CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present disclosure claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.: 63/397,744, titled “THREADLESS SNAP-LOCKING CONNECTOR”, which was filed on August 12, 2022, and is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Suction and aspiration devices are used as medical devices that remove bodily fluids, such as blood, from a patient. Various connectors and tubing can be used to connect two devices or components used for suction and aspiration that are to be held in fluid communication with one another. The type of connector chosen may depend on the materials being transported between the two devices, materials used in the two devices, the pressures at which the fluid is transported, whether the connection is permanent or temporary, and various other design considerations.

SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure is generally related to an improved connection for use for use with a suction and aspiration collection device. The improvements described herein provide various benefits, including, but not limited to: easier use of the connector device, reduction of clinical steps by an operator, the use of certain materials that have previously proven challenging to work with, the ability to use large bores capable of higher aspiration volumes in a given time frame, more robust and reliable sealing of the connector when operating at vacuum/negative pressures, and improved or simplified manufacturing techniques therefore.

[0004] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a threadless connector device, comprising: a male threadless connector including: a first outer surface; a first through-hole between a first end and a second end of the male threadless connector and having a first bore at the second end of the male threadless connector; an o-ring of a first outer diameter included on the first outer surface at the second end of the male threadless connector; and an engagement structure included on the first outer surface and located between the first end of the male threadless connector and the o-ring, the engagement structure having an outer perimeter substantially shaped as a circle having a second outer diameter; a female threadless connector including: a second through-hole having a second bore; and a housing including a third through-hole opening to accept the male threadless connector, the housing having: an inner surface with a first inner diameter substantially equal to the first outer diameter of the o-ring; and a snaplock ring projecting inward from the inner surface and having a second inner diameter less than the second outer diameter of the engagement structure, wherein the snap-lock ring and the engagement structure secure the male threadless connector within the housing of the female threadless connector, forming a seal between the inner surface of the housing and the o-ring such that the first through-hole is in fluid communication with the second through-hole.

[0005] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a system, comprising: a stopcock having a first inlet and a second inlet; an aspiration port having a third inlet and a fourth inlet; a first tube, connected to the first inlet and the third inlet; a catheter, connected to the fourth inlet; a pressure source including a female threadless connector with an inner surface having a first inner diameter and a snap-lock ring included on the inner surface having a second inner diameter less than the first inner diameter; and a male threadless connector connected on a first end to the second inlet and on a second end to the pressure source via the female threadless connector, the male threadless connector including: an o-ring that forms a seal against the inner surface of the female threadless connector; and an engagement structure positioned between the o-ring and the snap-lock ring, and in contact with the snap-lock ring when the male threadless connector is connected to the pressure source via the female threadless connector, the engagement structure having an outer perimeter substantially equal to the first inner diameter.

[0006] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a device comprising: a male threadless connector including: an outer surface; a first tubular cavity interior to the outer surface; an o-ring on the outer surface; and an engagement structure on the outer surface; a female threadless connector including: a second tubular cavity; and an inner mating surface having a snap-locking means that mates with the engagement structure of the male threadless connector to form a seal such that the first tubular cavity and second tubular cavity are in fluid communication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The accompanying figures depict various elements of the one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not considered limiting of the scope of the present disclosure.

[0008] In the Figures, some elements may be shown not to scale with other elements so as to more clearly show the details. Additionally, like reference numbers are used, where possible, to indicate like elements throughout the several Figures.

[0009] It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in the other embodiments without further recitation or illustration. For example, as the Figures may show alternative views and time periods, various elements shown in a first Figure may be omitted from the illustration shown in a second Figure without disclaiming the inclusion of those elements in the embodiments illustrated or discussed in relation to the second Figure.

[0010] Figure 1 illustrates an exploded isometric view of the connector, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figures 2A and 2B illustrate cut-away views of the connector, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. [0012] Figure 3 illustrates an isometric exploded of the connector integrated in a suction and aspiration collection device, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The present disclosure is generally related to an improved connector for used with a suction and aspiration collection device. The improvements described herein provide various benefits, including, but not limited to: easier use of the connector device, the use of certain materials that have previously proven challenging to work with, more robust and reliable sealing of the connector when operating at vacuum/negative pressures, and improved or simplified manufacturing techniques therefore.

