Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to a drill bit for a drill assembly, and more particularly to an interchangeable drill bit for a peripheral peg drill assembly used during a glenoid replacement surgical procedure. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and should not be construed as constituting prior art. 
         [0003]    A natural shoulder joint may undergo degenerative changes due to a variety of etiologies. When these degenerative changes become so far advanced and irreversible, it may ultimately become necessary to replace a natural shoulder joint with a prosthetic shoulder joint. When implantation of a shoulder joint prosthesis becomes necessary, the natural head portion of the humerus can be resected and a cavity created in the intramedullary canal of the host humerus for accepting a humeral component. Moreover, the glenoid cavity positioned at the lateral edge of the scapula may also be resurfaced and shaped to accept the glenoid component. The humeral component includes a head portion used to replace the natural head of the humerus, while the glenoid component generally includes an articulating surface which is engaged by the head portion of the humeral component. 
         [0004]    It is generally known in the art to provide a shoulder joint prosthesis having a glenoid component, as discussed above. Current glenoid replacement surgical techniques, however, suffer from some disadvantages, particularly as they require the surgeon to perform numerous bone preparation steps before the glenoid component can be surgically implanted. More particularly, since glenoid components are subject to various types of loading by the head portion of the humeral component, the glenoid component must offer a stable and secure articulating surface. To achieve this, some glenoid components provide peripheral pegs which are inserted and cemented into holes bored into the glenoid cavity. Some of the pegged glenoid components utilize up to five peripheral pegs in order to stabilize and secure the glenoid component to the scapula. Current glenoid replacement procedures require pre-drilled holes to be formed in the bone for each peripheral peg of the glenoid component. To achieve this, typically a guide is placed on the glenoid that provides a path for each peripheral peg hole to be drilled. After each hole is drilled, an anti-rotation peg is inserted into that respective hole of the guide to ensure the next drilled hole is properly aligned. By requiring multiple holes to be separately drilled into the bone, not only is the process time-consuming, but it also increases the possibility that a drilling misalignment will occur during the bone preparation process. 
         [0005]    In addition to the process being complicated and time consuming, if the drill assembly is used several times, the drill bits often become dull and/or damaged. Moreover, if the drill bits are incapable of being replaced, the entire drill assembly must be discarded, which is not an economical solution. 
         [0006]    What is needed then is a device that can be incorporated into a glenoid replacement surgical technique without suffering from the above-mentioned disadvantages. The present invention is intended to improve upon and resolve some of these known deficiencies of the art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a drill bit is provided and comprises a cutting portion having an edge for penetrating bone and a resilient tine configured to be inserted into a drill housing. The resilient tine includes a tab having an abutment surface configured to establish a snap-fit connection with a drill gear within the drill housing. The drill bit is capable of being removed from the drill housing by disengaging the abutment surface from the drill gear. 
         [0008]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a drill bit is provided and comprises a cutting portion having an edge for penetrating bone; a shank portion configured to be inserted into a drill housing, the shank portion including a resilient tine that is movable from a first position to a second position; and a tab extending from the resilient tine, the tab including an abutment surface that is configured to snappingly engage a surface of a drill gear. 
         [0009]    In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a drill assembly is provided and comprises a housing having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a drill bit having a cutting edge for penetrating bone and a resilient tine configured to be inserted into the housing; and a driving mechanism having a drill gear configured to rotate the drill bit and penetrate the bone, the drill gear including a channel for receiving the resilient tine. The resilient tine includes a tab having an abutment surface configured to establish a snap-fit connection with a drill gear. 
         [0010]    Still other objects and benefits of the invention will become apparent from the following written description along with the accompanying figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The above-mentioned aspects of the present invention and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  represents a perspective view of a peripheral peg drill component according the present teachings; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  represents a perspective bottom view of the peripheral peg drill component of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 3-5  represent perspective views of a glenoid cavity being prepared prior to the implantation of a glenoid component according to the present teachings; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 6-7  represent perspective views of a peripheral peg drill component in accordance with the present teachings being advanced along a guide pin prior to peripheral peg holes being drilled into a glenoid; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  represents a perspective view of a peripheral peg drill component drilling peripheral peg holes into a glenoid in accordance with the present teachings; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  represents a perspective view of a glenoid pegged component aligned for insertion into the drilled peripheral peg holes of the glenoid according to the present teachings; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  represents a top view of a peripheral peg drill component having its top cover removed to reveal a spur gear system for driving the peripheral peg drill component according to the present teachings; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  represents a top view of a peripheral peg drill component having its top cover removed to reveal another spur gear system for driving the peripheral peg drill component according to the present teachings; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  represents a perspective view of a peripheral peg drill component having its top cover removed to reveal the internal gear train driving mechanism and the interchangeable drill bits in accordance with the present teachings; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  represents a perspective view of a double spring finger snap drill bit associated with a gear in accordance with the present teachings; 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  represents a perspective view of the double spring finger snap drill bit of  FIG. 13  exploded from the gear; 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  represents a cross-sectional perspective view of the double spring finger snap drill bit and gear of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  represents a perspective view of a single spring finger snap drill bit associated with a gear in accordance with the present teachings; 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  represents a perspective view of the single spring finger snap drill bit of  FIG. 16  exploded from the gear; 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  represents a cross-sectional perspective view of the single spring finger snap drill bit and gear of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  represents a perspective view of another single spring finger snap drill bit associated with a gear in accordance with the present teachings; 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  represents a perspective view of the single spring finger snap drill bit of  FIG. 19  exploded from the gear; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 21  represents a cross-sectional perspective view of the single spring finger snap drill bit and gear of  FIG. 19 . 
