\l
`
`lnti
`
`lonal Application No
`
`PCT/US 97/22052
`
`
`
`
`
`1iVl‘11*Jl{.i\iA.‘1'lUNAL SEARCH Kl!.'l"UR'1'
`
`
`
`
`
`
`NOF
`SUBJECT MATTER
`A. CLASSIFICATIO
`
`
`IPC 6 A61F2/06
`
`
`
`According to lntemationai Patent Ciassilication(iPC) or to both national classification and IPC
`B. FIELDS SEARCHED
`
`
`
`
`
`A61F
`
`
`Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by ciassilication symbols)
`IPC 6
`
`
`
`
`
`Electronic data base consulted during the international search (name ot data base and, where practical, search terms used)
`
`Documentation searched other than minimumdocumentation to the extent that such documents are included in the lleids searched
`
`Category ‘ Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate. of the relevant passages
`
`Fieievant to claim No.
`
`.
`
`
` C. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
`
` EP 0 667 131 A (STRECKER) 16 August 1995
`
` NO 96 10967 A (AEROOUIP CORPORATION) 18
` EP 0 716 834 A (FUJI SYSTEMS) 19 June 1996
`
`
`A
`
`EP 0 689 806 A (MEADOX MEDICALS,
`January 1996
`«
`see the whole document
`
`INC.) 3
`
`see column 10,
`5; figure 3
`
`line 44 — column 11,
`
`line
`
`April 1996
`see page 7,
`
`‘
`line 22.” line 30; figures 7,8
`
`-
`
`US 5 192 289 A (JESSEN) 9 March 1993
`
`
`
`
`
`
` El Further documents are listed in the continuation of box C.
`
`
`E Patent family members are listed in annex.
` ‘‘ Special categories ol cited documents :
`.
`g
`"T" later document published after the International liiing date
`or priority date and not in oonllict with the application but
`-
`-
`tdll'
`th
`lit
`lth
`rt h'h'
`::::;‘é’;'r9d°to”g'e9°' “:a9r‘:::‘l‘:"a"r r‘°f‘9€a‘:.c9° 3 W '5 '3 ”°
`i(:1flv9edn::)'l-.lnd9l’Sl8nd the principle or theory underlying the
`
`
`"E" earlier document but published on or after the international
`..x.. document 0‘ pamculm relevance; the claimed invention
`
`‘”'"9 dam
`cannot be considered novel or cannot be considered to
`"L" document
`may lh||l'OW doubtslpn plirioalty cia'im(s) or
`involve an inventive step when the document is taken alone
`w ch is c e
`-.Y.. document of
`.
`-
`o asiab sh the pub cat on ate o another
`,
`.
`particular relevance. the claimed invention
`.
`
`°'t°"°" °' °""°' 99°C)“ '°°°°" (85 °p°°'“°d)
`cannot be considered to involve an inventive step when the
`
`"0' document referring to an oral disclosure. use. exhibition or
`document is combined with one or more other such docu-
`other means
`menta, such combination being obvious to a person skilled
`
`"P" document published prior to the intematlonal tiling date but
`'" m° 8”‘
`later than the priority data claimed
`“8.‘‘ document member oi the same patent family
` Date oi the actual completion of theinternational search
`Date oi mailing ol the international search report
`
`"A"d
`
`t
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`26 May 1998
`
`Name and mailing address oi the ISA
`European Patent Otllce. PB. 5518 Patentlaan 2
`
`O8/06/1998
`
`Authorized olticer
`
`
`
`ENDOLOGIX, INC
`-(3:f18~o7<'J-;\éi-Til)’-s2"oi£:l). Tx. 31 651 epo ni.
`
`EX. 1014 (Part 2 Of 2)
` Foirn PCTl15A/210 (second sheet) (July 1992)
`
`Fax: (+3140) 340-3016
`
`1008
`
`

