(A)	1996-06-01	Carruthers et al.	Applicant
US5542949(A)	1996-08-01	Yoon	Applicant
US5547474(A)	1996-08-01	Kloeckl	Applicant
US5582615(A)	1996-12-01	Foshee et al.	Applicant
US5591178(A)	1997-01-01	Green et al.	Applicant
US5593421(A)	1997-01-01	Bauer	Applicant
US5601573(A)	1997-02-01	Fogelberg et al.	Applicant
US5601574(A)	1997-02-01	Stefanchik et al.	Applicant
US5607436(A)	1997-03-01	Pratt	Applicant
US5618291(A)	1997-04-01	Thompson	Applicant
US5618306(A)	1997-04-01	Roth et al.	Applicant
US5626585(A)	1997-05-01	Mittelstadt	Applicant
US5626586(A)	1997-05-01	Pistl et al.	Applicant
US5626592(A)	1997-05-01	Phillips	Applicant
USRE35525(E)	1997-06-01	Stefanchik et al.	Examiner
US5634930(A)	1997-06-01	Thornton et al.	Applicant
US5643291(A)	1997-07-01	Pier	Applicant
US5645551(A)	1997-07-01	Green	Applicant
US5645553(A)	1997-07-01	Kolesa	Applicant
US5649937(A)	1997-07-01	Bito et al.	Applicant
US5662676(A)	1997-09-01	Koninckx	Applicant
US5665097(A)	1997-09-01	Baker et al.	Applicant
US5681330(A)	1997-10-01	Hughett et al.	Applicant
US5695502(A)	1997-12-01	Pier	Applicant
US5700270(A)	1997-12-01	Peyser et al.	Examiner
US5700271(A)	1997-12-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US5702048(A)	1997-12-01	Eberlin	Applicant
US5709706(A)	1998-01-01	Kienzle et al.	Applicant
US5713911(A)	1998-02-01	Racenet	Applicant
US5720756(A)	1998-02-01	Green	Applicant
US5725537(A)	1998-03-01	Green	Applicant
US5725538(A)	1998-03-01	Green	Applicant
US5725542(A)	1998-03-01	Yoon	Applicant
US5755726(A)	1998-05-01	Pratt	Applicant
US5769857(A)	1998-06-01	Reztzov et al.	Applicant
US5772673(A)	1998-06-01	Cuny	Applicant
US5779718(A)	1998-07-01	Green	Applicant
US5782844(A)	1998-07-01	Yoon et al.	Applicant
US5788698(A)	1998-08-01	Savornin	Applicant
US5792149(A)	1998-08-01	Sherts	Applicant
US5792150(A)	1998-08-01	Pratt	Applicant
US5824547(A)	1998-10-01	Hashino et al.	Applicant
US5824548(A)	1998-10-01	Hearn	Applicant
US5827279(A)	1998-10-01	Hughett et al.	Examiner
US5833695(A)	1998-11-01	Yoon	Applicant
US5833696(A)	1998-11-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US5833700(A)	1998-11-01	Fogelberg et al.	Examiner
US5835199(A)	1998-11-01	Phillips et al.	Applicant
US5843097(A)	1998-12-01	Mayenberger et al.	Applicant
US5858018(A)	1999-01-01	Shipp et al.	Applicant
US5861005(A)	1999-01-01	Kontos	Applicant
US5868759(A)	1999-02-01	Peyser et al.	Examiner
US5868761(A)	1999-02-01	Nicholas	Applicant
US5876410(A)	1999-03-01	Petillo	Applicant
US5895394(A)	1999-04-01	Kienzle et al.	Applicant
US5897565(A)	1999-04-01	Foster	Applicant
US5904693(A)	1999-05-01	Dicesare	Applicant
US5921996(A)	1999-07-01	Sherman	Applicant
US5921997(A)	1999-07-01	Fogelberg et al.	Examiner
US5928251(A)	1999-07-01	Aranyi	Applicant
US5938667(A)	1999-08-01	Peyser et al.	Examiner
US5951574(A)	1999-09-01	Stefanchik et al.	Applicant
US5972003(A)	1999-10-01	Rousseau	Applicant
US5976159(A)	1999-11-01	Bolduc et al.	Applicant
US5993465(A)	1999-11-01	Shipp et al.	Applicant
US6004335(A)	1999-12-01	Vaitekunas et al.	Applicant
US6017358(A)	2000-01-01	Yoon et al.	Applicant
US6053908(A)	2000-04-01	Crainich et al.	Examiner
USRE36720(E)	2000-05-01	Green	Applicant
US6059799(A)	2000-05-01	Aranyi	Applicant
US6099536(A)	2000-08-01	Petillo	Applicant
US6099537(A)	2000-08-01	Sugai et al.	Applicant
US6139555(A)	2000-10-01	Hart et al.	Applicant
