Appeal 2007-1451
Application 09/970,146
1 manufactured utilizing a chemical process in which a noble
2 metal is deposited within the molecular network of the base
3 ionic polymer. Metal ions, for example, platinum are dispersed
4 throughout the hydrophilic regions of the polymer and
5 subsequently chemically reduced to the corresponding metal
6 atoms. This process results in the formation of dendritic-type
7 electrodes. When an external voltage of approximately 2 volts
8 or higher is applied to an ion-exchange polymer-noble metal
9 composite film, it bends toward the anode. An increase in the
10 applied voltage, up to a predetermined limit, causes a larger
11 bending displacement. When the polarity of the voltage is
12 changed, the film undergoes a swinging movement. The
13 displacement of the film not only depends on the magnitude of
14 the applied voltage, but also on the frequency of the applied
15 voltage. Lower frequencies lead to higher displacements.
16 Accordingly, the movement of the film or strip may be fully
17 controllable by controlling the applied voltage.
18 As stated above, strips or strands of ion-exchange polymer-
19 noble metal composites may be integrated into one or more
20 sections of a flexible medical probe device, for example, a
21 balloon catheter. (Emphasis added) (Maseda, col. 5, ll. 1-23).
22 05. These portions of Maseda (FF 03 and 04) describe a flexible medical
23 probe device, that the device is constructed with a material that contracts
24 and/or stiffens when electrical current is applied thereto, which is the
25 description of a rheometric material (FF 01), and that the device contains
26 electrodes to route signals to the rheometric material for triggering the
27 contraction and stiffening.
28 06. There is no contention that Maseda fails to show a rheometric material
29 electrically coupled with the at least one electrode, the rheometric
30 material contracting and/or stiffening when electrical current is applied
31 thereto.
32
7
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013