DETAILED ACTION
Primary Examiner acknowledges Claims 1-17, 19, and 20 are pending in this application, with Claims 1, 9, 15-17, 19, and 20 having been currently amended, and Claim 18 having been cancelled by preliminary amendment on April 30, 2024.
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 .
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, 14-17, 19, and 20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-13, 15-17, 19-21, and 23 of U.S. Patent No. 10,737,049.
Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because instant independent claims, Claims 1 and 15, are merely broader than patent claims, Claims 16 and 19. It is clear all of the elements of the instant claims are found in the patent claims, the difference lies in the fact that the patent claims include many more elements and is thus much more specific. Thus, the invention of the patent claims is in effect a “species” of the “generic” invention of the instant claims. It has been held that the “generic” invention is “anticipated” by the “species”. See In re Goodman, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993). Since the instant claims are anticipated by the patent claims, they are not patentably distinct from the patent claims.
Instant Application – 18516050
Differences Underlined
Patent Claim – 10,737,049
Differences Underlined
1. (Currently Amended) A connector for interfacing a patient interface to an oxygen delivery control device, the connector comprising:
a first lumen for conveying oxygen from a source in connection with the oxygen delivery control device to the patient interface;
a second lumen for monitoring respiratory pressures;
a housing enclosing the first and second lumens, the housing having a top surface differentiated into multiple sections with varying widths, and including
a slot in the top surface of the housing to engage an optical isolation wall of the oxygen delivery control device;
wherein one of the multiple sections of the top surface comprises a reflective element to enable identification of information relating to the patient interface; and
wherein another of the multiple sections of the top surface comprising a sloped feature proximal to the slot to facilitate engagement depth assessment of the housing within the oxygen delivery control device.
Conflicting Claim 16 which depends from Claim 15 and Claim 1.
1. A connector for connecting a patient interface to a receptacle of an oxygen delivery control device, the receptacle comprising three optical sensors on a first side of an optical isolation wall and a fourth optical sensor on a second side of the optical isolation wall, the connector comprising:
a first lumen for conveying pressurized oxygen from a pressurized oxygen source in connection with the oxygen delivery control device to the patient interface;
a second lumen for measuring patient breath pressure, the second lumen having a smaller diameter than the first lumen;
wherein the first and second lumens are enclosed in a housing, the housing having a top surface, the top surface comprising a patient interface encoding portion and a depth insertion measurement portion, the patient interface encoding portion having a larger width than a width of the depth insertion measurement portion, and
wherein an open slot in the top surface of the housing separates the patient interface encoding portion and the depth insertion measurement portion, the optical isolation wall of the receptacle of the oxygen delivery control device receivable within the open slot of the housing;
wherein the patient interface encoding portion of the housing comprises at least one encoding optical reflectivity pad comprising information relating to the patient interface, the at least one encoding optical reflectivity pad detectable by at least one of the three optical sensors on the first side of the optical isolation wall of the receptacle; and
See Claim 16:
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: a first optical sensor of the three optical sensors in the oxygen delivery control device identifying information relating to the patient interface based on the three encoding optical reflectivity pads; and the fourth optical sensor in the oxygen delivery control device measuring the depth of the housing within the receptacle.
wherein the depth insertion measurement portion of the housing comprises a chamfer proximal to the open slot, the chamfer varying a reflectance of the depth insertion measurement portion as a function of a depth of the housing within the receptacle of the oxygen delivery control device, the reflectance of the depth insertion measurement portion measurable by the fourth optical sensor on the second side of the optical isolation wall of the receptacle.
2. (Original) The connector of claim 1, wherein the first lumen is configured to receive a standard clinical oxygen barb connector.
2. The connector of claim 1,
wherein the first lumen is configured to receive a standard clinical oxygen barb connector.
3. (Original) The connector of claim 1, wherein the second lumen cannot receive a standard clinical oxygen barb connector.
3. The connector of claim 1,
wherein the second lumen cannot receive a standard clinical oxygen barb connector.
4. (Original) The connector of claim 1, wherein the information relating to the patient interface comprises at least one of a type of patient interface and a size of patient interface.
4. The connector of claim 1,
wherein the information relating to the patient interface comprises at least one of a type of patient interface and a size of patient interface.
5. (Original) The connector of claim 4, wherein the type of patient interface is selected from at least one of a nasal cannula, a CPAP mask, an auxiliary oxygen tube, and a drug nebulizer.
5. The connector of claim 4,
wherein the type of patient interface is selected from at least one of a nasal cannula, a CPAP mask, an auxiliary oxygen tube, and a drug nebulizer.