`
`
`
`nu L.u4Au1z1L auxwnu aunnpxx xunrun 1
`Jformatlon on potent tarnlly memners
`
`Inle
`
`ional Application No
`
`Pate
`me
`
`nt tamily
`mber(s)
`
`Publication
`date
`
`,. Publication
`date
`
`03*01~1996
`
`
`
`’
`
`us
`AU
`
`AU
`CA
`FI
`
`Patent document
`cited in search repon
`
`EP 689806
`
`A
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5522881
`04-06-1996
`A
`22*01-1998
`685579 B
`11-01-1996
`1504995 A
`29-12*l995
`2146057 A
`
`29-12~1995
`953185 A
`8038520 A
`...—....--.._....-....._.--u....._.——-—-—.._.........._.._............_.......-..——-.-----._—.—-.-—......_.._........__..--....__.._........_.......----___..._.
`
`4401227
`5628784
`......a.--.__..._...___.—......—.-——-—.-.._...__..._..___._.__..._.—..——.......__.__._.___...-._—.._.___.__._—._——.—-———_..
`
`
`
`
`WO 9610967
`
`A
`
`18-04~1996
`
`08-10-1996
`5562727 A
`US
`26*02-1998
`687650 B
`AU
`
`02-05-1996
`3891195 A
`AU
`
`18-04-1996
`2201320 A
`CA
`30-07-1997
`0785758 A
`EP
`
`06-01-1998
`10500050 T
`JP
`.--..._......_.._...._..—.....____————-..___——-..___...._.._..__........._......._.._.___...__—._._.__—__..._____—-—__..—
`
`
`2726401 B
`11-03*1998
`JP
`8206227 A
`13-08-1996
`
`
`23-09-1997
`US
`5669930 A
`
`_.-~.—......-..........—......................—...-.——.............-.........-.—.......-...._.._._—--—.....-....__..............___.._..—...__......_..___...____....
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A
`
`_______-_...____.—..—.—___.~———.__..—..._._._._._..._.__.___....-...__—-......._._—-....——.-——.........._......._._................
`
`
`
`
`Farm FCTIlSN21o(palem!an1i|y annex) (July 1992)
`
`1009
`
`

`
`This Page is Ins_erted by IFW Indexing and Scanning
`Operations and is not part of the Official Record
`
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`
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`
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`
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`1010
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`1010
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`

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`"-"““
`‘ V -~
`‘PATENTAPPLICATION FEE DETERMINATION RECORD
`Effective October 1, 2001
`
`b
`'1 I "Appiica'
`: S9’
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`Q I
`E!) 31'’ , Q '0 U 5
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`' if the diflerenoe in column 1 is less than zero. enter ‘O’ in column 2
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`FIRST PRESENTATION OF MULTIPLE DEFEND
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`1011
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`1011
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`

`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box I450
`Alexandria, Virginia 223|3-I450
`www.uspIa.gov
`
`
`
`
`
`'
`K
`
`I
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`FILING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO,
`
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`D9/977,826
`
`IO/I 5/2001
`
`George Goicocchca
`
`BSI-OIOUS4
`
`4645
`
`I W006
`
`759°
`Ratner & Prestia
`One Westlakes, Berwyn, Suite 301
`Po. Box 930
`Valley Forge, PA 19482
`
`.
`
`MATTHEWS, WILLIAM H
`-
`
`K
`
`3733
`DATE MAILED: I0/IO/2006
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`PTO-90C (Rev. 10/03)
`
`'
`
`1012
`
`1012
`
`

`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Application No.
`
`App|icant(s)
`
`09/977,826
`Examine,
`
`GOICOECHEA ET AL.
`M Unit
`
`William H. Matthews (Howie)
`
`3738
`
`-- The MAILING DATE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTH(S) OR THIRTY (30) DAYS,
`WHICHEVER IS LONGER, FROM THE MAILING DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(3).
`In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed
`after SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`It NO period for reply is specified above. the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the setor extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, even it timely filed, may reduce any
`earned patent term adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s) filed on 26 June 2006.
`
`2a)® This action is FINAL.
`
`2b)l:l This action is non—fina|.
`
`3)|:] Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`
`closed in accordance with the practice under Ex parte Quayle, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims
`
`
`4)E| C|aim(s) 20 22-25 27-33 39 41 43-49 and 54-57 is/are pending in the application.
`
`4a) Of the above c|aim(s) __ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`5)|:] Claim(s) _____ is/are allowed.
`
`6)X| C|aim(s) 20,22—25,31-33,39,41,43-49 and 54-57 is/are rejected.
`
`7) C|aim(s) _2_L—_.’_3__Q is/are objected to.
`8)l:] C|aim(s
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`
`)__
`
`Application Papers
`
`9)l:l The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`10)I:] The drawing(s) filed on ~___j__ is/are: a)I] accepted or b)I:I objected to by the Examiner.
`
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121(d).
`
`11)l:l The oath or declaration is objected to by the Examiner. Note the attached Office Action or form PTO-152.
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`
`12)l:] Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`a)l] All
`b)l:] Some ' c)l] None of:
`
`Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`
`Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`
`Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this National Stage
`
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`
`* See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`4) D interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date. _,
`5) D Notice of Informal Patent Application
`6) D Other:
`.
`
`1) D Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`2) D Notice of Draftsperson's Patent Drawing Review (PTO-948)
`3)
`lnfonnation Disclosure Statement(s) (PTOISBI08)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date @2505.
`US. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 03-06)
`
`Office Action Summary
`1013
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 25060928
`
`1013
`
`

