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
Claims 17-20 withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected Group II, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 11/19/2025.
Response to Arguments
Claim Objections/Rejections under 35 USC 112
The amended claims dated 04/16/2026 have overcome the claim objections and rejections under 35 USC 112 as presented in the previous Office Action dated 12/16/2025. The objections/rejections under 35 USC 112 are hereby withdrawn.
Rejections under 35 USC 102/103
Applicant’s arguments, see Remarks filed 04/16/2026, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 1-16 under 35 USC 102 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of Yang et al (WO 2023284515 A1) and Zachary et al (US 20180304475 A1). Specifically, Yang does not disclose the amended features of a first and second magnetic coupling. However, Zachary discloses these features, as detailed in the rejection under 35 USC 103 below.
Information Disclosure Statement
The Information Disclosure Statements (IDS) filed 11/19/2025 and 03/26/2026 have been considered by the Examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 1-16 and 108 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yang et al (WO 2023284515 A1, machine translation) in view of Zachary et al (US 20180304475 A1).
Regarding claims 1 and 108, Yang teaches a surgical device comprising:
a first body (100) having a first fastening part (130); and
a second body (200) couplable to the first body and having a second fastening part (230),
wherein, when the first body and the second body are coupled, the first fastening part is accommodated in the second fastening part (see Fig. 5, [Abstract, machine translation]; instrument driver 100, which is regarded as the first body, and sterile adapter 200, which is regarded as the second body, mesh and cooperate with each other by means of several teeth on the driver transmission members 130 and adapter transmission members 230).
wherein the first body (100) further comprises a first body part (101) and a first accommodating part configured to accommodate a surgical instrument (see annotated Fig. 2 below; first body 100 is regarded as comprising an accommodating part due to unlabeled U-shaped recess in first body 100 which is configured to accommodate the shaft of surgical instrument 300),
the first fastening part (130) comprises a plurality of protrusions (1310) extending from a surface of the first body part (see Fig. 2, fastening parts 130 extending from surface of first body part 101),
the second body (200) comprises a second body part (220) and a second accommodating part for receiving the surgical instrument (see annotated Fig. 2 below; second body 200 is regarded as comprising an accommodating part due to unlabeled U-shaped recess in second body 200 configured to accommodate the shaft of surgical instrument 300), and
the second fastening part (230) comprises a plurality of grooves recessed from a surface of the second body (see annotated Fig. 8 below),
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Annotated Fig. 2
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Annotated Fig. 8
wherein the plurality of protrusions (1310) are circumferentially arranged on the first body part such that an angle between adjacent protrusions of the plurality of protrusions remains approximately equal (see annotated Fig. 6 below, [Page 7, Paragraph 1, machine translation]; toothed portion 131 is center symmetrical on the driver transmission member 130, the plurality of teeth 1310 are uniformly distributed along the radial direction of the transmission member 130),
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Annotated Fig. 6
wherein the plurality of grooves are circumferentially arranged on the second body part such that an angle between adjacent grooves of the plurality of grooves remains approximately equal (see annotated Fig. 8 below, [Page 7, Paragraph 4, machine translation]; second toothed portion 223 is similar to the first toothed portion 130, and the teeth 2330 have a radial distribution, it can be appreciated that the grooves located between each of the teeth 2330 also have an equal radial distribution).
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Annotated Fig. 8
Yang teaches a first coupling part (104) on the first body (100) and a second coupling part (240) on the second body (200), which allow for the first and second bodies to be removably coupled. Yang is silent regarding wherein the first body comprises a first coupling part and a first magnetic part disposed on the first body part,
the second body comprises a second coupling part coupled to the first coupling part, and a second magnetic part generating a repulsive force or attractive force between the first magnetic part and the second magnetic part,
wherein, in a first state, the first coupling part and the second coupling part are coupled by an attractive force between the first magnetic part and the second magnetic part, thereby fixing the first body and the second body, and
in a second state, the first coupling part and the second coupling part are released by a repulsive force between the first magnetic part and the second magnetic part, thereby releasing the fixed state of the first body and the second body.