       
    
    
       [0030]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the invention, in several forms, the embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention to the precise forms disclosed. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    The embodiments of the present invention described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present invention. 
         [0032]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any method and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the specific methods and materials are now described. Moreover, the techniques employed or contemplated herein are standard methodologies well known to one of ordinary skill in the art and the materials, methods and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. 
         [0033]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , perspective views of a peripheral peg drill component  20  according to the teachings of the present application are shown. The peripheral peg drill component  20  is defined by a housing  22  having a first side  24  and a second side  26 . The first side  24  of the housing  22  includes a defined opening  27  that is configured to receive the drive shaft  28  of a drill, while the second side  26  has one or more drill bits  31 ,  33  and  35  extending therefrom and configured to create peripheral peg holes in a glenoid cavity upon actuation of the drilling device. In terms of the structural means by which the drive shaft  28  is connected to the housing  22  of the peripheral peg drill component  20 , it should be understood and appreciated herein that any known connection means may be utilized without straying from the teachings and scope of the present application. For instance, in accordance with one specific illustrative embodiment, a conventional Hudson connection can be utilized. In accordance with yet other illustrative embodiments, the drive shaft can be releasably secured to the peripheral peg drill component  20  by a connection means including, but not limited to, a square-drive quick-connection, a conventional drill chuck mechanism, a set screw, a tool clamp, a rivet, a snap ring, a press-fit, or the like. As such, the present teachings are not intended to be limited herein. 
         [0034]    As is particularly shown in  FIG. 2 , the second side  26  of the peripheral peg drill component  20  includes a substantially centralized and defined opening  32  that is configured to receive a guide or alignment pin  34  (see  FIG. 5 ) that has been inserted into the glenoid cavity  36  as part of the glenoid preparation process. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 3-5  represent an illustration of an exemplary process for preparing a glenoid prior to implanting a glenoid component according to the teachings of the present application. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a drilling guide  35  can be used to create a central guide hole  37  into the surface of the glenoid cavity  36  using a drill  39 . After the preparation of a central guide hole  37 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , the glenoid cavity  36  is reamed using a glenoid surface rasp  38  and an angled reamer shaft  40  with driver  42 . As those of skill in the art will understand and appreciate, the glenoid surface rasp  38  is configured to prepare a planar or curved glenoid surface to mate with the coupling side of the glenoid component to be implanted. To accomplish this, the glenoid surface rasp  38  may include a roughened spherical surface that substantially corresponds to the spherical shape of the medial surface of the glenoid component. 
         [0036]    Once the surface of the glenoid cavity has been prepared, conventional surgical glenoid replacement processes typically require that a plurality of fixed glenoid peg accepting holes be individually drilled into the resected glenoid. To accomplish this, a drilling guide is placed on the glenoid and is used as a template to provide a path for each peripheral peg hole to be drilled. After each hole is drilled, an anti-rotation peg is inserted into that respective hole of the guide to ensure the next drilled hole is properly aligned. 
