IP Library Granted Patent US 12,427,260
Granted Patent B2
US 12,427,260 · App. 17/380,749 · Granted Sep 30, 2025

Injector and method of assembly

Inventor: Scott R. Gibson (Simi Valley, CA)
Assignee: AMGEN INC.
A61M5/2466A61M5/1782A61M5/288A61M5/315A61M2005/247A61M2005/31588A61M2202/04A61M2207/00
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 12,427,260
App. No.
17/380,749
Granted
Sep 30, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An injector may include a container having a wall with an interior surface defining a closed sterile reservoir filled with a medical fluid or drug product. The injector may also include a fluid delivery system comprising a sterile container needle that is in fluid communication with the container in a delivery state, but may or may not be in fluid communication with the container in a storage state. The sterile container needle is attached to a connector, the connector mechanically coupled to the container to secure the sterile container needle to the container with the needle in the storage state. Further, the injector may include an actuator that is adapted to move the container needle from the storage state to the delivery state.

Claims (37)

1. An injector comprising:

a container including a container wall with an interior surface, wherein the container wall defines a bore;

a seal assembly including a wall and a barrier, the wall fixedly attached to the container wall and the barrier having a cup-like shape defined by a plate and a rim, the rim disposed on the wall such that the plate is disposed exterior of the wall, the wall and barrier defining an enclosed space between the wall, the plate of the barrier, and the rim of the barrier;

a fluid delivery system comprising a container needle having a point disposed only through the barrier in a storage state such that the container needle is not in fluid communication with the bore, and disposed through the wall into the bore in a delivery state such that the container needle is in fluid communication with the bore, wherein only the container needle, the barrier, and the wall define the enclosed space in both the storage state and the delivery state;

the container needle attached to a connector, the connector mechanically coupled to the container to secure the container needle to the container with the container needle in the storage state; and

an electromechanical actuator coupled to the fluid delivery system and adapted to move the container needle from the storage state to the delivery state.

2. The injector of claim 1 , wherein the container wall at least partially defines a reservoir.

3. The injector of claim 2 , wherein the reservoir is filled with a medical fluid or drug product.

4. The injector of claim 3 , wherein the medical fluid or drug product comprises a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).

5. The injector of claim 4 , wherein the G-CSF is pegylated.

6. The injector of claim 3 , wherein the medical fluid or drug product comprises: an erythropoiesis stimulating agent; a TNF blocker; a interleukin-receptor specific antibody; an IGF-receptor (Insulin Growth Factor receptor) specific antibody; a TGF-specific antibody; or a PCSK9 (Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9)-specific antibody.

7. The injector of claim 1 , wherein the connector is press fit onto the container.

8. The injector of claim 1 , wherein the connector is a first connector of a pair of connectors, a second connector of the pair of connectors being attached to the container, the first and second of the pair of connectors mechanically coupled to secure the container needle to the container in the storage state.

9. The injector of claim 8 , wherein the first and second connectors each comprise one of a pair of facing surfaces, the facing surfaces abutting to limit movement of the first and second connectors axially along a longitudinal axis of the container needle.

10. The injector of claim 9 , wherein the first and second connectors engage to rotatably couple the pair of connectors to secure the container needle to the container in the storage state.

11. The injector of claim 8 , wherein the first connector comprises a collar disposed continuously or discontinuously about the container needle.

12. The injector of claim 1 , wherein the container wall defines an opening at a first end of the bore, and the wall defines a septum disposed across the opening and fixedly attached to the container wall.

13. The injector of claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivery system comprises sterile flexible tubing connected at a first end to the container needle and a second end to an injection needle.

14. The injector of claim 1 , wherein the barrier and the wall are fixed relative to one another to define the enclosed space therebetween.

15. The injector of claim 1 , wherein the barrier and wall of the seal assembly are formed as a single structure defining the enclosed space.

