Appeal No. 96-0953
Application 08/014,682
the needle guard to allow alignment of the needle guard in
relation to a vein of a patient.
We understand the above limitations, read in light of
the underlying disclosure (specification, page 5), as requiring an
elongated alignment groove starting at the forwardmost end or tip
of the needle guard and extending a distance inwardly therefrom.
This reasonable understanding comports with the showing in the
drawing (Figures 2 through 4), as well as with appellant's point
of view on the matter (brief, page 5).
Turning to the applied prior art, considered as a whole,
we find an absence therein of an elongated alignment groove
starting at the forwardmost end or tip of a needle guard and
extending a distance inwardly therefrom, as well as a lack of any
suggestion therefor.
Accordingly, while we share the examiner's point of view
as to the combinability of the applied patents, a position not
disputed in the brief (page 5), we agree with appellant, as
indicated above, that the combination of the references relied
upon would not effect the claimed self-locking blood collecting
4
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007