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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of species 1 in the reply filed on 03/02/2026 is acknowledged.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) dated 03/09/2023 has been received and considered. Claim 7 has been canceled and no claims have been withdrawn; remaining claims have been amended to depend from the elected species claims.
Claim Objections
Claims 1 and 15 are objected to for two typographical errors in steps S1 and S2: “the pneumatic gloves” is recited. It appears this should be “the pneumatic glove[[s]]”.
Claims 10-11 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 10 has been amended to depend from claim 8, but it appears that it should depend from claim 9, since claim 9 is the first recitation of “a stretching movement trend” where claim 10 recites “the stretching movement trend”.
Claim 11 similarly has been amended to depend from claim 8, but it appears that it should also depend from claim 9, since claim 9 is the first recitation of “a flexion movement trend” where claim 11 recites “the flexion movement trend”. “Expected movement trend” is previously recited in parent claim 1. It appears that “flexion movement trend” and “stretching movement trend” are specific types of “expected movement trend”.
Claim 15 limitations “the stretching movement trend” and “the flexion movement trend” both do not have antecedent basis in the claim. It is suggested to amend these limitations to “a stretching” and “a flexion”. It has been interpreted the a stretching movement trend and a flexion movement trend are types of expected movement trend.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-6 and 9-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
A single claim which claims both an apparatus and the method steps of using the apparatus is indefinite under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph since it is not clear when infringement occurs, whether it is when one creates a system that allows the user to do the process, or when the user actually uses the system. In contrast, when a claim recites a product and additional limitations which focus on the capabilities of the system, not the specific actions of the user, the claim may be definite. (See MPEP 2173.05(p)(II)). Claims 1 and 15 claim both an apparatus and a method in the same claim.
It is suggested by the examiner to claim the method. Claims 2-6, 8-14, and 16-20 are rejected as depending upon a rejected base claim.
Claim 2 appears to have a grammatical error in the limitation “the on-off switch is connected to the output port to control an on-off of the pneumatic glove and the external atmosphere” which renders the claim unclear. This limitation is confusing since it is not clear whether the on-off switch is controlling the external atmosphere, or if the switch is connected to the external atmosphere, or if the switch connects the output port to control the connection of the pneumatic glove to the external atmosphere. It appears that the third interpretation is intended.
Claim 3 recites the limitation "the flexion movement trend" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. There is no previous recitation of a flexion movement trend in parent claim 1, which recites “an expected movement trend”. It has been interpreted that “the flexion movement trend” is a type of the expected movement trend recited in claim 1 that includes the air pressure flexion threshold.
Claim 5 is similarly rejected for “the stretching movement trend”, which also does not have antecedent basis to parent claim 1’s expected movement trend. It has been interpreted that the stretching movement trend is the specific type of expected movement trend that includes the air pressure stretching threshold.
Claim 9 is rejected as indefinite due to its dependence upon a canceled claim (claim 7). For purposes of advancing prosecution, this claim has been interpreted to be dependent upon claim 1.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-7 and 9-20 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter.
The closest prior art of record for Claims 1 and 15 includes Jia et al. (CN 109999429 A), in view of Fujimoto et al. (US 2010/0249675 A1), hereafter Fujimoto, Tong et al. (US 2018/0296419 A1), hereafter Tong, and Nagata et al. (US 2016/0242987 A1). A machine translation of Jia is relied upon to address claims.