6. (Original) The connector of claim 4, wherein the size of patient interface is selected from at least one of adult, pediatric, and neonatal.
6. The connector of claim 4,
wherein the size of patient interface is selected from at least one of adult, pediatric, and neonatal.
7. (Original) The connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one encoding optical reflectivity pad is configured to
cause a software constraint for the oxygen delivery control device when the at least one encoding optical reflectivity pad is inserted into the oxygen delivery control device.
7. The connector of claim 1,
wherein the three optical sensors of the oxygen delivery control device are in communication with a controller of the oxygen delivery control device and
cause a software constraint for the oxygen delivery control device when the at least one encoding optical reflectivity pad is inserted into the oxygen delivery control device.
8. (Original) The connector of claim 7, wherein the software constraint comprises at least one of a maximum oxygen flow, a minimum oxygen flow, a minimum mask pressure, a maximum mask pressure, and a maximum oxygen pulse frequency.
8. The connector of claim 7,
wherein the software constraint comprises at least one of a maximum oxygen flow, a minimum oxygen flow, a minimum mask pressure, a maximum mask pressure, and a maximum oxygen pulse frequency.
9. (Currently Amended) The connector of claim 1,
wherein the sloped feature is configured
to cause an alarm output on the oxygen delivery control device when the sloped feature is partially inserted into the oxygen delivery control device for a predetermined amount of time.
9. The connector of claim 1,
wherein the fourth optical sensor is in communication with a controller of the oxygen delivery control device
to cause an alarm output on the oxygen delivery control device when the fourth optical sensor measures a reflectance indicative of a partially inserted chamfer for a predetermined amount of time.
10. (Original) The connector of claim 1, further comprising a third lumen, the third lumen having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first lumen.
10. The connector of claim 1,further comprising a third lumen, the third lumen having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first lumen.
11. (Original) The connector of claim 10, the third lumen for drawing a sample of gas for analysis.
11. The connector of claim 10, the third lumen for drawing a sample of gas for analysis.
12. (Original) The connector of claim 11, wherein the gas includes exhaled CO2.
12. The connector of claim 11, wherein the gas includes exhaled CO.sub.2.
13. (Original) The connector of claim 1, wherein the first and second lumens are formed from a flexible material.
14. (Original) The connector of claim 1, wherein the housing is formed of a rigid material.
13. The connector of claim 1,
wherein the housing is formed of a rigid material.
15. (Currently Amended)
A universal connector for connecting a patient interface to an oxygen delivery control device, the connector comprising:
a housing with a top surface extending longitudinally from one end to the other, segmented by a slot in the top surface of the housing defining two distinct operational zones, (i) patient interface encoding portion and (ii) a depth measurement insertion portion;
the patient interface encoding portion of the housing equipped with an identifier mechanism for recognition and data correlation regarding the patient interface;
the depth measurement insertion portion of the housing equipped with a geometric feature designed to assist in ascertaining an insertion depth of the connector in the oxygen delivery control device; and
wherein the housing encloses a first lumen and a second lumen, the first lumen for conveying pressurized oxygen and the second lumen for pressure measurement at the patient interface, the second lumen having a smaller diameter than the first lumen.
ALSO SEE:
15. (Currently Amended) A universal connector for connecting a patient interface to an oxygen delivery control device, the connector comprising:
a housing with a top surface extending longitudinally from one end to the other, segmented by a slot in the
top surface of the housing defining two distinct operational zones, (i) patient interface encoding portion and (ii) a depth measurement insertion portion;
the patient interface encoding portion of the housing equipped with an identifier mechanism for recognition and data correlation regarding the patient interface;
the depth measurement insertion portion of the housing equipped with a geometric feature designed to assist in ascertaining an insertion depth of the connector in the oxygen delivery control device; and
wherein the housing encloses a first lumen and a second lumen, the first lumen for conveying pressurized oxygen and the second lumen for pressure measurement at the patient interface, the second lumen having a smaller diameter than the first lumen.
Conflicting Claim 16 which depends from Claim 15 and Claim 1.
