IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,670,596
Granted Patent B2
US 12,670,596 · App. 18/740,387 · Granted Jun 30, 2026

Prediction of candidates for spinal neuromodulation

Inventors: Brian W. Donovan (San Jose, CA); Ray M. Baker (San Clemente, CA); Samit Patel (Palo Alto, CA)
Assignee: Relievant Medsystems, Inc.
G06T7/0014A61B5/004A61B5/055A61B5/4824G06T7/0012G16H20/30G16H30/20G06T2207/10081G06T2207/10088G06T2207/10104G06T2207/10108G06T2207/10116G06T2207/20081G06T2207/20084G06T2207/30012
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 12,670,596
App. No.
18/740,387
Filed
Jun 11, 2024
Granted
Jun 30, 2026
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2666
USPC
382/131
Abstract

Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for determining likelihood of a patient favorably responding to a neuromodulation procedure based on a quantitative or objective score or determination based on a plurality of indicators of pain (e.g., chronic low back pain stemming from one or more vertebral bodies or vertebral endplates of a patient). The systems and methods may involve application of artificial intelligence techniques (e.g., trained algorithms, machine learning or deep learning algorithms, and/or trained neural networks).

Claims (36)

1 . A computer-implemented method of quantitatively predicting likelihood that a particular subject would respond favorably to basivertebral nerve ablation to treat back pain, the computer implemented method comprising:

receiving one or more digital images of at least a portion of a spine of the particular subject;

pre-processing the one or more digital images including denoising and segmenting the one or more digital images;

extracting features from the one or more pre-processed one or more digital images to identify one or more pre-Modic change characteristics, wherein the pre-Modic change characteristics provide initial indications or precursors of potential Modic changes, wherein the extracting features comprises applying a trained neural network to the one or more pre-processed one or more digital images to automatically identify the pre-Modic change characteristics, wherein the trained neural network is trained using digital images from subjects who previously received basivertebral nerve ablation treatment with annotations indicating treatment success or failure; and

determining a score indicative of the likelihood that the particular subject would respond favorably to basivertebral nerve ablation based on the identified pre-Modic change characteristics; and

wherein the computer-implemented method is performed by at least one processor executing computer-executable instructions stored in at least one memory device.

2 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more digital images comprise at least one of magnetic resonance images (MRIs), computed tomography (CT) images, X-ray images, and fluoroscopic images.

3 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the pre-Modic change characteristics comprise at least one of mechanical characteristics or bacterial characteristics.

4 . The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , wherein the mechanical characteristics comprise at least one of loss of soft nuclear material in an adjacent intervertebral disc of the vertebral body, reduced disc height, reduced hydrostatic pressure, microfractures, fissures, spondylodiscitis, Schmorl's nodes, or osteitis.

5 . The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , wherein the bacterial characteristics comprise at least one of detection of bacteria that have entered an intervertebral disc adjacent to a vertebral body, a disc herniation or annulus tear, inflammation, or new capilarisation.

6 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more digital images comprise at least one of T1-weighted MRIs, T2-weighted MRIs, fat suppression MRIs, ultrashort time-to-echo MRIs, and Iterative Decomposition of water and fat with Echo Asymmetry and Least-squares estimation (IDEAL) MRIs.

7 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the one or more pre-Modic change characteristics from the one or more digital images comprises applying one or more filters to the one or more digital images.

8 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the score is determined based on at least one of a quantity, a severity, or a distribution of the pre-Modic change characteristics.

9 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying the score on a display device.

10 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising comparing the score to a predetermined threshold to determine the likelihood that the particular subject would respond favorably to basivertebral nerve ablation.

11 . A computer-implemented method of quantitatively predicting likelihood that a particular subject would respond favorably to basivertebral nerve ablation to treat back pain, the method comprising:

receiving one or more digital images of at least a portion of a spine of the particular subject;

pre-processing the one or more digital images including denoising and segmenting the one or more digital images;

applying one or more filters to the pre-processed digital images to identify one or more pre-Modic change characteristics, wherein the pre-Modic change characteristics provide initial indications or precursors of potential Modic changes, wherein the applying one or more filters comprises applying a trained neural network to the one or more digital images to automatically identify the pre-Modic change characteristics, wherein the trained neural network is trained using digital images from subjects who previously received basivertebral nerve ablation treatment with annotations indicating treatment success or failure; and

determining a score indicative of the likelihood that the particular subject would respond favorably to basivertebral nerve ablation based on at least one of a quantity, a severity, or a distribution of the identified pre-Modic change characteristics; and

wherein the computer-implemented method is performed by at least one processor executing computer-executable instructions stored in at least one memory device.

