Appeal No. 2000-0323 Page 9
Application No. 08/608,920
inherently described, in a single prior art reference.
Verdegaal Bros. Inc. v. Union Oil Co., 814 F.2d 628, 631, 2
USPQ2d 1051, 1053 (Fed. Cir.), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 827
(1987). The inquiry as to whether a reference anticipates a
claim must focus on what subject matter is encompassed by the
claim and what subject matter is described by the reference.
As set forth by the court in Kalman v. Kimberly-Clark Corp.,
713 F.2d 760, 772, 218 USPQ 781, 789 (Fed. Cir. 1983), cert.
denied, 465 U.S. 1026 (1984), it is only necessary for the
claims to "'read on' something disclosed in the reference,
i.e., all limitations of the claim are found in the reference,
or 'fully met' by it."
Ruggio discloses an apparatus and technique for
aspirating substances partially or completely occluding blood
vessels or chambers of the heart. The aspirator assembly
comprises a catheter assembly and a suction member for
aspirating substances through the catheter. The catheter
assembly comprises a catheter which travels over a guidewire.
Exemplary suction members used for aspirating include a
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