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 .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
Claim(s) 1-8,10-15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1),102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Geroy et al (2013/0053864).
1. (Currently Amended) An implantable electrode lead, comprising:
- at least one electrode pole, (see at least figure 4a, (15,18))
- at least one electrical conductor, which is electrically conductively connected to the at least one electrode pole, (see at least ¶46)
- at least one longitudinally extended electrical insulator (see at least ¶46 which teach insulated conductive wires)
the at least one electrical conductor -is helically wound in a first direction of rotation
about a longitudinal axis-of the electrode lead, and in that the at least one electrical
insulator is helically wound in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first
direction of rotation, about the longitudinal axis. (see at least ¶52)
2. (Currently Amended) The implantable electrode lead according to claim 1, wherein the implantable electrode lead comprises a further electrical conductor-helically wound in the first direction of rotation about the longitudinal axis}. (see at least figure 6a, (102) ¶54)
3. (Currently Amended) The implantable electrode lead according to claim 2, wherein the further electrical conductor is electrically conductively connected to a further electrode pole of the implantable electrode lead. (see at least ¶47 which teaches electrodes connected to each conductor)
4. (Currently Amended) The implantable electrode lead according to 7, wherein the implantable electrode lead comprises a further electrical insulator -helically wound in the second direction of rotation about the longitudinal axis. (see at least figure 6a, (104))
5. (Currently Amended) The implantable electrode lead according 1, wherein the respective electrode pole -is a ring electrode. (see at least ¶47)
6. (Currently Amended) The implantable electrode lead wherein the respective electrical conductor is a rope comprising a plurality of strands. (see at least ¶56)
7. (Currently Amended) The implantable electrode lead according to claim 6, wherein the
respective strand -comprises at least one wire. (see at least ¶56)
8. (Currently Amended) The implantable electrode lead according to claim 6, wherein the respective rope comprises seven strands, the respective strand -comprising seven twisted wires. (see at least figure 6c,7a, ¶56)
10. (Currently Amended) The implantable electrode lead according to claim 6, wherein the respective rope comprises 7 strands, the respective strand -comprising one wires. (see at least figure 6c,7a, ¶56)
11. (Currently Amended) The implantable electrode lead according to 4 , wherein the respective wire comprises or is formed out a material selected from the list comprised of: Silver, an alloy comprising nickel and cobalt, MP35N. (see at least ¶57)
12. (Currently Amended) The implantable electrode lead according to 7 wherein the respective wire comprises a core comprising a first metal and a sheath surrounding the core, the sheath being formed out of a different second metal. (see at least ¶57,58)
13. (Currently Amended) The implantable electrode lead according to 6 wherein the respective rope is covered with an electrically insulating cladding. (see at least ¶56)
14. (Currently Amended) The implantable electrode lead according to 1 , wherein the implantable electrode lead comprises an electrically insulating layer. (see at least ¶53)
15 (Currently Amended) The implantable electrode lead according to claim 1, wherein the implantable electrode lead is configured to be screwed into human or animal tissue, wherein a braid comprising the helically wound at least one electrical conductor and the helically wound at least one electrical insulator is configured to transfer torque upon screwing the implantable electrode lead into said tissue. (see at least ¶55 which teaches is configured to be screwed into tissue using torque transfer, which aids during implantation)
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Geroy et al (2013/0053864).
9. (Currently Amended) The implantable electrode lead according to claim 6 wherein the respective rope comprises 19 strands the respective strand -comprising one wire. (it is considered to have been an obvious design choice to use 19 strands since only predictable results would occur from such use such as greater strength and durability since more strands are being used)
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/Scott M. Getzow/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3792