Appeal 2007-0811
Application 10/128,997
for patent drawings, we take Figure 2 as typical of the cross section of the
Warman device, and we concur with the Examiner in his finding that the
lumens of Warman are isodiametric. With respect to Figure 8 in Warman,
Warman appears to show a tapered distal end in this embodiment. We credit
the Examiner’s finding in this regard, inasmuch as the other embodiments
seem to show a rounded or blunt tip. With an abundance of caution, the
Examiner has cited Hine and Williams which disclose cardiac leads which
have a tapered flexible tip.
Turning first to the disclosure of Hine, Hine discloses a molded nose
110 for the cardiac lead for improved maneuverability within the tortuous
cardiac vein. See col. 4, ll. 26-32. Hine further discloses that the most distal
portion of the lead 100 is the most flexible portion. That is, in Figure 2,
section 200 is more flexible than section 201 which in turn is more flexible
than section 202. See col. 4, l. 62-col. 5, l. 43. See also col. 3, ll. 4-31. The
function of this gradient of flexibility is to aid in maneuverability and to
cause the various electrodes to be brought into and remain in contact with
the right atrial wall and the coronary sinus wall.
Williams discloses another cardiac lead in Figure 1 that has a tapered
electrode head 24. The distal tip or head of the lead is to facilitate the
passage of the lead into the coronary sinus and into the great vein. For this
purpose, Williams discloses both a tapered or frustoconical tip 24 and a
blunt or rounded tip 56.
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