Appeal No. 96-2631
Application No. 08/177,616
the terminology "corresponds" or "corresponding" as recited in
claim 1, 6 or 14 to mean "equal to or slightly greater than" such
that the predetermined distance must be equal to or slightly
greater than the thickness of the anatomical cavity wall.
Claim 1 includes the limitation that the protection means is
triggered to place the safety penetrating instrument in the
protected state "upon" the trigger means moving proximally a
predetermined distance. Claim 6 includes the limitation that
"upon" introduction of the cannula distal end in the anatomical
cavity the trigger member triggers the release of the locking
means permitting the retracting means to move the penetrating
member from the extended position to the retracted position.
Claim 14 includes the limitation that the safety penetrating
instrument is triggered to move to the protective state "when"
the trigger member has moved the proximal distance. Claim 22
includes the limitation that the safety penetrating instrument is
triggered to move the safety penetrating instrument to a
protective state "as soon as" a trigger member of the safety
penetrating instrument has moved proximally a distance
6
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Last modified: November 3, 2007