IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,193,666
Granted Patent B2
US 12,193,666 · App. 17/826,271 · Granted Jan 14, 2025

Replaceable staple cartridge with retractable knife

Inventors: Kenneth H. Whitfield (North Haven, CT); Roanit A. Fernandes (Hamden, CT)
Assignee: Covidien LP
A61B17/07207A61B2017/07257A61B2017/07278
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 12,193,666
App. No.
17/826,271
Filed
May 27, 2022
Granted
Jan 14, 2025
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3611
USPC
227/175.1
Abstract

A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly having a drive assembly, an anvil, and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a replaceable staple cartridge that includes an actuation sled assembly having an actuation sled, a knife bar, and a retractor link. The retractor link is secured to the knife bar such that the actuation sled assembly is movable through a cartridge body of the staple cartridge. The retractor link is movable from a non-deformed condition disengaged from the drive assembly to a deformed condition engaged with the drive assembly to facilitate retraction of the actuation sled assembly after the stapling device is fired.

Claims (37)

1. An actuation sled assembly comprising:

an actuation sled including a central portion, and spaced wedge members positioned on opposite sides of the central portion, each of the spaced wedge members having a height, a proximal end and a distal end, the height of each of the spaced wedge member increasing proximally;

a knife bar non-releasably engaged with the central portion of the actuation sled, the knife bar including a cutting edge positioned above the actuation sled; and

a retractor link formed of a resilient material and having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion secured to the knife bar and defining a longitudinal axis, the proximal portion extending proximally of the actuation sled, the retractor link having a non-deformed condition and a deformed condition, wherein in the non-deformed condition, the proximal portion of the retractor link bends outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the retractor link and in the deformed condition, the proximal portion of the retractor link is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the retractor link.

2. The actuation sled assembly of claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion of the retractor link includes an engaging member.

3. The actuation sled assembly of claim 2 , wherein the engaging member includes a bend formed on the proximal portion of the retractor link.

4. The actuation sled assembly of claim 2 , wherein the engaging member includes a protrusion formed on the proximal portion of the retractor link.

5. The actuation sled assembly of claim 2 , wherein the retractor link is formed from spring steel.

6. The actuation sled assembly of claim 2 , wherein the knife bar includes a base portion, and the central portion of the actuation sled is molded about the base portion of the knife bar to fixedly secure the knife bar to the actuation sled.

7. The actuation sled assembly of claim 2 , wherein the knife bar includes a body portion that defines a longitudinally extending recess and the distal portion of the retractor link is secured within the longitudinally extending recess.

8. A surgical stapling device comprising:

a tool assembly including:

an anvil;

a cartridge assembly including a staple cartridge having a cartridge body, pushers, staples, and an actuation sled assembly, the cartridge body defining a knife slot and staple receiving pockets positioned on each side of the knife slot, each of the staple receiving pockets receiving one of the staples and one of the pushers, the actuation sled assembly including:

an actuation sled including a central portion and spaced wedge members positioned on opposite sides of the central portion, the central portion received and movable within the knife slot, each of the spaced wedge members having a height, a proximal end, and a distal end, the height of each of the spaced wedge member increasing proximally;

a knife bar non-releasably engaged with the central portion of the actuation sled, the knife bar including a cutting edge positioned above the actuation sled and extending from the knife slot; and

a retractor link formed of a resilient material and having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion of the retractor link secured to the knife bar and defining a longitudinal axis, the proximal portion extending proximally of the actuation sled, the retractor link having a non-deformed condition and a deformed condition, wherein in the non-deformed condition, the proximal portion of the retractor link bends outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the retractor link and outwardly of the knife slot, and in the deformed condition, the proximal portion of the retractor link is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the retractor link, the proximal portion of the retractor link including an engaging member; and

a drive assembly including a flexible drive beam and a working end secured to the flexible drive beam, the drive assembly being movable between retracted and advanced positions in relation to the tool assembly to eject the staples from the cartridge body, the drive assembly defining a recess that receives the engaging member of the retractor link when the retractor link is in the deformed condition to couple the knife bar of the actuation sled assembly to the drive assembly.

