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 .
Response to Amendment
This office action is responsive to the amendment filed on May 27, 2026. As directed by the amendment: claims 1, 9, 11, and 15 have been amended. Thus, claims 1-16 are presently pending in this application.
Applicant’s amendments to the Specification, Drawings, and Claims have overcome each and every objection and the 112(b) rejections to claims 1 and 11 previously set forth in the Non-Final Office Action mailed February 27, 2026.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed May 27, 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
With respect to the 112(b) rejection to claim 7, Applicant asserts on pg. 6 of the Remarks that the “body of the drip chamber” is separate from the drop former. Using the interpretation, the examiner maintains that the claim is still indefinite. The examiner notes that the limitation has explicit support in the specification in paragraph 6. However, the originally filed disclosure fails to disclose any other portion of the drip chamber, other than the drop former, which is responsible for ensuring that the droplets are ”uniform and consistent”. Additionally, there is no further discussion of a “body” of the drop former in the specification leading to further ambiguity. Paragraph 33 discloses that the chamber 320 (which is a non-drop former body of the drip chamber) can be coated with antistatic and blood compatible material so that “a greater amount of fluid can be held in the clear chamber 320 and the flow rate through the clear chamber 320 can be increased”. However, this portion of the specification does not disclose that the coating is hydrophobic nor does it relate the formed angle to ensuring the droplets are uniform and consistent. It is understood that the droplets would be formed by the drop former prior to entering the chamber so that if the chamber is the intended body of claim 7, it is unclear how the angle formed by the coating would impact the uniformity of the droplets. Conversely, paragraph 34 of the specification discloses “The hydrophobic coating 365 is placed on the sides of the drop former 355 exit to increase the contact angle of the medical fluid leaving the drop former 355 to form uniform and consistent droplets”. This language is near identical to the language set forth in claim 7; however, this portion is directed towards the drop former. For these reasons, the examiner believes that, in light of the specification, PHOSITA would still not understand if “the body of the drip chamber” is in reference towards the drop former or another component of the drip chamber. Applicant is advised to point to the structure of the drip chamber which is considered the body as such a structure does not appear to be identifiable in the originally disclosed specification.
Applicant argues on pg. 7 of the Remarks that “both Yamaguchi and Vest rely on spike-based inlet structures. For example, Yamaguchi discloses an inlet that includes a needle-shaped portion (e.g., element 24), and Vest similarly discloses a sharpened inlet ("spike")…. fluid reaching the nozzle 22 necessarily passes the needle-shaped portion 24. Thus, the nozzle 22 is configured to receive fluid via a spiked inlet”. The examiner respectfully disagrees and notes that the annotated portion of the drop former below of Yamaguchi was relied upon for the teaching of the “spikeless inlet”. As seen in fig. 1, the inlet relied upon by the examiner is spikeless. In Vest, the inlet of the drop former is equated to cap 34 in fig. 2 which is shown to similarly be spikeless. While Vest teaches a spike (spike 32 in fig. 2) which allows communication into the reservoir, this spike is not a part of the inlet relied upon by the examiner.
Applicant further argues on pg. 8 of the Remarks that “Assuming arguendo that the identified region could be characterized as "spikeless,"…such a region does not constitute the inlet through which fluid enters the nozzle potion of 22. Because fluid must first pass by the needle-shaped portion 24 to reach the portion associated with reference 22, the nozzle 22 is still configured to receive fluid via a spiked inlet”. The examiner respectfully disagrees and notes that the claim presently only requires that the drop former be formed between a spikeless inlet and an outlet and be configured to receive fluid from the spikeless inlet. The configuration taught by Yamaguchi discloses these claim features as the inlet itself (see annotated figure below) is spikeless. The present claim language merely requires that the inlet be spikeless and not the entire drop former.
For these reasons, the rejection is maintained below.
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.
Claim 7 is 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.
