Appeal No. 2001-0611
Application No. 08/742,733
by changing the wire diameter, loop diameter, amount of overlap
or interleaving between adjacent springs, and by stretching the
springs to change the spacing between loops (column 3, lines
7-15). The prosthetic device of Bokros can take a variety of
forms. For example, the Figures 4-6 device comprises a hip joint
prosthesis having one or more channels 30 formed in the exterior
surface for receiving helical coil springs 32. According to
Bokros, “the depth of the channels is preferably near the loop
diameter of the spring; however, in specialized cases it may be
appropriate to use a shallow groove or even none at all” (column
4, lines 9-12).
Based on the above reference teachings, the examiner
reasonably concluded that it would have been obvious to one of
ordinary skill in the art to partially embed in the exterior
surface of the implant device of Moumene one or more helical coil
springs, and thus achieve the subject matter of claim 11.
Suggestion for the above is found in the teaching of Moumene at
column 8, lines 32-38, that it is desirable to impart surface
characteristics to the implant that enhance the ingrowth of
tissue to improve fixation, and the teaching of Bokros at column
1, lines 33-42; column 2, lines 15-19; and column 3, lines 7-14,
6
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