`
`Application/Control Number: 09/977,826
`
`Page 2
`
`Art Unit: 3738
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`1.
`
`Applicant's arguments filed 6-26-06 have been fully considered but they are not
`
`persuasive.
`
`2.
`
`Regarding the rejection under 35 USC 112 of claims 56 and 57, Applicant
`
`contends support is provided at p9 lines 15-19, p 10 lines 1-7, p23 lines 20-23, and p44
`
`lines 19-23. Examiner acknowledges the cited passages to recite the E hoops being
`
`perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, but this does not provide support for the limitation
`
`“the vertices of e_a£h_ hoop pointed in the axial direction lie in a common plane
`
`perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member”. The specification only
`
`provides support for “substantially perpendicular".
`
`3.
`
`With regard to Cragg, Fontaine, Furui, and Wolff Examiner maintains the
`
`arguments presented in the last office action dated 12-27-05 on pages 2-4.
`
`4.
`
`Applicant presents new arguments pertaining to the interpretation of the terms
`
`“substantially perpendicular” and “juxtaposed” primarily based upon recent decision of
`
`the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (In re Johnson and Phillips). Examiner
`
`notes the decisions are based upon different circumstances, but generally teach general
`
`definitions may give way to the definition imparted by the specification.
`
`_In the current
`
`application, Examiner does not see how the current specification provides a distinct
`
`definition of "substantially perpendicular” and "juxtaposed" and therefore applying the 6
`
`teaching of In re Johnson and Phillips would not be appropriate. Furthermore,
`
`substantially is disclosed in MPEP 2173.05(b) to be “a broad term”. Regarding
`
`1014
`
`1014
`
`

`
`Application/Control Number: 09/977,826
`
`Page 3
`
`Art Unit: 3738
`
`“juxtaposed", Applicant has not provided support in the specification to require a level of
`
`proximity between “juxtaposed apices”.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 .
`
`5.
`
`The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112:
`
`The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of
`making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the
`art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same and shall
`set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
`
`6.
`
`Claims 56~57 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph, as failing to
`
`comply with the written description requirement. The c|aim(s) contains subject matter
`
`which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to
`
`one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed,
`
`had possession of the claimed invention. Specifically, claims 56-57 recite “the vertices
`
`of each hoop pointed in the axial direction lie in a common plane perpendicular to the
`
`longitudinal axis of the tubular member” which is not disclosed in the specification. The
`
`specification only provides support for the phrase “substantially perpendicular".
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`1.
`
`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that
`
`form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
`
`A person shall be entitled to a patent unless -
`
`(b) the invention was patented or described in a printed publication in this or a foreign country or in public
`use or on sale in this country, more than one year prior to the date of application for patent in the United
`States.
`
`(e) the invention was described in (1) an application for patent, published under section 122(b), by
`another filed in the United States before the invention by the applicant for patent or (2) a patent
`
`1015
`
`1015
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`