Regarding Claim 1, Jia discloses a system for power-assisted training for a hand of a patient (fig. 1, “Technical Field” page 1), comprising a device for power-assisted training for a hand of a patient (fig. 1, training unit 11 and control unit 12, page 4 “Referring to Fig. 1” para.), including: a pneumatic glove (fig. 1, 11), a control part (fig. 1, 12), an output port (fig. 1, “Referring to Fig. 1” para., the output end of the air pressure control unit 123), an air pressure measurement unit (fig. 2, first air pressure sensing unit 23, page 5 “Referring to Fig. 2” para.) and a pneumatic device (fig. 2, air supply unit 21, page 5 “Referring to FIG. 2” para.), wherein the pneumatic glove is pneumatically connected to the pneumatic device through the output port (fig. 1, page 1, “Referring to Fig. 1” para., the output end of the air pressure control unit 123 is connected to the interior of the hollow elastic structure of the hand rehabilitation training unit 11), the control part is connected to the pneumatic device to control the pneumatic device (fig. 1, “Referring to Fig. 1” para.), such that the pneumatic device outputs positive pressure, negative pressure (“Referring to FIG. 2” para., page 5) or stops outputting to the pneumatic glove (page 10 “Referring to Figures 2” para., pause button 641), the air pressure measurement unit is connected to the output port to measure air pressure data of the pneumatic glove in real time (page 2, “The hand rehabilitation” para., the pressure sensing data accurately reflects the movement trend of the hand), and an output terminal of the air pressure measurement unit is electrically connected to the control part to output the measured air pressure data (fig. 2, 23 is electrically connected to the main control part 121 of the control unit 12, “Referring to Fig. 1” para. page 4); and a method for controlling, by the control part, the pneumatic glove, including steps:
S1, obtaining a current air pressure value of the pneumatic glove, detected by an air pressure detection unit at a current moment, as an initial pressure (page 7, “In the step S2” para., the pressure sensor 231 monitors pressure of gas inside the unit, including at an initial time),
S2, setting an air pressure threshold (page 5, seventh para. down, beginning with “Specifically”, when the outlet pressure is less than the set pressure; 8th para, when the outlet pressure is greater than the set pressure, i.e., a threshold), the air pressure threshold ([0109] the bending sensors are changed from bending level 1 to 2 with a predetermined threshold value being exceeded) including an air pressure stretching threshold and an air pressure flexion threshold (page 7, “When the hand performs the” paras., each pressure is compared with the pressure when the hand is not moving; thus, in each case, the pressure threshold is the pressure identified in the not-moving state), adjusting an internal air path of the pneumatic gloves to a closed air path (page 2, first full para., the air supply unit is sealed; see also page 7, “S1” para.), and when the pneumatic glove is worn on a hand of a patient (page 2, first full para.), obtaining a current air pressure of the pneumatic glove detected by the air pressure detection unit (page 2, first full para.), and determining an expected movement trend of the hand of the patient according to the current air pressure (page 2, first full para.), ;
S3, regulating the air pressure in the pneumatic glove according to the expected movement trend, such that the pneumatic glove moves according to the expected movement trend (page 2 lines 1-5).
Jia is silent on the initial steps of S1, regulating an air pressure of a pneumatic glove to enable the pneumatic glove to be in a natural flexion state, and obtaining a current air pressure value of the pneumatic glove, detected by an air pressure detection unit at a current moment, as an initial air pressure, wherein the natural flexion state refers to a state at which the air pressure in the pneumatic gloves is equal to an external air pressure;
S2, wherein the air pressure stretching threshold is a sum of the initial pressure and a stretching error value, and the stretching error value is a pressure value greater than 0; the air pressure flexion threshold is a difference between the initial air pressure and a flexion error value, and the flexion error value is a pressure value greater than 0.
Fujimoto teaches a pneumatic glove which operates using the steps of S1, regulating an air pressure of a pneumatic glove to enable the pneumatic glove to be in a natural flexion state ,wherein the natural flexion state refers to a state at which the air pressure in the pneumatic gloves is equal to an external air pressure ([0111] and table 1, the initial shape has a pressure level of 1, in which a valve is open to be atmospheric pressure; [00090] describes the initial shape as a natural flexion state); and
S2, setting an air pressure threshold according to the initial air pressure ([0111] the valve is opened so that the pressure inside is equal to atmospheric pressure for the initial shape).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use ambient pressure in a natural flexion state as the initial air pressure, as taught by Fujimoto, and to then set a flexion and a stretching pressure threshold based on the ambient pressure, so that a state of no force is applied to that hand during treatment (Fujimoto [0099]) and there is a clear set point for determining a threshold for flexion and stretching of the hand in Jia’s method as an alternative to the “no movement” threshold.
The now-modified Jia remains silent on wherein the air pressure stretching threshold is a sum of the initial pressure and a stretching error value, and the stretching error value is a pressure value greater than 0; the air pressure flexion threshold is a difference between the initial air pressure and a flexion error value, and the flexion error value is a pressure value greater than 0.
Tong teaches a hand supporting exoskeleton that uses fluid to actuate (fig. 1, abstract) which includes a threshold activation force ([0038]), which is defined by the maximum force needed to deform the reinforcement bands of the device (fig. 8a, 412 [0026]), which is a support structure to allow the finger to curl. This threshold compensates for external forces that would otherwise alter the shape of the balloons used to contract and extend the fingers ([0038]; fig. 1 and 8a, balloon 411 [0026]). Tong’s device uses a pre-deformed position having a pressure equal to atmospheric pressure as the initial pressure ([0039]). Upon the fluid injection of the balloon, the pressure increases and must exceed threshold activation force to cause curling ([0039]). However, this threshold is not used for determining a movement trend.
Nagata teaches an assist glove (fig. 40 [0319]) and a threshold for applying driving power to the assist device needing to be equal to or greater than a pressure threshold to avoid unintended actuation due to an accidental touch ([0088]).