16. An injector comprising:

a container including a container wall with an interior surface, wherein the container wall defines a bore;

a seal assembly including a wall and a barrier, the wall fixedly attached to the container wall and the barrier having a cup-like shape defined by a plate and a rim, the rim disposed on the wall such that the plate is disposed exterior of the wall, the wall and barrier defining an enclosed space between the wall, the plate of the barrier, and the rim of the barrier;

a fluid delivery system comprising a container needle having a point disposed only through the barrier in a storage state such that the container needle is not in fluid communication with the bore, and disposed through the wall into the bore in a delivery state such that the container needle is in fluid communication with the bore, wherein the barrier and the wall define the enclosed space in both the storage state and the delivery state;

the container needle attached to a connector, the connector mechanically coupled to the container to secure the container needle to the container with the container needle in the storage state; and

an electromechanical actuator coupled to the fluid delivery system and adapted to move the container needle from the storage state to the delivery state,

wherein the connector is a first connector of a pair of connectors, a second connector of the pair of connectors being attached to the container, the first and second of the pair of connectors mechanically coupled to secure the container needle to the container in the storage state, and

wherein the container comprises a rim disposed about an opening, the seal assembly being disposed over the opening in the container, and the second connector comprising a rim and disposed over the seal assembly, the container further comprising a crimp ring formed about the rim of the container and the rim of the second connector with the seal assembly disposed between the rims to secure the seal assembly between the rim of the container and the rim of the second connector.

17. An injector comprising:

a container including a container wall with an interior surface, wherein the container wall defines a bore;

a seal assembly including a wall and a barrier, the wall fixedly attached to the container wall and the barrier having a cup-like shape defined by a plate and a rim, the rim disposed on the wall such that the plate is disposed exterior of the wall, the wall and barrier defining an enclosed space between the wall, the plate of the barrier, and the rim of the barrier;

a fluid delivery system comprising a container needle having a point disposed only through the barrier in a storage state such that the container needle is not in fluid communication with the bore, and disposed through the wall into the bore in a delivery state such that the container needle is in fluid communication with the bore, wherein the barrier and the wall define the enclosed space in both the storage state and the delivery state;

the container needle attached to a connector, the connector mechanically coupled to the container to secure the container needle to the container with the container needle in the storage state; and

an electromechanical actuator coupled to the fluid delivery system and adapted to move the container needle from the storage state to the delivery state,

wherein the connector is a first connector of a pair of connectors, a second connector of the pair of connectors being separate from and coupled with the container, the first and second of the pair of connectors being mechanically coupled to secure the container needle to the container with the container needle in the storage state, and

wherein the second connector is disposed entirely forwardly of the container and spaced therefrom by the seal assembly.

