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 .
This office action is in response to applicant’s communication of 4/2/2024. Currently claims 1-23 are pending and rejected below.
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)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1-23 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 (a)(2) as being anticipated by Singh et al. (US 2016/0183913 A1).
Singh discloses a first transducer (40) configured to: collect first data associated with an anatomical site comprising target anatomy; and be positioned on a surface of a patient at a first location; a second transducer (42) configured to: collect second data associated with the anatomical site; and be positioned on the surface of the patient at a second location different from the first location, wherein the first transducer and the second transducer are configured to be moved independently of one another when collecting the first and second data (see para [0092]-[0094] examiner is of the position that when the device is rotated that the two would move independently via rotation of the device around an axis; or use with the glove based system disclosed or based with the OCT system in addition as a second transduccer); and one or more processors (32), the one or more processors configured to: receive the first and second data from the first and second transducers (see para [0006]; and generate (para [0079]), based on the first and second data, a three-dimensional representation of the target anatomy (see para [0194]-[0196]), wherein the target anatomy includes at least one of an organ (see para [0144]).
Concerning claim 2 and the one or more processors are further configured to provide for output the three-dimensional representation of the target anatomy (see para [0144]).
Concerning claim 3 and the one or more processors are further configured to receive a user input corresponding to a manipulation of the three-dimensional representation provided for output (note potential user interface 4200 and para [0106] for example).
Concerning claim 4and at least one of the first transducer (40) or the second transducer (42) comprises at least one display (note output monitor 34).
Concerning claim 5 and the anatomical site further comprises hard tissue, and the hard tissue is located between the target anatomy and at least one of the first transducer or the second transducer (it is examiner position that this is an intended use or functional type limitation.and this is how the device would operate as evidenced in para [0148]-[0152]).
Concerning claim 6 and the at least one of the first transducer or second transducer is configured to collect the first or second data through gaps or across an outer perimeter of the hard tissue (again it is examiner position that this is an intended use or functional type limitation.and this is how the device would operate as evidenced in para [0148]-[0152]).
Concerning claim 7 and further comprising at least one additional transducer configured to: collect third data associated with the anatomical site; and be positioned on the surface of the patient at a third location, the third location being different from the first and second locations (see disclosure of multiple or more than two transducers as in [0082]).
Concerning claim 8 and the one or more processors are further configured to receive the third data from a third transducer; and generating the three-dimensional representation of the target anatomy is further based on the third data (note processors 32 and addition of arrayed or multiple transducers of para [0082]).
Concerning claim 9 and the first transducer has a first array define a first area and the second transducer has a second array defined by a second area smaller than the first area (see para [0077] and [0152] with discuss uses with multiple arrays).
Concerning claim 10 and at least one of the first transducer or the second transducer is a handheld transducer (see para [0073] and discussion of a handle or [0183 and the “hand” based glove).
Concerning claim 11 and the first transducer is configured to remain stationary while collecting the first data, and the second transducer is configured to be moved while collecting the second data (see para [0092]-[0094] examiner is of the position that when the device is rotated that the two would move independently or one stationary to the other via rotation of the device around an axis; or use with the glove based system disclosed or based with the OCT system in addition as a second transducer especially when multiple transducers are used).
Concerning claim 12 and the first and second data received from the first and second transducers is received in real-time (see para [0079]).
Concerning claim 13 and wherein the three-dimensional representation of the target anatomy is generated in real-time (again see para [0079]).
Concerning claim 14 and a method, comprising: receiving, by one or more processors (32) from a first transducer (40), first data associated with an anatomical site comprising target anatomy, the first transducer positioned on a surface of a patient at a first location; receiving, by the one or more processors from a second transducer (42), second data associated with the anatomical site, the second transducer positioned on the surface of the patient at a second location different from the first location, wherein the first transducer and the second transducer are configured to be moved independently of one another (see para [0092]-[0094] examiner is of the position that when the device is rotated that the two would move independently or one stationary to the other via rotation of the device around an axis; or use with the glove based system disclosed or based with the OCT system in addition as a second transducer especially when multiple transducers are used).when collecting the first and second data; and generate, by the one or more processors based on the first and second data, a three-dimensional representation of the target anatomy, wherein the target anatomy includes at least one of an organ (see para [0079]).
Concerning claim 15 and comprising providing for output, by the one or more processors, the three-dimensional representation of the target anatomy (again see para [0079]).
Concerning claim 16 and comprising receiving, by the one or more processors, a user input corresponding to a manipulation of the three-dimensional representation provided for output (note potential user interface 4200 and para [0106] for example).
Concerning claim 17 and at least one of the first transducer or the second transducer comprises at least one display; and the method further comprises providing for output, by the one or more processors, the three-dimensional representation of the target anatomy on the at least one display (note output monitor 34).
Concerning claim 18 and the anatomical site further comprises hard tissue, and the hard tissue is located between the target anatomy and at least one of the first transducer or the second transducer (see para [0148]-[0152]).
Concerning claim 18 and comprising at least one of: collecting, by the first transducer, the first data through gaps or across an outer perimeter of the hard tissue, or collecting, by the second transducer, the second data through the gaps or across the outer perimeter of the hard tissue (again see para [0148]-[0152]).
Concerning claim 20 and comprising receiving, by the one or more processors from a third transducer, third data associated with the anatomical site, the third transducer positioned on the surface of the patient at a third location different from the first and second locations (see disclosure of multiple or more than two transducers as in [0082]).
Concerning claim 21 and generating the three-dimensional representation is further based on the third data (note processors 32 and addition of arrayed or multiple transducers of para [0082]).
Concerning claim 22 and a system, comprising: at least one transducer (40) configured to: collect data associated with an anatomical site comprising target anatomy; and be positioned on a surface of a patient at a first location; one or more processors (32), the one or more processors configured to: receive the data from the at least one transducer; and generate, based on the real-time data, a three-dimensional representation of the target anatomy (see para [0144]), wherein the target anatomy is an organ ([0139]).
Concerning claim 23 and the organ is a heart (it is examiner position that this is an intended use or functional type limitation.and this is how the device would operate as evidenced in para [0148]-[0152], it is examiner position that this device would detect a heart if in the site of a heart).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to PHILLIP A GRAY whose telephone number is (571)272-7180. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9-5 EST (FLEX).
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, Michael Tsai can be reached at (571)270-5246. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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PHILLIP A. GRAY
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3783
/PHILLIP A GRAY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3783