IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,453,571
Granted Patent B2
US 12,453,571 · App. 17/473,474 · Granted Oct 28, 2025

Surgical instrument

Inventors: Daniel W. Price (Loveland, OH); Kevin L. Houser (Springboro, OH); Jeffrey D. Messerly (Cincinnati, OH); Foster B. Stulen (Johns Island, SC)
Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
A61B17/320092A61B17/320068A61B34/37A61B2017/00305A61B2017/00327A61B2017/00477A61B2017/320069A61B2017/320071A61B2017/320075A61B2017/320089A61B2017/320093A61B2017/320094A61B2017/320095A61B34/30A61B90/03
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 12,453,571
App. No.
17/473,474
Filed
Sep 13, 2021
Granted
Oct 28, 2025
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3771
USPC
606/169
Abstract

In one embodiment, a surgical instrument comprises an articulable waveguide. The articulable waveguide may be configured to transmit ultrasonic energy therealong. The articulable waveguide comprises a proximal drive section, an end effector and a first flexible. The proximal drive section is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer. The end effector is located at a distal portion of the articulable waveguide. The first flexible section comprises a flex bias and be positioned between the proximal drive section and the end effector. The surgical instrument further comprises a first tine extending longitudinally relative to the articulable waveguide.

Claims (83)

1 . A system, comprising:

a robotic surgical system;

a surgical instrument, comprising:

a tool mounting portion configured to removably couple to the robotic surgical system;

an articulatable waveguide, comprising:

a drive section operably coupled to an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the drive section comprises a first cross-sectional shape, and wherein the drive section defines a longitudinal drive axis; and

a flexible section extending the drive section, wherein the flexible section comprises a second cross-sectional shape that is different than the first cross-sectional shape, wherein the second cross-sectional shape comprises a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, and wherein the flexible section comprises:

a first portion comprising a first thickness defined relative to the longitudinal drive axis; and

a second section comprising a second thickness defined relative to the longitudinal drive axis, wherein the first thickness is different than the second thickness; and

an articulation actuator, wherein pivotable movement of the articulation actuator is configured to articulate a distal end of the flexible section away from the longitudinal drive axis.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the surgical instrument further comprises an outer sheath, wherein the articulatable waveguide extends within the outer sheath.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the outer sheath comprises a flexible sheath portion comprising a plurality of slots defined therein, wherein the plurality of slots are configured to allow the flexible sheath portion to flex away from the longitudinal drive axis.

4 . The system of claim 2 , further comprising:

a first translatable member extending from the articulation actuator, wherein the first translatable member is operably coupled the outer sheath; and

a second translatable member extending from the articulation actuator, wherein the second translatable member is operably coupled to the outer sheath.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein pivotable movement of the articulation actuator is configured to:

translate the first translatable member in a first direction; and

translate the second translatable member in a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.

6 . The system of claim 2 , further comprising a clamp arm coupled to the outer sheath.

7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the clamp arm comprises:

a proximal portion; and

a distal portion extending distally and laterally away from the proximal portion.

8 . A surgical instrument usable with a robotic surgical system, wherein the surgical instrument comprises:

a tool mounting portion configured to removably couple to the robotic surgical system;

an articulatable waveguide configured to transmit ultrasonic energy, wherein the articulatable waveguide comprises:

a drive section comprising a first cross-sectional shape, wherein the drive section defines a longitudinal drive axis; and

a flexible section extending the drive section, wherein the flexible section comprises a second cross-sectional shape that is different than the first cross-sectional shape, wherein the second cross-sectional shape comprises a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, and wherein the flexible section comprises:

a first portion comprising a first thickness; and

a second section comprising a second thickness, wherein the first thickness is different than the second thickness; and

an articulation actuator, wherein pivotable movement of the articulation actuator is configured to articulate a distal end of the flexible section away from the longitudinal drive axis.

9 . The surgical instrument of claim 8 , further comprising an outer sheath, wherein the articulatable waveguide extends within the outer sheath.

