Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Acknowledgments
This office action is in response to the reply filed on 7/18/25 where applicant elected, without traverse, Group I, claims 1-12, 15-27, 48-58. Claims 1-58 are pending with claims 13-14, 28-47 withdrawn.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 11/18/22 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97(b). Accordingly, the IDS is being considered by the Examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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 –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-12, 15-27, 48-58 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Ikuma et al. (US 2011/0060185) (“Ikuma”).
Ikuma discloses (claims 1-12): A magnetic navigation system for applying a magnetic field to an operating region within the body, the system comprising: a first magnet assembly 40 configured for introduction into a target location of a body; and a second magnet assembly 33 disposed opposite the first magnet assembly, wherein the first and second magnet assemblies are configured for applying a magnetic field to an operating region between the magnet assemblies. [0035-0043]
the first and second magnet assemblies each comprise at least one magnet configured for applying the magnetic field to an operating region between the magnet assemblies. See Fig.3 [0036]
the second magnet assembly is disposed external to the body. Fig. 2
the magnet assemblies including a positioner 31 for rotating the magnet assemblies about a first axis and pivoting the magnet assemblies about a second axis.
the first and second magnet assemblies comprise a single permanent magnet, a pair of permanent magnets, a single electromagnetic coil, two or more electromagnetic coils, or a combination thereof. [0036-0037]
the first and second magnet assemblies comprise a compound permanent magnet comprising a plurality of segments of magnetic material. Fig.3
a positioner 31 for rotating the magnet about a first axis and pivoting the magnet about a second axis.
the magnet assemblies are movably mounted on a support 13, Fig.2 for movement about the body, and the magnet assemblies being positioned to project a magnetic field in a direction to orient a magnetically responsive medical device in a selected direction.
first axes of the magnet assemblies are parallel. Figs. 7-9
first axes of the magnet assemblies are collinear and extend through the operating region. Figs. 7-9
the magnet assemblies each comprise a compound permanent magnet comprising a plurality of segments of magnetic material with differing magnetization directions so that relatively small rotations or pivots change the magnetic field projected by the magnet at a specific point. Figs. 3-4
the magnet assemblies are translatable along a first axis that extends radially outwardly from the center of the operating region, is pivotable about a second axis, generally perpendicular to the first axis that extends through the center of mass of the magnet, and is rotatable about the first axis. Figs. 3-4
Claims 15-22, 24-27, 48-53, 55-58 similarly rejected as above
Claims 23,54, the positions of the magnet assemblies are adjusted as the magnet assemblies move to change the direction of the magnetic field applied by the magnet assemblies to maintain a device in substantially the selected direction despite changes in the distance between the magnet assemblies and the operating region. See Figs. 5-6,14,17 and corresponding text
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DEANNA K HALL whose telephone number is (571)272-2819. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:00am-5:30pm est.
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/DEANNA K HALL/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3783
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