Appeal 2007-1163
Application 10/172,470
cell chamber, a manifold, and a vacuum source (id.). “The manifold
compris[es] at least 3 inlets, a wash reagent inlet, an inlet for a reagent for
conducting a step of said synthesis, and a vent. The flow cell assembly may
also comprise . . . a controller for controlling . . . the vent and the vacuum
source.” (Id. at 4-5.)
The Specification also describes methods for the synthesis of
chemical compounds on supports, which “employ one or more flow cells or
chambers, in a different repetitive step in the synthesis” (id. at 5).
Specifically, the Specification describes a method in which “the support is
placed in the flow cell, which is then filled with a reagent for carrying out
the particular step of the synthesis.” After the reagent has sufficient time “to
interact with the materials on the surface of the support,” the “reagent is
removed from the flow cell at a pressure that does not substantially exceed
atmospheric pressure. This may be accomplished by simultaneously venting
and applying a vacuum to the flow chamber.” (Id.)
DISCUSSION
1. CLAIMS
Claims 23-28 are pending and on appeal. The claims have been
argued in four groups (Br. 4-8); the claims within each group stand or fall
together. 37 C.F.R. § 41.37(c)(1)(vii). We will focus on claims 23, 24, 26,
and 28, which are representative and read as follows:
23. A flow cell assembly for conducting at least one reaction in the
synthesis of an array of biopolymers on the surface of a support, said flow
cell comprising:
(a) a flow cell chamber,
(b) a manifold in fluid communication with said chamber, said
manifold comprising at least a separate wash reagent inlet in fluid
2
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