Zachary teaches a device for a robotic tool changing mechanism that comprises a first body (12) and a second body (14), wherein the first body (12) comprises a first coupling part and a first magnetic part (71) disposed on the first body part (see Zachary [0063]; master unit 12 may include the first magnetic member 71),
the second body (14) comprises a second coupling part coupled to the first coupling part (see Zachary [0066]; first and second magnetic members 71 and 73 in respective locked and unlocked positions), and a second magnetic part (73) generating a repulsive force or attractive force between the first magnetic part and the second magnetic part (see Zachary [0063-0066]; to unlock the tool unit 14 from the master unit 12, the first magnetic member 71 may be moved to the first radial position to create a net repulsive force between the magnetic fields of the first and second magnetic members),
wherein, in a first state, the first coupling part and the second coupling part are coupled by an attractive force between the first magnetic part and the second magnetic part, thereby fixing the first body and the second body (see Zachary [0063]; to lock the tool unit 14 and the master unit 12, the first magnetic member 71 may be circumferentially moved to a second radial position as to align the first and second magnetic members to create a net attractive force between the bodies), and
in a second state, the first coupling part and the second coupling part are released by a repulsive force between the first magnetic part and the second magnetic part, thereby releasing the fixed state of the first body and the second body (see Zachary [0063]; to unlock the tool unit 14 and the master unit 12 the first magnetic member 71 may be moved to a first radial position as to align the first and second magnetic members to create a net repulsive force between the bodies).
It can be appreciated that the prior art of Yang and Zachary both seek to solve the same problem of removably yet securely coupling a tool unit to a drive source. It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Yang’s mechanical coupling mechanism with Zachary’s magnetic coupling mechanism. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to substitute one known element for coupling with another in order to allow for the secure coupling and decoupling of an instrument unit without using excessive force (Zachary [0006-0007]).
Regarding claim 5, Yang in view of Zachary teaches the surgical device of claim 1, wherein each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions corresponds to a groove of the plurality of grooves (see [Page 3, Paragraph 3, machine translation]; the adapter transmission part and the driver transmission part mesh and cooperate through a number of teeth evenly arranged on their respective surfaces, [Page 7, Paragraph 4 – Page 8, Paragraph 1, machine translation]; the toothed portions 130 and 230 on the first and second bodies are configured such that the second toothed portion forms a clasp on the first toothed portion, such that in a combined state the two form a complete cylinder).
Regarding claim 6, Yang in view of Zachary teaches the surgical device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of grooves are sized and shaped to receive the plurality of protrusions (see [Page 7, Paragraph 4, machine translation]; the meshing surfaces of the second toothed portion 233, which comprises a plurality of grooves, forms a clearance fit with the meshing surfaces of the first toothed portion 131).
Regarding claim 7, Yang in view of Zachary teaches the surgical device of claim 1, wherein the each of the plurality of protrusions (1310) comprises a first protruding portion (lower end of tooth 1310) and a second protruding portion (1311), and
the first protruding portion is disposed proximate the surface of the first body part and the second protruding portion is spaced from the surface of the first body part (see annotated Fig. 6 below where the first protruding portion is located proximate to the surface of first body part 101 and the second protruding portion is spaced from the first body part).
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Annotated Fig. 6
Regarding claim 8, Yang in view of Zachary teaches the surgical device of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the second protruding portion is curved (see Fig. 6, [Page 7, Paragraph 1, machine translation]; the tooth peak 1311, which is regarded as the second protruding portion, may have a rounded corner), and
a cross-sectional area of the plurality of protrusions increases in a direction from the second protruding portion to the first protruding portion (see annotated Fig. 6 below where the protruding portion 131 have a smaller cross-sectional area at the second protruding portion due to tooth peak 1311 which has a smaller cross-sectional area than the first protruding portion located at the base).
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Annotated Fig. 6
Regarding claim 9, Yang in view of Zachary teaches the surgical device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of grooves comprises a first groove portion and a second groove portion (see annotated Fig. 8 below), and
the second groove portion is disposed proximate the second body part (see Fig. 7, [Page 7, Paragraph 2, machine translation]; lower housing 220 is regarded as the second body part wherein the second fastening portions 230 are recessed from lower surface 221 of lower housing 220, the second groove portion is the deepest recessed part of grooves of second fastening portion 230, so it can be appreciated that it is located proximate to the second body part/lower housing 220) and
the first groove portion is spaced away from the second body part (see annotated Fig. 8 below where the first groove portion is the shallower recessed portion of the groove, which is located away from the second body portion/lower housing portion 220).
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Annotated Fig. 8
Regarding claim 10, Yang in view of Zachary teaches the surgical device of claim 9, wherein a cross-sectional area of the plurality of grooves decreases in a direction from the first groove portion to the second groove portion (see annotated Fig. 8 below, [Page 7, Paragraph 4, machine translation]; where the cross sectional area of the plurality of grooves decreases from the first groove portion to the second grooved portion due to the shape of the second toothed portion 2330 which has a larger base and a crest 2331 at the end of the second fastening portion closest to the first fastening portion).
