Appeal 2007-2812
Application 10/337,236
12. Anderson describes all elements of the magnetically navigable medical
guidewire of claim 1. (See also Final Office Action 3.)
13. In regard to claim 14, Anderson does not expressly disclose the
stiffness or magnetic strength of the magnetically responsive element, but
Fig. 5 suggests that the guidewire has a tip that is flexible enough to deflect
to at least 30 degrees when subjected to the magnetic field of magnet 41.
(See also Final Office Action 7.)
Kuntz
14. Kuntz describes a retrieving catheter 21 which comprises an elongate
tube (Kuntz, at col. 3, l. 40 and Fig. 1, 28) for introducing into the urethra
(Kuntz, at col. 4, ll. 10-16).
15. The retrieving catheter 21 can have a magnet 27 at its end (Kuntz, col.
4, ll. 11-15 and Fig. 5).
16. The magnet 27 has a cylindrical core 32 which is covered by a hollow
stainless steel cap 33 shown in Fig. 5 as being dome-shaped (Kuntz, col. 5,
ll. 15-19).
17. “The cap 33 serves to . . . attach the magnet 27 to the catheter 21”
(Kunz, col. 5, 11. 1-21 and Fig. 5).
18. The magnet “preferably” is comprised of neodymium-iron-boron
material (Kuntz, col. 5, ll. 15-17).
Application of Kuntz to the claims
19. The retrieving catheter 21 comprises an elongate tube (FF 14; Kuntz, at
col. 3, l. 40 and Fig. 1, 28), meeting the limitation of claim 1 of “an elongate
wire having a proximal end.” (See Final Office Action 5-6.)
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