US6210418(B1)	2001-04-01	Storz et al.	Applicant
US6241740(B1)	2001-06-01	Davis	Applicant
US6258105(B1)	2001-07-01	Hart et al.	Applicant
US6273898(B1)	2001-08-01	Kienzle et al.	Applicant
US6277131(B1)	2001-08-01	Kalikow	Applicant
US6306149(B1)	2001-10-01	Meade	Applicant
US6322571(B1)	2001-11-01	Adams	Applicant
US6350269(B1)	2002-02-01	Shipp et al.	Applicant
US6352541(B1)	2002-03-01	Kienzle et al.	Applicant
US6391035(B1)	2002-05-01	Appleby et al.	Applicant
US6423079(B1)	2002-07-01	Blake, III	Applicant
US6428548(B1)	2002-08-01	Durgin et al.	Applicant
US6440144(B1)	2002-08-01	Bacher	Applicant
US6461363(B1)	2002-10-01	Gadberry et al.	Applicant
US6494886(B1)	2002-12-01	Wilk et al.	Applicant
US6520972(B2)	2003-02-01	Peters	Applicant
US6527786(B1)	2003-03-01	Davis et al.	Applicant
US6537289(B1)	2003-03-01	Kayan	Applicant
US6551333(B2)	2003-04-01	Kuhns et al.	Applicant
US6569171(B2)	2003-05-01	DeGuillebon et al.	Applicant
US6599298(B1)	2003-07-01	Forseter et al.	Applicant
US6607540(B1)	2003-08-01	Shipp	Applicant
US6648898(B1)	2003-11-01	Baxter	Applicant
US6652539(B2)	2003-11-01	Shipp et al.	Applicant
US6673083(B1)	2004-01-01	Kayan	Applicant
US6679894(B2)	2004-01-01	Damarati	Applicant
USRE38445(E)	2004-02-01	Pistl	Applicant
US6695854(B1)	2004-02-01	Kayan	Applicant
US6743240(B2)	2004-06-01	Smith et al.	Applicant
US6773438(B1)	2004-08-01	Knodel et al.	Applicant
US6776783(B1)	2004-08-01	Frantzen et al.	Applicant
US6776784(B2)	2004-08-01	Ginn	Applicant
US6780195(B2)	2004-08-01	Porat	Applicant
US6793663(B2)	2004-09-01	Kneifel et al.	Applicant
US6802848(B2)	2004-10-01	Anderson et al.	Applicant
US6814742(B2)	2004-11-01	Kimura et al.	Applicant
US6818009(B2)	2004-11-01	Hart et al.	Applicant
US6821273(B2)	2004-11-01	Mollenauer	Applicant
US6821284(B2)	2004-11-01	Sturtz et al.	Applicant
US6835200(B2)	2004-12-01	Laufer et al.	Applicant
US6837893(B2)	2005-01-01	Miller	Applicant
US6837894(B2)	2005-01-01	Pugslery, Jr. et al.	Applicant
US6837895(B2)	2005-01-01	Mayenberger	Applicant
US6840945(B2)	2005-01-01	Mantakis et al.	Applicant
US6843794(B2)	2005-01-01	Sixto et al.	Applicant
US6849078(B2)	2005-02-01	Durgin et al.	Applicant
US6849079(B1)	2005-02-01	Blake, III et al.	Applicant
US6869435(B2)	2005-03-01	Blake, III	Applicant
US6869436(B2)	2005-03-01	Wendlandt	Applicant
US6889116(B2)	2005-05-01	Jinno	Applicant
US6896682(B1)	2005-05-01	McClellan et al.	Applicant
US6911033(B2)	2005-06-01	de Guillebon et al.	Applicant
US6913607(B2)	2005-07-01	Ainsworth et al.	Applicant
US6916327(B2)	2005-07-01	Northrup et al.	Applicant
US6923818(B2)	2005-08-01	Muramatsu et al.	Applicant
US6939356(B2)	2005-09-01	Debbas	Applicant
US6942674(B2)	2005-09-01	Belef et al.	Applicant
US6942676(B2)	2005-09-01	Buelna	Applicant
US6945978(B1)	2005-09-01	Hyde	Applicant
US6945979(B2)	2005-09-01	Kortenbach et al.	Applicant
US6949107(B2)	2005-09-01	McGuckin et al.	Applicant
US6953465(B2)	2005-10-01	Dieck et al.	Applicant
US6955643(B2)	2005-10-01	Gellman et al.	Applicant
US6959852(B2)	2005-11-01	Shelton, IV et al.	Applicant
US6960218(B2)	2005-11-01	Rennich	Applicant
US6960221(B2)	2005-11-01	Ho et al.	Applicant
US6962594(B1)	2005-11-01	Thevenet	Applicant
US6963792(B1)	2005-11-01	Green	Applicant
US6964363(B2)	2005-11-01	Wales et al.	Applicant
US6964668(B2)	2005-11-01	Modesitt et al.	Applicant
