BSC USP 8,048,032
`Exhibit 1002
`
`Page 201 of 453
`
`EAST Search History
`
`S19
`
`33
`
`0
`
`31
`
`1
`
`13 (cid:9)
`
`2
`
`9 (cid:9)
`
`3
`
`2 (cid:9)
`
`US-PGPUB;
`USPAT; USOCR
`
`US- PGPUB;
`USPAT; USOCR
`
`I "4456011"
`("4323071"
`"4995872"
`"5053007"
`"5108419"
`"5053008"
`"5151105"
`"5147317"
`"5242399"
`"5190529"
`"5531715"
`"5330446"
`"5702410"
`"5549551"
`"5702417"
`"5769816"
`"5843027"
`"5814064"
`"5849248"
`"5846260"
`"5897567"
`"5891159"
`"5980503"
`"5916193"
`"6068621"
`"6048331"
`"6093173"
`"6090097"
`"6231544"
`"6129713"
`"6251119"
`"6290710"
`'6391044").PN.
`OR
`("6689152")
`. URPN.
`I
`("20020103474"
`"4790831"
`"4886506"
`"5290229"
`"5336182"
`"5505698"
`"5584803"
`"5643231"
`"5690611"
`"5782741"
`"5785706"
`"5807249"
`"5824031"
`"5846229"
`"5879295"
`"5916214"
`"6001085"
`"6002955"
`"6006137"
`"6022341"
`"6080151"
`"6090084"
`"6093173"
`"6122552"
`"6179809"
`"6228052"
`"6273881").
`PN. OR ("6638268").
`URPN.
`("2541402" I "4909248"
`US- PGPUB;
`"5067496 1 "5222487" 1 USPAT; USOCR
`"5323771")
`"5279610" (cid:9)
`"5546937" I "5791338"
`"5919183" I "5937860").
`PN. OR ("6481436").
`URPN.
`US- PGPUB; (cid:9)
`("5667514" I "5868754"
`"5947995" I "6001118"). USPAT; USOCR
`FN. OR ("6254610").
`URPN.
`"relief cuts" SAME rigid$4 US- PGPUB;
`and "604"/$.ccls.
`USPAT;
`USOCR; FPRS;
`EPO; JPO;
`DERWENT;
`I BM TDB
`
`OR
`
`ON
`
`2008/11/07
`12:58
`
`OR
`
`ON
`
`2008/11/07
`13:04
`
`OR
`
`ON
`
`2008/11/07
`16:11
`
`OR
`
`OR
`
`ON
`
`ON
`
`2008/11/10
`13:46
`
`2008/11/10
`14:46
`
`file:///Cl/Documents%20and%20Senings/bosinskif1My%20D...6629/EASTSearchHistory.11,4f6629 AccessibleVersion.htm (3 of LO)7/28/20L0 7:32:53 PM
`
`VSI_00000201
`
`A01533
`
`

`
`Page 202 of 453
`
`EAST Search History
`
`2
`
`5
`
`1370 cut SAME rigid$4 and
`'604"1$.ccls.
`
`6
`
`345
`
`7
`
`95
`
`S28
`
`49
`
`OR
`
`ON
`
`2008/11/10
`14:46
`
`OR
`
`ON (cid:9)
`
`2008/11/10
`14:46
`
`OIR
`
`ON
`
`2008/11/10
`14:46
`
`OR
`
`ON
`
`2008/11/10
`14:51
`
`OR
`
`ON
`
`2008/12/02
`17:34
`
`'relief cut" SAME rigid$4
`and "604"/$.ccls.
`
`US- PGPUB;
`USPAT;
`USOCR. FP
`EPO; JPO;
`DERWENT;
`I BM_TDB
`US- PGPUB;
`USPAT;
`USOCR; FPRS;
`EPO; JPO;
`DERWENT;
`IBM TDB
`cut with rigid$4 and "604"/ US- PGPUB; (cid:9)
`$.ccls.
