DETAILED ACTION
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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 2/10/2026 has been entered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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.
Claim(s) 1-9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by US 20140151998, Jahn.
In regards to claim 1, in Figure 4 and paragraphs detailing said figure, Jahn discloses a pressure balancer for a tube (210, 370) comprising: a compression collar (310) for threadably mating with a component (365) comprising a seal (272); a gripper (245) for anchoring to the tube and threadably mating with the compression collar; a ferrule (230) disposed over the tube, wherein the ferrule anchors the gripper to the tube; and wherein rotating the compression collar causes a threaded engagement of the compression collar with the component comprising a seal and a threaded connection between the compression collar and the gripper to axially displace the component comprising the seal and the gripper with respect to one another, thereby applying an axial force to the tube due to the gripper being anchored to the tube.
In regards to claim 2, in Figure 4 and paragraphs detailing said figure, Jahn discloses a nut (225) for compressing the ferrule and anchoring the gripper to the tube.
In regards to claim 3, in Figure 4 and paragraphs detailing said figure, Jahn discloses rotating the compression collar in one direction applies the axial force to the tube toward the component comprising the seal and rotating the compression collar in the other direction applies the axial force to the tube away from the component comprising the seal.
In regards to claim 4, in Figure 4 and [0027], Jahn discloses a method for making a pressure balanced connection with a component comprising a seal, wherein the method comprises the steps of: threadably mating a compression collar to the component comprising a seal; anchoring a gripper to a tube proximate the compression collar; threadably mating the gripper with the compression collar; and rotating the compression collar, wherein said rotation causes the threaded engagement of the compression collar with the component comprising a seal and the threaded engagement between the compression collar and the gripper to axially displace the component comprising a seal and the gripper with respect to one another, thereby applying an axial force to the tube.
In regards to claim 5, in Figure 4 and [0027], Jahn discloses anchoring the gripper to the tube comprises the step of deforming a gripper female.
In regards to claim 6, in Figure 4 and [0027], Jahn discloses
a method for making a pressure balanced connection with a component comprising a seal, wherein the method comprises the steps of: sliding a compression collar onto a tube; threadably engaging the component comprising the seal with the compression collar; sliding a gripper onto the tube; rotating the compression collar, wherein said rotation causes the threaded engagement of the compression collar with the component comprising a seal and the threaded engagement between compression collar and the gripper to axially displace the component comprising a seal and the gripper with respect to one another, thereby applying an axial force to the tube.
In regards to claim 7, in Figure 4 and [0027], Jahn discloses gripping the tube comprises: sliding a ferrule over the tube inside the gripper; and compressing the ferrule.
In regards to claim 8, in Figure 4 and [0027], Jahn discloses compressing the ferrule deforms the ferrule and anchors the ferrule to the tube.
In regards to claim 9, in Figure 4 and [0027], Jahn discloses the ferrule is compressed with a jam nut.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 2/10/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant argues that Jahn does not disclose a component comprising a seal. The Examiner disagrees. Jahn clearly illustrates a component (365) comprising a seal (272), as claimed.
Applicant argues that rotating Jahn’s jam nut would allow contamination between the inner tube and the instrument housing. The Examiner disagrees. Applicant has failed to provide any evidence that rotating Jahn’s jam nut would allow contamination between the inner tube and the instrument housing. Applicant has only provided arguments, and arguments are not evidence.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AARON M DUNWOODY whose telephone number is (571)272-7080. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Matthew Troutman can be reached at 571-270-3654. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/AARON M DUNWOODY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3679
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