9. A surgical stapling device comprising:

a tool assembly including:

an anvil;

a cartridge assembly including a staple cartridge having a cartridge body, pushers, staples, and an actuation sled assembly, the cartridge body defining a knife slot and staple receiving pockets positioned on each side of the knife slot, each of the staple receiving pockets receiving one of the staples and one of the pushers, the actuation sled assembly including:

an actuation sled including a central portion and spaced wedge members positioned on opposite sides of the central portion, the central portion received and movable within the knife slot;

a knife bar engaged with the central portion of the actuation sled, the knife bar including a cutting edge positioned above the actuation sled and extending from the knife slot; and

a retractor link formed of a resilient material and having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion of the retractor link defining a longitudinal axis, the retractor link having a non-deformed condition and a deformed condition, wherein in the non-deformed condition, the proximal portion of the retractor link bends outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the retractor link and outwardly of the knife slot, and in the deformed condition, the proximal portion of the retractor link is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the retractor link, the proximal portion of the retractor link including an engaging member; and

a drive assembly including a flexible drive beam and a working end secured to the flexible drive beam, the drive assembly being movable between retracted and advanced positions in relation to the tool assembly to eject the staples from the cartridge body, the drive assembly defining a recess that receives the engaging member of the retractor link when the retractor link is in the deformed condition to couple the knife bar of the actuation sled assembly to the drive assembly, wherein the recess is formed in the working end of the drive assembly.

10. The surgical stapling device of claim 9 , wherein the engaging member includes a protrusion on the proximal portion of the retractor link.

11. The surgical stapling device of claim 8 , wherein the recess is formed in the flexible drive beam of the drive assembly.

12. The surgical stapling device of claim 11 , wherein the engaging member includes a bend on the proximal portion of the retractor link.

13. The surgical stapling device of claim 8 , wherein the retractor link is formed from spring steel.

14. The surgical stapling device of claim 8 , wherein the knife bar includes a base portion, and the central portion of the actuation sled is molded about the base portion of the knife bar to fixedly secure the knife bar to the actuation sled.

15. The surgical stapling device of claim 8 , wherein the knife bar includes a body portion that defines a longitudinally extending recess and the distal portion of the retractor link is secured within the longitudinally extending recess.

16. The surgical stapling device of claim 8 , further including an adapter assembly having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion of the adapter assembly supporting the tool assembly.

17. The surgical stapling device of claim 16 , further including a handle assembly coupled to the proximal portion of the adapter assembly.

18. The surgical stapling device of claim 8 , wherein the cartridge assembly is coupled to the anvil to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between unclamped and clamped positions.

19. The surgical stapling device of claim 18 , wherein the drive assembly is movable from the retracted position to a drive assembly clamped position to move the tool assembly from the unclamped position to the clamped position.