`USPAT;
`USOCR; FPRS;
`EPO; JPO;
`DERWENT;
`IBM_TDB
`"relief cuts" SAME rigid$4 US- PGPUB;
`USPAT;
`USOCR; FPRS;
`EPO; JPO;
`DERWENT;
`IBM_TDB
`(US-20080058759-$ or US- US- PGPUB;
`20070093783-$ or US-
`USPAT
`20030233068-$ or US-
`20030195546-$ or US-
`20020133118-$ or US-
`20070112302-5 or US-
`20060135973-$ or US-
`20060129101-5 or US-
`20050004523-5 or US-
`20040138562-5 or US-
`20060135962-5 or US-
`20080172036-5 or US-
`20010034514-$ or US-
`20050159767-5 or US-
`20040225308-$).did. or
`(US-5484412-$ or US-
`5059178-5 or US-4581017-
`$ or US-7141050-$ or US-
`6746464-$ or US-6740104-
`$ or US-6447501-$ or US-
`4994027-$ or US-6780199-
`$ or US-6692482-$ or US-
`6976991-$ or US-7306618-
`$ or US-5971957-$ or US-
`5667514-$ or US-6254610-
`$ or US-5242410-$ or US-
`5169387-$ or US-5688253-
`$ or US-5158543-$ or US-
`6692462-$ or US-6689152-
`$ or US-6093173-$ or US-
`
`file:///Cl/Documents%20and%20Senings/bosinskif1My%20D...6629/EASTSearchHistory.114f6629 AccessibleVersion.htm (4 of LO)7/28/20L0 7:32:53 PM
`
`VSI_00000202
`
`A01534
`
`

`
`Page 203 of 453
`
`US- PGPUB;
`USPAT;
`USOCR; FPRS;
`EPO; JPO;
`DERWENT;
`I BM_TDB
`US- PGPUB;
`USPAT;
`USOCR; FPRS;
`EPO; JPO;
`DERWENT;
`I BM TDB
`USPAT
`
`US- PGPUB;
`USPAT; USOCR
`
`OR
`
`ON
`
`2008/12/02
`17:34
`
`ON
`
`2009/06/05
`12:33
`
`OR
`
`OR
`
`ON
`
`ON
`
`2009/ 1 1/ 09
`16:32
`2009/1 1 / 09
`16:33
`
`EAST Search History
`
`6641564-$ or US-6638268-
`$ or US-6338725-$ or US-
`7056294-$).did. or (US-
`6702782-$ or US-6645194-
`$ or US-7169105-$ or US-
`6481436-$ or US-6179809-
`$ or US-6165163-$ or US-
`6099518-$ or US-6053903-
`$).did.
`S28 and (metal with (coi
`braid))
`
`7
`
`0
`
`2
`
`' 5601586" . pn .
`
`1
`
`3
`
`("2003/0195546") UR
`
`S32
`
`208
`
`("20010001890" I
`'20010049548"
`'20020019664"
`"20020019665"
`'20020022874"
`"20020038140"
`'20020038141"
`"20020052640"
`'20020072755"
`'20020111675"
`'20020116045"
`'20020120320"
`'20020138966"
`'20020165598"
`'20030023298"
`'20030055483"
`"20030055484"
`'20030130716'
`"20030144671"
`'20030181923"
`'20030192164"
`'20030195546"
`"20040172119"
`'20040199239"
`"20040260379"
`'20050149161"
`"20050154442"
`"20050273149"
`"3792603" I "4448195"
`"4461163" I "4484585"
`"4578982" I "4601701"
`
