Appeal No. 2001-2205
Application 09/228,987
Appellant’s invention relates to an apparatus for
facilitating a physician’s arthroscopic examination of a
patient’s joint and, more particularly, to an apparatus which
will permit a physician to carefully and precisely manipulate the
joint during arthroscopic examination and surgery. As shown in
the application drawings, the apparatus includes a flexible wrap
(22) on the patient’s limb (lower leg) carrying one component of
a hook and loop fastener on its outer surface and a surgical gown
or apron (70) worn by the surgeon carrying the other cooperating
fastener component on its outer surface. With the cooperating
fastener components joinable by pressure, the surgeon can easily
affix the limb to his gown or apron and via his body motions
facilitate joint (knee) manipulation as desired during
arthroscopic examination and/or surgery. Independent claims 1,
11 and 15 are representative of the subject matter on appeal and
a copy of those claims, as reproduced from the Appendix to
appellant’s brief, is attached to this decision.
The prior art references of record relied upon by the
examiner in rejecting the appealed claims are:
Hubbard et al (Hubbard) 4,787,381 Nov. 29, 1988
Johnson 5,358,470 Oct. 25, 1994
Sosebee 5,816,253 Oct. 6, 1998
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