`
`Application/Control Number: 09/977,826
`
`_
`
`Page 4
`
`Art Unit: 3738
`
`granted on an application for patent by another filed in the United States before the invention by the
`applicant for patent, except that an international application filed under the treaty defined in section
`351(a) shall have the effects for purposes of this subsection of an application filed in the United States
`only if the international application designated the United States and was published under Article 21(2) .
`of such treaty in the English language.
`
`2.
`
`Claims 20,22-24,31——33,41,54,55 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(e) as being
`
`anticipated by Cragg US PN 5,405,377.
`
`Cragg discloses in figures 1-4 and line 40 of col.- 2 through line 4 of col. 3 a stent
`
`10 comprising a plurality of hoops 11 formed from a continuous Nitinol wire comprising
`
`pairs of elongate elements forming apices abutting apices of adjacent hoops, which are
`
`connected by thermoplastic suture material 12. All hoops are axially aligned and of
`
`equal diameter.
`
`3.
`
`Claims 20,22-24,31,54-55 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(e) as being
`
`anticipated by Fontaine US PN 5,370,683.
`
`Fontaine discloses in figures 6, 9, 10, and 14 a stent comprised ofa continuous
`
`wire formed into a plurality of interconnected (by welding lines 11-13 of col. 6) hoops at
`
`abutting apices or vertices (5,5’ and 7,7’) formed by pairs ofelongate elements within
`
`each hoop. All hoops are axially aligned and of equal diameter.
`
`4.
`
`I Claims 20,22—25,39,43,44,47,54-55 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being
`
`anticipated by Wolff US PN 5,104,404.
`
`Wolff discloses in figures 1 and 6 a-stent comprised of a plurality of hoops 12
`
`interconnected at apices formed by pairs of elongate elements within each hoop.
`
`Securing means 14 connects the apices of adjacent hoops. All hoopsare axially
`
`1016
`
`1016
`
`

`
`Application/Control Number: 09/977,826
`Art Unit: 3738
`
`Page‘5
`
`aligned and of equal or different diameter (figure 6). Figure 1 shows the longitudinal
`
`ends of the stent being square to the long axis of the stent. As shown in Figure 1, each
`
`end portion of the stent, left 12 or right 12, may have a tubular coating of radiopaque
`
`material over element 14 (see lines 63-65 of col. 3).
`
`5.
`
`Claims 20,22-24,31,39,54 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being
`
`anticipated by Furui JP 4-25755.
`
`Furui discloses in figure 1 a stent comprised of a plurality of hoops
`
`interconnected at apices formed by pairs of elongate elements within each hoop.
`
`Securing means connect the apices of adjacent hoops. All hoops are axially aligned, of
`
`equal or different diameter, and in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`6.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103(a) which forms the basis for all
`
`obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`(a) A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described as set
`forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and
`the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the
`invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains.
`Patentability shall not be negatived by the manner in which the invention was made.
`
`7.
`
`Claims 45,46,48,49 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable
`
`over Wolff US PN 5,104,404 as applied to claims 54,43,44,47 above, and further in view
`
`of Piplani et al. US PN 5,824,039.
`
`1017
`
`1017
`
`

`
`Application/Control Number: 09/977,826
`Art Unit: 3738
`
`Page 6
`
`Wolff discloses the use of radiopaque markers in the form of tubes but does not
`
`expressly disclose the use of gold or platinum as the material or that the marker may be
`
`a wire. Piplani teaches a stented vascular graft having gold and platinum markers as
`
`well as markers in the form of wires (see lines 22-26 of col. 5 and lines 14-17 of col. 7) .
`
`in order to provide visibility under fluoroscopy during implantation of the device.
`
`Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time
`
`of the invention to have modified the stent disclosed by Wolff to include gold or platinum
`
`as the material or to provide the marker in the form of a wire as taught by Piplani et al. .
`
`in order to provide sufficient visibility under fluoroscopy during implantation of the
`
`device.
`
`Allowable Subject Matter
`
`8.
`
`Claims 27-30 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim,
`
`but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of
`
`the base claim and any intervening claims.
`
`Conclusion
`
`9.
`
`All claims are drawn to the same invention claimed in the application prior to the
`
`entry of the submission under 37 CFR 1.114 and could have been finally rejected on the
`
`grounds and art of record in the next Office action if they had been entered in the
`
`application prior to entry under 37 CFR 1.114. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE
`
`‘ FINAL even though it is a first action after the filing of a request for continued
`
`1018
`
`1018
`
`

`
`Application/Control Number: 09/977,826
`
`Page 7
`
`Art Unit: 3738
`
`examination and the submission under 37 CFR 1.114. See MPEP § 706.07(b).
`
`Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
`
`A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE
`
`MONTHS from the mailing date of this action.
`
`In the event a first reply is filed within
`
`TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not
`
`mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the
`
`shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any
`
`extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of
`
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`examiner should be directed to William H. Matthews (Howie) whose telephone number
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`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's
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`
`1019
`
`1019
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`

