IP Library Granted Patent US 12,458,484
Granted Patent B2
US 12,458,484 · App. 17/341,038 · Granted Nov 4, 2025

Layered medical appliances and methods

Inventors: John Hall (North Salt Lake, UT); Wayne Mower (Bountiful, UT); Rachel Simmons (North Salt Lake, UT); Bart Dolmatch (Palo Alto, CA)
Assignee: Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
A61F2/07A61F2/915A61F2/945A61L27/18A61L27/507A61L31/06B32B27/08B32B27/322C08L27/18A61F2002/072A61F2210/0014A61F2210/0076A61F2220/005A61F2240/001A61F2250/0018A61F2250/0023A61F2250/0028A61F2250/0051A61F2250/0067A61F2250/0069B32B2307/7265B32B2535/00
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,458,484
App. No.
17/341,038
Granted
Nov 4, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Medical appliances may be formed of multilayered constructs. The layers of the constructs may be configured with various physical properties or characteristics. The disposition and arrangement of each layer may be configured to create an overall construct with a combination of the individual properties of the layers. Constructs may be used to create vascular prostheses or other medical devices.

Claims (30)

1 . A covered stent, comprising:

a scaffolding structure comprising a midsection and an end section; and

a cover coupled to the scaffolding structure, comprising a multi-layer construct comprising:

an inner layer of rotational spun polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) comprising a plurality of pores;

an outer layer of expanded PTFE comprising a plurality of pores with an average internodal distance less than 80 microns; and

a tie layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer,

wherein the scaffolding structure is disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, and

wherein each layer of PTFE in the multi-layer construct comprises pores larger than 8 microns, wherein the multi-layer construct comprises a tortuous path through the pores from an inner surface to an outer surface of the multi-layer construct, and wherein the multi-layer construct is configured to be impermeable to red blood cell migration across the multi-layer construct.

2 . The covered stent of claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is configured to allow less than 0.1% of red blood cells that contact the inner layer under biological pressure to migrate across the inner layer.

3 . The covered stent of claim 1 , wherein the multi-layer construct is configured to allow less than 0.1% of red blood cells that contact the multi-layer construct under biological pressure to migrate across the multi-layer construct.

4 . The covered stent of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the layers of the multi-layer construct is nonporous.

5 . The covered stent of claim 4 , wherein the multi-layer construct is configured to allow less than 0.1% of red blood cells that contact the multi-layer construct under biological pressure to migrate across the multi-layer construct.

6 . A covered stent, comprising:

a scaffolding structure comprising a midsection and an end section,

wherein a resistance to radial compression of the midsection is greater than a resistance to radial compression of the end section; and

a cover coupled to the scaffolding structure, comprising:

an inner layer of rotational spun polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) comprising a plurality of pores;

an outer layer of expanded PTFE comprising a plurality of pores with an average internodal distance less than 80 microns; and

a tie layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer,

wherein the scaffolding structure is disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, and

wherein each layer of PTFE in the multi-layer construct comprises pores larger than 8 microns, wherein the cover comprises a tortuous path through the pores from an inner surface to an outer surface of the cover, and wherein the cover is configured to be impermeable to red blood cell migration across the cover.

7 . The covered stent of claim 6 , wherein the end section comprises a circumferential edge.

8 . The covered stent of claim 7 , wherein the resistance to radial compression of the end section is configured to reduce aggravation of tissue at the circumferential edge.

9 . The covered stent of claim 7 , wherein the resistance to radial compression of the end section is configured to reduce an occurrence of stenosis of the covered stent at the circumferential edge.

10 . The covered stent of claim 6 , wherein the resistance to radial compression of the end section is configured to promote endothelial cell growth on an inner surface of the inner layer.

11 . The covered stent of claim 6 , wherein the resistance to radial compression of the midsection is configured to match a compliance of a vessel wall in contact with the midsection.

12 . The covered stent of claim 6 , wherein the resistance to radial compression of the end section is configured to match a compliance of a vessel wall in contact with the end section.

13 . The covered stent of claim 6 , wherein the scaffolding structure is configured to exert an outward radial force on a vessel wall.

