Ex Parte Datesman et al - Page 2



           Appeal No. 2006-1095                                                   Page 2             
           Application No. 10/280,188                                                                

                 The disclosed invention pertains to a multiple-mode planar-waveguide                

           sensor, fabrication materials and techniques.                                             

           Representative claim 1 is reproduced as follows:                                          

           1.  A planar optical sensor, comprising:                                                  

              • at least one input waveguide and at least two output waveguides in                   
                 optical communication with a coupling region having a sensor surface                

                 configured to receive a multiplicity of immobilized chemical or                     

                 biological receptors thereon;                                                       

              • a source of light directed to the input waveguide;                                   

              • the coupling region supporting at least two electromagnetic modes of                 
                 propagation such that chemical or biological binding to the receptors               

                 causes a change in the refractive index near the surface of the                     

                 waveguide of the coupled region affecting the interaction of the                    

                 propagation modes; and                                                              

              • a detector for detecting differing aspects of the light propagating down             
                 each of the output waveguides.                                                      



           The examiner relies on the following references:                                          

           Boiarski et al.   (Boiarski)        5,173,747               Dec. 22, 1992                 

           Fardad et al.     (Fardad)          6,054,253               Apr. 25, 2000                 









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