Appeal No. 97-2888
Application 08/389,077
Michelson '943 and to mount the support rods on the brackets
10
and 12 shown in Michelson '943 using swivel clamps as taught
by Heffington. The motivation for modifying Michelson '943 in
such a manner is found in Heffington's teaching that the use
of
rotatably adjustable support rods provided with intermediate
lateral offsets can be used to mount patient supports to
operating tables of different widths.
With regard to the "plurality of universal rail clamps"
recited in claim 18, we note that no specific structure of3
the clamps is recited for performing the function of
"removably mounting the surgical frame to a variety of
conventional operating tables having different widths and
different sized side rails." Accordingly, we agree with the
We observe that the preamble of independent claim 18 is inconsistent3
with the body of that claim. That is, the preamble sets forth "[a]n
adjustable surgical frame" whereas the body of the claim, in addition to
setting forth details of the adjustable surgical frame, also sets forth a
"plurality of universal rail clamps." Accordingly, we interpret independent
claim 18 to be directed to the combination of an adjustable surgical frame and
a plurality of universal rail clamps.
15
Page: Previous 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007