Regarding claim 7, the claim is directed towards a body of the drip chamber forms a predetermined contact angle so that the droplets are uniform and consistent. It is unclear in light of the specification if the body of the drip chamber is the same as the drop former or another portion of the drip chamber. Paragraph 34 of the published application discloses that the hydrophobic coating is applied to the sides of the drop former which allows the drops to be uniform/consistent; however, the claim does not relate the “body” to the already claimed drop former so that it is unclear if the “body” of claim 7 is the same as the drop former. For examination purposes, the body of claim 7 is interpreted to mean the drop former.
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.
Claim(s) 1, 6, and 7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yamaguchi (US 20190275233) in view of Vest (US 6899702).
Regarding claim 1, Yamaguchi discloses an IV set (fig. 1), comprising:
a second portion of tubing (paragraph 36 discloses “a tube” attached to opening 11b in fig. 1); and
a drip chamber (drip cylinder 10 in fig. 1) including:
a spikeless inlet (see below),
PNG
media_image1.png
314
330
media_image1.png
Greyscale
an outlet fluidically coupled to the second portion of tubing (opening 11b in fig. 1; paragraph 36), and
a curved drop former positioned within the drip chamber between the inlet and the outlet (nozzle 22 in fig. 10B; paragraph 59 discloses the extended wall portion 23 of the nozzle 22 in fig. 4 can comprise a hydrodynamic shape which can be a “curved outer surface”), and configured to receive a fluid via the spikeless inlet and form, based on a curvature of its surface, one or more droplets having a substantially uniform consistency and flowing at a substantially constant rate through the drip chamber (paragraph 59 discloses that the hydrodynamic shape of the extended wall portion 23 ensures that the flow of the liquid is “uniform” and that the size of the liquid droplets are “stabilized”; the examiner notes that the stabilized size of the droplets and the uniform flow is equated to the claimed uniform size and the constant rate, respectively).
While Yamaguchi appears to suggest that the spikeless inlet is intended to connect to a first portion of tubing (see annotated figure above), Yamaguchi does not explicitly teach or disclose a first portion of tubing fluidically coupled to the spikeless inlet.
Vest teaches a similar IV set (fig. 1) comprising a first portion of tubing (fluid passageway 24 in fig. 1) which is fluidically coupled to a spikeless inlet (cap 34 in fig. 1) of a drip chamber (drip chamber 30 in fig. 1). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the IV set of Yamaguchi to further comprise a first portion of tubing fluidically coupled to the spikeless inlet of Yamaguchi, as taught by Vest, as this modification appears to be within the intended use of the IV set of Yamaguchi and would allow the drip chamber to receive fluid from a reservoir.
Regarding claim 6, modified Yamaguchi teaches all of the claimed limitations set forth in claim 1, as discussed above.
In a different embodiment (fig. 11B), Yamaguchi teaches that the curved drop former (nozzle 122 in fig. 11B) can be made from a hydrophobic material (paragraph 70 discloses a resin having “water repellency”) which is different from the material forming the needle (portion 124 in fig. 11B; paragraph 73 discloses a “hydrophilic material”). Yamaguchi further teaches that instead of forming the needle from a hydrophilic material, the needle can include a hydrophilic coating instead (paragraph 74).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the curved drop former of the first embodiment of Yamaguchi to be formed from a hydrophobic material, in order to make the liquid drops less likely to spread along the outer surface of the drop former (paragraph 73). Additionally, it would have been obvious to have coated the drop former with a hydrophobic material instead of forming the drop former from a hydrophobic material as Yamaguchi teaches that this is a suitable substitution for rendering a surface having water-repellent properties.
Regarding claim 7, modified Yamaguchi teaches all of the claimed limitations set forth in claim 1, as discussed above. Yamaguchi further discloses a body of the drop chamber (as discussed above with respect to the 112(b) rejection, this is interpreted to mean the “drop former”; nozzle 22 in fig. 10B) comprises a predetermined contact angle such that the one or more droplets are uniform and consistent (fig. 10B shows a tapered surface 22c forming a predetermined contact surface). However, in this embodiment, Yamaguchi does not teach or disclose the body includes a hydrophobic coating.