`
`Application/Control Number: 09/977,826
`
`Page-8
`
`Art Unit: 3738
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`Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the
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`William H. Matthews (Howie)
`Examiner
`
`Art Unit 3738
`
`1020
`
`1020
`
`

`
`PTOISB/Oaa (0903) (AW 10/2003)
`Approved for use through 7/31/2006. OMB 0651-0031
`US. Patent and Trademark Ofiioe: US. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
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`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
`STATEMENT BY APPLICANT
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`
`
`-un'
`
`I.-.r..‘
`
`to
`
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`Examiner
`Cite
`9
`
`Initials‘
`
` -
`
`
`
`
`
`(Use as many shees as necessary)
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`SHEET 1 of 6
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`Pages, Columns, Unes, Where
`Relevant Passages or Relevant
`Figures Appear
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`
`
`——
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`—
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`Document Number
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`Number - Kind Code
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`2 (if known)
`
`Publication Date
`(MM-DD-YYYY)
`
`us-3,304,557
`5-3 657 744
`s~3 805 301
`
`s-4,130 904
`5-4 202 349
`
` C
`
`5-4 494,531
`s-4 530 113
`5-4 545 082
`S-4,787 899
`s-4795 463
`5-5 163 958
`s-5,192 310
`3-5 305 294
`
`c
`
`US-5,342,387
`
`Iiilliiiliii
`
`Name of Patentee or
`
`Applicant of Cited Document
`
`5
`. Polansk
`Ersek
`Liebig
`Whalen
`
`Matterson
`
`3E
`
`2/21/1967
`4/25/1972
`4/23/1974
`2/26/1978
`5/13/1980
`1/22/1985
`7/23/1985
`10/08/1985
`1/29/1988
`Ge
`1/03/1989
`P.
`mchuk —
`1/17/1992
`Herweck, et al.
`3/09/1993
`Winston et al. O
`4/26/1994
`7/19/1994
`3/30/1994
`
`Simon et at —
`I11-
`If-
`-11—
`1X1—
`IX1—
`-K-—
`If-—
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`111-
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`11- Polansk istockert eta|- —
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`1'11 Cra
`2—
`Examiner
`
`Sinamre /William Matthews/
`‘EXAMINER: Initial ll’ reference considered, whether or not dtatlon is in conformance with MPEP 609. Draw line through dtation If not in confomtance and not
`considered.
`include copy oi’ this form with next communication to Applicant.
`‘Applicant's unique citation designation number (optional).
`‘See Kind codes of USPTO Patent Documents at mam/._gsp;9_,ggy or MPEP 901.04.
`‘Enter Omce that issued the document, by the two-letter code (wlP0 Standard St.3).
`‘For Japanese patent documents, the indication of the year of the reign of the Emperor must precede the serial number oi’ the patent document.
`‘Kind of document by the appropriate symbols as indicated on the document under WIPO Standard Sl'.16 if possible.
`‘Applicant is to place a check mart: here ii’ English language translation is attached.
`The collection oi‘ Infonnatlon is required by 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98. The Information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which is to file (and by the
`USPTO to process) an application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.14. This collection is estimated to take 2 hours to complete,
`lndudlng gathering, preparing, and submitting the completed application form to the USPTO. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments
`on the amount of time you require to complete this font: and/or suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, US. Patent
`and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450. 00 NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS
`ADDRESS. SEND TO: Commissioner for Patents, P.0. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 21313-1450.
`Ifyou need usistanoe in completing the form, cull I-Em-PTO-9l99(I-8!!)-7869199) and select option 2.
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`Date
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`1021
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`1021
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`

