DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
Response to Amendment
This office action is responsive to the preliminary amendment filed on August 27, 2024. As directed by the amendment: no claim(s) have been amended, claim(s) 1-93 have been cancelled, and claim(s) 94-113 have been added. Thus, claims 94-113 are currently pending in the application.
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of Inventive Group 1 (claims 94-100, 102-103, and 105-112) and Embodiment E in the reply filed on May 13, 2026 is acknowledged.
Claims 101, 104 and 113 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected Inventive Group and Species, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on May 13, 2026.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the cutter element must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because they do not include the following reference sign(s) mentioned in the description: Endoscope 1500. It appears to be a typo in Fig 10 and listed as 500. Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: cutter element in claim 94.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
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.
Claim 94 and 108 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of U.S. Patent No. 9,763,735 B2 in view of Swanson (US 5,991,650).
App 18/675,359- claim 94
US Patent 9,763,735 B2 – claim 1
A device comprising: a catheter, wherein at least a portion of the catheter includes a coating; a tip section of the catheter comprising a central longitudinal axis, a tip section inner wall, and a tip section outer wall;
A device for resecting or detaching an undesired tissue from an inner wall of a body cavity, the device having a tip section in a shape of a cylinder's sector comprising a wall at an end of the tip section, the tip section having a longitudinal axis, the tip section comprising:
a plurality of optical fibers positioned between the tip section outer wall and the tip section inner wall, and the plurality of optical fibers positioned substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis;
a plurality of optical fibers operatively coupled to a laser and configured to transmit laser radiation, said plurality of optical fibers embedded within the wall of the tip section and positioned parallel to said central longitudinal axis, such that said laser radiation is transmitted parallel to said central longitudinal axis, from said plurality of optical fibers from a distal extremity of said tip section directly to the undesired tissue, said undesired tissue being distal to and outside the distal extremity of said tip section when in use;
a cutter element comprising a tip section outer wall distal edge or a tip section inner wall distal edge, the cutter element is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis;
and a circular-action cutter formed from a distal edge of said tip section's wall or affixed to said distal end of said tip section's wall inwardly or outwardly to the plurality of optical fibers, wherein said cutter is positioned outside an optical path of said laser radiation;
wherein the plurality of optical fibers are configured to emit a laser beam substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis; and
wherein said laser radiation transmitted by said plurality of optical fibers ablates an area of the undesired tissue, thereby preparing said area for resection or detachment by said cutter,
wherein said cutter is configured to cut through, or peel said ablated area, thereby detaching or resecting at least a part of the undesired tissue from the wall of the body cavity.
wherein the cutter element is positioned outside an optical path of the laser beam.
(detailed in the limitations above)
App 18/675,359- claim 108
US Patent 9,763,735 B2 – claim 1
A device comprising: a catheter comprising a catheter central longitudinal axis, a plurality of optical fibers, a catheter distal end comprising a tip section, the tip section comprising a tip section external wall and a tip section internal wall;
A device for resecting or detaching an undesired tissue from an inner wall of a body cavity, the device having a tip section in a shape of a cylinder's sector comprising a wall at an end of the tip section, the tip section having a longitudinal axis, the tip section comprising:
wherein the plurality of optical fibers are positioned between the tip section external wall and the tip section internal wall, and the plurality of optical fibers are substantially parallel to the catheter central longitudinal axis at the catheter distal end, and wherein at least a portion of the catheter includes a coating;
a plurality of optical fibers operatively coupled to a laser and configured to transmit laser radiation, said plurality of optical fibers embedded within the wall of the tip section and positioned parallel to said central longitudinal axis, such that said laser radiation is transmitted parallel to said central longitudinal axis, from said plurality of optical fibers from a distal extremity of said tip section directly to the undesired tissue, said undesired tissue being distal to and outside the distal extremity of said tip section when in use;
a cutter element comprising a tip section external wall distal most edge or a tip section internal wall distal most edge, the cutter element is positioned substantially parallel to the catheter
central longitudinal axis;
and a circular-action cutter formed from a distal edge of said tip section's wall or affixed to said distal end of said tip section's wall inwardly or outwardly to the plurality of optical fibers, wherein said cutter is positioned outside an optical path of said laser radiation;
wherein the plurality of optical fibers are configured to emit a laser energy parallel to the catheter central longitudinal axis
wherein said laser radiation transmitted by said plurality of optical fibers ablates an area of the undesired tissue, thereby preparing said area for resection or detachment by said cutter,
wherein said cutter is configured to cut through, or peel said ablated area, thereby detaching or resecting at least a part of the undesired tissue from the wall of the body cavity.
and the cutter element is positioned outside an optical path of
the laser energy.