In a different embodiment (fig. 11B), Yamaguchi teaches that the body (nozzle 122 in fig. 11B) can be made from a hydrophobic material (paragraph 70 discloses a resin having “water repellency”) which is different from the material forming the needle (portion 124 in fig. 11B; paragraph 73 discloses a “hydrophilic material”). Yamaguchi further teaches that instead of forming the needle from a hydrophilic material, the needle can include a hydrophilic coating instead (paragraph 74).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the body of the first embodiment of Yamaguchi to be formed from a hydrophobic material, in order to make the liquid drops less likely to spread along the outer surface of the drop former (paragraph 73). Additionally, it would have been obvious to have coated the body with a hydrophobic material instead of forming the drop former from a hydrophobic material as Yamaguchi teaches that this is a suitable substitution for rendering a surface having water-repellent properties.
Claim(s) 2-5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yamaguchi in view of Vest, as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Becker (US 4396016).
Regarding claim 2, modified Yamaguchi teaches all of the claimed limitations set forth in claim 1, as discussed above, but does not teach or disclose the drip chamber further comprises a filter of a predetermined surface area fluidically coupled to the outlet such that the filter captures particulates from the fluid before it exits the drip chamber.
Becker is directed towards an IV set (fig. 1) comprising a drip chamber (flow regulator 106 which includes the domes 130 and drip chamber 36 is equated to the “drip chamber”) which comprises a filter of a predetermined surface area (filter membrane 122 in fig. 1) fluidically coupled to the outlet (fig. 1 shows membrane 22 fluidically coupled to the outlet connected to tube 36) such that the filter captures particulates from the fluid before it exits the drip chamber (3:67-4:10 discloses filtering particles and bacteria from the fluid).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the drip chamber of modified Yamaguchi to further comprise the filter housing (dome 130 in fig. 1), which comprises the filter, of Becker, in order to filter the fluid delivered to the patient (3:67-4:10) to improve patient safety.
Regarding claim 3, modified Yamaguchi teaches all of the claimed limitations set forth in claims 1 and 2, as discussed above, but does not explicitly teach or disclose the predetermined surface area of the filter is between 500 cm2 and 1000 cm2.
Becker teaches that the flow rate through the filter is proportional to the surface area of the filter (2:40-44). As such, the surface area of the filter is disclosed to be a result effective variable in that changing the surface area of the filter will, in turn, change the flow rate. Further, it appears that one of ordinary skill in the art would have had a reasonable expectation of success in modifying the filter of modified Yamaguchi to have a surface area within the claimed range. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention to modify the filter of modified Yamaguchi by making the surface area of the filter to be between 500 cm2 and 1000 cm2 as a matter of routine optimization since it has been held that “where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, it is not inventive to discover the optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation." In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955).
Regarding claim 4, modified Yamaguchi teaches all of the claimed limitations set forth in claims 1 and 2, as discussed above, but does not explicitly teach or disclose the filter includes pore sizes between 20-80 microns.
Becker teaches that the flow rate through the filter is proportional to the pore size of the filter (2:40-44). As such, the pore size of the filter is disclosed to be a result effective variable in that changing the pore size of the filter will, in turn, change the flow rate. Further, it appears that one of ordinary skill in the art would have had a reasonable expectation of success in modifying the filter of modified Yamaguchi to have pore sizes within the claimed range. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention to modify the filter of modified Yamaguchi to have pore sizes between 20-80 microns as a matter of routine optimization since it has been held that “where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, it is not inventive to discover the optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation." In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955).
Regarding claim 5, modified Yamaguchi teaches all of the claimed limitations set forth in claims 1 and 2, as discussed above, but does not explicitly teach or disclose the filter includes pore sizes between 180-200 microns.