`file:///Cl/Documents%20and%20Senings/bosinskif1My%20D...6629/EASTSearchHistory.11,4f6629 AccessibleVersion.htm (5 of LO)7/28/20L0 7:32:53 PM
`
`VSI_00000203
`
`A01535
`
`(cid:9)
`

`
`Page 204 of 453
`
`EAST Search History
`
`"4769005" "4776337"
`'4913141" "4994071"
`'4998923" "5019085"
`'5092152" "5120308"
`'5122154" "5195984"
`'5219355" "5261263"
`'5316023" "5380299"
`'5397305" "5449343"
`"5449353" "5449382"
`'5477856" "5556413"
`'5571086" "5609627"
`'5632763" "5643278"
`'5644945" "5670161"
`"5672169" "5681345"
`'5683345" "5697971"
`"5725519" "5744515"
`"5749825" "5755734"
`"5755735" "5755778"
`"5772669" "5776141"
`"5776142" "5788707"
`"5797952" "5817100"
`"5824055" "5833694"
`"5836952" "5843027"
`"5873906" "5876374"
`"5893868" "5906640"
`"5906759" "5908405"
`"5921995" "5935161"
`"5941908" "5944727"
`"5951569" "5957929"
`"5957941" "5961546"
`"5961548" "5968052"
`"6013092" "6015424"
`"6017362" "6027460"
`"6033434" "6048350"
`"6048361" "6056722"
`"6056775" "6059813"
`"6066155" "6071286"
`"6077297" "6082990"
`"6090127" "6096045"
`"6096073" "6099497"
`"6110191" ) . PN. OR
`("6117156" I "6120522"
`"6132450" "6143014"
`"6146415" "6152944"
`"6165195" "6165210"
`"6176116" "6178802"
`"6187015" "6190360"
`"6190393" "6210380"
`"6210431" "6214036"
`"6221090" "6221097"
`"6224587" "6238410"
`"6246914" "6254593"
`"6258052" "6258073"
`"6264688" "6280466"
`"6287277" "6287330"
`"6290673" "6299636"
`
`file:///Cl/Documents%20and%20Senings/bosinskif1My%20D...6629/EASTSearchHistory.11,4f6629 AccessibleVersion.htm (6 of LO)7/28/20L0 7:32:53 PM
`
`VSI_00000204
`
`A01536
`
`

`
`Page 205 of 453
`
`EAST Search History
`
`"6319275"
`"6302906"
`"6331186"
`"6322548"
`"6350277"
`"6342066"
`"6360577"
`"6350278"
`"6361555"
`"6361544"
`"6371978"
`"6364893"
`"6379372"
`"6375660"
`"6387117"
`"6387120"
`"6406487"
`"6391050"
`"6416529"
`"6406489"
`"6443880"
`"6436104"
`"6471672"
`"6443980"
`"6478814"
`"6475166"
`"6482211"
`"6488694"
`"6510722"
`"6508835"
`"6514281"
`"6514261"
`"6520983"
`"6517558"
`"6530947"
`"6520988"
`"6540719"
`"6533805"
`"6544278"
`"6554841"
`"6569180"
`"6568235"
`"6589262"
`"6582459"
`"6599315"
`"6596020"
`"6607506"
`"6602226"
`"6613067"
`"6607552"
`"6629350"
`"6623518"
`"6651478"
`"6629981"
`"6669718"
`"6660030"
`"6695862"
`"6692483"
`"6739033"
`"6699275"
`"6925847").PN. OR
`("7225518" 1 "7314480" 1
`"7367989").URPN.