`
`PTO/58/083 (03-O3) (AW 10/2003)
`Approved for use through 7/31/2006. OMB 0651-0031
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act oi 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection oi information unless it displays a valid OMB control .-.umbe,_
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`
`
`Complete If Known
`
`'
`
`Applilion Number
`
`09/971826
`
`‘
`
`Filing Date
`
`October 15. 2001
`
`First Nan1ed Inventor George Goieoediea
`
`An Unit
`
`Substitute for Fon'n .1 449A/PTO
`
`
`
`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
`
`
`
`
`
`STATEMENT BY APPLICANT
`(Use as many sheets as necessary)
`
`
`
`Examiner Name
`Auomevwetwor
`swam are
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`William H. Matthews
`
`Document Number
`
`2 (I1 known)
`
`Number - Kind Code
`CT
`5-5 697 970
`55 725572
`
`Publication Date
`(MM~DD-YYYY)
`
`Name of Patentee or
`Applicant of Cited Document
`
`Pages, Columns, unes, Where
`Relevant Passages or Relevant
`figures Appear
`
`IT
`
`2/16/1997
`3/10/1998
`4/21/1998
`9/01/1998
`o/2o/1990
`2/15/1999
`3/02/1999 l
`7/18/2000
`8/15/2000 l
`9/26/2000
`0/10/2000
`2/05/2000
`2/12/2000
`2/19/2000
`1/23/2001
`3/06/2001 EMT
`3/13/2001
`4/03/2001
`4/24/2001
`4/24/2001
`5/22/2001
`6/26/2001
`6/26/2001
`7/17/2001
`8/07/2001
`8/14/2001
`8/28/2001
`9/04/2001
`9/11/2001
`1/06/2001
`2/04/2001
`12/04/2001
`
`Andersen, et al.
`on 71'to'\ 0P? ‘L
`B
`Qulachon, et al.
`Richter et al.
`mam
`
`Tn
`
`aiifliiiiiaiiIiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiliiiiiiiiiiil
`
`use 210 435
`S-6,221,099
`S-6,221,102
`
`S-6,251 133
`5-6 251,134
`5-6 261 316
`5-6 270 523
`S-6 273 909
`S-6 280 457
`5-6 283 991
`5-6,287 335
`
`
`
`Examiner
`InitiaIs*
`
`0F6
`No.‘
`
`—
`—
`—
`—
`—
`—
`—
`_
`_
`H
`
`
`EIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
`
`
`
`
`
`1
`1
`1‘
`II
`-
`.
`E
`I
`09/23/2005
`/W:i.111am Matthewel
`Sfgaig
`
`‘EXAMINER: Initial If reference considered, whether or not citation is in conformance with MPEP 609. Draw line through dtatlon if not In conformance and not
`considered.
`Include copy or this font: with next communication to Applicant.
`‘Applicant's unique citation designation number (optional).
`‘See Kind Codes of USPTO Patent Documents at mmysmmgpx or MPEP 901.04.
`‘Enter Office that issued the document, by the two—letter code (WIPO Standard St.3).
`‘For Japanese patent documents, the indication oi the year of the reign of the Emperor must precede the serial number of the patent document.
`‘Kind of document by the appropriate symbols as indicated on the document under wreo Standard ST.16 if possible.
`‘Applicant is to place a check mark here it English language trandatlon Is attached.
`The collection of information is required by 37 CPR 1.97 and 1.93. The Information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which is to file (and by the
`USPTO to process) an application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 u.s.c. 122 and 37 CFR 1.14. This collection Is estimated to take 2 hours to complete,
`Indudlng gathering, preparing, and submitting the completed application form to the USPTO. Tlme will vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments
`on the amount of time you require to complete this form and/or suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent
`and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313~ 1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS
`ADDRESS. SEND TO: Commissioner for Patenu, P.0. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
`
`D
`
`1022
`
`1022
`
`

