DETAILED ACTION
Status of Claims
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claims 1-5, 8, 10-11, 15, 17-20, 25, 27, 32-34, and 39-40 are pending.
Claims 6-7, 9, 12-14, 16, 21-24, 26, 28-31, and 35-38 are cancelled.
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 1-5, 8, 10-11, 15, 17-20, 25, 27, 32-34, and 39-40 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Shambaugh (B2, 2011-05-17).
Regarding claims 1-5, 8, 10-11, 15, 17-20, 25, 27, 32-34, and 39-40, Shambaugh teaches a plug for coupling to a suture ring attached to the apex of the left ventricle of a heart of a patient (plug 10, Figures 2A-2B; 4:57-63), the plug comprising: a distal portion extending from a distal end of the plug toward a proximal end of the plug (portion extending from shoulder 25 toward main part 17, Fig. 2B), the distal portion comprising a distal cylindrical body centered on a central axis of the plug and configured for being received at least partially within a central opening of the suture ring (neck 19, Fig. 2B; 3:66-4:5; 4:57-63), the distal cylindrical body having a first outer diameter (diameter of neck 19, Fig. 2B; 4:4-5); and a proximal portion coupled to the distal portion and extending from the proximal end of the plug toward the distal end of the plug (portion extending from the free end of body 15 to main part 17, Fig. 2B), the proximal portion comprising a proximal cylindrical body centered on the central axis of the plug and configured for extending over a proximal end of the suture ring when the distal cylindrical body is received at least partially within the central opening of the suture ring (body 15, Figures 2B, 4A, and 5A), the proximal cylindrical body having a second outer diameter that is greater than the first outer diameter (4:1-5) (as recited in claim 1); further comprising a cavity extending from the proximal end of the plug toward the distal end of the plug (Figures 2A-2B and 5A-5B) (as recited in claim 2); wherein the cavity is defined entirely within the proximal portion (Figures 2A-2B and 5A-5B) (as recited in claim 3); wherein the cavity extends through the proximal portion and into the distal portion (Figures 2A-2B and 5A-5B) (as recited in claim 4); wherein the cavity is cylindrical, wherein the cavity is centered on the central axis of the plug, and wherein the cavity is defined by a plurality of rounded edges (Figures 2A-2B and 5A-5B) (as recited in claim 5); wherein the proximal portion further comprises one or more recesses defined in an outer circumferential surface of the proximal cylindrical body (groove 30, Figs. 2B, 4A, 4B), wherein the one or more recesses are configured for being engaged by a tool to facilitate placement of the plug relative to the suture ring or removal of the plug from the suture ring (e.g., 5:41-44) (as recited in claims 8, 25); wherein the one or more recesses comprises an annular proximal channel extending circumferentially around the central axis of the plug (groove 30, Figs. 2B, 4A, 4B) (as recited in claim 10); wherein the one or more recesses comprises a plurality of holes each extending radially with respect to the central axis of the plug (Figs. 2A, 2B) (as recited in claim 11); wherein the distal portion further comprises an annular distal channel extending circumferentially around the central axis of the plug, wherein the annular distal channel is configured for positioning within the central opening of the suture ring (Figs. 2B, 4A, 4B) (as recited in claim 15); further comprising an O-ring disposed at least partially within the annular distal channel and configured for forming a seal between the distal portion and a portion of the suture ring defining the central opening of the suture ring (Figs. 2B, 4A, 4B) (as recited in claim 17); wherein the proximal portion further comprises an annular protrusion extending toward the distal end of the plug and encircling a portion of the distal cylindrical body (shoulder 25, Fig. 2B) (as recited in claims 18, 32); wherein the annular protrusion and the portion of the distal cylindrical body define an annular space therebetween (Figs. 2B, 4B), and wherein the annular space is configured for receiving a portion of the suture ring therein such that the annular protrusion encircles the portion of the suture ring (Fig. 4B, as flange 55 and lip 53 of first tubular projection 54 are disposed between main part 17 and shoulder 25) (as recited in claims 19, 33); wherein the proximal portion further comprises a plurality of thru holes each extending radially with respect to the central axis of the plug from an outer circumferential surface of the annular protrusion to the annular space, wherein each of the thru holes is configured for receiving a fastener (suture holes, Figs. 2A, 3B, 5:41-44) (as recited