`
`("20010037137" 1
`"20010049548" 1
`'20010056297" 1
`"2845959" "2978787"
`"2990605" "3029819"
`"3096560" "3142067"
`"3657744" "3908662"
`"3945052" "4041931"
`"4047252" "4061134"
`"4108161" "4140126"
`"4193137" "4202349"
`"4214587" "4517687"
`"4560374" "4562596"
`"4577631" "4617932"
`"4652263" "4693249"
`"4728328" "4732152"
`"4739762" "4774949"
`"4787899" "4793348"
`"4795458" "4795465"
`"4817624" "4830003"
`"4872874" "4878906"
`"4892539" "4969890"
`
`S33
`
`160
`
`US- PGPUB;
`USPAT; USOCR
`
`OR
`
`ON (cid:9)
`
`2009/11/09
`16:36
`
`file:///Cl/Documents%20and%20Senings/bosinskif1My%20D...6629/EASTSearchHistory.11,4f6629 AccessibleVersion.htm (7 of LO)7/28/20L0 7:32:53 PM
`
`VSI_00000205
`
`A01537
`
`(cid:9)
`

`
`Page 206 of 453
`
`EAST Search History
`
`"4994071"
`"4969896"
`"5047050"
`"5026377"
`"5108424"
`'5104399"
`'5127919"
`"5156619"
`"5178634"
`'5178630"
`"5197977"
`'5197976"
`"5316023"
`"5304220"
`"5413560"
`"5360443"
`"5443497"
`"5443498"
`'5456712"
`"5522880"
`"5562724"
`"5527355"
`"5571171"
`"5571170"
`'5571173"
`"5575817"
`"5591228"
`"5578072"
`"5603721"
`'5591229"
`"5613980"
`"5609627"
`"5632763"
`'5617878"
`"5643340"
`"5639278"
`"5676696"
`'5669924"
`"5683450"
`'5676697"
`"5683453"
`'5683452"
`"5693086"
`'5693084"
`"5693088"
`'5693087"
`"5709713"
`'5695517"
`"5713917"
`'5713363"
`'5718724"
`"5720735"
`"5755734"
`"5749825"
`"5755771"
`"5755735"
`"5782906"
`"5776180"
`"5800520"
`"5800508"
`"5893887"
`"5827320"
`"5916234"
`"5895407"
`"5919225"
`"5916263"
`"5938696"
`"5921995"
`"5947977"
`"5954693"
`"5972017"
`"5976155"
`"6030414"
`"6030413"
`"6033434"
`"6030415"
`"6039754"
`"6033435"
`"6051020"
`"6048361"
`"6106548"
`"6096073"
`"6123682") . PN. OR
`("6129754" I "6159237" 1
`"6165195" "6183509"
`"6210429" "6214041"
`"6221080" "6221098"
`"6231597" "6238430"
`"6254593" "6258116"
`"6261305" "6264682"
`"6346089" "6361555"
`"6371978" "6383213"
`"6387120" "6428567"
`"6436104" " 0376011" ) .
`PN. OR ("6599315" ) .
`URPN.
`
`file:///Cl/Documents%20and%20Senings/bosinskif1My%20D...6629/EASTSearchHistory.11,4f6629 AccessibleVersion.htm (8 of 1_0)7/28/20 LO 7:32:53 PM
`
`VSI_00000206
`
`A01538
`
`

`
`Page 207 of 453
`
`EAST Search History
`
`4
`
`81 (cid:9)
`
`734
`
`5
`
`6
`
`7
`
`("4573966" I "4655746" (cid:9)
`"4748982" "4762129" (cid:9)
`"4911163" "4947864"
`"4988356" "5040548"
`"5061273" "5135535"
`"5180367" "5195978"
`"5232445" "5263963"
`"5281203" "5300085"
`"5328472" "5334147"
`"5336184" "5346505"
`"5350395" "5364376"
`"5380283" "5383853"
`"5395335" "5413559"
`"5451233" "5458613"
`"5460185" "5462529"
`"5468225" "5472425"
`"5501227" "5531690"
`"5533968" "5545134"
`"5554118" "5571094"
`"5607406" "5620417"
`"5626600" "5685312"
`"5709658" "5728067"
`"5738667" "5749888"
`"5755685" "5769868"
`"5776141" "5800391"
`"5807355" "5810869"
`"5814061" "5827241"
`"5830227" "5833659"
`"5846246" "5891056"
`"5919164" "5919175"
`"5921971" "5944691"
`"5947927" "5980486"
`"6007517" "6048484"
`"6056722" "6168579"
`"6196995" "6200305"
`"6299595") . PN. OR
`("6569180") . URPN.
`(604/ 164. 01 ) CCLS.
`
`("20040127927") . PN
`
`("5411514").PN.
