IP Library Granted Patent US 12,491,346
Granted Patent B2
US 12,491,346 · App. 18/518,122 · Granted Dec 9, 2025

Transseptal puncture apparatus and method for using the same

Inventors: Paul Kurth (Santa Barbara, CA); Andrew Armour (Swarthmore, PA); Andrzej J. Chanduszko (Weymouth, MA); Carol A. Devellian (Topsfield, MA)
Assignee: Boston Scientific Medical Device Limited
A61M25/09A61B17/0057A61B17/3468A61M25/09041A61B2017/00243A61B2017/00247A61B2017/00575A61B2017/00597A61B2017/00606A61B2017/00623A61B2017/00991A61B2017/06095A61B2017/22047A61M2025/0177
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 12,491,346
App. No.
18/518,122
Granted
Dec 9, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Devices and methods for performing a transseptal puncture procedure using a device which includes either an untapered or tapered blunt end cannula disposed in an introducer carrying a sharp guidewire disposed longitudinally through the lumen of the blunt cannula, and a blunt end dilator wherein the guidewire is flexible and has an atraumatic shape at its tip. The cannula gives the more flexible introducer a defined shape and steerabilty allowing an ordinarily skilled physician to easily access a selected location on the septal wall of the heart for transseptal puncture and introducer placement thereacross without employing an exposed sharp end needle during the procedure.

Claims (28)

1 . A transseptal puncture device for puncturing the atrial septum of a patient's heart, the puncture device comprising:

an introducer having a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the introducer configured for accessing a right atrium of the patient's heart and for placing adjacent the atrial septum of the patient's heart; and

a puncture wire configured for advancing within the lumen of the introducer and extending past the distal end of the introducer, the puncture wire including a proximal portion, an intermediate portion and a distal portion having a sharp tip;

wherein a first stiffness of the intermediate portion and a second stiffness of the distal portion are less stiff than a third stiffness of the proximal portion; and

wherein the second stiffness of the distal portion is configured such that the sharp tip will penetrate the atrial septum when the distal portion substantially resides within the introducer and not penetrate the patient's heart when the distal portion resides substantially outside of the introducer.

2 . The puncture device of claim 1 wherein the distal portion includes a curvature.

3 . The puncture device of claim 1 wherein the introducer has a tapered distal portion.

4 . The puncture device of claim 1 wherein the introducer is configured for intravascularly accessing a right atrium of the patient's heart through a femoral vein.

5 . The puncture device of claim 1 wherein the introducer is configured for intravascularly accessing a right atrium of the patient's heart through a superior vena cava.

6 . The puncture device of claim 1 wherein the distal portion of the puncture wire is prebiased to assume an atraumatic shape when advanced beyond the distal end of the introducer.

7 . The puncture device of claim 6 wherein the atraumatic shape is a hook shape.

8 . The puncture device of claim 6 wherein the atraumatic shape includes a first curve of about 180 degrees, such that in the curved configuration the sharp tip is facing substantially toward the proximal portion of the puncture wire.

9 . The puncture device of claim 8 wherein the atraumatic shape includes a second curve disposed distal to the first curve.

10 . The puncture device of claim 1 where in the introducer has a blunt distal end configured to tent a wall of the atrial septum.

11 . The puncture device of claim 1 wherein the intermediate portion comprises a waist portion.

12 . The puncture device of claim 11 wherein the waist portion has a diameter less than a diameter of the proximal portion.

13 . A transseptal puncture device for puncturing the atrial septum of a patient's heart, the puncture device comprising:

an introducer having a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the introducer configured for accessing a right atrium of the patient's heart and for placing adjacent the atrial septum of the patient's heart; and

a puncture wire configured for advancing within the lumen of the introducer and extending past the distal end of the introducer, the puncture wire including a proximal portion, an intermediate portion and a distal portion having a sharp tip;

wherein a first stiffness of the intermediate portion and a second stiffness of the distal portion are less stiff than a third stiffness of the proximal portion;

wherein the second stiffness of the distal portion is configured such that the sharp tip will penetrate the atrial septum when the distal portion substantially resides within the introducer and not penetrate the patient's heart when the distal portion resides substantially outside of the introducer; and

wherein the distal portion of the puncture wire is prebiased to assume an atraumatic shape when advanced beyond the distal end of the introducer.

14 . The puncture device of claim 13 wherein the atraumatic shape is a hook shape.

15 . The puncture device of claim 13 wherein the atraumatic shape includes a first curve of about 180 degrees, such that in the curved configuration the sharp tip is facing substantially toward the proximal portion of the puncture wire.

16 . The puncture device of claim 15 wherein the atraumatic shape includes a second curve disposed distal to the first curve.

17 . The puncture device of claim 13 where in the introducer has a blunt distal end configured to tent a wall of the atrial septum.