US6966875(B1)	2005-11-01	Longobardi	Applicant
US6966917(B1)	2005-11-01	Suyker et al.	Applicant
US6966919(B2)	2005-11-01	Sixto et al.	Applicant
US6966981(B2)	2005-11-01	Binder et al.	Applicant
US6969391(B1)	2005-11-01	Gazzani	Applicant
US6972023(B2)	2005-12-01	Whayne et al.	Applicant
US6972027(B2)	2005-12-01	Fallin et al.	Applicant
US6973770(B2)	2005-12-01	Schnipke et al.	Applicant
US6974446(B2)	2005-12-01	Hommann et al.	Applicant
US6974462(B2)	2005-12-01	Sater	Applicant
US6974475(B1)	2005-12-01	Wall	Applicant
US6981505(B2)	2006-01-01	Krause et al.	Applicant
US6981628(B2)	2006-01-01	Wales	Applicant
US6991597(B2)	2006-01-01	Gellman et al.	Applicant
US6991634(B2)	2006-01-01	Sugiyama et al.	Applicant
US6991635(B2)	2006-01-01	Takamoto et al.	Applicant
US7052504(B2)	2006-05-01	Hughett	Examiner
US7211092(B2)	2007-05-01	Hughett	Examiner
US7316693(B2)	2008-01-01	Viola	Applicant
US7510562(B2)	2009-03-01	Lindsay	Applicant
US7637917(B2)	2009-12-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US7695482(B2)	2010-04-01	Viola	Applicant
US7717926(B2)	2010-05-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US7819886(B2)	2010-10-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US7905890(B2)	2011-03-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US7988027(B2)	2011-08-01	Olson	Applicant
US8011550(B2)	2011-09-01	Aranyi	Applicant
US8011555(B2)	2011-09-01	Tarinelli	Applicant
US8016178(B2)	2011-09-01	Olson	Applicant
US8021375(B2)	2011-09-01	Aldrich	Applicant
US8021378(B2)	2011-09-01	Sixto, Jr.	Applicant
US8056565(B2)	2011-11-01	Zergiebel	Applicant
US8070760(B2)	2011-12-01	Fujita	Applicant
US8083668(B2)	2011-12-01	Durgin	Applicant
US8088061(B2)	2012-01-01	Wells	Applicant
US8091755(B2)	2012-01-01	Kayan	Applicant
US8128643(B2)	2012-03-01	Aranyi	Applicant
US8142451(B2)	2012-03-01	Boulnois	Applicant
US8157149(B2)	2012-04-01	Olson	Applicant
US8157151(B2)	2012-04-01	Ingmanson	Applicant
US8216257(B2)	2012-07-01	Huitema	Applicant
US8236012(B2)	2012-08-01	Molitor	Applicant
US8246634(B2)	2012-08-01	Huitema	Applicant
US8246635(B2)	2012-08-01	Huitema	Applicant
US8262679(B2)	2012-09-01	Nguyen	Applicant
US8267944(B2)	2012-09-01	Sorrentino	Applicant
US8267945(B2)	2012-09-01	Nguyen	Applicant
US8267946(B2)	2012-09-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US8282655(B2)	2012-10-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US8328822(B2)	2012-12-01	Huitema	Applicant
US8336556(B2)	2012-12-01	Zergiebel	Applicant
US8348130(B2)	2013-01-01	Shah	Applicant
US8357171(B2)	2013-01-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US8371491(B2)	2013-02-01	Huitema	Applicant
US8382773(B2)	2013-02-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US8403945(B2)	2013-03-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US8403946(B2)	2013-03-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US8409222(B2)	2013-04-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US8409223(B2)	2013-04-01	Sorrentino	Applicant
US8419752(B2)	2013-04-01	Sorrentino	Applicant
US8430892(B2)	2013-04-01	Bindra	Applicant
US8444660(B2)	2013-05-01	Adams	Applicant
US8465502(B2)	2013-06-01	Zergiebel	Applicant
US8475473(B2)	2013-07-01	Vandenbroek	Applicant
US8480688(B2)	2013-07-01	Boulnois	Applicant
US8486091(B2)	2013-07-01	Sorrentino	Applicant