         [0037]    The present teachings, however, eliminate the need to drill each hole individually, and instead provide a means for drilling all peripheral peg holes at once. To achieve this, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a guide or alignment pin  34  is placed in the central guide hole  37  of the glenoid cavity  36  and is configured to penetrate the defined opening  32  positioned on of the second side  26  of the housing  22 . In other words, and with reference to  FIGS. 6-7 , the defined opening  32  on the second side  26  of the peripheral peg drill component  20  is aligned with and advanced along the guide pin  34  until the peripheral peg drill bits  31 ,  33  and  35  engage the surface of the glenoid cavity  36 . After the peripheral peg drill bits  31 ,  33  and  35  engage the glenoid cavity  36 , the drill can be activated, thereby allowing all peripheral peg holes to be created simultaneously at once (see  FIG. 8 ). The material from which the peripheral peg drill bits  31 ,  33  and  35  are made depends on the intended application of the drill bit. For orthopedic uses, however, the drill bits  31 ,  33  and  35  can be manufactured from any surgical quality metallic component including, but not limited to, stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, brass, cobalt chrome molybdenum alloys, nitinol alloys and the like. It should also be understood and appreciated herein that the size, orientation and number of drill bits  31 ,  33  and  35  (and/or their respective flutes) can be adjusted as necessary, particularly depending on the intended application and use of the drill bits. In accordance with one specific embodiment, the peripheral peg drill component  20  has at least two drill bits  31 ,  33  and  35  extending from the second side  26  of the housing  22 , while in accordance with still other specific embodiments, at least three drill bits  31 ,  33  and  35  extend from the second side  26 . As such, the present teachings are not intended to be limited herein. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , after the peripheral peg holes  38  are created, a glenoid component  40  can be implanted into the resected glenoid cavity  36  by aligning the peripheral pegs  42  of the glenoid component  40  with the drilled peripheral peg holes  38 . It should be understood and appreciated herein that the teachings of the present application can be performed using various different geometrical peg configurations and shapes. For instance, while the present application depicts an illustrative embodiment in which the glenoid component  40  has three peripheral pegs  42 , it is of course possible to perform the teachings of the present application using less or more than three peripheral pegs if desired. While not shown here, it is also envisioned that bone cement and/or various appropriate biological materials can be injected into the peripheral peg holes  38  defined within the glenoid cavity  36  before the peripheral pegs  42  of the glenoid component  40  are implanted to facilitate bonding of the component to the bone if desired. Those of skill in the art will understand how to incorporate such materials into the implantation system if necessary; therefore, a detailed discussion of the bonding process is not discussed in detail herein. 
         [0039]    It should be understood and appreciated herein that various means can be used to drive the peripheral peg drill bits  31 ,  33  and  35  so that the peripheral peg holes  38  are created in the glenoid cavity  36 .  FIGS. 10 and 11 , for instance, depict two illustrative means for driving the drill bits  31 ,  33  and  35  of the peripheral peg drill component  20  by using spur gear systems. Additional information regarding such spur gear systems can be found within U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,795,280 and 8,798,279, the pertinent teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Specifically,  FIG. 10  illustrates a standard spur gear system. Spur gear systems are generally known in the art and include various configurations of gear wheels, each having projections (teeth) that are configured to intersect or mesh with the teeth of another gear wheel, thereby transmitting force and motion alternatively from one gear to another. As is shown in this illustrative embodiment, a drive gear  44  is connected to three driven gears  46 , each of which are connected to and configured to drive one of the corresponding peg drill bits  31 ,  33  and  35  extending from the second side  26  of the housing  22 . When a drill connected to the drive shaft  28  is activated, the drive shaft  28  will cause the drive gear  44  to rotate. Because the three driven gears  46  have teeth meshing with the teeth of the drive gear  44 , the driven gears  46  will be caused to rotate in the opposite direction of the drive gear  44  as it rotates. Despite rotating in the opposite direction from the drive gear  44 , each of the three driven gears  46  will still rotate in the same direction as one another, and in turn, will cause their corresponding peg drill bits  31 ,  33  and  35  of which they are individually associated to rotate in the same direction in unison as well. In accordance with certain variations of this illustrative embodiment, it is also possible to have more than one gear stacked on top of one another, such that each gear has a different diameter for mating up with a gear on each peripheral drill bit  31 ,  33  and  35 . Such an arrangement would allow for non-symmetrical drill locations. Moreover, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, the internal drive mechanism can be designed in such a manner as to create counter-clockwise turning of the drill bits to accommodate left hand cutting procedures. Accordingly, the present teachings are not intended to be limited herein. 
         [0040]    As is shown in  FIG. 11 , in accordance with other illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the spur gear system used for driving the drill bits  31 ,  33  and  35  of the peripheral peg drill component  20  can also include additional intermediary idler gears  47  positioned between each of the driven gears  46  and the drive gear  44 . As those of skill in the art will understand and appreciate, the addition of idler gears  47  can be used to keep the directional rotation of the driven gears  46  and the drive gear  44  to stay the same as the drive shaft. 