Becker teaches that the flow rate through the filter is proportional to the pore size of the filter (2:40-44). As such, the pore size of the filter is disclosed to be a result effective variable in that changing the pore size of the filter will, in turn, change the flow rate. Further, it appears that one of ordinary skill in the art would have had a reasonable expectation of success in modifying the filter of modified Yamaguchi to have pore sizes within the claimed range. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention to modify the filter of modified Yamaguchi to have pore sizes between 180-200 microns as a matter of routine optimization since it has been held that “where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, it is not inventive to discover the optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation." In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955).
Claim(s) 8, and 12-14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yamaguchi in view of Vest, as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Mason (US 20050033262).
Regarding claim 8, modified Yamaguchi teaches all of the claimed limitations set forth in claim 1, as discussed above, but does not teach or disclose a third portion of tubing; and a hand pump including an inlet fluidically coupled to the second portion of tubing and an outlet fluidically coupled to the third portion of tubing, the hand pump including a first portion, a second portion adjacent to the first portion, and a third portion adjacent to the second portion, wherein the first, second, and third portions have respective heights and respective radii, the second portion having a height and a radius greater than the respective heights and radii of the first and third portions.
Mason teaches an IV set (fig. 2) comprising a drip chamber (drip chamber 36 in fig. 2) comprising a second portion of tubing which is fluidically connected to an outlet of the drip chamber (connective tube 16 in fig. 2) and a third portion of tubing (catheter 18 in fig. 2). Mason further teaches a hand pump (bolus injector 14 in fig. 2) including an inlet fluidically coupled to the second portion of tubing (inlet port 52 in fig. 2) and an outlet fluidically coupled to the third portion of tubing (outlet port 54 in fig. 2), the hand pump including a first portion, a second portion adjacent to the first portion, and a third portion adjacent to the second portion, wherein the first, second, and third portions have respective heights and respective radii (see below), the second portion having a height and a radius greater than the respective heights and radii of the first and third portions (see below; portions can be delimited so that the second portion has the claimed properties).
PNG
media_image2.png
342
350
media_image2.png
Greyscale
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the IV set of modified Yamaguchi to comprise the claimed third portion of the tubing and the claimed hand pump, as taught by Mason, for the purpose of enabling delivery of a single large bolus immediately to assist in pain management (paragraph 6).
Regarding claim 12, in the modified set of Yamaguchi, Mason discloses the third portion of tubing is a predetermined length and radius (fig. 2).
Regarding claim 13, modified Yamaguchi teaches all of the claimed limitations set forth in claims 1 and 8, as discussed above. Mason further discloses that the hand pump is configured, when compressed, to accelerate a flow of the fluid so that a predetermined volume of fluid is delivered “instantaneously” (paragraph 48), implying that the hand pump of Mason is capable of delivering the claimed flow rate. However, modified Yamaguchi does not explicitly teach or disclose the claimed flow rate.
There is no evidence of record that modifying the hand pump of modified Yamaguchi to be capable of delivering a flow rate of at least 13 L/min would result in a difference in function of the modified Yamaguchi device. Further, PHOSITA being face with modifying the flow rate of modified Yamaguchi would have a reasonable expectation of success in making such a modification and it appears the device would function as intended given the claim flow rate, namely providing a quicker, more concentrated fluid delivery. Lastly, Applicant has not disclosed that the claimed range solves any stated problem, merely indicating “in some implements”, the hand pump delivers the claimed flow rate; as such, there appears to be criticality placed on the range as claimed such that it produces unexpected results.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the hand pump to be configured to accelerate a flow of fluid when compressed to at least 13 L/min as an obvious matter of design choice within the skill of the art.
Regarding claim 14, in the modified set of Yamaguchi, Mason discloses the hand pump comprises a resilient material such that a body of the hand pump rebounds to an uncompressed state after it is compressed (paragraph 26).
Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yamaguchi in view of Vest in view of Mason, as applied to claims 1 and 8 above, and further in view of Yamamoto (US 20170175263).
Regarding claim 9, modified Yamaguchi teaches all of the claimed limitations set forth in claims 1 and 8, as discussed above, but does not teach or disclose the hand pump is formed an antistatic material.
Yamamoto is directed towards a polymeric container for liquids (fig. 1) which is formed from an antistatic material (paragraph 42). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the hand pump to comprise anti-static coatings, as taught by Yamamoto, for the purpose of reducing the adherence of particulates on the surface of the hand pump to improve cleanliness (paragraph 16).
Claim(s) 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yamaguchi in view of Vest in view of Mason, as applied to claims 1 and 8 above, and further in view of Proust (US 7021195).
Regarding claim 10, modified Yamaguchi teaches all of the claimed limitations set forth in claims 1 and 8, as discussed above. Mason further discloses the first and third portions have the same respective heights (portions can be delimited which are of the same height). While it appears that the portions share a common radii at some point along the height of the portions, modified Yamaguchi does not explicitly teach or disclose this limitation.
Proust teaches a substantially similar hand pump (fig. 1) comprising first and third portions (coupling zones 2 in fig. 1) having the same respective radii (2:47-52). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the hand pump of modified Yamaguchi to have the same respective radii along the first and third portions, as taught by Proust, which would enable the hand pump to be connected to the respective tubes regardless of the orientation of the hand pump to simplify assembly.
Claim(s) 15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yamaguchi in view of Vest, as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Yamamoto.
Regarding claim 15, modified Yamaguchi teaches all of the claimed limitations set forth in claim 1, as discussed above. Yamaguchi teaches that the drip chamber is formed from a resin (paragraph 36). However, modified Yamaguchi does not teach or disclose the drip chamber is formed from an antistatic material.
Yamamoto is directed towards liquid vessels which can be made from resin (paragraph 12) and which are further formed from an antistatic material (paragraph 16 discloses inner and outer surfaces which are coated in an antistatic material). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the surfaces of the drip chamber of modified Yamaguchi to be further formed from an antistatic material, as taught by Yamamoto, in order to improve cleanliness (paragraph 16).
Claim(s) 16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yamaguchi in view of Vest, as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Mittleman (US 4413990).
Regarding claim 16, modified Yamaguchi teaches all of the claimed limitations set forth in claim 1, as discussed above, but does not teach or disclose the drip chamber comprises a resilient material such that the drip chamber rebounds to an uncompressed state after it is compressed.
Mittleman is directed towards a drip chamber (chamber 66 in fig. 5) which comprises a resilient material such that the drip chamber rebounds to an uncompressed state after it is compressed (2:7-14 discloses the chamber rebounding to its original, uncompressed state upon “release”, indicating that the chamber comprises a resilient material). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the drip chamber of modified Yamaguchi so that the chamber comprises a resilient material such that the drip chamber rebounds to an uncompressed state after it is compressed, as taught by Mittleman, for the purpose of enabling air from the drip chamber to be expelled from the chamber (5:54-57).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 11 is objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Regarding claim 11, the closest prior art is Mason, as discussed above, which does not teach or disclose the hand pump includes a filter. Mason teaches that the IV set includes a filter (filter 72 in fig. 2); however, this filter is upstream from the drip chamber (wall 74 in fig. 2). Mason further discloses that a bolus dosage is delivered to the patient upon compression of the hand pump “instantaneously” (paragraph 48). As such, it is the examiner’s opinion that PHOSITA would not be motivated to modify the hand pump of Mason with a filter since this filter will likely impede the speed of the bolus delivery.
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 COURTNEY FREDRICKSON whose telephone number is (571)270-7481. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday (9 AM - 5 PM EST).
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, BHISMA MEHTA can be reached at 571-272-3383. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/COURTNEY FREDRICKSON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3783
Prosecution Insights