Appeal No. 2004-1692
Application No. 09/871,863
“where specified” (Brief, page 9). We consider the claims
separately to the extent of appellants’ individual arguments. See
37 CFR § 1.192(c)(7)(2000). Representative independent claim 1 is
reproduced below:
1. A dialyzer inlet header comprising:
a body that is designed to be attached to an end of a
dialyzer;
an inlet channel providing fluid communication from an
exterior of the dialyzer to an interior of the dialyzer, the inlet
channel defining a fluid flow path that is axial to a fiber bundle
located in the interior of the dialyzer; and
at least one member for modifying the fluid flow path of a
fluid as it exits the inlet channel, wherein the member includes a
curved vane extending from a portion of the body.
The examiner relies on Heilmann et al. (Heilmann), DE 3435883
A1, published Apr. 17, 1985, as sole evidence in support of the
rejections on appeal.1 The claims on appeal stand rejected under
35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as anticipated by or, in the alternative, under
35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as unpatentable over Heilmann (Answer, page 3).
We affirm the rejections on appeal essentially for the reasons
stated in the Answer and those reasons set forth below.
1We rely upon and cite from a full English translation of
this document (listed as PTO 04-1941), previously made of record.
2
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