14 . The covered stent of claim 13 , wherein the outward radial force is configured to one or more of keep a vessel lumen open, prevent restenosis of the vessel lumen, and inhibit migration of the covered stent within the vessel lumen.

15 . The covered stent of claim 13 , wherein the outward radial force ranges from a force configured to promote healing of the vessel wall to a force configured to cause trauma to the vessel wall.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 15, 2023
From: MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 064599/0760 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 7, 2021
From: HALL, JOHN; MOWER, WAYNE; SIMMONS, RACHEL; DOLMATCH, BART
To: MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 056459/0308 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 16035334 · Jul 13, 2018
Continuation 15053232 · Feb 25, 2016
Provisional Application 62121187 · Feb 26, 2015
Related Publication 20210290416A1 · Sep 23, 2021
References Cited (400)
US 2772444A · Burrows et al. · 1956 [cited by applicant]
US 3047444A · Harwood · 1962 [cited by applicant]
US 3203365A · Bowe et al. · 1965 [cited by applicant]
US 4043331A · Martin et al. · 1977 [cited by applicant]
US 4044404A · Martin et al. · 1977 [cited by applicant]
US 4096227A · Gore · 1978 [cited by applicant]
US 4127706A · Martin et al. · 1978 [cited by applicant]
US 4223101A · Fine et al. · 1980 [cited by applicant]
US 4323525A · Bornat · 1982 [cited by applicant]
US 4345414A · Bornat et al. · 1982 [cited by applicant]
US 4552707A · How · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4689186A · Bornat · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4758223A · Rydell · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 5167890A · Sasshofer et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5172702A · Leigh · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5236447A · Kubo · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5328946A · Tuminello et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5344297A · Hills · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5509902A · Raulerson · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5512051A · Wang et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5552100A · Shannon et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5562986A · Yamamoto et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5601572A · Middleman et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5620763A · House et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5655542A · Weilandt · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5700572A · Klatt et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5702658A · Pellegrin et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5741333A · Frid · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5788651A · Weilandt · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5800389A · Burney et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5810870A · Myers et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5842999A · Pruitt et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5922021A · Jang · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5941910A · Schindler et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US D418223S · Phipps et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6010529A · Herweck et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6015431A · Thornton et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6045567A · Taylor et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6053943A · Edwin et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6075180A · Sharber et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US D428150S · Ruf et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6106913A · Scardino · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6126617A · Weilandt et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6165212A · Dereume et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6176875B1 · Lenker et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6196978B1 · Weilandt et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6238430B1 · Klumb · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6273861B1 · Bates et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6306424B1 · Vyakarnam · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6312454B1 · Stockel et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6322523B2 · Weilandt et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US D457955S · Bilitz · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6383214B1 · Banas et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6419641B1 · Mark et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6428894B1 · Babich et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6436135B1 · Goldfarb · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US D463555S · Etter et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6488662B2 · Sirimanne · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6497687B1 · Blanco · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6498207B1 · Hoshikawa et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6517571B1 · Brauker et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6673105B1 · Chen · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6679913B2 · Homsy · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6685736B1 · White et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6719783B2 · Lentz et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US D490152S · Myall et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6752826B2 · Holloway et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 7041065B2 · Weilandt et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7115220B2 · Dubson et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7118698B2 · Armantrout et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7244272B2 · Dubson et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7247160B2 · Seiler et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7316754B2 · Ide et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US D571009S · Smith et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7413575B2 · Phaneuf et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7416559B2 · Shalaby · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US D586916S · Faulkner et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7485141B2 · Majercak et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7498079B1 · Donckers · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7524527B2 · Stenzel · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7556634B2 · Lee et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US D598543S · Vogel et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7582240B2 · Marin et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7608048B2 · Goldenberg · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7655175B2 · Michael et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US D612044S · Scheibe · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US D612051S · Ruf · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US D619251S · Justiniano-Garcia et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7799261B2 · Orr et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7857608B2 · Fabbricante et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7914568B2 · Cully et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 7947069B2 · Sanders · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 7981353B2 · Mitchell et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8052743B2 · Weber et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8052744B2 · Girton · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8092768B2 · Miller et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8137317B2 · Osypka · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8178030B2 · Anneaux et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8257640B2 · Anneaux et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8262979B2 · Anneaux et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8637109B2 · Grewe et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8691543B2 · Gaudette et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8771582B2 · Phaneuf et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 9034031B2 · Anneaux · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9198999B2 · Hall · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9392998B2 · Snow · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9655710B2 · Eller · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9775933B2 · Knisley et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9856588B2 · Anneaux · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10010395B2 · Puckett · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10028852B2 · Hall · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10154918B2 · Haselby et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10405963B2 · Mcalpine · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10675850B2 · Hall et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20010009979A1 · Weilandt et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 20010034549A1 · Bartholf et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 20010039446A1 · Edwin et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 20010049551A1 · Tseng et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 20010053929A1 · Vonesh et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 20020049489A1 · Herweck et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020077693A1 · Barclay · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020082675A1 · Myers · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020084178A1 · Dubson · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020090725A1 · Simpson et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020107565A1 · Greenhalgh · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020198588A1 · Armstrong et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20030040772A1 · Hyodoh et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20030050711A1 · Laurencin · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20030060871A1 · Hill · 2003 [cited by examiner]
US 20030074049A1 · Hoganson · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20030100944A1 · Laksin et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20030114917A1 · Holloway et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20030139797A1 · Johnson · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20030195611A1 · Greenhalgh et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20030211135A1 · Greenhalgh et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20040030377A1 · Dubson et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040033364A1 · Spiridigliozzi et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040038038A1 · Yeung · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040051201A1 · Greenhalgh et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040054397A1 · Smith et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040107004A1 · Levine et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040133124A1 · Bates et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040167606A1 · Chouinard · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040215103A1 · Mueller et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040219345A1 · Armantrout et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20050053782A1 · Sen et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050054947A1 · Goldenberg · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050125017A1 · Kudrna et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050137675A1 · Dubson et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050171593A1 · Whirley et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050187605A1 · Greenhalgh et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050244453A1 · Stucke et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050244639A1 · Marin et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050278018A1 · Jensen · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20060015138A1 · Gertner · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060085019A1 · Cote et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060100706A1 · Shadduck et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060142852A1 · Sowinski et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060155210A1 · Beckman et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060200232A1 · Phaneuf et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060228435A1 · Andrady et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060233990A1 · Humphrey et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060259131A1 · Molaei et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060259137A1 · Artof et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060276874A1 · Wilson et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20070023131A1 · Farnsworth et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070026036A1 · Falotico et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070027407A1 · Miller · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070031607A1 · Dubson et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070043428A1 · Jennings et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070078472A1 · Singh · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070087027A1 · Greenhalgh et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070123973A1 · Roth · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070142744A1 · Provencher · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070142771A1 · Durcan · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070179403A1 · Heske et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070198097A1 · Zegdi · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070207179A1 · Andersen et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070207186A1 · Scanlon et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070244569A1 · Weber et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070250037A1 · Brimhall et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070269481A1 · Li et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070276477A1 · Lee et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20080021545A1 · Reneker et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080029617A1 · Marshall et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080118541A1 · Pacetti · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080119943A1 · Armstrong et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080188923A1 · Chu · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080199506A1 · Horres et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080200833A1 · Hardin et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080200835A1 · Monson et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080208323A1 · El-Kurdi et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080208325A1 · Helmus et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080228104A1 · Uber et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080234812A1 · Pacetti · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080242171A1 · Huang et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080281223A1 · Goldenberg · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080281406A1 · Addonizio et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080286321A1 · Reneker et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080288044A1 · Osborne · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080300507A1 · Figueredo et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080305143A1 · Chen et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080319535A1 · Craven et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090012607A1 · Kim et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090018643A1 · Hashi et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090030499A1 · Bebb et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090041978A1 · Sogard et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090082846A1 · Chobotov · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090088828A1 · Shalev et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090127748A1 · Takahashi · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090136651A1 · Larsen et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090143698A1 · Janssens · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090160099A1 · Huang · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090163994A1 · Quigley et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090227944A1 · Weber · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090232920A1 · Lozano et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090237920A1 · Dallas et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090248131A1 · Greenan · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090248144A1 · Bahler et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090259200A1 · Lampropoulos et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090269429A1 · Lozano et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090280325A1 · Lozano et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090299220A1 · Field et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090319034A1 · Sowinski · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20100013126A1 · Ishaque et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100036479A1 · Hill et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100042198A1 · Burton · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100042199A1 · Burton · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100063574A1 · Bogert · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100076401A1 · Von Oepen et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100076543A1 · Melsheimer et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100093093A1 · Leong et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100119578A1 · To et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100129628A1 · Young · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100130887A1 · Selis · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100168773A1 · Funderburk et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100185156A1 · Kanner et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100190254A1 · Chian et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100193999A1 · Anneaux et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100233115A1 · Patel et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100280590A1 · Sun et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100304205A1 · Jo et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100323052A1 · Orr et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100331965A1 · Dugas et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20110030885A1 · Anneaux et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110031656A1 · Anneaux et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110060276A1 · Schaeffer et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110087318A1 · Daugherty et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110089603A1 · Fabbricante et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110135806A1 · Grewe et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110142804A1 · Gaudette et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110152715A1 · Delap et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110156319A1 · Kurokawa et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110251631A1 · Trees et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110263456A1 · Harttig · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110295200A1 · Speck et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110301696A1 · Mangiardi · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20120114722A1 · Ballard et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120201988A1 · Hansen et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120220894A1 · Melsheimer · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120225602A1 · Qi et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120271396A1 · Zheng · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120292810A1 · Peno et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120316633A1 · Flanagan et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20130018220A1 · Vad · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130023175A1 · Anneaux et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130053948A1 · Anneaux et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130059497A1 · Anneaux et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130062257A1 · Koseoglu · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130079700A1 · Ballard et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130085565A1 · Eller et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130116593A1 · Parihar et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130131548A1 · Mcghie et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130150795A1 · Snow · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130184808A1 · Hall et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130184810A1 · Hall et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130231733A1 · Knisley et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130238086A1 · Ballard et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130268062A1 · Puckett et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130316103A1 · Anneaux et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130324910A1 · Ohri et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130325109A1 · Anneaux et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20140012304A1 · Lampropoulos et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140079758A1 · Hall et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140081386A1 · Haselby et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140081414A1 · Hall et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140086971A1 · Hall et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140100479A1 · Tripp et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140171826A1 · Lampropoulos et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140207021A1 · Snow · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140265061A1 · Hall