[0014] The described connector uses a snap-lock to establish and maintain a connection between a male component inserted into a female component. The snap-lock may be understood as a frictional locking device (e.g., a friction lock), as no keying is required to insert or extract the male component from the female component, but instead a user overcomes threshold level of force to push or pull the components into a desired arrangement. The snap-lock arrangement allows a user to potentially hear and feel when the connection is established (e.g., when a portion of the male component passes by or “snaps” into place relative to a portion of the female component), and permits for full rotation (e.g., 360+ degrees) of the male component relative to the female component. The ability to fully rotate the components relative to one another while maintaining the connection is achieved via a threadless design - the male connector does not interface with the female connector via interlocking threads, screws, or the like. Instead, an engagement structure on the male connector holds the male connector in contact in a housing of the female connector via snap-lock ring. The snap-lock ring projects inward into the housing, and the engagement structure projects outward from the male connector to resist translation of the connector components relative to one another until a user overcomes a threshold level of force. Additionally, depending on the relative sizes of the male and female components, friction between the outer and inner surfaces thereof can aid in maintaining the connection between the components

[0015] In various embodiments, some of the material and dimensions that the connector uses are mandated by various standards setting or regulatory bodies. For example, when used in a medical device (e.g., for the aspiration of blood clots), the connector may use tubing of a standardized bore and thickness. Similarly, when used as a medical device, regulatory agencies may specify that certain subsets of material can be used. These materials may be specified to be various medical grade plastics or biocompatible polymers (e.g., acetyl or polycarbonate plastics). Although medical grade plastics have many useful properties, these materials are often fragile compared to metals, which has led to snap-lock designs being disfavored in medical devices due to the flexion imparted by inserting the male connector into the female connection potentially leading to cracking and material fatigue in the connector, particularly in larger scale components constructed with larger bore sizes for through-holes (e.g., bore sizes of 0.090 inches and greater). The present disclosure provides a structure and design that overcomes these and other challenges when working with a snap-lock connector made rigid plastics and when working at sizes and scales set forth by standards or regulatory bodies.

[0016] Figure 1 illustrates an exploded isometric view of the connector device 100, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The connector device 100 may be understood as two components: a male threadless connector 110 and a female threadless connector 120. Neither of the male threadless connector 110 nor the female threadless connector 120 include threads to engage with threads or the body material of the other, thereby avoiding a screw-in or similar design. Instead, an engagement structure 112 on the outer surface of the male threadless connector 110 and a snap-lock ring 122 (not visible in Figure 1 ) on an inner surface of the female threadless connector 120 engage with one another to keep the male threadless connector 110 connected within the female threadless connector 120 when in the connector device 100 is in the engaged state. In some embodiments, the female threadless connector 120 includes a reinforcing ring 126 on an outer surface of the housing 124 to provide additional structural support to the female threadless connector 120 and/or an exterior grip (e.g., a thumb stop) for a user to engage/disengage the connector device 100. [0017] The exploded isometric view of Figure 1 shows an unengaged state of the connector device 100, in which the male threadless connector 110 is not inserted into the female threadless connector 120. Figures 2A and 2B shows (in cutaway views) the engaged state of the connector device 100, in which the male threadless connector 110 has been inserted into the female threadless connector 120 to a depth where the engagement structure 112 has passed the snap-lock ring 122, and the engaged engagement structure 112 and snap-lock ring 122 hold the male threadless connector 110 in place relative to the female threadless connector 120.

[0018] When in the engaged state, a through-hole 130 running between a first end and a second end of the male threadless connector 110 is in fluid communication with a second through-hole 140 that runs between a first end and a housing 124 of the female threadless connector 120. The male threadless connector 110 is secured in the housing 124 such that a sealing means, such as an o-ring 150 or gasket on one end of the male threadless connector 110. In various embodiments, the sealing means is of a larger diameter than the male threadless connector 110 so that, when in the engaged state, the sealing means is compressed between an outer surface of the male threadless connector 110 and an inner surface of the female threadless connector 120. In various embodiments, the sealing means may be made of various rubbers (natural or synthetic) or rubberized plastics to have greater compressibility than the materials used in the male threadless connector 110 and the female threadless connector

120.