18 . The puncture device of claim 13 wherein the intermediate portion comprises a waist portion.

19 . The puncture device of claim 18 wherein the waist portion has a diameter less than a diameter of the proximal portion.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 27, 2023
From: CHANDUSZKO, ANDRZEJ J.; DEVELLIAN, CAROL A.
To: PRESSURE MEDICAL SUPPLIES INC.
Reel/Frame 065671/0370 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 27, 2023
From: KURTH, PAUL; ARMOUR, ANDREW
To: PRESSURE PRODUCTS MEDICAL SUPPLIES INC.
Reel/Frame 065671/0463 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 27, 2023
From: PRESSURE PRODUCTS MEDICAL SUPPLIES, INC.
To: BAYLIS MEDICAL COMPANY INC.
Reel/Frame 065671/0562 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 27, 2023
From: BAYLIS MEDICAL COMPANY INC.
To: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC MEDICAL DEVICE LIMITED
Reel/Frame 065678/0562 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 16891895 · Jun 3, 2020
Division 15811080 · Nov 13, 2017
Division 14638537 · Mar 4, 2015
Continuation In Part 13428719 · Mar 23, 2012
Related Publication 20240091506A1 · Mar 21, 2024
References Cited (400)
US 175254A · Oberly · 1876 [cited by applicant]
US 827626A · Gillet · 1906 [cited by applicant]
US 848711A · Weaver · 1907 [cited by applicant]
US 1072954A · Junn · 1913 [cited by applicant]
US 1279654A · Charlesworth · 1918 [cited by applicant]
US 1918094A · Geekas · 1933 [cited by applicant]
US 1996986A · Weinberg · 1935 [cited by applicant]
US 2021989A · De Master · 1935 [cited by applicant]
US 2146636A · Lipchow · 1939 [cited by applicant]
US 3077733A · Axe et al. · 1963 [cited by applicant]
US 3103666A · Bone · 1963 [cited by applicant]
US 3429574A · Williams · 1969 [cited by applicant]
US 3448739A · Stark et al. · 1969 [cited by applicant]
US 3470834A · Bone · 1969 [cited by applicant]
US 3575415A · Fulp et al. · 1971 [cited by applicant]
US 3595239A · Petersen · 1971 [cited by applicant]
US 3716058A · Tanner · 1973 [cited by applicant]
US 3874388A · King et al. · 1975 [cited by applicant]
US 3875648A · Bone · 1975 [cited by applicant]
US 3990619A · Russell · 1976 [cited by applicant]
US 4006747A · Kronenthal et al. · 1977 [cited by applicant]
US 4007743A · Blake · 1977 [cited by applicant]
US 4039078A · Bone · 1977 [cited by applicant]
US 4129129A · Amrine · 1978 [cited by applicant]
US 4235238A · Ogiu et al. · 1980 [cited by applicant]
US 4244362A · Anderson · 1981 [cited by applicant]
US 4394864A · Sandhaus · 1983 [cited by applicant]
US 4401124A · Guess et al. · 1983 [cited by applicant]
US 4425908A · Simon · 1984 [cited by applicant]
US 4485816A · Krumme · 1984 [cited by applicant]
US 4515583A · Sorich · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4556050A · Hodgson et al. · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4586502A · Bedi et al. · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4639252A · Kelly et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4641649A · Walinsky et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4669467A · Willett et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4669473A · Richards et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4682596A · Bales et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4696300A · Anderson · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4705040A · Mueller et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4790311A · Ruiz · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4790809A · Kuntz · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4793350A · Mar et al. · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4799483A · Kraff · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4800890A · Cramer · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4807620A · Strul et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4832048A · Cohen · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4834096A · Oh et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4836204A · Landymore et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4840622A · Hardy · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4844066A · Stein · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4863441A · Lindsay et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4884567A · Elliott et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4892104A · Ito et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4896671A · Cunningham et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4915107A · Rebuffat et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4928693A · Goodin et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4936281A · Stasz · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4960410A · Pinchuk · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4977897A · Hurwitz · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4985014A · Orejola · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 4998933A · Eggers et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5006119A · Acker et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5019076A · Yamanashi et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5021059A · Kensey et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5030199A · Barwick et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5037433A · Wilk et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5041129A · Hayhurst et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5042976A · Ishitsu et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5047026A · Rydell · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5049153A · Nakao et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5057114A · Wittich et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5073166A · Parks et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5081997A · Bosley et al. · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5098431A · Rydell · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5100432A · Matsutani · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5108420A · Marks · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5112048A · Kienle · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5112310A · Grobe · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5154724A · Andrews · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5171259A · Inoue · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5190528A · Fonger et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5192301A · Kamiya et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5201756A · Horzewski et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5209741A · Spaeth · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5211183A · Wilson · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5221256A · Mahurkar · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5222974A · Kensey et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5230349A · Langberg · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5236440A · Hlavacek · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5257637A · El Gazayerli · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5281216A · Klicek · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5282827A · Kensey et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5284488A · Sideris · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5300068A · Rosar et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5300069A · Hunsberger et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5304184A · Hathaway et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5304185A · Taylor · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5312341A · Turi · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5312435A · Nash et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5314418A · Takano et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5318525A · West et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5320633A · Allen et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5327905A · Avitall · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5334217A · Das · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5336252A · Cohen · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5354308A · Simon et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5357979A · Imran · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5364393A · Auth et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5370661A · Branch · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5372596A · Klicek et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5380304A · Parker · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5397304A · Truckai · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5403338A · Milo · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5411481A · Allen et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5413584A · Schulze · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5417699A · Klein et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5417700A · Egan · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5423809A · Klicek · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5425382A · Golden et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5425744A · Fagan et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5433727A · Sideris · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5451235A · Lock et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5478353A · Yoon · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5486185A · Freitas et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5486193A · Bourne et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5490859A · Mische et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5497774A · Swartz et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5507751A · Goode et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5507811A · Koike