Appeal 2007-2314
Application 10/657,110
BACKGROUND
The Specification describes a “method for improving a diagnostic or
surgical procedure involving a variable direction of view endoscope with a
variable line of sight” (Specification 6). The method comprises:
acquiring volumetric scan data of a subsurface structure;
positioning said endoscope relative to said subsurface structure;
establishing the position of said endoscope relative to said
subsurface structure; acquiring internal endoscope
configuration data; displaying representations of said
subsurface structure and said endoscopic line of sight in their
correct relative spatial relationship based on said volumetric
scan data, said endoscope position data, and said internal
endoscope configuration data.
(Id.)
DISCUSSION
1. CLAIMS
Claims 9-13 are pending and on appeal. The claims have not been
argued separately and therefore stand or fall together. 37 C.F.R.
§ 41.37(c)(1)(vii). We will focus on claim 9, the broadest claim on appeal,
which reads as follows:
9. A method for improving a diagnostic or surgical procedure involving
a variable direction of view endoscope with a variable line of sight
comprising:
acquiring volumetric scan data of a subsurface structure;
positioning said endoscope relative to said subsurface structure;
acquiring configuration data of an internal view changing mechanism
of the said endoscope;
establishing the position of said endoscope relative to said subsurface
structure; and
2
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