         [0041]    Moving now to  FIG. 12 , a peripheral peg drill component  20  having its top cover removed to reveal the internal gear train driving mechanism and the interchangeable drill bits  31 ,  33  and  35  in accordance with the present teachings is shown. As will be explained in detail below, in accordance with certain embodiments herein, it may be beneficial to have the drill bits  31 ,  33  and  35  easily removable from the driven gears  46  within the housing  22 . This removability is particularly important if the drill bits become dull or damaged, as well as when the peripheral peg drill component  20  is intended to be a reusable component. As those of skill in the relevant art will understand and appreciate herein, there are numerous ways to temporarily retain or join two components together, including, but not necessarily limited to, threaded and snap-connect fasteners. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 13-15  depict a first illustrative double spring finger snap drill bit  31  in accordance with the present teachings. In accordance with this embodiment, the drill bit  31  includes a pair of resiliently deformable spring fingers or tines  52  that extend from a drill body  54 . The drill body  54  is composed of a drill spade  56  on one end for engaging the bone during a surgical procedure and a shoulder  58  on its opposite end. Those of skill in the art will understand herein that any type of drill spade or cutting shape can be used in accordance with the present teachings. As such, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited herein. In accordance with this embodiment, the tines  52  extend from the shoulder  58  in a U-shaped manner. When the drill bit  31  is installed onto the drill component  20 , the tines  52  are advanced through an oblong shaped channel  60  that passes entirely through one of the driven gears  46  along a longitudinal axis  59  until a locking engagement is achieved. To achieve this locking engagement, each tine has a tab  68  which extends beyond an outer surface  62  and is configured to press against the sidewalls  67  of the channel  60  during insertion so that the tines are each caused to deflect inwardly as they are advanced through the gear  46 . Each tab  68  further includes an abutment platform  64  such that when the end  69  of each tine  52  exits the channel  60 , the tines spring outwardly to recover their pre-deflected configuration, thereby causing the abutment platforms  64  to achieve a snap-fit engagement with the top surface  66  of the gear  46  (i.e., the faces of the abutment platforms  64  engage the top surface  66  of the gear). In addition, as the abutment platforms  64  engage the top surface  66 , the outer surfaces  62  of the tines  52  also engage the respective sidewalls  67 , thereby preventing the tines  52  from being pulled back out through the channel  60 . At the base of each of the pair of tines  52  is also a stop surface  53 , each of which are configured to engage the bottom surface  55  of the gear  46  as the tines are advanced through the channel  60 . As those of skill in the art will understand and appreciate herein, these stop surface  53  are designed to prevent the tines  52  from being advanced into the channel  60  beyond a predetermined point and so that the drill spade  56  is able to securely engage the bone&#39;s surface without the drill bit  31  dislodging during the cutting operation. 
         [0043]    To remove the drill bit  31  from the gear  46 , pressure can be inwardly exerted on the pair of tabs  68  in the direction indicated by the arrows  70 . By moving the tines  52  inward (i.e., such that the back surfaces  57  of the tines extends beyond the longitudinal axis  59  of the channel), the abutment platforms  64  disengage from the top surface  66  of the gear  46 , thereby breaking the compressive clamping-force exerted between the top surface  66  and the abutment platforms  64  and the outer surfaces  62  and the sidewalls  67 . Once these engagement surfaces are disengaged, the tines  52  are then capable of being retracted from the channel  60 , and then the drill bit  31  removed from the gear  46 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 16-18  depict a single spring finger snap drill bit  33  in accordance with the present teachings. In accordance with this embodiment, the drill bit  33  includes a single resiliently deformable spring finger or tine  72  that extends from a drill body  74 . The drill body  74  is composed of a drill spade  76  on one end for engaging the bone during a surgical procedure and a pair of tangs  78  on its opposite end for advancing the drill bit  33  into the gear  46 . In accordance with this embodiment, the tine  72  is positioned between the pair of tangs  78  such that a small void  79  is created on each side of the tine. When the drill bit  33  is installed onto the drill component  20 , the tine  72  and tangs  78  are advanced through an oblong channel  60  that passes entirely through one of the driven gears  46  along a longitudinal axis  59  until a snapping engagement is achieved. To achieve this locking engagement, the tine  72  includes a tab  81  which extends beyond an outer surface  82  and is configured to press against a sidewall  67  of the channel  60  during insertion so that the tine  72  is caused to deflect inwardly as it is advanced through the gear  46 . The tab  81  further includes an abutment platform  84  such that when the end  89  of the tine  72  exits the channel  60 , the tine  72  springs outwardly to recover its pre-deflected configuration, thereby causing the abutment platform  84  to achieve a snap-fit engagement with the top surface  66  of the gear  46  (i.e., the face of the abutment platform  84  engages the top surface  66  of the gear). In addition, as the abutment platform  84  engages the top surface  66 , the outer surface  82  of the tine  72  also engages the sidewall  67 , thereby preventing the tine  72  from being pulled back out through the channel  60 . At the base of each of the pair of tangs  78  is also a stop surface  83 , each of which are configured to engage the bottom surface  55  of the gear  46  as the tangs  78  are advanced through the channel  60 . As those of skill in the art will understand and appreciate herein, these stop surface  83  are designed to prevent the tine  72  from being advanced into the channel  60  beyond a predetermined point and so that the drill spade  76  is able to securely engage the bone&#39;s surface without the drill bit  33  dislodging during the cutting operation. 