[0019] The female threadless connector 120 includes a housing 124 that has a first through-hole on the first side, through which the male threadless connector 110 is inserted in the engaged state. One a second side of the housing 124, the female threadless connector 120 has a second through-hole, that the through-hole of the male threadless connector 110 are in fluid communication with when in the engaged state. The sealing means ensures that the seal between the male threadless connector 110 and the female threadless connector 120 is maintained at various pressures differentials, such as, at least (approximately) ±20 pounds per square inch (psi) (e.g., between 0.0 psi absolute (psia) - current atmospheric pressure and 22.5 psi gauge (psig) for a delta of approximately 40 psi). The pressure differentials can including negative pressures, such as when suction is applied through the connector device 100 to a target (e.g., to draw fluid), or positive pressures, such as when a first fluid is injection through the connector device 100 to a target. Additionally, the engaged snap-lock ring 122 and the engagement structure 112 are configured such that the force needed to selectively disengage the male threadless connector 110 from the female threadless connector 120 is greater than the force induced by the pressure source (e.g., a pressure induced force) so that the induced pressure does not disengage the connector device 100 during operation. [0020] The housing 124 has a first inner diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the male threadless connector 110, but includes a snap-lock engagement means, such as the snap-lock ring 122 that has a second inner diameter that is smaller than the first inner diameter. The second inner diameter has is less than the outer diameter of the male threadless connector 110, but greater than an outer perimeter of the engagement structure 112. Accordingly, the snap-lock engagement means impedes the male threadless connector 110 (by interfacing with the engagement structure 112) from being fully inserted into the female threadless connector 120 when initially in the unengaged state, and from being withdrawn from the female threadless connector 120 when initially in the engaged state. In various embodiments, the through-holes of the male threadless connector 110 and the second through-hole of the female threadless connector 120 share a specified bore size, such as, at least 0.125 inches up to 0.300 inches. [0021] When transitioning between the engaged and unengaged states, a user may push the male threadless connector 110 into the female threadless connector 120 with sufficient force to temporarily deform one or both of the connectors, thereby allowing the engagement structure 112 to pass by the snap-lock ring 122. Similarly, when transitioning between the unengaged and engaged states, a user may pull (or push from the opposing side) the male threadless connector 110 out of the female threadless connector 120 with sufficient force to temporarily deform on or both of the connectors, thereby allowing the engagement structure 112 to pass by the snap-lock ring 122. The engagement or disengagement of the connectors from one another may be accompanied by a “snapping” sound to indicate that the transition has occurred.

[0022] When using materials that are rigid, such as polycarbonate plastics thermoplastics, the temporary deformation of one or both of the connectors may result in permanent damage to the connectors (e.g., pushing the material past a breaking point) unless care is taken in the design. Accordingly, in various embodiments, to accommodate the use of rigid plastics in the construction of the connector device 100, the engagement structure 112 includes one or more flattened sections 114. Although the engagement structure 112 is substantially circular in cross section, the flattened sections 114 are formed as reliefs in the generally circular engagement structure 112. In various embodiments, the engagement structure 112 can include one or more flattened sections 114 positioned at various points around the male threadless connector 110 that improve the structural integrity of the connector device 100 when inserting or removing the male threadless connector 110 without damaging the connector device 100. These flattened sections 114 reduce the amount of force that a user needs to apply to assemble or disassemble the connector device 100 by providing areas where the engagement structure 112 does not interface with the snap-lock ring 122.

[0023] In some embodiments, the connector device 100 includes tubing barbs 160a-b on one or both sides (e.g., on the male threadless connector 110 and the female threadless connector 120) to hold tubing attached to the connector device 100 in place, even if the connector device 100 is transitioned between the engaged and disengaged states. Additionally, the male

[0024] Figures 2A and 2B illustrate cut-away views of the connector device 100, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The male threadless connector 110 and a female threadless connector 120 generally exhibit radial symmetry around a central axis 230 running longitudinally along the connector device 100, and the cut-away views shown in Figures 2A and 2B may illustrate different rotations of a given connector device 100 about the central axis 230. Accordingly, the flattened section 114 is visible in Figure 2B, but not visible in Figure 2A. Because of the radial symmetry, the male threadless connector 110 and a female threadless connector 120 can rotate relative to one another when assembled into the connector device 100 up to (and beyond) 360 degrees of rotation.