There does not appear to be prior art of record which discloses, alone or in combination, which establishes an air pressure threshold as claimed and using the air pressure threshold and the current air pressure to determine an expected movement trend of the hand wearing the pneumatic glove.
Claims 2-7 and 9-14 would also be allowed as dependent upon claim 1, should the claims be amended to overcome the objections and 112(b) rejections detailed above.
Regarding Claim 15, Jia discloses a system for controlling a pneumatic glove (fig. 1, “Technical Field” para.), comprising a device for power-assisted training for a hand of a patient (fig. 1, training unit 11 and control unit 12, page 4 “Referring to fig. 1” para.), including: a pneumatic glove (fig. 1, 11), a control part (fig. 1, 12), an output port (fig. 1, “Referring to Fig. 1” para., the output end of the air pressure unit 123), an air pressure measurement unit (fig. 2, first air pressure sensing unit 23, page 5 “Referring to Fig. 2” para.) and a pneumatic device (fig. 2, air supply unit 21, page 5 “Referring to FIG. 2” para.), wherein the pneumatic glove is pneumatically connected to the pneumatic device through the output port (fig. 1, page 1, “Referring to Fig. 1” para., the output end of the air pressure control unit 123 is connected to the interior of the hollow elastic structure of the hand rehabilitation training unit 11), the control part is connected to the pneumatic device to control the pneumatic device (fig. 1, “Referring to Fig. 1” para.), such that the pneumatic device outputs positive pressure, negative pressure (“Referring to FIG. 2” para., page 5) or stops outputting to the pneumatic glove (page 10 “Referring to Figures 2” para., pause button 641), the air pressure measurement unit is connected to the output port to measure air pressure data of the pneumatic glove in real time (page 2, “The hand rehabilitation” para., the pressure sensing data accurately reflects the movement trend of the hand), and an output terminal of the air pressure measurement unit is electrically connected to the control part to output the measured air pressure data (fig. 2, 23 is electrically connected to the main control part 121 of the control unit 12, “Referring to Fig. 1” para. page 4); and a method for controlling, by the control part, the pneumatic glove, including steps:
S2, adjusting an internal air path of the pneumatic gloves to a closed air path (page 2, first full para., the air supply unit is sealed; see also page 7, “S1” para.), and when the pneumatic glove is worn on a hand of a patient (page 2, first full para.), obtaining a current air pressure of the pneumatic glove detected by the air pressure detection unit (page 2, first full para.), and determining an expected movement trend of the hand of the patient (page 2, first full para.); determining the hand of the patient has the stretching movement trend when the change rate of the current air pressure is greater than 0 (page 7, “When the hand performs the stretching motion, the pressure is detected as increasing, i.e. the change rate is greater than zero since the pressure is positively increasing); determining the hand of the patient has the flexion movement trend when the change rate of the current air pressure is less than 0 (page 7 “When the hand performs the buckling motion” para., the pressure is detected as reducing, i.e. the change rate of pressure is less than zero); and
S3, regulating the air pressure in the pneumatic glove according to the expected movement trend, such that the pneumatic glove moves according to the expected movement trend ((page 2 lines 1-5).
Jia is silent on the following:
S1, regulating an air pressure of a pneumatic glove to enable the pneumatic glove to be in a natural flexion state, wherein the natural flexion state refers to a state at which the air pressure in the pneumatic gloves is equal to an external air pressure; and
and determining an expected movement trend of the hand of the patient according to the change rate of the current air pressure.
Fujimoto teaches a pneumatic glove (fig. 2, [0081]) which regulates the air pressure to enable the pneumatic glove to be in a natural flexion state at which the air pressure in the pneumatic glove is equal to an external air pressure ([0111] and table 1, the initial shape has a pressure level of 1, in which a valve is open to be atmospheric pressure; [00090] describes the initial shape as a natural flexion state).
However, there does not appear to be prior art of record which includes, alone or in combination, all of the elements of claim 15 in which a movement trend of a hand of a patient is determined according to the change rate of the current air pressure.
Claims 16-20 would also be allowed as dependent upon claim 15, should the claims be amended to overcome the objections and 112(b) rejections detailed above.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
CN 109172266 A discloses a pneumatic glove for training stretch and bending modes, including an initial state (page 4, “The system provides” para.)
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SARA K. TOICH whose telephone number is (703)756-1450. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th 7:30 am - 4:30 pm, every other F 7:30-3:30 ET.
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/SARA K TOICH/ Examiner, Art Unit 3785
/BRANDY S LEE/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3785
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