18. The injector of claim 17 , wherein the first and second connectors are movable with respect to one another to move the container needle to the delivery state.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 9, 2022
From: GIBSON, SCOTT R.
To: AMGEN INC.
Reel/Frame 060753/0592 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 3, 2022
From: GIBSON, SCOTT R
To: AMGEN INC.
Reel/Frame 060710/0090 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 14916208
Provisional Application 61895390 · Oct 24, 2013
Related Publication 20210361869A1 · Nov 25, 2021
References Cited (400)
US 2371086A · Watson et al. · 1945 [cited by applicant]
US 2591706A · Lockhart · 1952 [cited by applicant]
US 2677373A · Barradas · 1954 [cited by applicant]
US 2688967A · Huber · 1954 [cited by applicant]
US 2842126A · Brown · 1958 [cited by applicant]
US 3187749A · Sarnoff · 1965 [cited by applicant]
US 3336924A · Sarnoff · 1967 [cited by examiner]
US 3342180A · Sandhage · 1967 [cited by applicant]
US 3368557A · Hassing et al. · 1968 [cited by applicant]
US 3368558A · Sarnoff et al. · 1968 [cited by applicant]
US 3376866A · Ogle · 1968 [cited by applicant]
US 3557787A · Cohen · 1971 [cited by applicant]
US 3605744A · Dwyer · 1971 [cited by examiner]
US 3640278A · Friedman · 1972 [cited by applicant]
US 3662753A · Tassell · 1972 [cited by applicant]
US 3682174A · Cohen · 1972 [cited by applicant]
US 3739779A · Pfleger · 1973 [cited by applicant]
US 3739947A · Baumann et al. · 1973 [cited by applicant]
US 3757779A · Rovinski · 1973 [cited by applicant]
US 3785379A · Cohen · 1974 [cited by applicant]
US 3825003A · Kruck · 1974 [cited by applicant]
US 3835855A · Barr, Jr. · 1974 [cited by applicant]
US 3872864A · Allen, Jr. · 1975 [cited by applicant]
US 3872867A · Killinger · 1975 [cited by applicant]
US 3916893A · De Felice · 1975 [cited by applicant]
US 3967621A · Schwarz · 1976 [cited by applicant]
US 3995630A · van de Veerdonk · 1976 [cited by applicant]
US 4055177A · Cohen · 1977 [cited by applicant]
US 4178930A · Fisher, Jr. · 1979 [cited by applicant]
US 4188949A · Antoshkiw · 1980 [cited by applicant]
US 4196732A · Wardlaw · 1980 [cited by applicant]
US 4215689A · Akiyama et al. · 1980 [cited by applicant]
US 4281653A · Barta et al. · 1981 [cited by applicant]
US 4296786A · Brignola · 1981 [cited by applicant]
US 4411163A · White · 1983 [cited by applicant]
US 4523679A · Paikoff et al. · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4576211A · Valentini et al. · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4619651A · Kopfer · 1986 [cited by examiner]
US 4626244A · Reinicke · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4632672A · Kvitrud · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4655747A · Allen, Jr. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4753638A · Peters · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4784156A · Garg · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4834714A · Lascar et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4838857A · Strowe et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4883473A · Thomas · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4915690A · Cone et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4919658A · Badia · 1990 [cited by examiner]
US 4927019A · Haber · 1990 [cited by examiner]
US 5019047A · Kriesel · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5078691A · Hamacher · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5135489A · Jepson et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5147328A · Dragosits et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5205820A · Kriesel · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5267974A · Lambert · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5312336A · Haber et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5334197A · Kriesel et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5358491A · Johnson et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5364369A · Reynolds et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5441490A · Svedman · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5480386A · Brohy et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5496284A · Waldenburg · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5593391A · Stanners · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5618269A · Jacobsen et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5620425A · Heffernan et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5643206A · Fischer · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5693018A · Kriesel et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5713866A · Wilmot · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5749857A · Cuppy · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5807323A · Kriesel et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5865744A · Lemelson · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5885250A · Kriesel et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5921962A · Kriesel et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5957891A · Kriesel et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5957895A · Sage et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5957896A · Bendek et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5962794A · Kriesel et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6027482A · Imbert · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6065270A · Reinhard et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6068613A · Kriesel et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6159180A · Kriesel et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6189292B1 · Odell et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6221055B1 · Shaw et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6248095B1 · Giambattista et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6355019B1 · Kriesel et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6482176B1 · Wich · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6491665B1 · Vetter et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6491667B1 · Keane et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6537249B2 · Kriesell et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6589229B1 · Connelly et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6595956B1 · Gross et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6793646B1 · Giambattista et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6824529B2 · Gross et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6883222B2 · Landau · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 7033343B2 · McWethy et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7063684B2 · Moberg · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7112188B2 · Waldenburg · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7169132B2 · Bendek et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7220245B2 · Kriesel · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7250037B2 · Shermer et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7402150B2 · Matsumoto et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7475797B2 · Kim · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7524300B2 · Patton · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7608055B2 · Griffiths et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7628782B2 · Adair et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7641649B2 · Moberg et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7686787B2 · Moberg et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7704228B2 · Patton · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7731680B2 · Patton · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7744589B2 · Mounce et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7749190B2 · Griffiths et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7776030B2 · Estes et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7789853B2 · Kriesel · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7789857B2 · Moberg et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7828772B2 · Kriesel et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7832078B2 · Thilly et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7837653B2 · Kriesel et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7879026B2 · Estes et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 7905868B2 · Moberg et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 7935087B2 · Judd et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 7935105B2 · Miller et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 7938801B2 · Hawkins et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 7955305B2 · Moberg et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 7963956B2 · Kunst · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8021333B2 · Kaal et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8025658B2 · Chong et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8029468B2 · Kriesel et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8030457B2 · Jackson et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8032226B2 · Miller et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8062253B2 · Nielsen et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8105279B2 · Mernoe et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8142398B1 · Kriesel · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8177775B2 · Kunst · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8292848B2 · Kriesel et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8303535B2 · Both et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8328449B2 · Wightman et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8353866B2 · Evans, Jr. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8372035B2 · Matusch · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8409142B2 · Causey et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8454562B1 · Sims · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8568367B2 · Griffiths et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8597256B2 · Lanin et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8603034B2 · Lynch et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8647302B2 · Briones et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8684968B2 · Genosar · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8728024B2 · Kamen et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8905974B2 · Carter et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8961467B2 · Lanigan et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9125981B2 · Mann et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9205194B2 · Mojdehbakhsh et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9987428B2 · Tan-Malecki et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10092706B2 · Denzer · 2018 [cited by examiner]
US 10314976B2 · Tan-Malecki et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10537681B2 · Tan-Malecki et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10537682B2 · Tan-Malecki et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10850037B2 · Gibson · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 11058821B2 · Tan-Malecki et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11097055B2 · Gibson · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11110225B2 · Tan-Malecki et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11129941B2 · Tan-Malecki et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11160931B2 · Tan-Malecki et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20020139088A1 · Woodworth et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020173753A1 · Caizza et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20030055380A1 · Flaherty · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20030132547A1 · Heffernan et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20030191291A1 · Kochendoerfer · 2003 [cited by examiner]
US 20030212362A1 · Roser · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20040010207A1 · Flaherty et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040015135A1 · Wilkinson · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040074076A1 · Landau · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040092865A1 · Flaherty et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040092878A1 · Flaherty · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040133159A1 · Haider et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040236273A1 · Tanaka et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20050113763A1 · Reynolds · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050154357A1 · Pinel · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050177108A1 · Paul et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050267422A1 · Kriesel · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050277883A1 · Kriesel · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20060178644A1 · Reynolds · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060191594A1 · Py · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060217659A1 · Patton · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060264900A1 · Patton · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060264901A1 · Patton · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20070049875A1 · Patton · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070060877A1 · Bassarab et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070100294A1 · Sugita et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070186510A1 · Wittland et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070276338A1 · Shue et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070282269A1 · Carter et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20080009835A1 · Kriesel et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080051711A1 · Mounce et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080097306A1 · Smith et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080140019A1 · Thilly et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080154243A1 · Krumme · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080172034A1 · Patton · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080183140A1 · Paproski et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080215004A1 · Harding et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080215035A1 · Yodfat et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080243084A1 · DeStefano et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080243085A1 · DeStefano · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080269681A1 · Kavazov et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080319385A1 · Kriesel et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090009290A1 · Kneip · 2009 [cited by examiner]
