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 .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Williamson (US 2008/0138854).
Regarding claim 1, Williamson discloses a cassette for holding and orientating a tissue sample, comprising:
a frame (fig. 1-9, ref. 68) defining an accommodating chamber (area between sidewalls as seen in fig. 9);
a retaining assembly (structures 14c, 12a, 20) coupled to the frame and movably arranged in the accommodating chamber (fig. 3-4); and
a base (12b) detachably coupled to the retaining assembly for receiving the tissue sample and configured to be moved along with the retaining assembly, the retaining assembly being configured to retain the tissue sample in the base (see fig. 3-4),
wherein the retaining assembly and the base are movable between a first position where the base is received in the accommodating chamber and a second position where the base is protruded out of the accommodating chamber (see fig. 3-4), and the base is configured to be detached from the retaining assembly when the retaining assembly is in the second position (this limitation does not further structurally limit the instant claim because there is not structure claimed that allows the base to be detached from the retaining assembly. The base can be detached from the retaining assembly by clips when the cover is moved relative to the base 12b).
Regarding claim 2, the cassette according to claim 1, wherein the retaining assembly comprises:
an intermediate member (14c) arranged in the accommodating chamber and having a through hole in the middle (see fig. 1-9), the intermediate member being movable between the first position and the second position (there is no structure associated with moving from a first position to a second position. The prior art as seen in fig. 3-4 moves from a first position to a second position),
a cover (12) rotatably connected to the intermediate member and configured to be closed to cover the through hole (this limitation does not further structurally limit the instant claim because there is no structure claimed that allows the cover to be rotatably connected to the intermediate member, i.e. a hinge); and
a retaining member (20) connected to the cover and configured to pass through the through hole to retain the tissue sample in the base (this limitation is drawn to a function limitation).
Regarding claim 3, the cassette according to claim 2, wherein the base is detachably connected to the intermediate member and configured to be moved along with the intermediate member between the first position and the second position (this limitation does not further structurally limit the instant claim because there is not structure claimed that allows the base to be detached from the retaining assembly. The base can be detached from the retaining assembly by clips when the cover is moved relative to the base 12b).
Regarding claim 4, the cassette according to claim 3, wherein the intermediate member has a first surface (rearwall with hinge 16 located) and a second surface (front wall) facing away from each other, the cover is rotatably connected to the first surface, and the base is detachably connected to the second surface (the base can be removed from the intermediate member entirely).
Regarding claim 5, the cassette according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate member comprises a first engaging member and a first snap protruded from the first surface, and a second snap protruded from the second surface; the cover (12) has a second engaging member rotatably engaged with the first engaging member, and a first snapping hole into which the first snap is configured to be snapped; and the base has a second snapping hole into which the second snap is configured to be snapped (para 36).
Regarding claim 6, the cassette according to claim 5, wherein two first snaps are provided at two opposite edges of the through hole of the intermediate member, and the first engaging member is arranged between an edge of the intermediate member and one of the first snaps; and two first snapping holes are formed in the cover and correspond to the two first snaps (para 36, snaps are provided at each structure for a secure fit when in use).
Regarding claim 7, the cassette according to claim 5, wherein four second snaps are provided at two opposite edges of the through hole of the intermediate member (See fig. 1-9), two of the four second snaps are arranged at one of the two opposite edges of the through hole, and the other two of the four second snaps are arranged at the other one of the two opposite edges of the through hole; and four second snapping holes are formed in the base and correspond to the four second snaps (see fig. 2-9), respectively.
Regarding claim 8, the cassette according to any one of claims 5, wherein the base comprises a receptacle (12b, opening where retaining member is placed) having an opening and a flange connected to the receptacle and surrounding the opening of the receptacle (opening where retaining member 20 is placed), and the second snapping hole is formed in the flange of the base (see fig. 1-9).
Regarding claim 9, the cassette according to claim 8, wherein the receptacle comprises a bottom and a side wall extending from an edge of the bottom, and the bottom defines a plurality of through holes (opening 30 which is provided in the base 12b has sidewalls that extend from a bottom, see figs. 1-9).
Regarding claim 10, the cassette according to claim 2, wherein the cover comprises a body (12) and a fixing member (projections around structure 20) arranged to a surface of the body configured to be in contact with the intermediate member (see fig. 1-9), and the retaining member (20) is fixed to the body by the fixing member (fig. 1-9).
Regarding claim 11, the cassette according to claim 10, wherein the fixing member comprises a plurality of projections extending from the surface of the body, and the retaining member is surrounded and fixed by the plurality of projections (see fig. 1-9).
Regarding claim 12, the cassette according to claim 10, wherein the body defines a plurality of through holes overlapping at least part of the retaining member (fig. 1-9, holes everywhere within the device.
Regarding claim 13, the cassette according to claim 2, wherein the intermediate member comprises a rim extending outwards from an outer side wall of the intermediate member (sidewalls at 14), the frame comprises a first limiting member on an inner side wall of the frame and adjacent to a first edge of the inner side wall of the frame (see projections on 14d sidewall that provide a first resting position for the retaining assembly), and the first limiting member is configured to be fitted with the rim to limit the retaining assembly in the first position.
Regarding claim 14, the cassette according to claim 13, wherein the first limiting member comprises a first protrusion extending inwards from the inner side wall of the frame, and the first protrusion is configured to support a surface of the rim of the intermediate member facing the base when the retaining assembly is in the first position (fig. 10).
Regarding claim 15, the cassette according to claim 14, wherein the surface of the rim of the intermediate member facing the base defines a first groove, and the first protrusion is configured to be fitted in the first groove when the retaining assembly is in the first position (fig. 10).
Regarding claim 16, the cassette according to claim 13 wherein the first limiting member further comprises a second protrusion extending inwards from the inner side wall of the frame, the first protrusion is spaced apart from the second protrusion in a direction from the first position to the second direction, and the second protrusion is configured to abut against a surface of the rim of the intermediate member facing away from the base when the retaining assembly is in the first position (see fig. 3-4, 9-10).
Regarding claim 17, the cassette according to claim 16, wherein the surface of the rim of the intermediate member facing away from the base defines a second groove, and the second protrusion is configured to be fitted in the second groove when the retaining assembly is in the first position (see fig. 10).
Regarding claim 18, the cassette according to claim 13 wherein the frame comprises a second limiting member on the inner side wall of the frame and adjacent to a second edge of the inner side wall of the frame, the second edge of the inner side wall of the frame is opposite to the first edge of the inner side wall of the frame in a direction from the first position to the second position, and the second limiting member is configured to be fitted with the rim to limit the retaining assembly in the second position (fig. 9-10).
Regarding claim 19, the cassette according to claim 18, wherein the second limiting member comprises a step extending inwards from the second edge of the inner side wall of the frame, and the step is configured to support a surface of the rim facing the base when the retaining assembly is in the second position (see fig. 10).
Regarding claim 20, the cassette according to claim 19, wherein the second limiting member comprises a third protrusion extending inwards from the inner side wall of the frame, the step is spaced part from the third protrusion in the direction from the first position to the second direction, and the third protrusion is configured to abut against a surface of the rim facing away from the base when the retaining assembly is in the second position (see fig. 9-10).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SAMUEL P SIEFKE whose telephone number is (571)272-1262. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8-5.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Maris Kessel can be reached at 571-270-7698. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/SAMUEL P SIEFKE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1758
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