Appeal No. 2000-0673
Application No. 08/960,276
various materials including, inter alia, collagen (line 17).
Vieth discloses a method of depositing an enzyme and a
carrier, such as collagen (col. 3, lines 72 and 74), on an
electrically conductive support by means of electrodeposition,
the support acting as the cathode in a conductive medium
containing the enzyme and carrier. The examiner takes the
position that (answer, page 3):
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary
skill in the art to have utilized the method of
electrodeposition as taught by Vieth et al to coat
the stent of McNamara et al for an even coverage
over the stent.
After fully considering the record in light of the
arguments presented in appellants' brief and reply brief, and
in the examiner's answer, we consider that the rejection is
well taken.
Appellants argue that there would have been no suggestion
or motivation for one of ordinary skill in the art to have
combined the references, noting that Vieth is not directed to
stents or implantable medical devices, that Vieth's process
may involve using impure materials not suitable for
implantation, and that Vieth indicates that there may be
degradation of the coating. These arguments are not
3
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007