`
`US- PGPUB;
`USPAT; USOCR
`
`OR
`
`ON
`
`2009/11/09
`16:45
`
`US- PGPUB;
`USPAT: U.-OCR
`US- PGPUB;
`USPAT; USOCR
`US- PGPUB;
`USPAT: USOCR
`
`OR
`
`OR
`
`OR
`
`OFF
`
`OFF
`
`OFF
`
`2009/11/10
`10:13
`2009/11/17
`15:05
`2009/11/17
`15:06
`
`file:///Cl/Documents%20and%20Senings/bosinskTIMy%20D...6629/EASTSearchHistory.114f6629 AccessibleVersion.htm (9 of LO)7/28/20L0 7:32:54 PM
`
`VSI_00000207
`
`A01539
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`
`Page 208 of 453
`
`EAST Search History
`
`8
`
`40 (cid:9)
`
`9
`
`947
`
`S40
`
`19
`
`("20020103474" I (cid:9)
`'4790831"
`"4886506"
`"5290229"
`"5336182"
`'5505698"
`"5584803"
`"5643231"
`"5690611"
`'5782741"
`"5785706"
`"5807249"
`"5824031"
`"5846229"
`"5879295"
`'5916214"
`"6001085"
`"6002955"
`"6006137"
`'6022341"
`"6080151"
`"6090084"
`"6093173"
`'6122552"
`"6179809"
`"6273881").
`'6228052"
`PN. OR ("6638268").
`URPN.
`"604"/$.ccls. and
`(pushrod "push rod")
`("20010014813" I
`"20010037117" I
`"2721387" "4142526"
`'4687480" "4773858"
`"5342348" "5443458"
`"5512291" "5766710"
`"5769883" "5968047"
`"6013853" "6228111"
`"6248112" "6263880"
`"6363938" "6652582").
`PN. OR ("6962574").
`URPN.
`
`US-PGPUB;
`USPAT; USOCR
`
`OR
`
`ON
`
`2010/05/20
`12:04
`
`US-PGPUB: (cid:9)
`USPAT: USOCR
`US-PGPUB; (cid:9)
`USPAT; USOCR
`
`OR
`
`OR
`
`ON
`
`ON
`
`2010/05/20
`15:24
`2010/05/20
`17:45
`
`EAST Search History (Interference)
`
`<This search history is empty>
`
`7/ 28/ 2010 7:32:40 PM
`C:\ Documents and Settings\ bosinski\ My Documents\ EAST\ Workspaces\ 11416629.wsp
`
`file:///Cl/Doc uments%20and%20Settings/bosinskTIMy%20...629/EAS TS earchHistory.11416629 Acc es sibleVersion.htm (10 of 10)7/2812010 7:32:54 PM
`
`VSI_00000208
`
`A01540
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`
`Page 209 of 453
`
`DOG code: RCEX (cid:9)
`Doc description: Request for Continued Examination (RCE) (cid:9)
`
`PTOFSB/30EFS (07-09)
`Approved for use through 07131/2012. OMB 0651-0031
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it contains a valid OMB control number.
`
`Application
`Number
`First Named
`Inventor
`
`11416629
`
`Root et at
`
`Filing
`Date
`
`2006-05-03
`
`REQUEST FOR CONTINUED EXAMINATION(RCE)TRANSMITTAL
`(Submitted Only via EFS-Web)
`Docket Number
`(if applicable)
`Examiner
`Name
`
`2005.86US01
`
`Bradley James Osinski
`
`Art
`Unit
`
`3767
`
`This is a Request for Continued Examination (RCE) under 37 CFR 1.114 of the above-identified application.
`Request for Continued Examination (RCE) practice under 37 CFR 1.114 does not apply to any utility or plant application filed prior to June 8,
`1995, or to any design application. The Instruction Sheet for this form is located at WWW.USPTO.GOV
`
`SUBMISSION REQUIRED UNDER 37 CFR 1.114
`
`Note: If the RCE is proper, any previously filed unentered amendments and amendments enclosed with the RCE will be entered in the order
`in which they were filed unless applicant instructs otherwise. If applicant does not wish to have any previously filed unentered amendment(s)
`entered, applicant must request non-entry of such amendment(s).
