Appeal No. 1998-2813
Application No. 08/463,203
devices therein, this patent notes (col. 7, lines 31-38) that "a
polymeric FFM [free-form manufacturing] reproduction may also be
done using photoactive polymer techniques." Note also, column 7,
line 44, et. seq., wherein a composite polymeric/ceramic process
is described. When Fink uses the language "fluid materials" in
describing the free-form manufacturing of an implant it is made
clear in column 7, lines 37-38, that such language encompasses
either liquids or masses of particles being used in the
fabrication process.
In contrast to appellants' arguments in the brief and reply
brief, we are of the opinion that Fink teaches a medical implant
as set forth in claim 19 on appeal which is made using solid
free-form fabrication methods and comprises a matrix of
successive layers of biocompatible polymeric material having
interconnected pores extending throughout the matrix suitable for
seeding or ingrowth of cells. Again, we note that Fink discloses
the use of polymeric materials in column 7, lines 31-35 and in
column 7, line 46, et. seq., for making the devices therein and
discloses the importance of pore structure (e.g., volume and
size) within the matrix so as to allow the seeding of cells
(col. 5, lines 32-34) and the ingrowth of vasculature and
osteogenic cells (col. 3, lines 7-15). See also column 7, lines
5
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