IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,458,428
Granted Patent B2
US 12,458,428 · App. 18/003,760 · Granted Nov 4, 2025

Vertebral denervation in conjunction with vertebral fusion

Inventors: Brian W. Donovan (San Jose, CA); Ray M. Baker (San Clemente, CA)
Assignee: Relievant Medsystems, Inc.
A61B18/1206A61B17/7002A61B17/7032A61B17/7059A61B17/7061A61B17/7074A61B18/02A61B18/082A61B18/148A61B18/1815A61F2/4455A61F2/4611A61N7/00A61B2018/00434A61B2018/00577A61B2018/0293A61B2018/126A61B2018/1869A61B18/20A61B2018/2005A61N2007/003
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 12,458,428
App. No.
18/003,760
Granted
Nov 4, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for treating back pain (e.g., chronic low back pain) caused by different (e.g., independent) sources of pain, such as pain originating or stemming from intervertebral discs, from vertebral endplates, and/or from intraosseous locations within one or more vertebral bodies. For example, methods for treating back pain (e.g., chronic low back pain) may involve both vertebral fusion (e.g., arthrodesis or spondylodesis to fuse adjacent vertebrae) and neuromodulation (for example, ablation of nerves within or surrounding one or more of the adjacent vertebrae). The neuromodulation may facilitate treatment of pain that is generated by insertion of fusion hardware.

Claims (36)

1 . A method of treating multiple independent sources of low back pain of a patient during a single therapeutic intervention, the method comprising:

performing a spinal fusion procedure between two adjacent vertebrae of the patient, wherein the spinal fusion procedure comprises leaving one or more hardware components within or surrounding each of the adjacent vertebrae;

inserting an access tool within an inner cancellous bone region of a vertebral body of one of the two adjacent vertebrae while avoiding contact with the one or more hardware components, the access tool comprising a lumen extending therethrough to facilitate access to the inner cancellous bone region;

inserting a nerve ablation device through the lumen of the access tool until at least a distal end of the nerve ablation device extends beyond the access tool within the inner cancellous bone region,

wherein the nerve ablation device comprises a bipolar radiofrequency probe;

ablating a basivertebral nerve within the inner cancellous bone region using the bipolar radiofrequency probe; and

removing the bipolar radiofrequency probe and the access tool from the patient.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of inserting the access tool within the inner cancellous bone region comprises extrapedicularly inserting the access tool within the inner cancellous bone region using an access location superior to a pedicle of a superior vertebra of the adjacent vertebrae.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of inserting the access tool within the inner cancellous bone region comprises extrapedicularly inserting the access tool within the inner cancellous bone region using an access location inferior to a pedicle of an inferior vertebra of the adjacent vertebrae.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising identifying the two adjacent vertebrae by determining that the two adjacent vertebrae exhibit one or more Modic changes.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising identifying the two adjacent vertebrae by determining that the two adjacent vertebrae exhibit vertebral endplate degeneration or defects.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the two adjacent vertebrae comprise an L5 vertebra and an S1 vertebra.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the two adjacent vertebrae comprise lumbar vertebrae.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the two adjacent vertebrae comprise vertebrae of a same spine section.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising inserting the access tool within an inner cancellous bone region of a vertebral body of the other one of the two adjacent vertebrae while avoiding contact with the one or more hardware components and inserting the nerve ablation device through the lumen of the access tool until at least a distal end of the nerve ablation device extends beyond the access tool within the inner cancellous bone region of the vertebral body of the other one of the two adjacent vertebrae.

10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising confirming electrical isolation between electrodes of the bipolar radiofrequency probe and the one or more hardware components.

11 . A method of treating multiple independent sources of low back pain of a patient during a single therapeutic intervention, the method comprising:

performing a spinal fusion procedure between two adjacent vertebrae of the patient, wherein the spinal fusion procedure comprises leaving one or more hardware components within or surrounding each of the adjacent vertebrae;

inserting an access tool within an inner cancellous bone region of a vertebral body of one of the two adjacent vertebrae while avoiding contact with the one or more hardware components, the access tool comprising a lumen extending therethrough to facilitate access to the inner cancellous bone region;

inserting a neuromodulation device through the lumen of the access tool until at least a distal end of the neuromodulation device extends beyond the access tool within the inner cancellous bone region,

modulating a basivertebral nerve within the inner cancellous bone region using the neuromodulation device; and

removing the neuromodulation device and the access tool from the patient.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of inserting the access tool within the inner cancellous bone region comprises extrapedicularly inserting the access tool within the inner cancellous bone region using an access location superior to a pedicle of a superior vertebra of the adjacent vertebrae.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of inserting the access tool within the inner cancellous bone region comprises extrapedicularly inserting the access tool within the inner cancellous bone region using an access location inferior to a pedicle of an inferior vertebra of the adjacent vertebrae.