1. A connector for connecting a patient interface to a receptacle of an oxygen delivery control device, the receptacle comprising three optical sensors on a first side of an optical isolation wall and a fourth optical sensor on a second side of the optical isolation wall, the connector comprising:
a first lumen for conveying pressurized oxygen from a pressurized oxygen source in connection with the oxygen delivery control device to the patient interface;
a second lumen for measuring patient breath pressure, the second lumen having a smaller diameter than the first lumen;
wherein the first and second lumens are enclosed in a housing, the housing having a top surface, the top surface comprising a patient interface encoding portion and a depth insertion measurement portion,
the patient interface encoding portion having a larger width than a width of the depth insertion measurement portion, and
wherein an open slot in the top surface of the housing separates the patient interface encoding portion and the depth insertion measurement portion, the optical isolation wall of the receptacle of the oxygen delivery control device receivable within the open slot of the housing;
wherein the patient interface encoding portion of the housing comprises at least one encoding optical reflectivity pad comprising information relating to the patient interface, the at least one encoding optical reflectivity pad detectable by at least one of the three optical sensors on the first side of the optical isolation wall of the receptacle; and
See Claim 16:
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: a first optical sensor of the three optical sensors in the oxygen delivery control device identifying information relating to the patient interface based on the three encoding optical reflectivity pads; and the fourth optical sensor in the oxygen delivery control device measuring the depth of the housing within the receptacle.
wherein the depth insertion measurement portion of the housing comprises a chamfer proximal to the open slot, the chamfer varying a reflectance of the depth insertion measurement portion as a function of a depth of the housing within the receptacle of the oxygen delivery control device, the reflectance of the depth insertion measurement portion measurable by the fourth optical sensor on the second side of the optical isolation wall of the receptacle.
ALSO SEE:
19. A connector for connecting a patient interface to a receptacle of an oxygen delivery control device, the connector comprising:
a housing, the housing having a top surface extending from a first side to a second side, the top surface comprising a patient interface encoding portion and a depth measurement insertion portion, and wherein an open slot in the top surface of the housing separates the patient interface encoding portion and the depth measurement insertion portion;
wherein the patient interface encoding portion of the housing comprises means to enable identification of information relating to the patient interface, the information relating to the patient interface detectable by a first optical sensor of the receptacle;
wherein the depth measurement insertion portion of the housing comprises means to vary a reflectance of the depth measurement insertion portion of the housing, the reflectance of the depth measurement insertion portion of the housing measurable by a second optical sensor in the receptacle of the oxygen delivery control device; and
wherein the housing encloses a first lumen and a second lumen, the first lumen for conveying pressurized oxygen and the second lumen for measuring of intra-nasal pressure at the patient interface, the second lumen having a smaller diameter than the first lumen.
16. (Currently Amended) The connector of claim 15, wherein the slot is positioned closer to one side of the housing.
20. The connector of claim 19, wherein the open slot is positioned closer to the second side of the housing.
17. (Currently Amended) The connector of claim 15, wherein the identifier mechanism for recognition and data correlation regarding the patient interface comprises means for optical detection.
21. The connector of claim 19, wherein the means to enable identification of information relating to the patient interface comprises means for optical detection.
19. (Currently Amended) The connector of claim 15, wherein the geometric feature designed to assist in ascertaining the insertion depth of the connector in the oxygen delivery control device comprises
at least one of: a triangle printed on the depth measurement insertion portion, a gradient printed on the depth insertion portion, an angled cut-away formed in the depth insertion portion, and a reflective pad placed on the depth insertion portion.
23. The connector of claim 19, wherein the means to vary a reflectance of the depth measurement insertion portion of the housing comprises
at least one of: a triangle printed on the depth insertion portion, a gradient printed on the depth insertion portion, an angled cut-away formed in the depth insertion portion, and a reflective pad placed on the depth insertion portion.
20. (Currently Amended) A method for connecting a patient interface to an oxygen delivery control device, the method comprising:
providing the connector of claim 15,
providing the oxygen delivery control device, the oxygen delivery control device comprising a receptacle to receive at least a portion of the housing of the connector, the receptacle having an isolation feature; engaging the connector with the receptacle of the oxygen delivery control device;
and wherein the method leverages encoded features on the connector for automated system recognition and operational parameter adjustment based on detected interface data.
Conflicting Claim 17 which depends from Claim 16, Claim 15, and Claim 1.
15. A method for connecting a patient interface to an oxygen delivery control device, the method comprising:
selecting the connector of claim 1,
selecting the oxygen delivery control device, the oxygen delivery control device comprising the receptacle having the isolation wall formed therein; and inserting the housing of the connector into the receptacle of the oxygen delivery control device.
AND
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises the step of the first optical sensor causing a software constraint on an oxygen flow based on the information relating to the patient interface.
Claims 1-17 and 19 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-19 of U.S. Patent No. 11,819,621.
Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because instant independent claims, Claims 1 and 15, are merely broader than patent claims, Claims 1 and 15. It is clear all of the elements of the instant claims are found in the patent claims, the difference lies in the fact that the patent claims include many more elements and is thus much more specific. Thus, the invention of the patent claims is in effect a “species” of the “generic” invention of the instant claims. It has been held that the “generic” invention is “anticipated” by the “species”. See In re Goodman, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993). Since the instant claims are anticipated by the patent claims, they are not patentably distinct from the patent claims.
Instant Application – 18516050
Differences Underlined
Patent Claim – 11,819,621
Differences Underlined
1. (Currently Amended) A connector for interfacing a patient interface to an oxygen delivery control device, the connector comprising:
a first lumen for conveying oxygen from a source in connection with the oxygen delivery control device to the patient interface;
a second lumen for monitoring respiratory pressures;
a housing enclosing the first and second lumens, the housing having a top surface differentiated into multiple sections with varying widths, and including
a slot in the top surface of the housing to engage an optical isolation wall of the oxygen delivery control device;
wherein one of the multiple sections of the top surface comprises a reflective element to enable identification of information relating to the patient interface; and
wherein another of the multiple sections of the top surface comprising a sloped feature proximal to the slot to facilitate engagement depth assessment of the housing within the oxygen delivery control device.
1. A connector for connecting a patient interface to an oxygen delivery control device, the connector comprising:
a first lumen for conveying pressurized oxygen from a pressurized oxygen source in connection with the oxygen delivery control device to the patient interface;
a second lumen for measuring patient breath pressure, the second lumen having a smaller diameter than the first lumen;
wherein the first and second lumens are enclosed in a housing, the housing having a top surface, the top surface comprising a first top surface portion and a second top surface portion, the first top surface portion having a larger width than a width of the second top surface portion, and wherein
an open slot in the top surface of the housing separates the first top surface portion and the second top surface portion, the open slot configured to receive an optical isolation wall of the oxygen delivery control device;
wherein the first top surface portion of the housing comprises at least one encoding optical reflectivity pad configured to enable identification of information relating to the patient interface; and
wherein the second top surface portion of the housing comprises a chamfer proximal to the open slot, the chamfer configured to enable measurement of a depth of the housing within the oxygen delivery control device.
2. (Original) The connector of claim 1, wherein the first lumen is configured to receive a standard clinical oxygen barb connector.
2. The connector of claim 1,
wherein the first lumen is configured to receive a standard clinical oxygen barb connector.
3. (Original) The connector of claim 1, wherein the second lumen cannot receive a standard clinical oxygen barb connector.
3. The connector of claim 1,
wherein the second lumen cannot receive a standard clinical oxygen barb connector.
4. (Original) The connector of claim 1, wherein the information relating to the patient interface comprises at least one of a type of patient interface and a size of patient interface.
4. The connector of claim 1,
wherein the information relating to the patient interface comprises at least one of a type of patient interface and a size of patient interface.
5. (Original) The connector of claim 4, wherein the type of patient interface is selected from at least one of a nasal cannula, a CPAP mask, an auxiliary oxygen tube, and a drug nebulizer.
5. The connector of claim 4,
wherein the type of patient interface is selected from at least one of a nasal cannula, a CPAP mask, an auxiliary oxygen tube, and a drug nebulizer.
6. (Original) The connector of claim 4, wherein the size of patient interface is selected from at least one of adult, pediatric, and neonatal.
6. The connector of claim 4,
wherein the size of patient interface is selected from at least one of adult, pediatric, and neonatal.
7. (Original) The connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one encoding optical reflectivity pad is configured to cause a software constraint for the oxygen delivery control device when the at least one encoding optical reflectivity pad is inserted into the oxygen delivery control device.
7. The connector of claim 1,
wherein the at least one encoding optical reflectivity pad is configured to cause a software constraint for the oxygen delivery control device when the at least one encoding optical reflectivity pad is inserted into the oxygen delivery control device.
8. (Original) The connector of claim 7, wherein the software constraint comprises at least one of a maximum oxygen flow, a minimum oxygen flow, a minimum mask pressure, a maximum mask pressure, and a maximum oxygen pulse frequency.
8. The connector of claim 7,
wherein the software constraint comprises at least one of a maximum oxygen flow, a minimum oxygen flow, a minimum mask pressure, a maximum mask pressure, and a maximum oxygen pulse frequency.
9. (Currently Amended) The connector of claim 1, wherein the sloped feature is configured to cause an alarm output on the oxygen delivery control device when the sloped feature is partially inserted into the oxygen delivery control device for a predetermined amount of time.
