Appeal No. 1997-2074 Page 2
Application No. 08/292,634
Independent claim 1 is reproduced as follows:
1. A transducer comprising:
a transducer element for ultrasonic imaging of the human
body having a 2-2 or 1-3 composite structure and driven in a k31
transverse mode, the element having a plurality of relatively
thin spaced piezoceramic wafers having relatively large area
opposing major surfaces with electrodes, wherein the wafers are
connected electrically in parallel to provide electrical
impedance matching to an electrical impedance of an ultrasonic
imaging system, and a layer of passive polymer between
electrodes on adjacent wafers to provide acoustic impedance
matching to the acoustic impedance of a human body, and wherein
the relative thickness of the polymer layer is less than that
of the wafer in order to increase the number of wafers
connected electrically in parallel per element volume.
The examiner relies on the following reference:
Kleinschmidt et al. 4,677,337 Jun. 30, 1987
[Kleinschmidt]
Claims 1 through 3 and 17 through 26 stand rejected under
35 U.S.C. 103 as unpatentable over Kleinschmidt.
Reference is made to the brief and answer for the
respective positions of appellant and the examiner.
OPINION
We reverse because the examiner has clearly failed to set
forth a prima facie case of obviousness with regard to the
instant claimed subject matter.
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007