US 20090024083A1 · Kriesel et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090099522A1 · Kamen et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090192471A1 · Carter et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090259209A1 · Chong et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090270811A1 · Mounce et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090275888A1 · Kriesel et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090299277A1 · Kamen et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20100010472A1 · Moore · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100047914A1 · Peyman et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100049128A1 · McKenzie et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100082010A1 · Adair et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100140125A1 · Mathiasen et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100173024A1 · McDaniel · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100179473A1 · Genosar · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100198182A1 · Lanigan et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100198183A1 · Lanigan et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100217242A1 · Mann et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100239654A1 · Winter · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100249753A1 · Gaisser et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100298811A1 · Connair · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20110004188A1 · Shekalim · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110022002A1 · Hanson et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110054390A1 · Searle et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110092904A1 · Kriesel et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110097318A1 · Gadgil · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110112484A1 · Carter et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110112501A1 · Garfield et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110112504A1 · Causey et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110137294A1 · Calimeri et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110160696A1 · Hoss · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110166512A1 · Both et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110190694A1 · Lanier, Jr. et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110202004A1 · Miller et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110224640A1 · Kuhn · 2011 [cited by examiner]
US 20110245773A1 · Estes et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110282300A1 · Kriesel et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20120010594A1 · Holt et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120022499A1 · Anderson et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120029440A1 · Boyd et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120083738A1 · Grant et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120123384A1 · Mernoe et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120130318A1 · Young · 2012 [cited by examiner]
US 20120143144A1 · Young · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120179109A1 · Takemoto et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120191060A1 · Banister et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120191074A1 · Steinbach · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120209197A1 · Lanigan et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120211946A1 · Halili et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120215183A1 · Halili et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120220936A1 · Miller et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120289900A1 · Chong et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120296307A1 · Holt · 2012 [cited by examiner]
US 20130006191A1 · Jugl et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130006213A1 · Arnitz et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130060232A1 · Adlon et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130174518A1 · Tachikawa et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130218092A1 · Davies et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130218093A1 · Markussen et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130237916A1 · Hanson et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130253472A1 · Cabiri · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130267896A1 · Dogwiler et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130289518A1 · Butler et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130296779A1 · Kuehne et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130310800A1 · Yodfat et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20140025008A1 · Sims · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140074037A1 · Bornhoft · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140081239A1 · Cronenberg · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140110370A1 · Holt et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140121598A1 · Katase · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140121600A1 · McConnell et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140121633A1 · Causey et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140135693A1 · Chappel et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140135695A1 · Grant et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140148784A1 · Anderson et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140207104A1 · Vouillamoz et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140213975A1 · Clemente et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140213977A1 · Miller et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140221930A1 · Kuster et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140243786A1 · Gilbert et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140276431A1 · Estes et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140276563A1 · Cole et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140276576A1 · Cole et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140288511A1 · Tan-Malecki et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140323971A1 · Zhou · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140323989A1 · Baker et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140358113A1 · Mernoe et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140358119A1 · Searle et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140364808A1 · Niklaus et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140378891A1 · Searle et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140378943A1 · Geipel · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20150011976A1 · Vouillamoz et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150038939A1 · Estes et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150057613A1 · Clemente et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150057615A1 · Mernoe, V et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150065959A1 · Carter et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150105720A1 · Montalvo et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150119797A1 · Cabiri · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150119821A1 · Schmitz et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150157788A1 · Gescheit et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150190588A1 · Hanson et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150224253A1 · Cabiri · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150246176A1 · Navarro et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150258273A1 · Payne et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150374919A1 · Gibson · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20160166765A1 · Tan-Malecki et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160199578A1 · Tan-Malecki et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160199582A1 · Tan-Malecki et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160199583A1 · Tan-Malecki et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160296704A1 · Gibson · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20180256821A1 · Tan-Malecki et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
AT 404556B · 1998 [cited by applicant]
CA 2779793A1 · 2011 [cited by applicant]
CN 102149416A · 2011 [cited by applicant]
CN 102481230A · 2012 [cited by applicant]
CN 202723859U · 2013 [cited by applicant]
EP 0602883A2 · 1994 [cited by applicant]
EP 1927372A1 · 2008 [cited by applicant]
EP 2248832A1 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
EP 2468342A1 · 2012 [cited by examiner]
EP 2554207A1 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
GB 708707A · 1954 [cited by applicant]
GB 718837A · 1954 [cited by applicant]
GB 722166A · 1955 [cited by applicant]
GB 989185A · 1965 [cited by applicant]
GB 1159664A · 1969 [cited by applicant]
JP 126230B · 1938 [cited by applicant]
JP 39009343B · 1964 [cited by applicant]
JP S39009343B · 1964 [cited by applicant]
JP S4020079B · 1965 [cited by applicant]
JP S508273B1 · 1975 [cited by applicant]
JP S51398B1 · 1976 [cited by applicant]
JP S645565A · 1989 [cited by applicant]
JP S6470070A · 1989 [cited by applicant]
JP H03168154A · 1991 [cited by applicant]
JP H06209996A · 1994 [cited by applicant]
JP H07124256A · 1995 [cited by applicant]
JP H07148258A · 1995 [cited by applicant]
JP 2001524362A · 2001 [cited by applicant]
JP 2002505601A · 2002 [cited by applicant]
JP 2002507459A · 2002 [cited by applicant]
JP 2003527159A · 2003 [cited by applicant]
JP 2004305621A · 2004 [cited by applicant]
JP 2004538043A · 2004 [cited by applicant]
JP 2007117379A · 2007 [cited by applicant]
JP 2007209675A · 2007 [cited by applicant]
JP 2009511192A · 2009 [cited by applicant]
JP 2009207619A · 2009 [cited by applicant]
JP 2012500679A · 2012 [cited by applicant]
JP 2012528636A · 2012 [cited by applicant]
JP 2012528639A · 2012 [cited by applicant]
JP 2013509925A · 2013 [cited by applicant]
TW M261223U · 2005 [cited by applicant]
TW 201100135A · 2011 [cited by applicant]
WO WO8802265A1 · 1988 [cited by applicant]
WO WO9512482A1 · 1995 [cited by applicant]
WO WO9857683A1 · 1998 [cited by applicant]
WO WO9948546A1 · 1999 [cited by applicant]
WO WO0130424A1 · 2001 [cited by applicant]
WO WO0154755A1 · 2001 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2004096113A2 · 2004 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2007047403A1 · 2007 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2007095297A2 · 2007 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2008083209A2 · 2008 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2009029010A1 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2010022870A1 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2010029054A1 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2010098323A1 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2010139669A1 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2010139672A1 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2010149975A1 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2011054755A1 · 2011 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2011058560A1 · 2011 [cited by examiner]
WO WO2011117287A1 · 2011 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2011122395A1 · 2011 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2013032779A2 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2013055873A1 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2013089105A1 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2014149357A1 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
Chinese Patent Application for Invention No. 201480058204.9, Office Action, dated Sep. 23, 2021. [cited by applicant]
Australian Patent Application No. 2012322796, Examination Report No. 2, issued Sep. 13, 2016. [cited by applicant]
Australian Patent Application No. 2014238267, Examination Report No. 2, dated Jun. 14, 2019. [cited by applicant]
Australian Patent Application No. 2014340171, Examination Report No. 1, issued Jun. 12, 2018. [cited by applicant]
Australian Patent Application No. 2017203992, Examination Report No. 1, issued Nov. 6, 2018. [cited by applicant]
Chinese Patent Application No. 201480017559.3, First Office Action (English translation), dated Oct. 12, 2018. [cited by applicant]
Chinese Patent Application No. 201480017559.3, Search Report, dated Sep. 27, 2018. [cited by applicant]
Chinese Patent Application No. 201480017559.3, Second Office Action, dated Jun. 5, 2019. [cited by applicant]
Chinese Patent Application No. 201480017559.3, Supplemental Search Report, dated May 28, 2019. [cited by applicant]
Chinese Patent Application No. 201480058204.9, First Office Action, dated Nov. 28, 2018. [cited by applicant]
Chinese Patent Application No. 201480058204.9, Search Report, dated May 28, 2019. [cited by applicant]
Chinese Patent Application No. 201480058204.9, Search Report, dated Nov. 19, 2018. [cited by applicant]
Chinese Patent Application No. 201480058204.9, Second Office Action, dated Jun. 4, 2019 . . . . [cited by applicant]
Communication pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC dated Mar. 6, 2018 and issued in European Patent Application No. 14792707.3. [cited by applicant]
Communication pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC issued in European Patent Application No. EP1615530.5, dated Aug. 14, 2017. [cited by applicant]
Communication pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC issued in European Patent Application No. EP16156583.3, dated Aug. 22, 2017. [cited by applicant]
Communication under Rule 71(3) EPC issued in EPO Patent Application No. 16155526.3, dated Nov. 5, 2018. [cited by applicant]
Eurasian patent application No. 201490755, Official Action (translation) (Jun. 27, 2017). [cited by applicant]