Appeal No. 2003-0480 Page 5
Application No. 08/090245
immobilized in the gate region of the transistor. The changes in the
electrochemical potential of the immobilized antibody is measured
by the transistor in the absence and presence of the appropriate
substrate or antigen for that antibody. The transistors of Schenck
then connect to transducers which display or modify the signal of
the transistor into comparable data.
In addition, the examiner finds (Answer, page 6), Conover
disclose ion selective electrodes which can use either immobilized
antibodies … or immobilized enzymes … depending on the
reactant to be measured. The immobilized enzymes “act on the
substrate and produce a pH change proportional to the
concentration of the analyte in the sample”…. This change in the
pH is what is measured by the electrometer which is connected to
the sensor (a transfucer)…. Conover also teaches that it is known
in the art to immoblize cells and layers of tissue….
The examiner also finds (id.) that appellants’ specification (pages 3-6) admits
“that sensors using enzymes or antibodies were well known in the art, and that
the macromolecular interactions were highly specific.”
Based on this evidence, the examiner concludes (Answer, page 7), “[i]t
would have been prima facie obvious to one of skill in the art at the time the
invention was have [sic] made to have used immobilized catalytic monoclonal
antibodies, in combination with a sensing and transducing means, for the
detection of changes in a particular environment.” Against this backdrop, we
consider representative claims 83, 85, 86 and 88.
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007