14 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising identifying the two adjacent vertebrae by determining that the two adjacent vertebrae exhibit one or more Modic changes.

15 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising inserting the access tool within an inner cancellous bone region of a vertebral body of the other one of the two adjacent vertebrae while avoiding contact with the one or more hardware components and inserting the neuromodulation device through the lumen of the access tool until at least a distal end of the neuromodulation device extends beyond the access tool within the inner cancellous bone region of the vertebral body of the other one of the two adjacent vertebrae.

16 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising inserting the access tool within an inner cancellous bone region of a vertebral body of a vertebra other than the two adjacent vertebrae and inserting the neuromodulation device through the lumen of the access tool until at least a distal end of the neuromodulation device extends beyond the access tool within the inner cancellous bone region of the vertebral body of the vertebra other than the two adjacent vertebrae.

17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the neuromodulation device is configured to deliver radiofrequency energy sufficient to ablate the basivertebral nerve.

18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the neuromodulation device is configured to apply ultrasound energy sufficient to ablate the basivertebral nerve.

19 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the neuromodulation device is configured to generate thermal energy sufficient to ablate the basivertebral nerve.

20 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the neuromodulation device is a cryoablation device.

21 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the neuromodulation device is configured to deliver a fluid sufficient to denervate the basivertebral nerve.

22 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the neuromodulation device comprises a laser device.

23 . The method of claim 11 , wherein modulating the basivertebral nerve comprises ablating the basivertebral nerve.

24 . The method of claim 11 , wherein modulating the basivertebral nerve comprises (i) stimulating the basivertebral nerve without significantly stimulating other tissue or (ii) denervating the basivertebral nerve with no electrical stimulation.

