Appeal No. 97-3294
Application 08/408,225
expressly set forth in claim 1. More specifically, we
understand the noted diamond shaped esophageal end of the
implant of Blom as a deformed coil that simply follows
uniform coils of the main implant body. Accordingly, it is
the viewpoint of this panel of the board that this deformed
coil (flange-like structure) at the end of a coil spring
cannot be said to be “provided on an outside surface”
(underlining added for emphasis) of a device body, as now
claimed. Accordingly, the rejection of claims 1 through 5 is
reversed.
Claims 14 and 15
Claim 14 requires, inter alia, a device including a
resiliently deflectable device body having an insertion cross
section transverse to its longitudinal extent which is
insufficient to fill an opening in a human body and a larger
use cross section transverse to its longitudinal extent, and a
retainer removable to permit deployment of the device body to
its use cross section. Claim 15 specifies the retainer as
being soluble in a fluid.
7
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