Appeal 2007-2314
Application 10/657,110
We conclude that the Examiner has set forth a prima facie case of
obviousness. Chen describes an
anatomical visualization system comprising . . . a database of
pre-existing software objects, wherein at least one of the
software objects corresponds to a physical structure which is to
be viewed by the system; a real-time sensor for acquiring data
about the physical structure . . . ; generating means for
generating a real-time software object corresponding to the
physical structure, using data acquired by the sensor;
registration means for positioning the real-time software object
in registration with the pre-existing software objects contained
in the database; and processing means for generating an image
from the software objects contained in the database, based upon
a specified point of view.
(Chen, col. 2, l. 56, to col. 3, l. 6.) The system “is intended to be used by a
physician 20 to visually inspect anatomical objects 30 located at an interior
anatomical site” (id. at col. 4, ll. 27-31).
Specifically, Chen describes a system containing “endoscope
means 40, endoscope tracking means 50, computer means 60, database
means 70 containing 3-D computer models of various objects which are to
be visualized by the system, and display means 80” (id. at col. 4, ll. 41-45).
Endoscope means 40 comprises an endoscope 90 (id. at col. 4, ll. 47-48).
The endoscope tracking means may comprise a tracking system attached to
endoscope 90 that generates output signals “representative of the spatial
positioning and orientation of endoscope 90” (id. at col. 5, ll. 3-17).
The anatomical 3-D computer models “are preferably structured as a
collection of software objects . . . created, for example, through post-
processing of CT or MRI scans of the patient” (id. at col. 6, ll. 4-17). The
3-D computer models representing the endoscope comprise both a software
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Last modified: September 9, 2013