10 . The surgical instrument of claim 9 , wherein the outer sheath comprises a flexible sheath portion comprising a plurality of slots defined therein, wherein the plurality of slots are configured to allow the flexible sheath portion to flex away from the longitudinal drive axis.

11 . The surgical instrument of claim 9 , further comprising:

a first translatable member extending from the articulation actuator, wherein the first translatable member is operably coupled the outer sheath; and

a second translatable member extending from the articulation actuator, wherein the second translatable member is operably coupled to the outer sheath.

12 . The surgical instrument of claim 11 , wherein pivotable movement of the articulation actuator is configured to:

translate the first translatable member in a first direction; and

translate the second translatable member in a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.

13 . The surgical instrument of claim 9 , further comprising a clamp arm coupled to the outer sheath.

14 . The surgical instrument of claim 13 , wherein the clamp arm comprises:

a proximal portion; and

a distal portion extending distally and laterally away from the proximal portion.

15 . A surgical instrument usable with a robotic surgical system, wherein the surgical instrument comprises:

a tool mounting portion configured to removably couple to the robotic surgical system;

an articulatable waveguide, comprising:

a drive section comprising a first cross-sectional shape, wherein the drive section defines a longitudinal drive axis; and

a flexible section extending the drive section, wherein the flexible section comprises:

a first section comprising a second cross-sectional shape that is different than the first cross-sectional shape, wherein the second cross-sectional shape defines:

a first cross-sectional thickness in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal drive axis;

a second cross-sectional thickness in a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal drive axis, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, and wherein the first cross-sectional thickness is less than the second cross-sectional thickness; and

a second section comprising a third cross-sectional shape that is different than the first cross-sectional shape, wherein the third cross-sectional shape defines:

a third cross-sectional thickness in the first direction, wherein the third cross-sectional thickness is different than the first cross-sectional thickness; and

a fourth cross-sectional thickness in the second direction; and

an articulation actuator, wherein movement of the articulation actuator is configured to articulate a distal end of the flexible section away from the longitudinal drive axis.

16 . The surgical instrument of claim 15 , further comprising an outer sheath, wherein the articulatable waveguide extends within the outer sheath.

17 . The surgical instrument of claim 16 , wherein the outer sheath comprises a flexible sheath portion comprising a plurality of slots defined therein, wherein the plurality of slots are configured to allow the flexible sheath portion to flex away from the longitudinal drive axis.

18 . The surgical instrument of claim 16 , further comprising:

a first translatable member extending from the articulation actuator, wherein the first translatable member is operably coupled the outer sheath; and

a second translatable member extending from the articulation actuator, wherein the second translatable member is operably coupled to the outer sheath.

19 . The surgical instrument of claim 18 , wherein movement of the articulation actuator is configured to:

translate the first translatable member in a first direction; and

translate the second translatable member in a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.

20 . The surgical instrument of claim 16 , further comprising a clamp arm coupled to the outer sheath.

21 . A system, comprising:

a robotic surgical system; and

a surgical instrument, comprising:

a tool mounting portion configured to removably couple to the robotic surgical system;

an articulatable waveguide, comprising:

a drive section operably coupled to an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the drive section comprises a first cross-sectional shape, and wherein the drive section defines a longitudinal drive axis; and

a flexible section extending the drive section, wherein the flexible section comprises a second cross-sectional shape that is different than the first cross-sectional shape,

an outer sheath, wherein the articulatable waveguide extends within the outer sheath;

a clamp arm coupled to the outer sheath; and

an articulation actuator, wherein pivotable movement of the articulation actuator is configured to articulate a distal end of the flexible section away from the longitudinal drive axis.

22 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the outer sheath comprises a flexible sheath portion comprising a plurality of slots defined therein, wherein the plurality of slots are configured to allow the flexible sheath portion to flex away from the longitudinal drive axis.