US8491608(B2)	2013-07-01	Sorrentino	Applicant
US8496673(B2)	2013-07-01	Nguyen	Applicant
US8506580(B2)	2013-08-01	Zergiebel	Applicant
US8512357(B2)	2013-08-01	Viola	Applicant
US8523882(B2)	2013-09-01	Huitema	Applicant
US8529585(B2)	2013-09-01	Jacobs	Applicant
US8529586(B2)	2013-09-01	Rosenberg	Applicant
US8529588(B2)	2013-09-01	Ahlberg	Applicant
US8545486(B2)	2013-10-01	Malkowski	Applicant
US8579918(B2)	2013-11-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US8585717(B2)	2013-11-01	Sorrentino	Applicant
US8603109(B2)	2013-12-01	Aranyi	Applicant
US2002/0087170(A1)	2002-07-01	Kuhns et al.	Examiner
US2004/0097970(A1)	2004-05-01	Hughett	Examiner
US2004/0097971(A1)	2004-05-01	Hughett	Examiner
US2004/0138681(A1)	2004-07-01	Pier	Applicant
US2004/0193213(A1)	2004-09-01	Aranyi	Applicant
US2005/0119677(A1)	2005-06-01	Shipp	Applicant
US2005/0125010(A1)	2005-06-01	Smith et al.	Applicant
US2005/0149063(A1)	2005-07-01	Young et al.	Applicant
US2005/0171560(A1)	2005-08-01	Hughett	Applicant
US2005/0175703(A1)	2005-08-01	Hunter	Applicant
US2005/0177176(A1)	2005-08-01	Gerbi et al.	Applicant
US2005/0177177(A1)	2005-08-01	Viola	Applicant
US2005/0216036(A1)	2005-09-01	Nakao	Applicant
US2005/0222588(A1)	2005-10-01	Vandenbroek et al.	Applicant
US2005/0222590(A1)	2005-10-01	Gadberry et al.	Applicant
US2005/0234478(A1)	2005-10-01	Wixey et al.	Applicant
US2005/0256529(A1)	2005-11-01	Yawata et al.	Applicant
US2005/0267495(A1)	2005-12-01	Ginn et al.	Applicant
US2005/0277951(A1)	2005-12-01	Smith et al.	Applicant
US2005/0277952(A1)	2005-12-01	Arp et al.	Applicant
US2005/0277953(A1)	2005-12-01	Francese et al.	Applicant
US2005/0277954(A1)	2005-12-01	Smith et al.	Applicant
US2005/0277955(A1)	2005-12-01	Palmer et al.	Applicant
US2005/0277956(A1)	2005-12-01	Francese et al.	Applicant
US2005/0277958(A1)	2005-12-01	Levinson	Applicant
US2005/0288689(A1)	2005-12-01	Kammerer et al.	Applicant
US2005/0288690(A1)	2005-12-01	Bourque et al.	Applicant
US2006/0004388(A1)	2006-01-01	Whayne et al.	Applicant
US2006/0004390(A1)	2006-01-01	Rosenberg et al.	Applicant
US2006/0009789(A1)	2006-01-01	Gambale et al.	Applicant
US2006/0009790(A1)	2006-01-01	Blake, III et al.	Applicant
US2006/0009792(A1)	2006-01-01	Baker et al.	Applicant
US2006/0020270(A1)	2006-01-01	Jabba et al.	Applicant
US2006/0020271(A1)	2006-01-01	Stewart et al.	Applicant
US2006/0064117(A1)	2006-03-01	Aranyi et al.	Applicant
US2006/0079115(A1)	2006-04-01	Aranyi	Applicant
US2006/0079913(A1)	2006-04-01	Whitfield et al.	Applicant
US2006/0085015(A1)	2006-04-01	Whitfield et al.	Applicant
US2006/0190013(A1)	2006-08-01	Menn	Applicant
US2006/0235444(A1)	2006-10-01	Huitema et al.	Applicant
US2007/0118155(A1)	2007-05-01	Goldfarb et al.	Applicant
US2007/0288039(A1)	2007-12-01	Aranyi	Applicant
US2008/0243145(A1)	2008-10-01	Whitfield et al.	Applicant
US2010/0057105(A1)	2010-03-01	Sorrentino	Applicant
US2010/0057107(A1)	2010-03-01	Sorrentino	Applicant
US2010/0274262(A1)	2010-10-01	Schulz et al.	Applicant
US2011/0087242(A1)	2011-04-01	Pribanic	Applicant
US2011/0137323(A1)	2011-06-01	Malkowski	Applicant
US2011/0208212(A1)	2011-08-01	Zergiebel	Applicant
US2011/0224701(A1)	2011-09-01	Menn	Applicant
US2011/0245847(A1)	2011-10-01	Menn	Applicant
US2012/0029534(A1)	2012-02-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US2012/0109158(A1)	2012-05-01	Zammataro	Applicant
