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 .
Notice to Applicant
This communication is in response to the Request for Continued Examination (RCE) filed 12/26/25. Claims 1, 8, and 11 have been amended. Claims 1-20 are pending.
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 12/26/25 has been entered.
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.
Claim(s) 1-4, 6, 7, 9-14, 16, 17, 19, and 20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Church et al. (US 2020/0397931 A1) in view of Li et al. (US 2024/0047048 A1).
(A) Referring to claim 1, Church discloses A biological fluid processing system, comprising (see abstract of Church; systems, methods, and apparatuses for treating biological fluids.):
a processing device including a display screen and a controller configured to operate the processing device to implement a biological fluid processing procedure having a plurality of steps (see Figs. 1 & 2A, and para. 62 & 48 of Church; FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary system 200 for treating biological fluids. In some embodiments, the system 200 is substantially similar to system 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Power switch 210 can correspond to power switch 110. Display 220 can correspond to display 120. The display 120 is configured to receive input on the GUI. For example, a GUI object of a plurality of GUI objects displayed on the GUI can be selected by providing a user's manual input (e.g., touch input or hover input) on the touchscreen. In response to receiving the input, the system 100 can perform an operation associated with the selected GUI object. For example, a GUI object may be associated with initiation of a biological fluid treatment, and in response to receiving an input selecting the GUI object, the system 100 initiates a process to treat a biological fluid. In some embodiments, the display 120 is configured to display instructions to a user operator (e.g., operator instructions) on the GUI.);
a scanner (Fig. 2A, item 230, para. 63 & 71 of Church; the system 200 includes an external scanner 230.); and
a data management system (para. 51 and Fig. 1 of Church), wherein
the controller is configured to control the display screen to display an image (para. 51 & 52 of Church; the multi-scanner or the system 100 is configured to recognize (and/or convert into another form recognized by the multi-scanner or system 100) the captured multiple sets of identifying information (e.g., recognizing (and/or deciphering) barcodes, QR codes, alphanumeric text and/or symbols, images) captured in a multi-scan operation. After capturing multiple sets of identifying information (e.g., in captured image(s), performed scan(s)), a multi-scanner can convey or communicate them (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection) to the system 100 in recognized (and/or converted) form (e.g., in a language form that the system 100 can already recognize, for example as parameter data) or in unrecognized form (e.g., captured image(s), performed scan(s)). If in unrecognized form, the system 100 can process the captured multiple sets of identifying information into a recognized form. The system 100 can assign the multiple sets of identifying information to corresponding fields (e.g., auto-populating information fields) of the GUI of the display 120 when displaying the GUI for the treatment chamber associated with the biological fluid to be treated.),
to retrieve data from the image and to transmit the data to the data management system (para. 45, 51, 54, and 55 of Church; the multi-scanner or the system 100 is configured to recognize (and/or convert into another form recognized by the multi-scanner or system 100) the captured multiple sets of identifying information (e.g., recognizing (and/or deciphering) barcodes, QR codes, alphanumeric text and/or symbols, images) captured in a multi-scan operation. After capturing multiple sets of identifying information (e.g., in captured image(s), performed scan(s)), a multi-scanner can convey or communicate them (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection) to the system 100 in recognized (and/or converted) form (e.g., in a language form that the system 100 can already recognize, for example as parameter data) or in unrecognized form (e.g., captured image(s), performed scan(s)). If in unrecognized form, the system 100 can process the captured multiple sets of identifying information into a recognized form. The system 100 can assign the multiple sets of identifying information to corresponding fields (e.g., auto-populating information fields) of the GUI of the display 120 when displaying the GUI for the treatment chamber associated with the biological fluid to be treated.),
the scanner and/or the data management system is configured to transmit a signal to the controller based on the data (para. 51 and 96 of Church; After capturing multiple sets of identifying information (e.g., in captured image(s), performed scan(s)), a multi-scanner can convey or communicate them (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection) to the system 100 in recognized (and/or converted) form (e.g., in a language form that the system 100 can already recognize, for example as parameter data) or in unrecognized form (e.g., captured image(s), performed scan(s)). If in unrecognized form, the system 100 can process the captured multiple sets of identifying information into a recognized form. The system 100 can assign the multiple sets of identifying information to corresponding fields (e.g., auto-populating information fields) of the GUI of the display 120 when displaying the GUI for the treatment chamber associated with the biological fluid to be treated. Thus, a multi-scan operation may provide data entry of all or most parameter data for a biological fluid into multiple specific data fields via an auto-population technique that may be convenient, efficient, and time-saving.), and
the controller is configured to control the processing device to initiate at least one step of the biological fluid processing procedure upon receiving the signal (para. 51 and 96 of Church; After capturing multiple sets of identifying information (e.g., in captured image(s), performed scan(s)), a multi-scanner can convey or communicate them (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection) to the system 100 in recognized (and/or converted) form (e.g., in a language form that the system 100 can already recognize, for example as parameter data) or in unrecognized form (e.g., captured image(s), performed scan(s)). If in unrecognized form, the system 100 can process the captured multiple sets of identifying information into a recognized form. The system 100 can assign the multiple sets of identifying information to corresponding fields (e.g., auto-populating information fields) of the GUI of the display 120 when displaying the GUI for the treatment chamber associated with the biological fluid to be treated. Thus, a multi-scan operation may provide data entry of all or most parameter data for a biological fluid into multiple specific data fields via an auto-population technique that may be convenient, efficient, and time-saving. Control circuitry 520 may receive control instructions and/or control signals from computer system 524 and send control instructions and/or control signals to various components of treatment chambers 502 and 504 to adjust or set various parameters associated with various components of chambers 502 and 504. Adjustment of various parameters of chambers 502 and 504 may be desirable to ensure that the chamber's treatment parameters are in accordance with the treatment profiles of the one or more biological fluids 510.).
