Appeal 2007-2026
Application 10/131,772
The Specification states that “the term ‘bonate’ refers to a structure
which has relatively wide end portions joined by a connecting portion which
is, at least in part, relatively narrow. A bonate cell structure is illustrated
generally at 100 in Fig. 12” (Specification 6).
The Specification states (id.) that
The term ‘multibonate’, for the purposes of this
disclosure, refers to a structure which has three or more
relatively wide end portions each of which is joined to a
common portion via a relatively narrow connecting portion. . . .
One such multibonate cell structure is shown generally at 120
in Fig. 13.
Claim 37 is directed to a stent that has a plurality of I-shaped bonate
cell structures. The I-shaped cells must abut one another and be oriented at
an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the stent.
2. PRIOR ART
The Examiner relies on the following references:
Ehr US 6,033,433 Mar. 7 2000
(filed Apr. 25, 1997)
Fischell US 5,695,516 Dec. 9. 1997
Fischell US 5,697,971 Dec. 16, 1997
Savin US 4,950,227 Aug. 21, 1990
3. ANTICIPATION
Claims 37-39 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102(e) as anticipated
by Ehr (Answer 3-4), on the basis that “Ehr discloses a stent consisting
entirely of interconnected, I-shaped, bonate cell structures disposed at an
oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis as seen in Fig. 16” (id. at 4).
3
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