`
`
`" Previously submitted. If a final Office action is outstanding, any amendments filed
`I—I submission
`even if this box is not checked.
`
`after the final Office action may
`
`be considered as a
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`q Consider
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`VSI_00000209
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`DOG code: RCEX (cid:9)
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`1N THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
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`PATENT APPLICATION
`
`In re the application of: (cid:9)
`
`Howard Root et al. (cid:9)
`
`Application No.: 11/416,629 (cid:9)
`
`Filed: (cid:9)
`
`May 3, 2006 (cid:9)
`
`Attorney Docket No.: 2005.86US01
`
`Confirmation No.: 5061
`
`Examiner: Bradley James Osinski
`
`Group Art Unit: 3767
`
`For: COAXIAL GUIDE CATHETER FOR INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY
`PROCEDURES
`
`PRELIMINARY AMENDMENT
`
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`Sir:
`
`INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS
`
`In response to the Office Action of June 3, 2010, and as part of the Request for
`
`Continuing Examination submitted herewith, amendment to the above-identified patent
`
`application is requested.
`
`The present amendment comprises the following sections:
`
`A. Amendments to the Claims
`
`B. Remarks
`
`Please grant any extension of time necessary for entry, charge any fee due to Deposit Account No. 16-0631.
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`Page 213 of 453
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`Application No. 11/416,629
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`AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS
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`A detailed listing of all claims that are, or were, in the present application, irrespective of
`
`whether the claim(s) remain(s) under examination in the application is presented below. The
`
`claims are presented in ascending order and each includes one status identifier. Those claims not
`
`cancelled or withdrawn but amended by the current amendment utilize the following notations
`
`for amendment: 1. deleted matter is shown by strikethrough for six or more characters and
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`double brackets for five or fewer characters; and 2. added matter is shown by underlining.
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`2
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`1-57. (Canceled).
`
`Application No. 11/416,629
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`58. (cid:9)
`
`(New) A device for use with a guide catheter having a continuous lumen extending for a
`
`length from a proximal end at a hemostatic valve to a distal end adapted to be placed in a branch
`
`artery, the continuous lumen of the guide catheter having a cross-sectional inner diameter sized
`
`such that interventional cardiology devices are insertable into and through the lumen to the
`
`branch artery, the device comprising:
`
`a flexible tip portion defining a non-expandable tubular structure having a circular
`
`cross-section and a length that is shorter than the length of the continuous lumen of the
`
`guide catheter, the tubular structure having a cross-sectional outer diameter sized to be
`
`insertable through the cross-sectional inner diameter of the continuous lumen of the guide
`
`catheter and defining a coaxial lumen having a cross-sectional inner diameter through
`
`which interventional cardiology devices are insertable; and
`
`a substantially rigid portion proximal of and operably connected to the flexible tip
`
`portion and defining a non-tubular structure having a maximal cross-sectional dimension
`
`at a proximal portion that is non-circular and smaller than the cross-sectional outer
`
`diameter of the flexible tip portion and having a length that, when combined with the
`
`length of the flexible distal tip portion, is longer than the length of the continuous lumen
`
`of the guide catheter,
`
`such that when at least a distal portion of the flexible tip portion is extended
`
`distally of the distal end of the guide catheter, at least a portion of the proximal portion of
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`the substantially rigid portion extends proximally through the hemostatic valve in
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`common with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into the guide catheter.
`
`3
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`Page 215 of 453
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`Application No. 11/416,629
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`59.
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`(New) The device of claim 58 wherein the tubular structure includes a distal portion
`
`adapted to be extended beyond the distal end of the guide catheter while a proximal portion
`
`remains within the lumen of the guide catheter, such that the device assists in resisting axial and
`
`shear forces exerted by the interventional cardiology device passed through and beyond the
`
`coaxial lumen that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.
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`60.
`
`(New) The device of claim 59 wherein the proximal portion of the tubular structure
`
`further comprises structure defining a proximal opening along and accessible from a longitudinal
`
`side to receive an interventional cardiology device into the coaxial lumen while the proximal
`
`portion remains within the lumen of the guide catheter.