23 . The system of claim 21 , further comprising:

a first translatable member extending from the articulation actuator, wherein the first translatable member is operably coupled the outer sheath; and

a second translatable member extending from the articulation actuator, wherein the second translatable member is operably coupled to the outer sheath.

24 . The system of claim 23 , wherein pivotable movement of the articulation actuator is configured to:

translate the first translatable member in a first direction; and

translate the second translatable member in a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.

25 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the clamp arm comprises:

a proximal portion; and

a distal portion extending distally and laterally away from the proximal portion.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 3, 2021
From: PRICE, DANIEL W.; HOUSER, KEVIN L.; MESSERLY, JEFFREY D.; STULEN, FOSTER B.
To: ETHICON LLC
Reel/Frame 058282/0914 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 3, 2021
From: ETHICON LLC
To: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
Reel/Frame 058300/0877 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 15708850 · Sep 19, 2017
Continuation 14625349 · Feb 18, 2015
Division 13657553 · Oct 22, 2012
Related Publication 20220071655A1 · Mar 10, 2022
References Cited (400)
US 969528A · Disbrow · 1910 [cited by applicant]
US 1570025A · Young · 1926 [cited by applicant]
US 1813902A · Bovie · 1931 [cited by applicant]
US 2188497A · Calva · 1940 [cited by applicant]
US 2366274A · Luth et al. · 1945 [cited by applicant]
US 2425245A · Johnson · 1947 [cited by applicant]
US 2442966A · Wallace · 1948 [cited by applicant]
US 2458152A · Eakins · 1949 [cited by applicant]
US 2510693A · Green · 1950 [cited by applicant]
US 2597564A · Bugg · 1952 [cited by applicant]
US 2704333A · Calosi et al. · 1955 [cited by applicant]
US 2736960A · Armstrong · 1956 [cited by applicant]
US 2748967A · Roach · 1956 [cited by applicant]
US 2845072A · Shafer · 1958 [cited by applicant]
US 2849788A · Creek · 1958 [cited by applicant]
US 2867039A · Zach · 1959 [cited by applicant]
US 2874470A · Richards · 1959 [cited by applicant]
US 2990616A · Balamuth et al. · 1961 [cited by applicant]
US RE25033E · Balamuth et al. · 1961 [cited by applicant]
US 3015961A · Roney · 1962 [cited by applicant]
US 3033407A · Alfons · 1962 [cited by applicant]
US 3053124A · Balamuth et al. · 1962 [cited by applicant]
US 3082805A · Royce · 1963 [cited by applicant]
US 3166971A · Stoecker · 1965 [cited by applicant]
US 3322403A · Murphy · 1967 [cited by applicant]
US 3432691A · Shoh · 1969 [cited by applicant]
US 3433226A · Boyd · 1969 [cited by applicant]
US 3489930A · Shoh · 1970 [cited by applicant]
US 3513848A · Winston et al. · 1970 [cited by applicant]
US 3514856A · Camp et al. · 1970 [cited by applicant]
US 3525912A · Wallin · 1970 [cited by applicant]
US 3526219A · Balamuth · 1970 [cited by applicant]
US 3554198A · Tatoian et al. · 1971 [cited by applicant]
US 3580841A · Cadotte et al. · 1971 [cited by applicant]
US 3606682A · Camp et al. · 1971 [cited by applicant]
US 3614484A · Shoh · 1971 [cited by applicant]
US 3616375A · Inoue · 1971 [cited by applicant]
US 3629726A · Popescu · 1971 [cited by applicant]
US 3636943A · Balamuth · 1972 [cited by applicant]
US 3668486A · Silver · 1972 [cited by applicant]
US 3702948A · Balamuth · 1972 [cited by applicant]
US 3703651A · Blowers · 1972 [cited by applicant]
US 3776238A · Peyman et al. · 1973 [cited by applicant]
US 3777760A · Essner · 1973 [cited by applicant]
US 3805787A · Banko · 1974 [cited by applicant]
US 3809977A · Balamuth et al. · 1974 [cited by applicant]
US 3830098A · Antonevich · 1974 [cited by applicant]
US 3854737A · Gilliam, Sr. · 1974 [cited by applicant]
US 3862630A · Balamuth · 1975 [cited by applicant]
US 3875945A · Friedman · 1975 [cited by applicant]
US 3885438A · Harris, Sr. et al. · 1975 [cited by applicant]
US 3900823A · Sokal et al. · 1975 [cited by applicant]
US 3918442A · Nikolaev et al. · 1975 [cited by applicant]
US 3924335A · Balamuth et al. · 1975 [cited by applicant]
US 3946738A · Newton et al. · 1976 [cited by applicant]
US 3955859A · Stella et al. · 1976 [cited by applicant]
US 3956826A · Perdreaux, Jr. · 1976 [cited by applicant]
US 3989952A · Hohmann · 1976 [cited by applicant]
US 4005714A · Hiltebrandt · 1977 [cited by applicant]
US 4012647A · Balamuth et al. · 1977 [cited by applicant]
US 4034762A · Cosens et al. · 1977 [cited by applicant]
US 4058126A · Leveen · 1977 [cited by applicant]
US 4074719A · Semm · 1978 [cited by applicant]
US 4156187A · Murry et al. · 1979 [cited by applicant]
US 4167944A · Banko · 1979 [cited by applicant]
US 4188927A · Harris · 1980 [cited by applicant]
US 4200106A · Douvas et al. · 1980 [cited by applicant]
US 4203430A · Takahashi · 1980 [cited by applicant]
US 4203444A · Bonnell et al. · 1980 [cited by applicant]
US 4220154A · Semm · 1980 [cited by applicant]
US 4237441A · van Konynenburg et al. · 1980 [cited by applicant]
US 4244371A · Farin · 1981 [cited by applicant]
US 4281785A · Brooks · 1981 [cited by applicant]
US 4300083A · Heiges · 1981 [cited by applicant]
US 4302728A · Nakamura · 1981 [cited by applicant]
US 4304987A · van Konynenburg · 1981 [cited by applicant]
US 4306570A · Matthews · 1981 [cited by applicant]
US 4314559A · Allen · 1982 [cited by applicant]
US 4353371A · Cosman · 1982 [cited by applicant]
US 4409981A · Lundberg · 1983 [cited by applicant]
US 4445063A · Smith · 1984 [cited by applicant]
US 4461304A · Kuperstein · 1984 [cited by applicant]
US 4463759A · Garito et al. · 1984 [cited by applicant]
US 4491132A · Aikins · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4492231A · Auth · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4494759A · Kieffer · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4504264A · Kelman · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4512344A · Barber · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4526571A · Wuchinich · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4535773A · Yoon · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4541638A · Ogawa et al. · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4545374A · Jacobson · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4545926A · Fouts, Jr. et al. · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4549147A · Kondo · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4550870A · Krumme et al. · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4553544A · Nomoto et al. · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4562838A · Walker · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4574615A · Bower et al. · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4582236A · Hirose · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4593691A · Lindstrom et al. · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4608981A · Rothfuss et al. · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4617927A · Manes · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4633119A · Thompson · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4633874A · Chow et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4634420A · Spinosa et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4640279A · Beard · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4641053A · Takeda · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4646738A · Trott · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4646756A · Watmough et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4649919A · Thimsen et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4662068A · Polonsky · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4674502A · Imonti · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4694835A · Strand · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4708127A · Abdelghani · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4712722A · Hood et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4735603A · Goodson et al. · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4739759A · Rexroth et al. · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4761871A · O'Connor et al. · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4808154A · Freeman · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4819635A · Shapiro · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4827911A · Broadwin et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4830462A · Karny et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4832683A · Idemoto et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4836186A · Scholz · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4838853A · Parisi · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4844064A · Thimsen et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4849133A · Yoshida et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4850354A · McGurk-Burleson et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4852578A · Companion et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4860745A · Farin et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4862890A · Stasz et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4865159A · Jamison · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4867157A · McGurk-Burleson et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4878493A · Pasternak et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4880015A · Nierman · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4881550A · Kothe · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4896009A · Pawlowski · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4903696A · Stasz et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4910389A · Sherman et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4915643A · Samejima et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4920978A · Colvin · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4922902A · Wuchinich et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4926860A · Stice et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4936842A · D'Amelio et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4954960A · Lo et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4965532A · Sakurai · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4979952A · Kubota et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4981756A · Rhandhawa · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5001649A · Lo et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5003693A · Atkinson et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5009661A · Michelson · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5013956A · Kurozumi et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5015227A · Broadwin et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5020514A · Heckele · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5026370A · Lottick · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5026387A · Thomas · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5035695A · Weber, Jr. et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5042461A · Inoue et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5042707A · Taheri · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5052145A · Wang · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5061269A · Muller · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5075839A · Fisher et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5084052A · Jacobs · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5099840A · Goble et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5104025A · Main et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5105117A · Yamaguchi · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5106538A · Barma et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5108383A · White · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5109819A · Custer et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5112300A · Ureche · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5113139A · Furukawa · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5123903A · Quaid et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5126618A · Takahashi et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US D327872S · McMills et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5152762A · McElhenney · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5156633A · Smith · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5160334A · Billings et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5162044A · Gahn et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5163421A · Bernstein et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5163537A · Radev · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5163945A · Ortiz et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5167619A · Wuchinich · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5167725A · Clark et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5172344A · Ehrlich · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5174276A · Crockard · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US D332660S · Rawson et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5176677A · Wuchinich · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5176695A · Dulebohn · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5184605A · Grzeszykowski · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5188102A · Idemoto et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US D334173S · Liu et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5190517A · Zieve et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5190518A · Takasu · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5190541A · Abele et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5196007A · Ellman et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5203380A · Chikama · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5205459A · Brinkerhoff et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5205817A · Idemoto et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5209719A · Baruch et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5213569A · Davis · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5214339A · Naito · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5217460A · Knoepfler · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5218529A · Meyer et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5221282A · Wuchinich · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5222937A · Kagawa · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5226909A · Evans et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5226910A · Kajiyama et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5231989A · Middleman et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5234428A · Kaufman · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5241236A · Sasaki et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5241968A · Slater · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5242339A · Thornton · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5242460A · Klein et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5246003A · DeLonzor · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5254129A · Alexander · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5257988A · L'Esperance, Jr. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5258004A · Bales et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5258006A · Rydell et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5261922A · Hood · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5263957A · Davison · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5264925A · Shipp et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5269297A · Weng et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5275166A · Vaitekunas et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5275607A · Lo et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5275609A · Pingleton et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5282800A · Foshee et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5282817A · Hoogeboom et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5285795A · Ryan et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5285945A · Brinkerhoff et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5290286A · Parins · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5293863A · Zhu et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5300068A · Rosar et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5304115A · Pflueger et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US D347474S · Olson · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5307976A · Olson et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5309927A · Welch · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5312023A · Green et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5312425A · Evans et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5318525A · West et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5318563A · Malis et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5318564A · Eggers · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5318570A · Hood et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5318589A · Lichtman · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5322055A · Davison et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5324299A · Davison et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5326013A · Green et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5326342A · Pflueger et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5330471A · Eggers · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5330502A · Hassler et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5334183A · Wuchinich · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5339723A · Huitema · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5342356A · Ellman et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5342359A · Rydell · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5344420A · Hilal et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5345937A · Middleman et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5346502A · Estabrook et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5353474A · Good et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5357164A · Imabayashi et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5357423A · Weaver et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5359994A · Krauter et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5361583A · Huitema · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5366466A · Christian et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5368557A · Nita et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5370645A · Klicek et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5371429A · Manna · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5374813A · Shipp · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US D354564S · Medema · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5381067A · Greenstein et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5383874A · Jackson et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5383917A · Desai et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5387207A · Dyer et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5387215A · Fisher · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5389098A · Tsuruta et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5394187A · Shipp · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5395033A · Byrne et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5395312A · Desai · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5395363A · Billings et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5395364A · Anderhub et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5396266A · Brimhall · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5396900A · Slater et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5400267A · Denen et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5403312A · Yates et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5403334A · Evans et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5406503A · Williams, Jr. et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5408268A · Shipp · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US D358887S · Feinberg · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5411481A · Allen et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5417709A · Slater · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5419761A · Narayanan et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5421829A · Olichney et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5423844A · Miller · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5428504A · Bhatla · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5429131A · Scheinman et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5438997A · Sieben et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5441499A · Fritzsch · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5443463A · Stern et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5445638A · Rydell et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5445639A · Kuslich et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5447509A · Mills et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5449370A · Vaitekunas · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5451053A · Garrido · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5451161A · Sharp · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5451220A · Ciervo · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5451227A · Michaelson · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5456684A · Schmidt et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5458598A · Feinberg et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5462604A · Shibano et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5465895A · Knodel et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5471988A · Fujio et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5472443A · Cordis et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5476479A · Green et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5478003A · Green et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5480409A · Riza · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5483501A · Park et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5484436A · Eggers et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5486162A · Brumbach · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5486189A · Mudry et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5490860A · Middle et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5496317A · Goble et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5499992A · Meade et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5500216A · Julian et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5501654A · Failla et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5504650A · Katsui et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5505693A · Mackool · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5507297A · Slater et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5507738A · Ciervo · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5509922A · Aranyi et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5511556A · DeSantis · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5520704A · Castro et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5522832A · Kugo et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5522839A · Pilling · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5527331A · Kresch et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5531744A · Nardella et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5536267A · Edwards et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5540681A · Strul et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5540684A · Hassler, Jr. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5540693A · Fisher · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5542916A · Hirsch et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5548286A · Craven · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5549637A · Crainich · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5553675A · Pitzen et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5558671A · Yates · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5562609A · Brumbach · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5562610A · Brumbach · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5562659A · Morris · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5562703A · Desai · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5563179A · Stone et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5569164A · Lurz · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5571121A · Heifetz · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5573424A · Poppe · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5573533A · Strul · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5573534A · Stone · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5577654A · Bishop · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5584830A · Ladd et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5591187A · Dekel · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5593414A · Shipp et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5599350A · Schulze et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5600526A · Russell et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5601601A · Tal et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5603773A · Campbell · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5607436A · Pratt et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5607450A · Zvenyatsky et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5609573A · Sandock · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5611813A · Lichtman · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5618304A · Hart et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5618307A · Donlon et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5618492A · Auten et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5620447A · Smith et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5624452A · Yates · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5626587A · Bishop et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5626595A · Sklar et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5626608A · Cuny et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5628760A · Knoepfler · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5630420A · Vaitekunas · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5632432A · Schulze et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5632717A · Yoon · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5638827A · Palmer et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5640741A · Yano · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US D381077S · Hunt · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5647871A · Levine et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5649937A · Bito et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5649955A · Hashimoto et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5651780A · Jackson et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5653713A · Michelson · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5655100A · Ebrahim et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5658281A · Heard · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5662662A · Bishop et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5662667A · Knodel · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5665085A · Nardella · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5665100A · Yoon · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5669922A · Hood · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5674219A · Monson et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5674220A · Fox et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5674235A · Parisi · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5678568A · Uchikubo et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5688270A · Yates et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5690269A · Bolanos et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5693042A · Boiarski et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5693051A · Schulze et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5694936A · Fujimoto et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]