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Annotated Fig. 8
Regarding claim 11, Yang in view of Zachary teaches the surgical device of claim 8, wherein the second protruding portion has a polygonal cross-sectional shape with rounded corners (see Fig. 6, [Page 7, Paragraph 1, machine translation]; the tooth peak 1311, which is regarded as the second protruding portion, may have round corners, it can be appreciated that the cross-sectional area has a polygonal shape due to the three-dimensional projection of the protruding portion).
Regarding claim 12, Yang in view of Zachary teaches the surgical device of claim 11, wherein the second groove portion has a polygonal cross-sectional shape with rounded corners that corresponds to the second protruding portion (see Fig. 8, [Page 7, Paragraph 4, machine translation]; the first and second teethed portions are configured to mate together to form a complete cylinder so the recesses between teeth 2330 on the second fastening portion may have rounded corners to mesh with the shape of the first fastening portion, and have a polygonal cross-sectional shape due to their three dimensional recession shaped to receive teeth 131 from the first fastening portion) and
the second protruding portion comprises a surgical instrument fixing device that is fitted and coupled to the second groove portion (see [Page 7, Paragraph 4, machine translation]; the first and second fastening portions mesh together via toothed portions in order to affix the surgical device pieces).
Regarding claim 13, Yang in view of Zachary teaches the surgical device of claim 9. Yang further teaches where the second protruding portion and the corresponding second groove portion have a substantially triangular shape with rounded corners, as pictured in Fig. 6 where the second protruding portion/tooth peaks 1311 are substantially triangular shaped and may have rounded corners ([Page 7, Paragraph 1, machine translation]), and
a pair of adjacent sides have the same length (see [Page 7, Paragraph 1, machine translation]; each tooth 1310 can have a symmetrical structure with respect to its own midline, which would result in a pair of adjacent sides of peak 1311 with the same length) with an angle between vertices adjacent to a center of the first fastening part and a center of the second fastening part (see Fig. 6 which pictures the arrangement of teeth 131 adjacent to the center of first fastening part 130, [Page 7, Paragraph 1, machine translation]; it can be appreciated that in some embodiments the shape/structure of the first and second fastening parts are identical).
Regarding claim 14, Yang in view of Zachary teaches the surgical device of claim 1, wherein the first fastening part further comprises a first support (130) configured to support the protrusions (see [Page 7, Paragraph 1, machine translation]; first fastening part 130 supports toothed portion 131) and a second support (140) configured to support the first support on the first body (100), and
wherein the second support further comprises a spring (142) member configured to elastically support the first support (see annotated Fig. 4 below, [Page 6, Paragraph 7, machine translation]; elastic assembly load 140 located below the driver transmission member 130 comprising second spring seat and spring 143 located between the first spring seat 141 and the driver transmission member 130).
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Annotated Fig. 4
Regarding claim 15, Yang in view of Zachary teaches the surgical device of claim 1, wherein the first fastening part (130) is provided in plurality, and the second fastening part (230) is provided in plurality, the plurality of first fastening parts are disposed on the first accommodating part, and the plurality of second fastening parts are disposed on the second accomodating part.
See annotated Fig. 5 below which pictures a plurality of first fastening parts 130 on first body 100 and second fastening parts 230 on second body 200. It can be appreciated that the first body 100 and second body 200 are regarded as a respective first and second accommodating part due to the unlabeled U-shaped recess as indicated in the annotated figure, which is configured to accommodate the shaft of surgical instrument 300 as seen in Fig. 2.
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Regarding claim 16 Yang in view of Zachary teaches the surgical device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of first fastening parts (130) are disposed at equal intervals along the first accommodating part, and the plurality of second fastening parts (230) are disposed at equal intervals along the second accommodating part.
See annotated Fig. 5 below which pictures a plurality of first fastening parts 130 disposed at equal intervals on the first body 100 and a plurality of second fastening parts 230 disposed at equal intervals on the second body 200. It can be appreciated that the first body 100 and second body 200 are regarded as a respective first and second accommodating part due to the unlabeled U-shaped recess as indicated in the annotated figure, which is configured to accommodate the shaft of surgical instrument 300 as seen in Fig. 2.
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Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ALISHA J SIRCAR whose telephone number is (571)272-0450. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Thursday 9-6:30, Friday 9-5:30 CT.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Benjamin Klein can be reached at 571-270-5213. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/A.J.S./Examiner, Art Unit 3792
/Benjamin J Klein/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3792
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