Church does not disclose the scanner is configured to scan the image while the image is displayed on the display screen to retrieve data from the image.
Li discloses the scanner is configured to scan the image while the image is displayed on the display screen to retrieve data from the image (see Fig. 4G and para. 61 & 90 of Li; display a two-dimensional bar code on the user terminal, operable to initiate a file transmission process, upon the two-dimensional bar code being scanned by a customer terminal, transmitting the physiological parameter report to the customer terminal. Referring to FIG. 4G, the two-dimensional bar code may be a quick response bar code, which may be scanned by a customer A's mobile phone.).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to combine the aforementioned feature of Li within Church. The motivation for doing so would have been to initiate a file transmission process (para. 61 of Li).
(B) Referring to claims 2 and 12, Church discloses wherein the image is a barcode and the scanner is a barcode scanner (para. 51 & 52 of Church).
(C) Referring to claims 3 and 13, Church discloses wherein the barcode is a one-dimensional barcode (para. 16 & 51 of Church).
(D) Referring to claims 4 and 14, Church discloses wherein the barcode is a two-dimensional barcode (para. 16 & 51 of Church).
(E) Referring to claims 6 and 16, Church discloses wherein the image is configured to include data regarding an operator or technician operating the processing device (para. 48 of Church).
(F) Referring to claim 7, Church discloses wherein the controller is configured to initiate an automated portion of the biological fluid processing procedure upon receiving the signal (para. 85, 96, and 99 of Church).
(G) Referring to claims 9 and 19, Church discloses wherein the display screen is configured as an interactive touch screen (para. 24 of Church).
(H) Referring to claims 10 and 20, Church discloses wherein the display screen is not configured as an interactive touch screen (para. 120 of Church).
(I) Referring to claim 11, Church discloses A method of executing a biological fluid processing procedure using a biological fluid processing system including a processing device, a scanner, and a data management system, the method comprising (para. 6 and 24 of Church; systems, methods, and apparatuses for treating biological fluids. The biological fluid treatment system includes a treatment chamber configured to receive biological fluids, a platform configured to carry the biological fluid to be positioned in the treatment chamber, an array of light sources positioned to illuminate the biological fluid in the treatment chamber, and a display configured for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI). The biological fluid treatment system includes a scanner configured to obtain identifying information associated with a first biological fluid, a second biological fluid, or both the first biological fluid and the second biological fluid. The display is a touchscreen configured to display the GUI including the plurality of GUI objects, and the GUI objects are responsive to touch inputs on the touchscreen. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving an input associated with a selection of a GUI object; and in response to receiving the input, performing a biological fluid treatment operation.):
displaying an image on a display screen of the processing device (para. 51 of Church; the multi-scanner or the system 100 is configured to recognize (and/or convert into another form recognized by the multi-scanner or system 100) the captured multiple sets of identifying information (e.g., recognizing (and/or deciphering) barcodes, QR codes, alphanumeric text and/or symbols, images) captured in a multi-scan operation. After capturing multiple sets of identifying information (e.g., in captured image(s), performed scan(s)), a multi-scanner can convey or communicate them (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection) to the system 100 in recognized (and/or converted) form (e.g., in a language form that the system 100 can already recognize, for example as parameter data) or in unrecognized form (e.g., captured image(s), performed scan(s)). If in unrecognized form, the system 100 can process the captured multiple sets of identifying information into a recognized form. The system 100 can assign the multiple sets of identifying information to corresponding fields (e.g., auto-populating information fields) of the GUI of the display 120 when displaying the GUI for the treatment chamber associated with the biological fluid to be treated.);
transmitting the data from the scanner to the data management system (see Figs. 1 & 2A and para. 51 of Church; the multi-scanner or the system 100 is configured to recognize (and/or convert into another form recognized by the multi-scanner or system 100) the captured multiple sets of identifying information (e.g., recognizing (and/or deciphering) barcodes, QR codes, alphanumeric text and/or symbols, images) captured in a multi-scan operation. After capturing multiple sets of identifying information (e.g., in captured image(s), performed scan(s)), a multi-scanner can convey or communicate them (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection) to the system 100 in recognized (and/or converted) form (e.g., in a language form that the system 100 can already recognize, for example as parameter data) or in unrecognized form (e.g., captured image(s), performed scan(s)). If in unrecognized form, the system 100 can process the captured multiple sets of identifying information into a recognized form. The system 100 can assign the multiple sets of identifying information to corresponding fields (e.g., auto-populating information fields) of the GUI of the display 120 when displaying the GUI for the treatment chamber associated with the biological fluid to be treated.); and