20. The surgical stapling device of claim 19 , wherein the drive assembly is movable independently of the actuation sled assembly between the retracted position and the drive assembly clamped position.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2023
From: MEDTRONIC ENGINEERING AND INNOVATION CENTER PRIVATE LIMITED
To: COVIDIEN PRIVATE LIMITED
Reel/Frame 062648/0506 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2023
From: FERNANDES, ROANIT A.
To: MEDTRONIC ENGINEERING AND INNOVATION CENTER PRIVATE LIMITED
Reel/Frame 062648/0439 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2023
From: COVIDIEN AG
To: COVIDIEN LP
Reel/Frame 062648/0545 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2023
From: COVIDIEN PRIVATE LIMITED
To: COVIDIEN AG
Reel/Frame 062648/0512 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 27, 2022
From: WHITFIELD, KENNETH H.
To: COVIDIEN LP
Reel/Frame 060034/0956 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230404576A1 · Dec 21, 2023
References Cited (400)
US 3499591A · Green · 1970 [cited by applicant]
US 3777538A · Weatherly et al. · 1973 [cited by applicant]
US 3882854A · Hulka et al. · 1975 [cited by applicant]
US 4027510A · Hiltebrandt · 1977 [cited by applicant]
US 4086926A · Green et al. · 1978 [cited by applicant]
US 4241861A · Fleischer · 1980 [cited by applicant]
US 4244372A · Kapitanov et al. · 1981 [cited by applicant]
US 4429695A · Green · 1984 [cited by applicant]
US 4505414A · Filipi · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4520817A · Green · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4589413A · Malyshev et al. · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4596351A · Fedotov et al. · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4602634A · Barkley · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4605001A · Rothfuss et al. · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4608981A · Rothfuss et al. · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4610383A · Rothfuss et al. · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4633861A · Chow et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4633874A · Chow et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4671445A · Barker et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4700703A · Resnick et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4703887A · Clanton et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4728020A · Green et al. · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4752024A · Green et al. · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4784137A · Kulik et al. · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4863088A · Redmond et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4869415A · Fox · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4892244A · Fox et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4955959A · Tompkins et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4978049A · Green · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4991764A · Mericle · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5014899A · Presty et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5031814A · Tompkins et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5040715A · Green et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5065929A · Schulze et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5071430A · de Salis et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5074454A · Peters · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5083695A · Foslien et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5084057A · Green et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5106008A · Tompkins et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5111987A · Moeinzadeh et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5129570A · Schulze et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5141144A · Foslien et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5156315A · Green et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5156614A · Green et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5163943A · Mohiuddin et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5170925A · Madden et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5171247A · Hughett et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5173133A · Morin et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5180092A · Crainich · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5188274A · Moeinzadeh et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5220928A · Oddsen et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5221036A · Takase · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5242457A · Akopov et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5246156A · Rothfuss et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5253793A · Green et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5263629A · Trumbull et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US RE34519E · Fox et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5275323A · Schulze et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5282807A · Knoepfler · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5289963A · McGarry et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5307976A · Olson et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5308576A · Green et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5312023A · Green et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5318221A · Green et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5326013A · Green et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5328077A · Lou · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5330486A · Wilk · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5332142A · Robinson et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5336232A · Green et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5344061A · Crainich · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5352238A · Green et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5356064A · Green et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5358506A · Green et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5364001A · Bryan · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5364002A · Green et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5364003A · Williamson, IV · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5366133A · Geiste · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5376095A · Ortiz · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5379933A · Green et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5381943A · Allen et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5382255A · Castro et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5383880A · Hooven · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5389098A · Tsuruta et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5395033A · Byrne et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5395034A · Allen et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5397046A · Savage et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5397324A · Carroll et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5403312A · Yates et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5405072A · Zlock et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5407293A · Crainich · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5413268A · Green et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5415334A · Williamson et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5415335A · Knodell, Jr. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5417361A · Williamson, IV · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5423471A · Mastri et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5425745A · Green et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5431322A · Green et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5431323A · Smith et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5433721A · Hooven et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5441193A · Gravener · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5445304A · Plyley et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5447265A · Vidal et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5452837A · Williamson, IV et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5456401A · Green et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5464300A · Crainich · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5465895A · Knodel et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5467911A · Tsuruta et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5470007A · Plyley et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5470010A · Rothfuss et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5472132A · Savage et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5474566A · Alesi et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5476206A · Green et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5478003A · Green et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5480089A · Blewett · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5482197A · Green et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5484095A · Green et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5484451A · Akopov et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5485947A · Olson et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5485952A · Fontayne · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5486185A · Freitas et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5487499A · Sorrentino et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5487500A · Knodel et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5489058A · Plyley et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5490856A · Person et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5497933A · DeFonzo et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5501689A · Green et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5505363A · Green et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5507426A · Young et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5518163A · Hooven · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5518164A · Hooven · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5529235A · Boiarski et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5531744A · Nardella et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5535934A · Boiarski et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5535935A · Vidal et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5535937A · Boiarski et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5540375A · Bolanos et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5542594A · McKean et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5549628A · Cooper et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5551622A · Yoon · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5553765A · Knodel et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5554164A · Wilson et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5554169A · Green et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5560530A · Bolanos et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5560532A · DeFonzo et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5562239A · Boiarski et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5562241A · Knodel et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5562682A · Oberlin et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5562701A · Huitema et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5564615A · Bishop et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5571116A · Bolanos et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5573169A · Green et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5573543A · Akopov et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5575799A · Bolanos et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5575803A · Cooper et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5577654A · Bishop · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5584425A · Savage et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5586711A · Plyley et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5588580A · Paul et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5588581A · Conlon et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5597107A · Knodel et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5601224A · Bishop et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5607095A · Smith et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5615820A · Viola · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5618291A · Thompson et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5624452A · Yates · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5626587A · Bishop et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5628446A · Geiste et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5630539A · Plyley et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5630540A · Blewett · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5630541A · Williamson, IV et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5632432A · Schulze et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5634584A · Okorocha et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5636780A · Green et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5645209A · Green et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5647526A · Green et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5651491A · Heaton et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5653373A · Green et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5653374A · Young et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5653721A · Knodel et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5655698A · Yoon · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5657921A · Young et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5658300A · Bito et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5662258A · Knodel et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5662259A · Yoon · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5662260A · Yoon · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5662662A · Bishop et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5662666A · Onuki et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5665085A · Nardella · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5667517A · Hooven · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5669544A · Schulze et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5673840A · Schulze et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5673841A · Schulze et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5673842A · Bittner et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5676674A · Bolanos et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5680981A · Mililli et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5680982A · Schulze et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5680983A · Plyley et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5690269A · Bolanos et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5690675A · Sawyer et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5692668A · Schulze et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5697542A · Knodel et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5702409A · Rayburn et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5704534A · Huitema et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5706997A · Green et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5709334A · Sorrentino et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5711472A · Bryan · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5713505A · Huitema · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5715988A · Palmer · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5716366A · Yates · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5718359A · Palmer et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5725536A · Oberlin et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5725554A · Simon et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5728110A · Vidal et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5732806A · Foshee et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5735848A · Yates et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5743456A · Jones et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5749893A · Vidal et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5752644A · Bolanos et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5762255A · Chrisman et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5762256A · Mastri et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5769303A · Knodel et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5769892A · Kingwell · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5772099A · Gravener · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5772673A · Cuny et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5779130A · Alesi et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5779131A · Knodel et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5779132A · Knodel et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5782396A · Mastri et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5782397A · Koukline · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5782834A · Lucey et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5785232A · Vidal et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5797536A · Smith et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5797537A · Oberlin et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5797538A · Heaton et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5810811A · Yates et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5810855A · Rayburn et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5814055A · Knodel et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5814057A · Oi et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5816471A · Plyley et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5817109A · McGarry et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5820009A · Melling et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5823066A · Huitema et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5826776A · Schulze et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5829662A · Allen et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5833695A · Yoon · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5836147A · Schnipke · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5862972A · Green et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5865361A · Milliman et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5871135A · Williamson, IV et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5873873A · Smith et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5878938A · Bittner et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5893506A · Powell · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5894979A · Powell · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5897562A · Bolanos et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5901895A · Heaton et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5911352A · Racenet et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5911353A · Bolanos et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5918791A · Sorrentino et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5919198A · Graves, Jr. et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5922001A · Yoon · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5931847A · Bittner et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5941442A · Geiste et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5954259A · Viola et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5964774A · McKean et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5980510A · Tsonton et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5988479A · Palmer · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6004335A · Vaitekunas et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6010054A · Johnson et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6032849A · Mastri et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6045560A · McKean et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6063097A · Oi et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6079606A · Milliman et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6099551A · Gabbay · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6109500A · Alli et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6131789A · Schulze et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6131790A · Piraka · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6155473A · Tompkins et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6197017B1 · Brock et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6202914B1 · Geiste et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6241139B1 · Milliman et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6250532B1 · Green et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6264086B1 · McGuckin, Jr. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6264087B1 · Whitman · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6279809B1 · Nicolo · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6315183B1 · Piraka · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6315184B1 · Whitman · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6325810B1 · Hamilton et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6330965B1 · Milliman et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6391038B2 · Vargas et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6398797B2 · Bombard et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6436097B1 · Nardella · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6439446B1 · Perry et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6443973B1 · Whitman · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6478804B2 · Vargas et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6488196B1 · Fenton, Jr. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6503257B2 · Grant et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6505768B2 · Whitman · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6544274B2 · Danitz et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6554844B2 · Lee et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6565554B1 · Niemeyer · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6587750B2 · Gerbi et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6592597B2 · Grant et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6594552B1 · Nowlin et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6602252B2 · Mollenauer · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6619529B2 · Green et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US D480808S · Wells et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6644532B2 · Green et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6656193B2 · Grant et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6669073B2 · Milliman et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6681978B2 · Geiste et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6698643B2 · Whitman · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6716232B1 · Vidal et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6722552B2 · Fenton, Jr. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6755338B2 · Hahnen et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6783524B2 · Anderson et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6786382B1 · Hoffman · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6817509B2 · Geiste et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6830174B2 · Hillstead et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6835199B2 · McGuckin, Jr. et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6843403B2 · Whitman · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US RE38708E · Bolanos et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 6877647B2 · Green et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 6889116B2 · Jinno · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 6905057B2 · Swayze et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 6945444B2 · Gresham et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 6953138B1 · Dworak et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 6953139B2 · Milliman et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 6959852B2 · Shelton, IV et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 6962594B1 · Thevenet · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 6964363B2 · Wales et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 6978921B2 · Shelton, IV et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 6981628B2 · Wales · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 6986451B1 · Mastri et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 6988649B2 · Shelton, IV et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 6991627B2 · Madhani et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 6994714B2 · Vargas et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7000818B2 · Shelton, IV et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7000819B2 · Swayze et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7032799B2 · Viola et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7044352B2 · Shelton, IV et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7044353B2 · Mastri et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7055730B2 · Ehrenfels et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7055731B2 · Shelton, IV et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7059508B2 · Shelton, IV et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7070083B2 · Jankowski · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7083075B2 · Swayze et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7097089B2 · Marczyk · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7111769B2 · Wales et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7114642B2 · Whitman · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7121446B2 · Arad et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7128253B2 · Mastri et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7128254B2 · Shelton, IV et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7140527B2 · Ehrenfels et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7140528B2 · Shelton, IV · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7143923B2 · Shelton, IV et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7143924B2 · Scirica et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7143925B2 · Shelton, IV et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7143926B2 · Shelton, IV et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7147138B2 · Shelton, IV · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7159750B2 · Racenet et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7168604B2 · Milliman et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7172104B2 · Scirica et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7188758B2 · Viola et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7207471B2 · Heinrich et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7213736B2 · Wales et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7225963B2 · Scirica · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7225964B2 · Mastri et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7238195B2 · Viola · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7246734B2 · Shelton, IV · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7258262B2 · Mastri et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7267682B1 · Bender et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7278562B2 · Mastri et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7278563B1 · Green · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7287682B1 · Ezzat et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7293685B2 · Ehrenfels et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7296722B2 · Ivanko · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7296724B2 · Green et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7296772B2 · Wang · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7300444B1 · Nielsen et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7303107B2 · Milliman et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7303108B2 · Shelton, IV · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7308998B2 · Mastri et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7326232B2 · Viola et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7328828B2 · Ortiz et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7328829B2 · Arad et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7334717B2 · Rethy et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7354447B2 · Shelton, IV et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7357287B2 · Shelton, IV et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7364061B2 · Swayze et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7367485B2 · Shelton, IV et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7377928B2 · Zubik et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7380695B2 · Doll et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7380696B2 · Shelton, IV et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7396356B2 · Mollenauer · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7398907B2 · Racenet et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7399310B2 · Edoga et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7401720B1 · Durrani · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7401721B2 · Holsten et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7404508B2 · Smith et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7404509B2 · Ortiz et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
Cited By (1)
US 12,702,411