25 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising performing a total disc replacement between the adjacent vertebrae.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 8, 2023
From: DONOVAN, BRIAN W.; BAKER, RAY M.
To: RELIEVANT MEDSYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 062632/0813 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63050295 · Jul 10, 2020
Related Publication 20230255676A1 · Aug 17, 2023
References Cited (400)
US 3054881A · Metz et al. · 1962 [cited by applicant]
US 3062876A · Pons, Jr. et al. · 1962 [cited by applicant]
US 3565062A · Kuris · 1971 [cited by applicant]
US 3822708A · Zilber · 1974 [cited by applicant]
US 3845771A · Vise · 1974 [cited by applicant]
US 3920021A · Hiltebrandt · 1975 [cited by applicant]
US 3938502A · Born · 1976 [cited by applicant]
US 3997408A · Barba et al. · 1976 [cited by applicant]
US 4044774A · Corgin et al. · 1977 [cited by applicant]
US 4116198A · Roos · 1978 [cited by applicant]
US 4311154A · Sterzer et al. · 1982 [cited by applicant]
US 4312364A · Convert et al. · 1982 [cited by applicant]
US 4378806A · Henley-Cohn · 1983 [cited by applicant]
US 4448198A · Turner · 1984 [cited by applicant]
US 4449528A · Auth et al. · 1984 [cited by applicant]
US 4462408A · Silverstein et al. · 1984 [cited by applicant]
US 4528979A · Marchenko et al. · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4530360A · Durate · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4541423A · Barber · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4569351A · Tang · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4573448A · Kambin · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4586512A · Do-huu · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4601296A · Yerushalmi · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4612940A · Kasevich et al. · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4657017A · Sorochenko · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4662383A · Sogawa et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4671293A · Shalov · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4676258A · Inokuchi et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4679561A · Doss · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4681122A · Winters et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4750499A · Hoffer · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4754757A · Feucht · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4757820A · Itoh · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4774967A · Zanakis et al. · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4800899A · Elliott · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4813429A · Eshel et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4841977A · Griffith et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4907589A · Cosman · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4924863A · Sterzer · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4936281A · Stasz · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4941466A · Romano · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4950267A · Ishihara et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4951677A · Crowley et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4955377A · Lennox et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4959063A · Kojima · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4961435A · Kitagawa et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4963142A · Loertscher · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4966144A · Rochkind et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4967765A · Turner et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4976711A · Parins et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4977902A · Sekino et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 5000185A · Yock · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5002058A · Marinelli · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5002059A · Crowley et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5007437A · Sterzer · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5025778A · Silverstein et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5031618A · Mullett · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5061266A · Hakky · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5070879A · Herres · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US RE33791E · Carr · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5078736A · Behl · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5080660A · Buelna · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5084043A · Hertzmann et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5090414A · Takano · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5098431A · Rydell · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5106376A · Mononen et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5108404A · Scholten et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5131397A · Crowley et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5147355A · Friedman et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5156157A · Valenta, Jr. et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5158536A · Sekins et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5161533A · Prass et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5167231A · Matsui · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5186177A · O'Donnell et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5190540A · Lee · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5190546A · Jervis · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5201729A · Hertzmann et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5207672A · Martinelli et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5209748A · Daikuzono · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5222953A · Dowlatshahi · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5226430A · Spear et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5242439A · Larsen et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5255679A · Imran · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5271408A · Breyer et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5273026A · Wilk · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5281213A · Milder et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5281215A · Milder et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5282468A · Klepinski · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5292321A · Lee · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5295484A · Marcus et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5300085A · Yock · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5304214A · DeFord et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5305756A · Entrekin et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5314463A · Camps et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5320617A · Leach · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5324255A · Pasafaro et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5325860A · Seward et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5342292A · Nita et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5342357A · Nardella · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5342409A · Mullett · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5344435A · Turner et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5345940A · Seward et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5348554A · Imran et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5350377A · Winston et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5351691A · Brommersma · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5366443A · Eggers et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5366490A · Edwards et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5368031A · Cline et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5368035A · Hamm et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5368557A · Nita et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5368558A · Nita · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5370675A · Edwards et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5370678A · Edwards et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5372138A · Crowley et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5374265A · Sand · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5383876A · Nardella · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5385148A · Lesh et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5385544A · Edwards et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5391197A · Burdette et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5391199A · Ben-Haim · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5405376A · Mulier et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5411527A · Alt · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5417719A · Hull et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5419767A · Eggers et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5421338A · Crowley · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5423811A · Imran et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5431649A · Mulier et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5433739A · Sluijter et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US D361555S · Bettin et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5437661A · Rieser · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5441499A · Fritzsch · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5441527A · Erickson et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5443463A · Stern et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5447509A · Millis et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5449380A · Chin · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5454373A · Koger et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5458596A · Lax et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5458597A · Edwards et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5471988A · Fujio et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5472441A · Edwards et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5474530A · Passafaro et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5484432A · Sand · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5486170A · Winston et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5501703A · Holsheimer et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5505730A · Edwarrds · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5514130A · Baker · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5524624A · Tepper et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5526815A · Granz et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5529580A · Hagino et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5540679A · Fram et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5540681A · Strul et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5540684A · Hassler, Jr. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5545161A · Imran · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5560362A · Silwa, Jr. et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5565005A · Erickson et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5569242A · Lax et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5571088A · Lennox et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5571147A · Sluijter et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5575772A · Lennox · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5575788A · Baker et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5588432A · Crowley · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5596988A · Markle et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5601526A · Chapelon et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5606974A · Castellano et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5609151A · Mulier et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5620479A · Diederich · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5628317A · Starkebaum et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5630426A · Shmulewitz et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5630837A · Crowley · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5643319A · Green et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5643330A · Holshiemer et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5647361A · Damadian · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5647871A · Levine et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5658278A · Imran et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5672173A · Gough et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5681282A · Eggers et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5683366A · Eggers et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5685839A · Baker et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5687729A · Schaetzle · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5688267A · Panescu · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5693052A · Weaver · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5697281A · Eggers et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5697536A · Eggers et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5697882A · Eggers et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5697909A · Eggers et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5697927A · Imran et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5700262A · Acosta et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5718231A · Chen et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5720286A · Chapelon et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5720287A · Chapelon et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5722403A · McGee et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5725494A · Brisken · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5728062A · Brisken · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5730706A · Garnies · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5733315A · Burdette et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5735280A · Sherman et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5735811A · Brisken · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5735846A · Fleischman et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5735847A · Gough et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5738680A · Mueller