et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5509411A · Littmann et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5540681A · Strul et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5540712A · Kleshinski et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5545138A · Fugoso et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5545200A · West et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5555618A · Winkler · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5571088A · Lennox et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5573542A · Stevens · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5575766A · Swartz et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5575772A · Lennox · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5577299A · Thompson et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5578045A · Das · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5597378A · Jervis · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5599347A · Hart et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5601571A · Moss · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5601575A · Measamer et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5605162A · Mirzaee et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5617878A · Taheri · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5618311A · Gryskiewicz · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5620461A · Muijs et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5622169A · Golden et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5624430A · Eton et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5634936A · Linden et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5649959A · Hannam et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5667488A · Lundquist et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5673695A · McGee et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5674208A · Berg et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5683366A · Eggers et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5683411A · Kavteladze et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5702421A · Schneidt · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5709707A · Lock et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5713908A · Jameel et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5713952A · Vanney et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5720744A · Eggleston et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5720754A · Middleman et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5725552A · Kotula et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5733294A · Forber et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5733337A · Carr et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5741249A · Moss et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5741278A · Stevens · 1998 [cited by examiner]
US 5741297A · Simon · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5746765A · Kleshinski et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5749895A · Sawyer et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5758420A · Schmidt et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5766135A · Terwilliger · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5776162A · Kleshinski · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5779688A · Imran et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5797960A · Stevens et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5800516A · Fine et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5810764A · Eggers et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5810848A · Hayhurst · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5810884A · Kim · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5814028A · Swartz et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5823956A · Roth et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5827216A · Igo et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5829447A · Stevens et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5830214A · Flom et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5836311A · Borst et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5836875A · Webster, Jr. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5849011A · Jones et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5851210A · Torossian · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5853422A · Huebsch et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5855614A · Stevens et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5861003A · Latson et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5868753A · Schatz · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5879366A · Shaw et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5885227A · Finlayson · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5885238A · Stevens et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5888201A · Stinson et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5893848A · Negus et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5893856A · Jacob et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5893885A · Webster, Jr. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5895404A · Ruiz · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5902317A · Kleshinski et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5902319A · Daley · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5904679A · Clayman · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5904703A · Gilson · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5916210A · Winston · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5919200A · Stambaugh et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5921957A · Killion et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5924424A · Stevens et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5927284A · Borst et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5928250A · Koike et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5931818A · Werp et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5935108A · Katoh et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5944023A · Johnson et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5944738A · Amplatz et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5951482A · Winston et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5957842A · Littmann et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5964757A · Ponzi · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5964782A · Lafontaine et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5967976A · Larsen et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5976174A · Ruiz · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5989268A · Pugsley et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5989276A · Houser et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5993475A · Lin et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5997556A · Tanner · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5997562A · Zadno-Azizi et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6001085A · Lurie et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6007555A · Devine · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6007558A · Ravenscroft et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6009877A · Edwards · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6010517A · Baccaro · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6013072A · Winston et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6015378A · Borst et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6017340A · Cassidy et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6018676A · Davis et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6024756A · Huebsch et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6030007A · Bassily et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6030380A · Auth et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6030405A · Zarbatany et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6032674A · Eggers et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6042553A · Solar et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6048349A · Winston et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6053870A · Fulton, III · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6053904A · Scribner et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6056747A · Saadat et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6056760A · Koike et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6063093A · Winston et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6077291A · Das · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6079414A · Roth · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6080182A · Shaw et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6086610A · Duerig et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6093185A · Ellis et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6106515A · Winston et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6106520A · Laufer et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6113609A · Adams · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6117131A · Taylor · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6117159A · Huebsch et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6129755A · Mathis et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6132438A · Fleischman et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6142975A · Jalisi et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6142992A · Cheng et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6146380A · Racz et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6149664A · Kurz · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6152918A · Padilla et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6155264A · Ressemann et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6156031A · Aita et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6162195A · Igo et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6162202A · Sicurelli et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6165183A · Kuehn et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6165204A · Levinson et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6171305B1 · Sherman · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6171329B1 · Shaw et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6174322B1 · Schneidt · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6179824B1 · Eggers et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6193676B1 · Winston et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6193715B1 · Wrublewski et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6200313B1 · Abe et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6206895B1 · Levinson · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6206907B1 · Marino et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6206912B1 · Goldsteen et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6206921B1 · Guagliano et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6210408B1 · Chandrasekaran et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6214029B1 · Thill et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6217575B1 · Devore et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6217590B1 · Levinson · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6221061B1 · Engelson et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6221092B1 · Koike et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6228076B1 · Winston et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6228097B1 · Levinson et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6231561B1 · Frazier et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6245054B1 · Fuimaono et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6245080B1 · Levinson · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6254550B1 · McNamara et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6258026B1 · Ravenscroft et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6267758B1 · Daw et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6270515B1 · Linden et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6277138B1 · Levinson et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6277139B1 · Levinson et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6278371B1 · Hopkins · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6283983B1 · Makower et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6287317B1 · Makower et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6290674B1 · Roue et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6292678B1 · Hall et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6293945B1 · Parins et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6296615B1 · Brockway et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6296636B1 · Cheng et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6302898B1 · Edwards et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6302903B1 · Mulier et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6304769B1 · Arenson et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6306150B1 · Levinson · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6312446B1 · Huebsch et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6315777B1 · Comben · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6319263B1 · Levinson · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6322548B1 · Payne et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6325807B1 · Que · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6328688B1 · Borst et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6328699B1 · Eigler et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6332877B1 · Michels · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6334843B1 · Borst et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6334872B1 · Termin et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6336898B1 · Borst et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6342064B1 · Koike et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6344049B1 · Levinson et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6346074B1 · Roth · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6348041B1 · Klint · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6348059B1 · Hathaway et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6350229B1 · Borst et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6352531B1 · O'Connor et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6352552B1 · Levinson et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6355052B1 · Neuss et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6360128B2 · Kordis et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6364826B1 · Borst et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6364846B1 · Nakamura · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6364853B1 · French et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6364876B1 · Erb et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6364877B1 · Goble et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6371906B1 · Borst et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6371971B1 · Tsugita et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6375625B1 · French et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6375635B1 · Moutafis et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6375671B1 · Kobayashi et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6379342B1 · Levinson · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6379368B1 · Corcoran et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6385472B1 · Hall et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6387104B1 · Pugsley et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6394948B1 · Borst et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6394976B1 · Winston et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6395002B1 · Ellman et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6398796B2 · Levinson · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6402772B1 · Amplatz et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6419674B1 · Bowser et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6428551B1 · Hall et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6440152B1 · Gainor et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6450989B2 · Dubrul et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6458100B2 · Roue et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6460749B1 · Levinson et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6464629B1 · Boone et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6464630B1 · Borst et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6475214B1 · Moaddeb · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6482210B1 · Skiba et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6482224B1 · Michler et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6485485B1 · Winston et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6488706B1 · Solymar · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6494888B1 · Laufer et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6508754B1 · Liprie et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6524303B1 · Garibaldi · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6527786B1 · Davis et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6530923B1 · Dubrul et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6537198B1 · Mdlund et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6544274B2 · Danitz et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6551344B2 · Thill · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6554827B2 · Chandrasekaran et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6562031B2 · Chandrasekaran et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6562049B1 · Norlander et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6565562B1 · Shah et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6572593B1 · Daum · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6596013B2 · Yang et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6606513B2 · Lardo et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6607529B1 · Jones et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6623508B2 · Shaw et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6623518B2 · Thompson et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6632222B1 · Edwards et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6639999B1 · Cookingham et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US RE38335E · Aust et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6650923B1 · Lesh et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6651672B2 · Roth · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6652486B2 · Bialecki et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6662034B2 · Segner et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6663592B2 · Rhad et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6663621B1 · Winston et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6685724B1 · Haluck · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6692471B2 · Boudreaux · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6702811B2 · Stewart et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6702835B2 · Ginn · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6709444B1 · Makower · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6712804B2 · Roue et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6712836B1 · Berg et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6723052B2 · Mills · 2004 [cited by applicant]