et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140273703A1 · Mower et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20150045828A1 · Mcarthur et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150081000A1 · Hossainy · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150094751A1 · Chen et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150134051A1 · Donadio et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150148459A1 · Pawloski et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150201917A1 · Snow · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150201963A1 · Snow · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150320542A1 · Gabriele et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20160250048A1 · Hall et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160331528A1 · Parker · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20170273703A1 · Ding et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170360993A1 · Argentine et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20180064565A1 · Mactaggart · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20190008665A1 · Hall et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190060528A1 · Skender et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190076276A1 · Longo · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190110911A1 · Nae · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20200015987A1 · Einav · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200369016A1 · Hall et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200369017A1 · Hall et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200375725A1 · Chobotov et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200383767A1 · Eller et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20220047783A1 · Hall et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20220048285A1 · Hall et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20220054252A1 · Eller et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20220273708A1 · Hall et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20230157804A1 · Eller et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230191005A1 · Hall et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230311472A1 · Hall et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20240253343A1 · Hall et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
AT 366546 · 1976 [cited by applicant]
CN 1823687 · 2006 [cited by applicant]
CN 1264571 · 2007 [cited by applicant]
CN 101584612 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
CN 102560896A · 2012 [cited by applicant]
CN 109157928A · 2019 [cited by applicant]
EP 0457456 · 1991 [cited by applicant]
EP 0966920 · 2004 [cited by applicant]
EP 1605014 · 2005 [cited by applicant]
EP 1679039 · 2006 [cited by applicant]
EP 2363516 · 2011 [cited by applicant]
EP 2944711B1 · 2017 [cited by applicant]
GB 1577221 · 1980 [cited by applicant]
JP 5140476 · 1975 [cited by applicant]
JP 2007519491 · 2007 [cited by applicant]
JP 2007531833 · 2007 [cited by applicant]
JP 2009232882 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
JP 2010517625 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
JP 2010540190 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
JP 2013501539A · 2013 [cited by applicant]
JP 2015504739 · 2015 [cited by applicant]
KR 20100077913 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
KR 20100108382 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020100108382 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
WO 199622733 · 1996 [cited by applicant]
WO 199800090 · 1998 [cited by applicant]
WO 199944505 · 1999 [cited by applicant]
WO 2003051233 · 2003 [cited by applicant]
WO 2004090206 · 2004 [cited by applicant]
WO 2005018600 · 2005 [cited by applicant]
WO 2005074547 · 2005 [cited by applicant]
WO 2005098100 · 2005 [cited by applicant]
WO 2006013389 · 2006 [cited by applicant]
WO 2006123340 · 2006 [cited by applicant]
WO 2007075256 · 2007 [cited by applicant]
WO 2008097592 · 2008 [cited by applicant]
WO 2009046372 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
WO 2009127170 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
WO 2009146280 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
WO 2010083530 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
WO 2010132636 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
WO 2011017698 · 2011 [cited by applicant]
WO 2012103501 · 2012 [cited by applicant]
WO 2012122485 · 2012 [cited by applicant]
WO 2012167216 · 2012 [cited by applicant]
WO 2013109528 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
WO 2013151778 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
WO 2014007979 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
WO 2014066297A1 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
European Examination Report dated Jun. 24, 2022 for EP19193202.9. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance dated Sep. 7, 2022 for U.S. Appl. No. 13/827,790. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance dated Dec. 15, 2022 for U.S. Appl. No. 13/742,077. [cited by applicant]
Office Action dated May 12, 2022 for U.S. Appl. No. 13/827,790. [cited by applicant]
Office Action dated Nov. 9, 2022 for U.S. Appl. No. 16/877,259. [cited by applicant]
Patent Board Decision—Reversed dated Dec. 6, 2022 for U.S. Appl. No. 13/742,077. [cited by applicant]
Extended European Search Report dated Jul. 26, 2016 for EP14741114.4. [cited by applicant]
International Report on Patentability dated Jul. 22, 2014 for PCT/US2013/021554. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Apr. 3, 2014 for PCT/US2013/076418. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Apr. 26, 2013 for PCT/US2013/021554. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Apr. 27, 2015 for PCT/US2015/011746. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Apr. 30, 2015 for PCT/US2015/012002. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated May 1, 2014 for PCT/US2014/012043. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated May 23, 2012 for PCT/US2012/023006. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jun. 8, 2016 for PCT/US2016/019487. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jun. 23, 2015 for PCT/US2013/076418. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jun. 26, 2014 for PCT/US2014/024868. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jul. 1, 2014 for PCT/US2014/023416. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jul. 1, 2016 for PCT/US2016/020165. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Sep. 6, 2013 for PCT/US2013/046245. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Sep. 17, 2013 for PCT/US2013/060172. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Dec. 3, 2013 for PCT/US2013/060172. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Dec. 5, 2013 for PCT/US2013/060812. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance dated Jan. 25, 2017 for U.S. Appl. No. 14/152,626. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance dated Jan. 30, 2020 for U.S. Appl. No. 14/152,590. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance dated Feb. 6, 2020 for U.S. Appl. No. 13/360,444. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance dated Feb. 24, 2021 for U.S. Appl. No. 16/035,334. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance dated Mar. 13, 2020 for U.S. Appl. No. 14/832,422. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance dated Apr. 3, 2018 for U.S. Appl. No. 14/081,504. [cited by applicant]