9. The connector of claim 1,
wherein the chamfer is configured to cause an alarm output on the oxygen delivery control device when the chamfer is partially inserted into the oxygen delivery control device for a predetermined amount of time.
10. (Original) The connector of claim 1, further comprising a third lumen, the third lumen having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first lumen.
10. The connector of claim 1,
further comprising a third lumen, the third lumen having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first lumen.
11. (Original) The connector of claim 10, the third lumen for drawing a sample of gas for analysis.
11. The connector of claim 10, the
third lumen for drawing a sample of gas for analysis.
12. (Original) The connector of claim 11, wherein the gas includes exhaled CO2.
12. The connector of claim 11,
wherein the gas includes exhaled CO.sub.2.
13. (Original) The connector of claim 1, wherein the first and second lumens are formed from a flexible material.
13. The connector of claim 1,
wherein the first and second lumens are formed from a flexible material.
14. (Original) The connector of claim 1, wherein the housing is formed of a rigid material.
14. The connector of claim 1,
wherein the housing is formed of a rigid material.
15. (Currently Amended) A universal connector for connecting a patient interface to an oxygen delivery control device, the connector comprising:
a housing with a top surface extending longitudinally from one end to the other, segmented by a slot in the top surface of the housing defining two distinct operational zones, (i) patient interface encoding portion and (ii) a depth measurement insertion portion;
the patient interface encoding portion of the housing equipped with an identifier mechanism for recognition and data correlation regarding the patient interface;
the depth measurement insertion portion of the housing equipped with a geometric feature designed to assist in ascertaining an insertion depth of the connector in the oxygen delivery control device; and
wherein the housing encloses a first lumen and a second lumen, the first lumen for conveying pressurized oxygen and the second lumen for pressure measurement at the patient interface,
the second lumen having a smaller diameter than the first lumen.
15. A connector for connecting a patient interface to an oxygen delivery control device, the connector comprising:
a housing, the housing having a top surface extending from a first side to a second side, the top surface comprising a patient interface encoding portion and a depth measurement insertion portion, and wherein an open slot in the top surface of the housing separates the patient interface encoding portion and the depth measurement insertion portion;
wherein the patient interface encoding portion of the housing comprises means to enable identification of information relating to the patient interface;
wherein the depth measurement insertion portion of the housing comprises means to enable measurement of a depth of the housing within the oxygen delivery control device; and
wherein the housing encloses a first lumen and a second lumen, the first lumen for conveying pressurized oxygen and the second lumen for measuring of intra-nasal pressure at the patient interface,
the second lumen having a smaller diameter than the first lumen.
16. (Currently Amended) The connector of claim 15,
wherein the slot is positioned closer to one side of the housing.
16. The connector of claim 15,
wherein the open slot is positioned closer to the second side of the housing.
17. (Currently Amended) The connector of claim 15,
wherein the identifier mechanism for recognition and data correlation regarding the patient interface comprises means for optical detection.
17. The connector of claim 15,
wherein the means to enable identification of information relating to the patient interface comprises means for optical detection.
19. (Currently Amended) The connector of claim 15,
wherein the geometric feature designed to assist in ascertaining the insertion depth of the connector in the oxygen delivery control device
comprises at least one of: a triangle printed on the depth measurement insertion portion, a gradient printed on the depth insertion portion, an angled cut-away formed in the depth insertion portion, and a reflective pad placed on the depth insertion portion.
19. The connector of claim 15,
wherein the means to enable detection of a depth of the housing within the oxygen delivery control device
comprises at least one of: a triangle printed on the depth insertion portion, a gradient printed on the depth insertion portion, an angled cut-away formed in the depth insertion portion, and a reflective pad placed on the depth insertion portion.
20. (Currently Amended) A method for connecting a patient interface to an oxygen delivery control device, the method comprising:
providing the connector of claim 15, providing the oxygen delivery control device, the oxygen delivery control device comprising a receptacle to receive at least a portion of the housing of the connector, the receptacle having an isolation feature; engaging the connector with the receptacle of the oxygen delivery control device; and wherein the method leverages encoded features on the connector for automated system recognition and operational parameter adjustment based on detected interface data.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Ahmad et al. (9,919,124) appears to disclose the generic structure of the connector having a first lumen for oxygen delivery and a second lumen for pressure monitoring/measuring; yet, does not expressly disclose the features by which the top surface of the housing has a slot which separates the patient interface encoding portion having an optical sensor, and the depth measurement insertion portion having a chamfer and/or geometric design.
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ANNETTE FREDRICKA DIXON
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3782
/Annette Dixon/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3785
Prosecution Insights