transmitting a signal based on the data from the scanner and/or from the data management system to the processing device so as to cause the processing device to initiate at least one step of the biological fluid processing procedure upon receiving the signal (para. 51 and 96 of Church; After capturing multiple sets of identifying information (e.g., in captured image(s), performed scan(s)), a multi-scanner can convey or communicate them (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection) to the system 100 in recognized (and/or converted) form (e.g., in a language form that the system 100 can already recognize, for example as parameter data) or in unrecognized form (e.g., captured image(s), performed scan(s)). If in unrecognized form, the system 100 can process the captured multiple sets of identifying information into a recognized form. The system 100 can assign the multiple sets of identifying information to corresponding fields (e.g., auto-populating information fields) of the GUI of the display 120 when displaying the GUI for the treatment chamber associated with the biological fluid to be treated. Thus, a multi-scan operation may provide data entry of all or most parameter data for a biological fluid into multiple specific data fields via an auto-population technique that may be convenient, efficient, and time-saving.).
Church does not disclose scanning the image with the scanner while the image is displayed on the display screen to retrieve data from the image.
Li discloses scanning the image with the scanner while the image is displayed on the display screen to retrieve data from the image (see Fig. 4G and para. 61 & 90 of Li; display a two-dimensional bar code on the user terminal, operable to initiate a file transmission process, upon the two-dimensional bar code being scanned by a customer terminal, transmitting the physiological parameter report to the customer terminal. Referring to FIG. 4G, the two-dimensional bar code may be a quick response bar code, which may be scanned by a customer A's mobile phone.).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to combine the aforementioned feature of Li within Church. The motivation for doing so would have been to initiate a file transmission process (para. 61 of Li).
(J) Referring to claim 17, Church discloses wherein the processing device is configured to initiate an automated portion of the biological fluid processing procedure upon receiving the signal (para. 85, 96, and 99 of Church).
Claim(s) 5 and 15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Church et al. (US 2020/0397931 A1) in view of Li et al. (US 2024/0047048 A1), and further in view of Calderon (US 2019/0340403 A1).
(A) Referring to claims 5 and 15, Church and Li do not disclose wherein the image is configured to include data regarding a fluid flow circuit used in combination with the processing device during the biological fluid processing procedure.
Calderon discloses wherein the image is configured to include data regarding a fluid flow circuit used in combination with the processing device during the biological fluid processing procedure (para. 3 of Calderon).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to combine the aforementioned feature of Calderon within Church and Li. The motivation for doing so would have been to determine whether a particular fluid flow circuit is suitable for the selected procedure (para. 3 of Calderon).
Claim(s) 8 and 18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Church et al. (US 2020/0397931 A1) in view of Li et al. (US 2024/0047048 A1), and further in view of Cantu et al. (US 6,466,879 B1).
(A) Referring to claims 8 and 18, Church and Li do not disclose wherein the controller is configured to restart a paused biological fluid processing procedure upon receiving the signal and wherein the processing device is configured to restart a paused biological fluid processing procedure upon receiving the signal.
Cantu discloses wherein the controller is configured to restart a paused biological fluid processing procedure upon receiving the signal and wherein the processing device is configured to restart a paused biological fluid processing procedure upon receiving the signal (see Fig. 1, col. 3, lines 8-21, col. 2, lines 14-22, and col. 4, lines 47-65 of Cantu).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to combine the aforementioned features of Cantu within Church and Li. The motivation for doing so would have been to replenish a solution (col. 3, lines 8-21 of Cantu).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1 and 11 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. See new 103 rejection above. Furthermore, in response to applicant's arguments regarding the Church reference, Applicant is reminded that the test for obviousness is not whether the features of a secondary reference may be bodily incorporated into the structure of the primary reference; nor is it that the claimed invention must be expressly suggested in any one or all of the references. Rather, the test is what the combined teachings of the references would have suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. See In re Keller, 642 F.2d 413, 208 USPQ 871 (CCPA 1981).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LENA NAJARIAN whose telephone number is (571)272-7072. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 9:30 am-6 pm.
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, Mamon Obeid can be reached at (571)270-1813. 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.
/LENA NAJARIAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3687