[0025] The male threadless connector 110 includes an outer surface 210 and a first tubular cavity 220 interior to the outer surface 210, with an o-ring 150 and an engagement structure 112 on the outer surface 210. The female threadless connector 120 includes a second tubular cavity 240 and an inner mating surface 250 having a snap-locking means that mates with the engagement structure 112 of the male threadless connector 110 to hold the o-ring 150 in contact with the inner mating surface 270 and thereby form a seal such that the first tubular cavity 220 and the second tubular cavity 240 are in fluid communication. [0026] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the male threadless connector 110, for at least the portion thereof that is inserted into the female threadless connector 120, exhibits a first outer diameter 260a, while the engagement structure 112 exhibits a second outer diameter 260b that is greater than the first outer diameter 260a. The first outer diameter 260a and the second outer diameter 260b are smaller than a first inner diameter 270a for the housing 124 of the female threadless connector 120 to allow insertion of the male threadless connector 110 into the female threadless connector 120. However, the snap-lock ring 122 has a second inner diameter 270b that is smaller than the first inner diameter 270a and the second outer diameter 260b, but greater than the first outer diameter 260a.

[0027] In various embodiments, the engagement structure 112 of the male threadless connector 110 may include one or more flattened sections 114 that do not exhibit radial symmetry around the central axis 230 (e.g., a single flattened section 114, as in Figure 2B). Due to the one or more engagement structures 112 disrupting the circular cross-section of the engagement structure 112, the second outer diameter 260b defines a greatest extension of the engagement structure 112, and the perimeter of the engagement structure 112 may include one or more areas (corresponding to the flattened sections(s) 114) that are less than the second outer diameter 260b. Each flattened section 114 provides a relief in the substantially circular outer perimeter of the engagement structure 112. This relief in the engagement structure 112 allows areas in one or more of the male threadless connector 110 and the female threadless connector 120 to undergo less deformation when transitioning between the engaged and disengaged states, and for less force to be applied during the transition. Accordingly, the resulting connector device 100 is less likely to break, even when constructed from a rigid material.

[0028] Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the connector device 100 integrated in a suction and aspiration collection system 300, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated, a syringe 310 is connected to the female threadless connector 120 via a first tube 320a (generally or collectively, tubes 320 or tubing), and the male threadless connector 110 is connected to a stopcock 330 via a second tube 320b. In various embodiments, the arrangement of the male and female components of the connector device 100 may be reversed. The stopcock 330 is connected to an aspiration port 340 via a third tube 320c, and the aspiration port 340 is connected to a fluid target (e.g., a vein) via a catheter 350.

[0029] Each of the sections of tubes 320 are connected to various inlets of the respective components, which may include tubing barbs or other retaining elements to hold the tubes 320 in place. Although illustrated with various tubes 320 connecting the components of the collection system 300, in various embodiments, one or more sections of tubes 320 may be omitted if the other components are directly connected to one another (e.g., inlet-to-inlet).

[0030] Negative pressure is applied to the fluid target view the catheter 350 to draw fluids and any included solids (e.g., blood clots) into the aspiration port 340. The aspiration port 340 includes a collection area so that any solids (e.g., blood clots) drawn through the catheter 350 can be captured and removed. The negative pressure is supplied, in the illustrated example, via the syringe 310, which allows a user to draw back a plunger 312 relative to a syringe body 314 to create a vacuum to draw the fluids and solids through the catheter 350. In various embodiments, other negative pressure sources may be used in place of the syringe 310 (e.g., pumps). The stopcock 330 allows the user to selectively make or break fluid communication between the syringe 310 (or other pressure source) and the aspiration port 340.

[0031] Because the threadless connector device 100 allows for full rotation, and the tubes 320 are generally statically connected to the associated components, the inclusion of a connector device 100 between two components allows for greater mobility (e.g., for a user to move or adjust the relative positions of the components of the collection system 300) while in operation. Accordingly, in addition to or alternatively to having a connector device 100 disposed between the syringe 310 an the stopcock 330, a connector device 100 may also be disposed between the stopcock 330 and aspiration port 340.

[0032] In various embodiments, one or more of the inlets for the components may comprise the male threadless connector 110 or the female threadless connector 120 for the connector device 100. For example, the inlet of the syringe 310 may include the female threadless connector 120 as an integrated element, while the male threadless connector 110 is provided as a discrete or stand-alone element to engage with a segment of tube 320 and the female threadless connector 120. In another example, when the stopcock 330 directly engages (e.g., without tubes 320) with the aspiration port 340, an inlet of the aspiration port 340 can include a first one of the male threadless connector 110 and the female threadless connector 120, while the stopcock 330 includes a second one of the male threadless connector 110 and the female threadless connector 120 to engage with the first one included in the inlet of the aspiration port 340. Similarly, when the stopcock 330 directly engages (e.g., without tubes 320) with the syringe 310, an inlet of the syringe 310 can include a first one of the male threadless connector 110 and the female threadless connector 120, while the stopcock 330 includes a second one of the male threadless connector 110 and the female threadless connector 120 to engage with the first one included in the inlet of the syringe 310.