`
`PTOISBIoaa (08-O3) (AW‘1OI200:l)
`Approved ior use through 7/31/2006. OMB 0651-0031
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act ol 1995. no persons are required to respond to a collection of inlorrnation unless it displays a valid OMB control number,
`
`Substitute lor Fonn 14-1aAIPTO
`
`
`
`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Examiner Name
`sue-more
`~r°mevvoc~«e«~o-
`
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`
`
`STATEMENT BY APPLICANT
`(Use as many sheets as necessano
`
`An Unit
`
`3733
`
`William H. MBHHBWS
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`Initials‘
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`No.
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`Number - Kind Code
`
`Document Number
`
`2 (u,know")
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`Publication Date
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`(MM-DD-YYYY)
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`Applicant of Cited Document
`
`Pages, Columns, Lines, Where
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`RelevantPassagesorRelevant
`
`Figures Appear
`
`
`
`m_
`CCZ—
`-XX Gittings. et al. —
`1Cf—
`IZ1—
`1C1—
`1C1—
`1Z-—
`ZZT—
`1C1—
`1Z1—
`1ZX_
`IXT—
`X11 Marcade et at —
`I11 Strecker —
`IX-—
`1IT—
`1 —
`IXi—
`I —
`1X1—
`1Xj—
`1X1—
`1Xj—
`XIT—
`ZX —
`K‘1T—
`I11 Gifford in et ai. —
`Examiner
`
`’ Si - nature
`
`
`
`
`William Matthews
`
`Considered
`
`09/23/2005
`
`‘EXAMINER: initial il relerenoe considered. whether or not citation is in oonlormanoa with MPEP 609. Draw line through citation if not in oonlormanoe and not
`mnsidered. Indude mpy at this form with next onmmuniation to Applicant
`‘Appllc-ant’s unique citation designation number (optional).
`‘see Kind Codes of USPTO Patent Documents at wwwusmg ggy or MPEP 901.04.
`’Enter Office that issued the document, by the two-letter code (WIPO Standard SL3).
`‘For Japanese patent documents. the lndiulion oi the year ol the reign of the Emperor must premde the serial number of the patent document
`‘Kind oi document by the appropriate symbols as indicated on the document underwlPO Standard ST.16 it possible.
`°Applicant is to place a check mark here it English language translation is attached.
`The collection of information is required by 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.93. The information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which is to file (and by
`the USPTO to process) an application. confidentiality is governed by 35 u.s.c. 122 and 37 CFR 1.14. This collection is estimated to lake 2 hqurs to complete,
`induding gathering. preparing. and submitting the completed application form to the USPTO. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments
`on the amount oi time you require to complete this form andlor suggestions lor reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chlel inlormation Otfioer, U.S. Patent
`and Trademark Offioe, U.S. Department of Commerce. PO Box 1450. Alexandria, VA 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO
`THIS ADDRESS. SEND TO: commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450. Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
`-
`If you need assistance In completing the form, call 1~B00-PTO-9199 (1-800486-9199) and select option 2.
`
`1023
`
`1023
`
`

`
`PTO/SB/08a (03-03) (AW 10/2003)
`Approved for use through 7/31/2006. OMB 0651-0031
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act or 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number.
`
`Com Iete if Known
` Substitute for Fomt 1449NPTO
`
`09/977.826
`Applition Number
`
`
`Filing Date
` First Named Inventor
`
`
`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
`
`STATEMENT BY APPLICANT
`(Use as many sheets as necessary)
`
`
`
`
`October 15. 2001
`
`GEOTQB G°i°°°Ch93
`
`3738
`
`
`Vifiiliam H. Matthews
`Examiner Name
`
` SHEET 4 of 5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`No.‘
`
`Examiner
`Initials‘
`
`.llllIIIIIlIEIIIIIEiI"'%
`
`
`
`IIIIIIIII-IEI-
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Pages, Columns,
`
`
`Unes, Where Relevant
`Passages or Relevant
`Figures Appear
`
`
`
`Name of Patentee or
`Applicant of Cited
`Document
`
`
`Nissho Corp. —
`Colin C. Dldcott
`Taha R. Lazim
`National Research
`Development
`Corp.(GB)
`Cook Inc.
`Cook Inc.
`
`
`
`Foreign Patent Document
`Country Code’ - Number‘ - Kind Code‘"''‘“‘’‘'“’
`EP 0 464 755
`GB 1205743
`GB 2269104
`FR 1602513
`
`
`
`D t
`t'
`P I)“
`(l,J.1,.1‘_:[a)[',°_';YYaY)e
`01/08/1992
`09/16/1970
`02/02/1994
`01/29/1971
`
`JP 3133446 (w/English Abstract)
`
`06-06-1991
`
`JP HO5_76554
`
`JP 6023031
`
`WO 83/03752
`WO 92/06734
`WO 95/01761
`WO 97/09008
`
`W0 98 27895
`
`03/30/1993
`
`02/01/1994
`
`11-10-1983
`04/30/1992
`01/19/1995
`03/13/1997
`
`Endovascular
`Technologies, Inc.
`Endovascular
`.
`Technologies, Inc.
`Hans Wallstén
`Ho Young Song
`Dr. T. J. Fogarty
`Medtronic, Inc.
`
`.
`
`
`
`
`D t
`'
`I
`E
`09/28/2006
`cgniadereci
`/M111“ Matthew“
`SI(r::t't1J:;
`
`
`
`‘EXAMINER: initial it reference considered, whether or not dtation is in conformance with NIPEP 609. Draw line through dlation it not in conformance and not
`considered. Include copy at this town with next mmmunication to Applicant
`‘Applicants unique dtation