Appeal No. 97-2783
Application 08/388,089
the backing is such as to result in an interface strength that is
"substantially equal to the tensile strength of said polymeric
material." Given appellants' disclosure at page 5, line 22,
through page 7, line 30, it is apparent that the language
"substantially equal to the tensile strength of said polymeric
material" is to be understood as encompassing a range of between
70 to 100 percent of the tensile strength of the polymeric
material, and to reach "a maximum value at a penetration depth of
about 0.050 inch, corresponding to the tensile strength of UHMWP
[ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene]" (page 7, lines 26-
30). UHMWP is apparently a material that is conventionally used
in making these types of prosthetic acetabular cups. While Frey
'355 does not expressly mention interface strength, we note that
the examiner has taken the position that since the cup of Frey
'355 is made of the same polymeric material as appellants' cup
and, as discussed above, has a polymeric material penetration
depth into the backing pores of at least .050 inches, it follows
that the acetabular cup prosthesis of Frey '355 has an interface
strength between the polymeric cup and the backing which falls
within the claimed range. We agree with the examiner, and
8
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