[0033] The present disclosure may also be understood with reference to the following numbered clauses.

[0034] Clause 1 : A threadless connector device, comprising: a male threadless connector including: a first outer surface; a first through-hole between a first end and a second end of the male threadless connector and having a first bore at the second end of the male threadless connector; an o-ring of a first outer diameter included on the first outer surface at the second end of the male threadless connector; and an engagement structure included on the first outer surface and located between the first end of the male threadless connector and the o-ring, the engagement structure having an outer perimeter substantially shaped as a circle having a second outer diameter; a female threadless connector including: a second through-hole having a second bore; and a housing including a third through-hole opening to accept the male threadless connector, the housing having: an inner surface with a first inner diameter substantially equal to the first outer diameter of the o-ring; and a snap-lock ring projecting inward from the inner surface and having a second inner diameter less than the second outer diameter of the engagement structure, wherein the snap-lock ring and the engagement structure secure the male threadless connector within the housing of the female threadless connector, forming a seal between the inner surface of the housing and the o-ring such that the first through-hole is in fluid communication with the second through-hole.

[0035] Clause 2: The threadless connector device as discussed in any of clauses 1 and 3-7, wherein the first outer diameter of the o-ring is substantially equal to the second outer diameter of the engagement structure.

[0036] Clause 3: The threadless connector device as discussed in any of clauses 1 , 2, and 4-7, wherein the engagement structure includes at least one flattened section.

[0037] Clause 4: The threadless connector device as discussed in any of clauses 1 -3 and 5-7, wherein the male threadless connector and the female threadless connector are made of polycarbonate or similar material. [0038] Clause 5: The threadless connector device as discussed in any of clauses 1 -4, 6, and 7, wherein the first bore and the second bore are at least 0.125 inches.

[0039] Clause 6: The threadless connector device as discussed in any of clauses 1-5 and 7, wherein the seal is secure for a delta pressure of at least 40 pounds per square inch.

[0040] Clause 7: The threadless connector device as discussed in any of clauses 1 -6, wherein the male threadless connector is configured to rotate relative to the female threadless connector about a central axis between the first through- hole and the second through-hole while maintaining the seal.

[0041] Clause 8: A system, comprising: a stopcock having a first inlet and a second inlet; an aspiration port having a third inlet and a fourth inlet; a first tube, connected to the first inlet and the third inlet; a catheter, connected to the fourth inlet; a pressure source including a female threadless connector with an inner surface having a first inner diameter and a snap-lock ring included on the inner surface having a second inner diameter less than the first inner diameter; and a male threadless connector connected on a first end to the second inlet and on a second end to the pressure source via the female threadless connector, the male threadless connector including: an o-ring that forms a seal against the inner surface of the female threadless connector; and an engagement structure positioned between the o-ring and the snap-lock ring, and in contact with the snap- lock ring when the male threadless connector is connected to the pressure source via the female threadless connector, the engagement structure having an outer perimeter substantially equal to the first inner diameter.

[0042] Clause 9: The system as discussed in any of clauses 8 and 10-19, wherein all components are in fluid communication via through-holes that share a bore of at least 0.125 inches.

[0043] Clause 10: The system as discussed in any of clauses 8, 9, and 11 -19, wherein the male threadless connector is configured to rotate relative to the female threadless connector about a central axis while maintaining the seal.

[0044] Clause 11 : The system as discussed in any of clauses 8-10 and 12-19, wherein the male threadless connector and the female threadless connector are made of polycarbonate or similar material.

[0045] Clause 12: The system as discussed in any of clauses 8-11 and 13-19, wherein the seal is fluid-tight for a delta pressure of at least 40 pounds per square inch.

[0046] Clause 13: The system as discussed in any of clauses 8-12 and 14-19, wherein a force to selectively disengage the male threadless connector from the female threadless connector is greater than a pressure induced force from the pressure source. [0047] Clause 14: The system as discussed in any of clauses 8-13 and 15-19, further comprising a first tubing barb included on a first outer surface on a first end of the male threadless connector.