in claim 20, 34); wherein the one or more recesses comprises an annular proximal channel extending circumferentially around the central axis of the plug, (groove 30, Figs. 2B, 4A, 4B), wherein the one or more recesses comprises a plurality of holes each extending radially with respect to the central axis of the plug (Figs. 2A, 2B) (as recited in claim 27); as discussed above, system comprising: a suture ring (VAD connector, 2:62-67)comprising: an adjustable clamp (wall portions 65A, 65B; Fig. 5B, 3:56-62) disposed around a central opening of the suture ring (57, Figs. 1A, 1B. 3:56-60) and configured for adjusting between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration (3:56-62); and a fastener coupled to the adjustable clamp and configured for adjusting the adjustable clamp between the unlocked configuration and the locked configuration (60, 3:54-62); and a plug (10) comprising: a distal portion extending from a distal end of the plug toward a proximal end of the plug (portion extending from shoulder 25 toward main part 17, Fig. 28), the distal portion comprising a distal cylindrical body centered on a central axis of the plug and configured for being received at least partially within the central opening of the suture ring (neck 19, 3:66-4:9, 4:57-63), the distal cylindrical body having a first outer diameter (diameter of 19, Fig. 2B); and a proximal portion coupled to the distal portion and extending from the proximal end of the plug toward the distal end of the plug (portion extending from the free end of body 15 to main part 17, Fig. 28), the proximal portion comprising a proximal cylindrical body centered on the central axis of the plug and configured for extending over a proximal end of the suture ring when the distal cylindrical body is received at least partially within the central opening of the suture ring (body 15, Figures 2B, 4A, and 5A), the proximal cylindrical body having a second outer diameter that is greater than the first outer diameter (4:1-5); wherein the adjustable clamp is configured for securing the plug to the suture ring when the distal cylindrical body is received at least partially within the central opening of the suture ring and the adjustable clamp is in the locked configuration (5:11-20) (as recited in claim 39); as discussed above, a system comprising: a suture ring comprising: a proximal flange (55, Fig. 1A) disposed around a central opening of the suture ring (57, Figs. 1A, 1B) ); and a tubular body coupled to the proximal flange and disposed around the central opening of the suture ring (54, Fig. 1A); a plug (10) comprising: a distal portion extending from a distal end of the plug toward a proximal end of the plug, the distal portion comprising a distal cylindrical body centered on a central axis of the plug and configured for being received at least partially within the central opening of the suture ring, the distal cylindrical body having a first outer diameter; and a proximal portion coupled to the distal portion and extending from the proximal end of the plug toward the distal end of the plug, the proximal portion comprising: a proximal cylindrical body centered on the central axis of the plug and configured for extending over the proximal flange of the suture ring when the distal cylindrical body is received at least partially within the central opening of the suture ring, the proximal cylindrical body having a second outer diameter that is greater than the first outer diameter; and an annular protrusion extending toward the distal end of the plug and encircling a portion of the distal cylindrical body such that the annular protrusion and the portion of the distal cylindrical body define an annular space therebetween, the annular space being configured for receiving the proximal flange and at least a portion of the tubular body of the suture ring therein when the distal cylindrical body is received at least partially within the central opening of the suture ring; and a plurality of fasteners configured for extending through a plurality thru holes defined in the annular protrusion and engaging the tubular body of the suture ring to secure the plug to the suture ring when the distal cylindrical body is received at least partially within the central opening of the suture ring (as recited in claim 40).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SCOTT T LUAN whose telephone number is (571)270-1860. The examiner can normally be reached on 9am-5pm, M-F (generally).
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Gary Jackson, can be reached on 571-272-4697. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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Scott Luan, Ph.D.
/SCOTT LUAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3792