Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
DETAILED ACTION
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claims 1-12 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-19 of U.S. Patent No. 11,937,841. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the present control system for controlling an end effector using first, second and third user-actuated input mechanisms with first, second, and third inputs in combination with haptic feedback and button or foot pedal mechanisms are obvious jaw movement and end effector movement and positioning modalities over the same user-actuated input mechanisms and inputs as claimed in claims 1-19 of U.S. Patent No. 11,937,841.
Claims 13-21 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 12-23 of U.S. Patent No. 10,966,742. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the present control method for controlling an end effector using first, second and third user-actuated input mechanisms with first, second, and third inputs in combination with haptic feedback and button or foot pedal mechanisms are obvious jaw movement and end effector movement and positioning modalities over the first, second and third input mechanisms, inputs and movements as claimed in method of claims 12-23 of U.S. Patent No. 10,966,742.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Nowlin et al (US 2003/0195664) disclose a related range of motion comprising a grip motion range separated into a grip open range, a just closed point, and a squeezed grip range.
Marczyk et al (US 2010/0179540) disclose movement of a control element results in movement of the at least one articulation cable in a first direction causes an articulation of an end effector and movement of the at least one articulation cable in a second direction results in articulation of the end effector in a second direction.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to George Manuel whose telephone number is (571) 272-4952.
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/George Manuel/
Primary Examiner
Art Unit: 3792
2/6/2026