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`61.
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`(New) The device of claim 60 wherein the proximal opening includes structure defining
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`a full circumference portion and structure defining a partially cylindrical portion.
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`62.
`
`(New) The device of claim 58 wherein the tubular structure includes a flexible
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`cylindrical distal tip portion and a flexible cylindrical reinforced portion proximal to the flexible
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`distal tip portion.
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`63.
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`(New) The device of claim 62 wherein the flexible cylindrical reinforced portion is
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`reinforced with metallic elements in a braided or coiled pattern.
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`4
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`Page 216 of 453
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`64.
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`(New) The device of claim 59 wherein the flexible cylindrical distal tip portion further
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`comprises a radiopaque marker proximate a distal tip.
`
`Application No. 11/416,629
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`65.
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`(New) The device of claim 58 wherein the cross-sectional nner diameter of the coaxial
`
`lumen of the tubular structure is not more than one French smaller than the cross-sectional inner
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`diameter of the guide catheter.
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`66.
`
`(New) The device of claim 58 wherein the substantially rigid portion includes from distal
`
`to proximal direction, a cross-sectional shape having a full circumference portion, a
`
`hemicylindrical portion and an arcuate portion.
`
`67.
`
`(New) A device for use with a guide catheter having a continuous lumen extending for a
`
`length from a proximal end at a hemostatic valve to a distal end adapted to be placed in a branch
`
`artery, the continuous lumen of the guide catheter having a circular cross-section and a cross-
`
`sectional inner diameter sized such that interventional cardiology devices are insertable into and
`
`through the lumen to the branch artery, the device comprising:
`
`an elongate structure having an overall length that is longer than the length of the
`
`continuous lumen of the guide catheter, the elongate structure including:
`
`a flexible tip portion defining a non-expandable tubular structure having a
`
`circular cross-section that is smaller than the circular cross-section of the
`
`continuous lumen of the guide catheter and a length that is shorter than the length
`
`of the continuous lumen of the guide catheter, the flexible tip portion being sized
`
`having a cross-sectional outer diameter sized to be insertable through the cross-
`
`5
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`Page 217 of 453
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`Application No. 11/416,629
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`sectional inner diameter of the continuous lumen of the guide catheter and
`
`defining a coaxial lumen having a cross-sectional inner diameter through which
`
`interventional cardiology devices are insertable;
`
`a reinforced portion proximal to the flexible tip portion; and
`
`a substantially rigid portion proximal of and connected to the flexible tip
`
`portion and defining a non-tubular structure having a maximal cross-sectional
`
`dimension at a proximal portion that is non-circular and smaller than the cross-
`
`sectional outer diameter of the flexible tip portion,
`
`such that when at least a distal portion of the flexible tip portion is
`
`extended distally of the distal end of the guide catheter with at least proximal
`
`portion of the reinforced portion remaining within the continuous lumen of the
`
`guide catheter, at least a portion of the proximal portion of the substantially rigid
`
`portion extends proximally through the hemostatic valve in common with
`
`interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into the guide catheter.
`
`68. (cid:9)
`
`(New) The device of claim 67 wherein, when the distal portion of the flexible tip portion
`
`is insertable through the continuous lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the
`
`guide catheter, the device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional
`
`cardiology device passed through and beyond the coaxial lumen that would otherwise tend to
`
`dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.
`
`6
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`Page 218 of 453
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`Application No. 11/416,629
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`69.
`
`(New) The device of claim 67 wherein the substantially rigid portion further includes a
`
`partially cylindrical portion defining an opening along a side thereof adapted to receive an
`
`interventional cardiology device passed through continuous lumen of the guide catheter and into
`
`the coaxial lumen while the device is inserted into the continuous lumen, the opening extending
`
`substantially along at least a portion of a length of the substantially rigid portion.
`
`70.
