Appeal No. 1998-3366
Application No. 08/591,506
Considering first the § 103 rejection of claim 1, this
claim calls for a catheter system that includes an expandable
stent capable of permanent deformation when expanded
releasably attached to the inflatable portion of a catheter by
a bond having certain capabilities, including the capability
“of separating from said stent member and remaining with said
inflatable portion . . . upon inflation of said inflatable
portion to permit deployment of said stent member” (claim 1,
emphasis added).
Lau, the examiner’s primary reference, pertains to a
catheter system comprising a catheter member 11 having an
inflatable portion 14 and an expandable stent 10, capable of
permanent deformation when expanded, attached to the
inflatable member. Lau describes the attachment of the stent
to the inflatable portion of the catheter as follows:
A variety of means for securing the stent to the
expandable member on the catheter for delivery to
the desired location are available. It is presently
preferred to compress the stent onto the balloon.
Other means to secure the stent to the balloon
include providing ridges or collars on the
inflatable member to restrain lateral movement, or
using bioresorbable temporary adhesives. [Column 2,
lines 18-25.]
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