         [0045]    To remove the drill bit  33  from the gear  46 , pressure can be inwardly exerted on the tab  81  of the tine  72  in the direction indicated by the arrow  90 . By moving the tine  72  inward (i.e., such that a back surface  73  of the tine extends beyond the longitudinal axis  59  of the channel), the abutment platform  84  disengages from the top surface  66  of the gear  46 , thereby breaking the compressive clamping-force exerted between the top surface  66  and the abutment platform  84  and the outer surface  82  and the sidewall  67 . Once these engagement surfaces are disengaged, the tine  72  is then capable of being retracted from the channel  60 , and thereby ultimately releasing the drill bit  33  from the gear  46 . 
         [0046]      FIGS. 19-21  depict another single spring finger snap drill bit  35  in accordance with the present teachings. In accordance with this embodiment, the drill bit  35  includes a single resiliently deformable spring finger or tine  92  that extends from a drill body  94 . The drill body  94  is composed of a drill spade  96  on one end for engaging the bone during a surgical procedure and a pair of tangs  98  on its opposite end for advancing the drill bit  35  into the gear  46 . In accordance with this embodiment, the tine  92  is positioned between are partially encased by the pair of tangs  98  such that a small void  79  is created on each side of the tine, as well its top surface. When the drill bit  35  is installed onto the drill component  20 , the tine  92  and tangs  98  are advanced through an oblong channel  60  that passes entirely through one of the driven gears  46  along a longitudinal axis  59  until a snapping engagement is achieved. To achieve this locking engagement, the tine  92  includes a tab  91  which extends beyond an outer surface  102  and is configured to press against a sidewall  67  of the channel  60  during insertion so that the tine  92  is caused to deflect inwardly as it is advanced through the gear  46 . The tab  91  further includes an abutment platform  94  such that when the end  99  of the tine  92  exits the channel  60 , the tine  92  springs outwardly to recover its pre-deflected configuration, thereby causing the abutment platform  94  to achieve a snap-fit engagement with the top surface  66  of the gear  46  (i.e., the face of the abutment platform  94  engages the top surface  66  of the gear). In addition, as the abutment platform  94  engages the top surface  66 , the outer surface  102  of the tine  92  also engage the sidewall  67 , thereby preventing the tine  92  from being pulled back out through the channel  60 . At the base of each of the pair of tangs  98  is also a stop surface  93 , each of which are configured to engage the bottom surface  55  of the gear  46  as the tangs  98  are advanced through the channel  60 . As those of skill in the art will understand and appreciate herein, these stop surfaces  93  are designed to prevent the tine  92  from being advanced into the channel  60  beyond a predetermined point and so that the drill spade  96  is able to securely engage the bone&#39;s surface without dislodging the drill bit  35  during the cutting operation. 
         [0047]    Unlike the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 16-18 , the tangs  98  of this illustrative embodiment are connected by a bridge  104  at one end. As those of skill in the art will understand and appreciate herein, by having a bridge  104  spanning across the tangs, the structural integrity of the drill bit  35  is reinforced and strengthened during operation. 
         [0048]    To remove the drill bit  35  from the gear  46 , pressure can be inwardly exerted on the tab  91  on the tine  92  in the direction indicated by the arrow  100 . By moving the tine  92  inward (i.e., such that a back surface of the tine extends beyond the longitudinal axis  59  of the channel), the abutment platform  94  disengages from the top surface  66  of the gear  46 , thereby breaking the compressive clamping-force exerted between the top surface  66  and the abutment platform  94  and the outer surface  102  and the sidewall  67 . Once these engagement surfaces are disengaged, the tine  92  is then capable of being retracted from the channel  60 , and thereby ultimately releasing the drill bit  35  from the gear  46 . 
         [0049]    While an exemplary embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention has been disclosed hereinabove, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims. 
         [0050]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular illustrative embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
         [0051]    When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
         [0052]    Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments. 
         [0053]    Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations).

Technology Category: 1