Ex Parte Chu et al - Page 5

                Appeal 2007-2566                                                                             
                Application 10/243,873                                                                       
                      B. Bachmann                                                                            
                 [11] Bachmann discloses a radio-opaque dental retention post ("pin")                        
                      composite comprising from 60 to 80 % by volume fiber containing                        
                      between 10 and 30 % by weight zirconia, e.g., zicronium oxide, in an                   
                      epoxy resin (Bachmann col. 1, l. 54 - col. 2, l. 8 and col. 2, ll. 19-22).             
                 [12] According to Bachmann, the fiber may be a glass fiber, a quartz fiber                  
                      or a silica fiber (Bachmann col. 1, l. 57 - col. 2, l. 3).                             
                 [13] Bachmann is silent as to refractive indices of the fibers and the resin                
                      matrix comprising the composite.                                                       
                      C. Bowen                                                                               
                 [14] Bowen discloses an inorganic, amorphous glass material for use in                      
                      combination with an organic resin to provide a composite material for                  
                      restorative or preventive dentistry, e.g., a composite dental filling                  
                      material (Bowen col. 2, ll. 6-14 and 40-43).                                           
                 [15] "Within certain limitations, the present invention can be applied also                 
                      to other reinforcing filler morphologies, such as for example flakes,                  
                      fibers, rods, or large inserts" (Bowen col. 14, ll. 58-60).                            
                 [16] The inorganic amorphous glass is said to be substantially transparent                  
                      to visible light, opaque to X-rays and have a refractive index "close to               
                      the refractive indexes of organic resins found in aesthetic composite                  
                      dental restoration materials" (Bowen col. 2, ll. 55-60).                               
                 [17] The refractive index of composite resin polymers is said to be                         
                      "commonly about nD 1.55, although higher and lower values are                          
                      sometimes encountered" (Bowen col. 1, ll. 54-60).                                      




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