US2012/0116420(A1)	2012-05-01	Sorrentino	Applicant
US2012/0123446(A1)	2012-05-01	Aranyi	Applicant
US2012/0197269(A1)	2012-08-01	Zammataro	Applicant
US2012/0265220(A1)	2012-10-01	Menn	Applicant
US2012/0277765(A1)	2012-11-01	Zammataro	Applicant
US2012/0330326(A1)	2012-12-01	Creston	Applicant
US2013/0110135(A1)	2013-05-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US2013/0131697(A1)	2013-05-01	Hartoumbekis	Applicant
US2013/0165952(A1)	2013-06-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US2013/0172910(A1)	2013-07-01	Malkowski	Applicant
US2013/0172911(A1)	2013-07-01	Rockrohr	Applicant
US2013/0172912(A1)	2013-07-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US2013/0190779(A1)	2013-07-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US2013/0190780(A1)	2013-07-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US2013/0274767(A1)	2013-10-01	Sorrentino	Applicant
US2013/0289583(A1)	2013-10-01	Zergiebel	Applicant
US2013/0296891(A1)	2013-11-01	Hartoumbekis	Applicant
US2013/0296892(A1)	2013-11-01	Sorrentino	Applicant
US2013/0310849(A1)	2013-11-01	Malkowski	Applicant
US2013/0325040(A1)	2013-12-01	Zammataro	Applicant
US2014/0039526(A1)	2014-02-01	Malkowski	Applicant
US2014/0052157(A1)	2014-02-01	Whitfield	Applicant
US2014/0058412(A1)	2014-02-01	Aranyi	Applicant
DE202009006113	2009-07-01		Applicant
EP85931(A2)	1983-08-01		Applicant
EP86721	1983-08-01		Applicant
EP324166(A2)	1989-07-01		Applicant
EP392750(A1)	1990-10-01		Applicant
EP569223	1993-11-01		Applicant
EP594003	1994-04-01		Applicant
EP598529(A2)	1994-05-01		Applicant
EP685204(A1)	1995-12-01		Applicant
EP732078(A2)	1996-09-01		Applicant
EP755655(A)	1997-01-01		Applicant
EP769274	1997-04-01		Applicant
EP769274(A1)	1997-04-01		Applicant
EP769275	1997-04-01		Applicant
EP1609427(A1)	2005-12-01		Applicant
EP1712187	2006-10-01		Applicant
EP1712191(A2)	2006-10-01		Applicant
EP1757236	2007-02-01		Applicant
EP1813199(A1)	2007-08-01		Applicant
EP1908423	2008-04-01		Applicant
EP1908423(A)	2008-04-01		Applicant
EP1908423(A2)	2008-04-01		Applicant
EP1913881(A1)	2008-04-01		Applicant
EP2229895(A1)	2010-09-01		Applicant
EP2332471	2011-06-01		Applicant
JP2003033361	2003-02-01		Applicant
WO1/66001	2001-09-01		Applicant
WO1/67965	2001-09-01		Applicant
WO3/086207	2003-10-01		Applicant
WO3/092473	2003-11-01		Applicant
WO2006/042076	2006-04-01		Applicant
WO2006/042110	2006-04-01		Applicant
WO2006/042141	2006-04-01		Applicant
WO2006/135479	2006-12-01		Applicant
WO2008/118928	2008-10-01		Applicant
WO2008/118928(A2)	2008-10-01		Applicant
WO2008/127968	2008-10-01		Applicant
WO2008/127968(A)	2008-10-01		Applicant

Non-Patent Literature (30)

European Search Report corresponding to EP 09252053; date of mailing is Dec. 1, 2009; date of completion of Search is Nov. 24, 2009 (3 Pages).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 10252079.8, date of mailing is Mar. 17, 2011; date of completion of Search is Mar. 8, 2011 (3 Pages).Applicant
European Search Report corresponding to EP 05810218.7, mailed on May 20, 2011; completed on Apr. 18, 2011; 3 pages.Applicant
European Search Report corresponding to EP 05807612.6, mailed on May 20, 2011; completed on May 2, 2011; 3 pages.Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 10251737.2, mailed on May 20, 2011; completed on May 9, 2011; 4 pages.Applicant