`
`(New) The device of claim 67 wherein, after the device is inserted into the continuous
`
`lumen of the guide catheter, the device extends an overall effective length of a coaxial lumen
`
`through which an interventional cardiology device may be inserted while utilizing only a single
`
`hemostatic valve and without any telescoping structure preassembled prior to the device being
`
`inserted into the continuous lumen of the guide catheter.
`
`71.
`
`(New) The device of claim 67, further comprising a radiopaque marker proximate the
`
`distal portion of the flexible tip portion.
`
`72.
`
`(New) The device of claim 67, wherein the reinforced portion is reinforced with metallic
`
`elements in a braided or coiled pattern 1.
`
`73.
`
`(New) The device of claim 67 wherein the cross-sectional inner diameter of the coaxial
`
`lumen of the flexible distal portion is not more than one French smaller than the cross-sectional
`
`inner diameter of the guide catheter.
`
`7
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`Page 219 of 453
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`74.
`
`(New) The device of claim 67 wherein the substantially rigid portion includes, starting at
`
`a from distal to proximal direction, a cross-sectional shape having a full circumference portion, a
`
`hemicylindrical portion and an arcuate portion.
`
`Application No. 11/416,629
`
`75.
`
`(New) The device of claim 67 wherein the elongate structure includes, starting at the
`
`distal portion of the flexible distal portion, at least a first portion having a first flexural modulus,
`
`a second portion having a second flexural modulus greater than the first flexural modulus, and a
`
`third portion having a third flexural modulus greater than the second flexural modulus.
`
`76.
`
`(New) The device of claim 75 in which the first flexural modulus is about 13,000 PSI
`
`plus or minus 5000 PSI, the second flexural modulus is about 29,000 PSI plus or minus 10,000
`
`PSI, and the third portion flexural modulus is about 49,000 PSI plus or minus 10,000 PSI.
`
`77.
`
`(New) The device of claim 75 in which the first portion is about 0.1 cm in length, the
`
`second portion is about three cm in length, and the third portion is about five cm in length.
`
`8
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`Application No. 11/416,629
`
`REMARKS
`
`Claims 58-77 are pending. By this Amendment, claims 28-57 are cancelled and new
`
`claims 58-77 are added. No new matter has been added. Support for the claim can be found
`
`throughout the specification, including, for example, paragraphs [0012], [0013], [0017], [0074]
`
`as published and claims 8-16 as originally filed.
`
`Claim Rejections — 35 U.S.C. § 112
`
`The applicants do not acquiesce in any of these Section 112 rejections of claims 28-57
`
`and expressly reserve the right to present claims of a similar scope in subsequent prosecution.
`
`Claims 28-57 have been cancelled in favor of new claims 58-82 solely to advance prosecution by
`
`the presentation of claims of a different claim scope. New independent apparatus claims 58 and
`
`67 recite structural features of the device which are fully supported by the specification as
`
`originally filed.
`
`Claim Rejections — 35 U.S.C. § 103
`
`Prior claims 28-57 stood rejected in view of various combinations of Niazi in view of
`
`Solar and/or Klein. The applicants do not acquiesce in any of these prior art rejections of claims
`
`28-57 and expressly reserve the right to present arguments with respect to the prior art for claims
`
`of a similar scope in subsequent prosecution.
`
`With respect to new independent apparatus claim 58 and 67, it is respectfully submitted
`
`that Niazi teaches away from the claimed inventions by teaching the use of two hemostatic
`
`valves (56 and 57), one for each of the continuous lumens of the catheters (51 and 52,
`9
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`Application No. 11/416,629
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`respectively). It is also respectfully submitted that Solar teaches away from the claimed
`
`inventions as well as Solar teaches a tubular tracking member (7) at a distal end that is meant for
`
`tracking the device along a guidewire. Solar teaches away from a tubular structure at a distal end
`
`that defines a coaxial lumen sufficiently large enough to receive an interventional cardiology
`
`device as the balloon (10, 22) is always shown outside to the tubular tracking member.
`
`Moreover, the advancement member (5) of Solar is always shown as outside the hub (16, 29, 50).
`
`Consequently, i