et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5741249A · Moss et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5743904A · Edwards · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5746737A · Saadat · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5752969A · Cunci et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5755663A · Johnson et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5762066A · Law et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5762616A · Talish · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5766153A · Eggers et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5766231A · Erickson et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5776092A · Farin et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5785705A · Baker · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5800378A · Edwards et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5800429A · Edwards · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5800432A · Swanson · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5807237A · Tindel · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5807391A · Wijkamp · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5807392A · Eggers · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5807395A · Mulier et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5810764A · Eggers et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5817021A · Reichenberger · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5824021A · Rise · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5840031A · Crowley · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5843019A · Eggers et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5843021A · Edwards et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5844092A · Presta et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5846218A · Brisken et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5849011A · Jones et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5855576A · LeVeen et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5860951A · Eggers et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5865788A · Edwards et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5865801A · Houser · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5868740A · LeVeen et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5871469A · Eggers et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5871470A · McWha · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5871481A · Kannenberg et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5873855A · Eggers et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5873877A · McGaffigan et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5876398A · Mulier et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5888198A · Eggers et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5891095A · Eggers et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5895370A · Edwards et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5902272A · Eggers et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5902308A · Murphy · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5904681A · West, Jr. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5906613A · Mulier et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5916213A · Haissaguerre et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5916214A · Cosio · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5919188A · Shearon et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5931805A · Brisken · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5935123A · Edwards et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5938582A · Ciamacco et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5941722A · Chen · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5941876A · Nardella et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5944715A · Goble et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5948007A · Starkebaum et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5948008A · Daikuzono · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5954716A · Sharkey et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5964727A · Edwards et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5967988A · Briscoe et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5972015A · Scribner et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5976105A · Marcove et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5983141A · Sluijter et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5997497A · Nita et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6001095A · de la Rama et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6007533A · Casscells et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6007570A · Sharkey et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6012457A · Lesh · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6014588A · Fitz · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6016452A · Kasevich · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6016809A · Mulier et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6017356A · Frederick et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6019776A · Preissman et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6022334A · Edwards et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6024733A · Eggers et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6024740A · Lesh et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6030374A · McDaniel · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6030402A · Thompson et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6032673A · Langberg et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6032674A · Eggers et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6033411A · Preissman et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6035238A · Ingle et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6038480A · Hrdlicka et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6045532A · Eggers et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6046187A · Berde et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6047214A · Mueller et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6050995A · Durgin · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6053172A · Hovda et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6053909A · Shadduck et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6056745A · Panescu et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6063078A · Wittkampf · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6063079A · Hovda et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6066134A · Eggers et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6066139A · Ryan et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6068642A · Johnson et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6071279A · Whayne et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6073051A · Sharkey et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6074352A · Hynynen et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6086585A · Hovda et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6090105A · Zepeda et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6095149A · Sharkey et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6099499A · Ciamacco · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6099514A · Sharkey et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6099524A · Lipson et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6102046A · Weinstein et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6104957A · Alo et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6105581A · Eggers et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6106454A · Berg et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6109268A · Thapliyal et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6112122A · Schwardt et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6113597A · Eggers et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6117101A · Diederich et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6117109A · Eggers et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6117128A · Gregory · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6120467A · Schallhorn · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6120502A · Michelson · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6122549A · Sharkey et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6126682A · Ashley et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6137209A · Dahlberg et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6139545A · Utley et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6142992A · Cheng et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6143019A · Motamedi et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6146380A · Racz et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6149620A · Baker et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6159194A · Eggers et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6159208A · Hovda et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6161048A · Sluijter et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6164283A · Lesh · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6165172A · Farley et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6168593B1 · Sharkey et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6169924B1 · Meloy et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6171239B1 · Humphrey · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6176857B1 · Ashley · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6179824B1 · Eggers et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6179836B1 · Eggers et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6179858B1 · Squire et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6183469B1 · Thapliyal et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6190381B1 · Olsen et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6190383B1 · Schmaltz et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6193715B1 · Wrublewski et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6203542B1 · Ellsberry et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6206842B1 · Tu et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6210393B1 · Brisken · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6210402B1 · Olsen et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6210415B1 · Bester · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6216704B1 · Ingle et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6221038B1 · Brisken · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6224592B1 · Eggers et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6228046B1 · Brisken · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6228078B1 · Eggers et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6228082B1 · Baker et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6231516B1 · Keilman et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6231528B1 · Kaufman et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6231571B1 · Ellman et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6231615B1 · Preissman · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6233488B1 · Hess · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6235020B1 · Cheng et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6235022B1 · Hallock et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6235024B1 · Tu · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6237604B1 · Burnside et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6238391B1 · Olsen et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6238393B1 · Mulier et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6241665B1 · Negus et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6241725B1 · Cosman · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6241734B1 · Scribner et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6245064B1 · Lesh et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6246912B1 · Sluijter et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6248110B1 · Reiley et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6248345B1 · Goldenheim et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6254553B1 · Lidgren et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6254599B1 · Lesh et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6254600B1 · Willink et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6258086B1 · Ashley et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6259952B1 · Sluijter · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6261311B1 · Sharkey et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6264650B1 · Hovda et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6264651B1 · Underwood et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6264652B1 · Eggers et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6264659B1 · Ross et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6267770B1 · Truwit · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6270498B1 · Michelson · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6277112B1 · Underwood et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6277122B1 · McGahan et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6280441B1 · Ryan · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6280456B1 · Scribner et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6283961B1 · Underwood et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6287114B1 · Meller et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6287272B1 · Brisken et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6287304B1 · Eggers et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6290715B1 · Sharkey et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6292699B1 · Simon et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6296619B1 · Brisken et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6296636B1 · Cheng et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6296638B1 · Davison et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6305378B1 · Lesh et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6309387B1 · Eggers et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6309420B1 · Preissman · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6312408B1 · Eggers et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6312425B1 · Simpson et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6312426B1 · Goldberg et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6319241B1 · King et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]