European Search Report corresponding to EP 09252051; date of mailing is Jan. 28, 2010; date of completion of Search is Dec. 21, 2009 (3 Pages).Applicant
European Search Report corresponding to EP 09252050; date of mailing is Jan. 21, 2010; date of completion of Search is Dec. 23, 2009 (3 Pages).Applicant
European Search Report corresponding to EP 09252054; date of mailing is Jan. 22, 2010; date of completion of Search is Jan. 7, 2010 (3 Pages).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 11250214.1, completed May 25, 2011; mailed Jun. 1, 2011; (3 Pages).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 09252056.8, date of mailing is Feb. 5, 2010; date of completion of Search is Jan. 8, 2010 (3 Pages).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 10250497.4, date of mailing is May 12, 2010; date of completion of Search is May 4, 2010 (6 Pages).Applicant
European Search Report for corresponding EP05802686 date of mailing is Jan. 18, 2012 (3 pgs).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 15 1313.9, completed Mar. 20, 2012 and mailed Apr. 12, 2012; (5 Pages).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 16 1291.5, completed Apr. 24, 2012 and mailed May 4, 2012; (5 Pages).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 18 6401.1, completed Nov. 22, 2012 and mailed Nov. 30, 2012; (7 Pages).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 18 6448.2, completed Nov. 28, 2012 and mailed Dec. 10, 2012; (6 Pages).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 19 1706.6, completed Dec. 19, 2012 and mailed Jan. 8, 2013; (6 Pages).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 11 25 0754.6, completed Oct. 22, 2012 and mailed Oct. 31, 2012; (6 Pages).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 16 2288.0, completed Jun. 4, 2012 and mailed Jul. 7, 2012; (6 Pages).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 16 5891.8, completed Jun. 12, 2012 and mailed Jun. 20, 2012; (6 Pages).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 16 4955.2, completed Aug. 23, 2012 and mailed Sep. 4, 2012; (5 Pages).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 13 16 6382.5, completed Nov. 19, 2013 and mailed Nov. 28, 2013; (8 pp).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 11 25 0194.5, completed Nov. 25, 2013 and mailed Dec. 3, 2013; (8 pp).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 10 25 1798.4, completed Dec. 12, 2013 and mailed Jan. 2, 2014; (9 pp).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 12 19 8745.7, completed Mar. 19, 2013 and mailed Apr. 11, 2013; (8 pp).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 12 15 2989.5, completed Apr. 9, 2013 and mailed Apr. 18, 2013; (9 pp).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 08 73 2820.9, completed Jul. 2, 2013 and mailed Jul. 9, 2013; (10 pp).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 12 19 1706.6, completed Dec. 19, 2012 and mailed Jan. 8, 2013; (6 pp).Applicant
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 13 17 2008.8, completed Aug. 14, 2013 and mailed Aug. 28, 2013; (8 pp).Applicant
Supplementary European Search Report for EP 05802686.5-2310 date of completion is Jan. 9, 2012 (6 pages).Applicant

Abstract