12 . The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein the one or more digital images comprise at least one of magnetic resonance images (MRIs), computed tomography (CT) images, X-ray images, and fluoroscopic images.

13 . The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein the pre-Modic change characteristics comprise at least one of mechanical characteristics or bacterial characteristics.

14 . The computer-implemented method of claim 13 , wherein the mechanical characteristics comprise at least one of loss of soft nuclear material in an adjacent intervertebral disc of the vertebral body, reduced disc height, reduced hydrostatic pressure, microfractures, fissures, spondylodiscitis, Schmorl's nodes, or osteitis.

15 . The computer-implemented method of claim 13 , wherein the bacterial characteristics comprise at least one of detection of bacteria that have entered an intervertebral disc adjacent to a vertebral body, a disc herniation or annulus tear, inflammation, or new capilarisation.

16 . The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein the one or more digital images comprise at least one of T1-weighted MRIs, T2-weighted MRIs, fat suppression MRIs, ultrashort time-to-echo MRIs, and Iterative Decomposition of water and fat with Echo Asymmetry and Least-squares estimation (IDEAL) MRIs.

17 . The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , further comprising displaying the score on a display device.

18 . The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , further comprising comparing the score to a predetermined threshold to determine the likelihood that the particular subject would respond favorably to basivertebral nerve ablation.

19 . A computer-implemented method of quantitatively predicting likelihood that a particular subject would respond favorably to basivertebral nerve ablation to treat back pain, the method comprising:

receiving one or more digital images of at least a portion of a spine of the particular subject;

pre-processing the one or more digital images by denoising and segmenting the one or more digital images;

extracting features from the one or more digital images to identify one or more pre-Modic change characteristics, wherein the pre-Modic change characteristics provide initial indications or precursors of potential Modic changes, wherein the extracting features comprises applying a trained neural network to the one or more digital images to automatically identify the pre-Modic change characteristics, wherein the trained neural network is trained using digital images from subjects who previously received basivertebral nerve ablation treatment with annotations indicating treatment success or failure; and

determining a score indicative of the likelihood that the particular subject would respond favorably to basivertebral nerve ablation based on the identified pre-Modic change characteristics; and

comparing the score to a predetermined threshold to identify the particular subject as a candidate for basivertebral nerve ablation if the score is above the predetermined threshold; and

wherein the computer-implemented method is performed by at least one processor executing computer-executable instructions stored in at least one memory device.

20 . The computer-implemented method of claim 19 , wherein the score is determined based on at least one of a quantity, a severity, or a distribution of the pre-Modic change characteristics.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 9, 2024
From: DONOVAN, BRIAN W.; BAKER, RAY M.
To: RELIEVANT MEDSYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 068536/0412 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 18258734
Provisional Application 63129374 · Dec 22, 2020
Related Publication 20240412370A1 · Dec 12, 2024
References Cited (400)
US 3054881A · Metz et al. · 1962 [cited by applicant]
US 3062876A · Pons 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 · Bom · 1976 [cited by applicant]
US 3977408A · Mackew · 1976 [cited by applicant]
US 4044774A · Corbin 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 · Duarte · 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 et al. · 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 · Shaulov · 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 · Martinelli · 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 · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5147355A · Friedman et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5156157A · Valenta 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 · Roth et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5209748A · Daikuzono · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5222953A · Dowlatshahi · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5226430A · Spears 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 · 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 · Passafaro 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 et al. · 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 · Erickson 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 · Mills 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 · Edwards · 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 · Kusunoki 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 · Sliwa 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 · Eggers et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5630837A · Crowley · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5643319A · Green et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5643330A · Holsheimer 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 · Edwards et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5687729A · Schaetzle · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5688267A · Panescu et al. · 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 · Dewhurst 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 · Panescu 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 · Larsen 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 et al. · 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 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 · Savage et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6032674A · Eggers et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6033411A · Preissman · 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 · 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, Jr. · 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 · Sharkey et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6137209A · Nilsson 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 et al. · 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 · 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]