[0048] Clause 15: The system as discussed in any of clauses 8-1 and 16-19, further comprising a second tubing barb included on the female threadless connector.

[0049] Clause 16: The system as discussed in any of clauses 8-15 and 17-19, wherein a first bore of the male threadless connector is substantially equivalent to a second bore of the female threadless connector.

[0050] Clause 17: The system as discussed in any of clauses 8-16, 18, and 19, wherein the male threadless connector and the female threadless connector are made of a biocompatible polymer.

[0051] Clause 18: The system as discussed in any of clauses 8-17 and 19, wherein the engagement structure includes a flattened section on a substantially circular outer perimeter of the engagement structure.

[0052] Clause 19: The system as discussed in any of clauses 8-18, wherein the flattened section has a third outer diameter that is less than the second outer diameter.

[0053] Clause 20: A device, comprising: a male threadless connector including: an outer surface; a first tubular cavity interior to the outer surface; an o-ring on the outer surface; and an engagement structure on the outer surface; a female threadless connector including: a second tubular cavity; and an inner mating surface having a snap-locking means that mates with the engagement structure of the male threadless connector to form a seal such that the first tubular cavity and second tubular cavity are in fluid communication.

[0054] The descriptions and illustrations of one or more embodiments provided in this disclosure are intended to provide a thorough and complete disclosure the full scope of the subject matter to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art and are not intended to limit or restrict the scope of the subject matter as claimed in any way. The aspects, examples, and details provided in this disclosure are considered sufficient to convey possession and enable those of ordinary skill in the relevant art to practice the best mode of the claimed subject matter. Descriptions of structures, resources, operations, and acts considered well-known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may be brief or omitted to avoid obscuring lesser known or unique aspects of the subject matter of this disclosure. The claimed subject matter should not be construed as being limited to any embodiment, aspect, example, or detail provided in this disclosure unless expressly stated herein. Regardless of whether shown or described collectively or separately, the various features (both structural and methodological) are intended to be selectively included or omitted to produce an embodiment with a particular set of features. Further, any or all of the functions and acts shown or described may be performed in any order or concurrently. [0055] Having been provided with the description and illustration of the present disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the relevant art may envision variations, modifications, and alternate embodiments falling within the spirit of the broader aspects of the general inventive concept provided in this disclosure that do not depart from the broader scope of the present disclosure.

[0056] As used in the present disclosure, a phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of items refers to any set of those items, including sets with a single member, and every potential combination thereof. For example, when referencing “at least one of A, B, or C” or “at least one of A, B, and C”, the phrase is intended to cover the sets of: A, B, C, A-B, B-C, and A-B-C, where the sets may include one or multiple instances of a given member (e.g., A-A, A-A-A, A-A-B, A-A-B-B-C-C-C, etc.) and any ordering thereof.

[0057] As used in the present disclosure, the term “determining” encompasses a variety of actions that may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., via a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), retrieving, resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.

[0058] As used in the present disclosure, the terms “substantially”, “approximately”, “about”, and other relative terms encompass values within ± 5% of a stated quantity, percentage, or range unless a different approximation is explicitly recited in relation to the state quantity, percentage, or range or if the context of the value indicates that a different approximation would be more appropriate. For example, a value identified as about X% may be understood to include values between 0.95*X% and 1 ,05*X% or between X-0.05X and X+0.05X percent, but may stop at zero or one hundred percent in various contexts. In another example, a feature described as being substantially parallel or perpendicular to another feature shall be understood to be within ± 9 degrees of parallel or perpendicular. Any value stated in relative terms shall be understood to include the stated value and any range or subrange between the indicated or implicit extremes.

[0059] As used in the present disclosure, all numbers given in the examples (whether indicated as approximate or otherwise) inherently include values within the range of precision and rounding error for that number. For example, the number 4.5 shall be understood to include values from 4.45 to 4.54, while the number 4.50 shall be understood to include values from 4.495 to 4.504. Additionally, any number or range that explicitly or by context refers to an integer amount (e.g., approximately X users, between about Y and Z states), shall be understood to round downward or upward to the next integer value (e.g., X±1 users, Y-1 and Z+1 states).

[0060] The following claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims. Within the claims, reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated as such, but rather as “one or more” or “at least one”. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. No claim element is to be construed under the provision of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or “step for”. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described in the present disclosure that are known or come later to be known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims.