Appeal No. 1999-2674
Application No. 08/192,979
contoured to engage and retain the eye via a scleral-corneal
region by the application of vacuum (column 3, lines 42
through 52). Like appellant (main brief, pages 13 and 14), we
perceive that the L’Esperance teachings lacks the now claimed
concave surface of the coupler which is urged against the
outside surface of the cornea and through which infrared
radiation is passed.
The patent to Neefe relates to a method of correcting
refractive error of the eye by applying heat and drugs to
soften the cornea thereby allowing the cornea to be reshaped.
In
particular, the rearrangement of the cornea is brought about
by pressure applied to the cornea by a heated metal or plastic
concave mold which establishes a desired corneal curvature.
Simply stated, when we set aside in our minds that which
appellant has taught us in the present application, we readily
conclude that the applied prior art, in and of itself, would
not have suggested the method of claims 59 or 73. It is quite
apparent to us that only by impermissibly relying upon
7
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007