Appeal 2007-1580
Application 11/017,710
1 the entire length of sleeve 232, including balloon segment 236 and
2 conical ends 238 and 240. Thus, in still another embodiment of this
3 invention, an apparatus similar to that shown in Fig. 4 but having two
4 perimetrica1 lumens like lumen 242 running the entire length of
5 sleeve 232 could be used to deliver heat transfer fluid to a body
6 location distal of balloon segment 236. The flow of heat transfer
7 fluid, in through one of said perimetrical lumens and out through the
8 other, would not be significantly interrupted even during dilatation of
9 balloon segment 236. Similarly, and for other applications, external,
10 adjacent lumen 244 can be formed so as to run from one end of the
11 middle or working section of balloon 236 to the other. Similarly,
12 external, adjacent lumen 246 can be formed so as to begin and end
13 within the working section of balloon 236. By proper selection of the
14 forming wires, external, adjacent lumens can be created of the same or
15 different diameters, of uniform or non-uniform cross-section, and of
16 circular or other cross-sectional shape, as desired for particular
17 applications. Employing a similar preparation technique, a heat
18 transfer balloon dilatation catheter apparatus can be prepared as
19 shown in Fig. 6 wherein an external, adjacent lumen 252 runs in a
20 helical pattern around the outside wall of balloon 236. Helical lumen
21 252 may comprise, in one embodiment, a plurality of pinholes 254
22 along its length to precisely deliver medication or other fluids to select
23 body locations.
24 (Specification 23:9-24:9).
25 This passage would have conveyed to those skilled in the art that an external
26 adjacent lumen as described and illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 could optionally be
27 provided on the exterior surface of balloon 236 in a helical pattern. The
28 Specification plainly conveys that the pinhole embodiment of Figure 6 is merely
29 “one embodiment” of the external, adjacent lumen of helical shape. Accordingly, it
30 is our finding that Appellant’s disclosure would have conveyed to those of
31 ordinary skill possession of the subject matter of claims 74 and 75.
32
33
4
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013