(detailed in the limitations above)
The US Patent 9,763,735 B2 fails to detail the device being a catheter, and wherein at least a portion of the catheter includes a coating. However, Swanson (US 5,991,650) details a surface coating for a catheter (e.g. abstract; col 1 lines 65-67 and col 2 lines 1-12; col 3 lines 55-67 and col 4 lines 1-25).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the US Patent 9,763,735 B2 to incorporate the teachings of Swanson wherein the device is a catheter and wherein at least a portion of the catheter includes a coating for the purpose of creating a mechanical barrier between the catheter components and viruses and bacteria (e.g. Swanson col 3 lines 55-60).
Claims 94, 98, 99, 106 and 108 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1, 6 and 9-10 of U.S. Patent No. 9,730,756 B2 in view of Swanson (US 5,991,650).
App 18/675,359- claim 94
US Patent 9,730,756 B2 – claim 1
A device comprising: a catheter, wherein at least a portion of the catheter includes a coating; a tip section of the catheter comprising a central longitudinal axis, a tip section inner wall, and a tip section outer wall;
A catheter for debulking of an undesired deposit from an inner surface of at least one of a blood vessel wall and a stent located in a blood vessel, said catheter having a tip section comprising a wall at an end of the tip section, the tip section having a central longitudinal axis, said tip section comprising:
a plurality of optical fibers positioned between the tip section outer wall and the tip section inner wall, and the plurality of optical fibers positioned substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis;
circumferentially-directed laser optics comprising a plurality of optical fibers disposed within the wall and positioned parallel to said central longitudinal axis and configured to provide transmission of laser radiation, parallel to said central longitudinal axis from a distal end of said tip section to the undesired deposit, when in use;
a cutter element comprising a tip section outer wall distal edge or a tip section inner wall distal edge, the cutter element is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis;
and a circular-action cutter, wherein said cutter is formed from a distal edge of the wall of said tip section or affixed to said distal end of said tip section's wall inwardly or outwardly to the plurality of optical fibers;
and wherein said cutter is positioned outside an optical path of said laser radiation;
wherein the plurality of optical fibers are configured to emit a laser beam substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis; and
(detailed in the limitations above)
wherein said circumferentially-directed laser optics is configured to transmit laser radiation for ablating an area of the undesired deposit thereby preparing said area for penetration of said cutter;
and wherein said cutter is configured to cut through said ablated area and thereby debulk at least a part of the undesired deposit.
wherein the cutter element is positioned outside an optical path of the laser beam.
(detailed in the limitations above)
App 18/675,359- claim 108
US Patent 9,730,756 B2 – claim 1
A device comprising: a catheter comprising a catheter central longitudinal axis, a plurality of optical fibers, a catheter distal end comprising a tip section, the tip section comprising a tip section external wall and a tip section internal wall;
A catheter for debulking of an undesired deposit from an inner surface of at least one of a blood vessel wall and a stent located in a blood vessel, said catheter having a tip section comprising a wall at an end of the tip section, the tip section having a central longitudinal axis, said tip section comprising:
wherein the plurality of optical fibers are positioned between the tip section external wall and the tip section internal wall, and the plurality of optical fibers are substantially parallel to the catheter central longitudinal axis at the catheter distal end, and wherein at least a portion of the catheter includes a coating;
circumferentially-directed laser optics comprising a plurality of optical fibers disposed within the wall and positioned parallel to said central longitudinal axis and configured to provide transmission of laser radiation, parallel to said central longitudinal axis from a distal end of said tip section to the undesired deposit, when in use;
a cutter element comprising a tip section external wall distal most edge or a tip section internal wall distal most edge, the cutter element is positioned substantially parallel to the catheter
central longitudinal axis;
and a circular-action cutter, wherein said cutter is formed from a distal edge of the wall of said tip section or affixed to said distal end of said tip section's wall inwardly or outwardly to the plurality of optical fibers;
and wherein said cutter is positioned outside an optical path of said laser radiation;
wherein the plurality of optical fibers are configured to emit a laser energy parallel to the catheter central longitudinal axis
(detailed in the limitations above)
wherein said circumferentially-directed laser optics is configured to transmit laser radiation for ablating an area of the undesired deposit thereby preparing said area for penetration of said cutter;
and wherein said cutter is configured to cut through said ablated area and thereby debulk at least a part of the undesired deposit.
and the cutter element is positioned outside an optical path of
the laser energy.
(detailed in the limitations above)
The US Patent 9,730,756 B2 fails to detail wherein at least a portion of the catheter includes a coating. However, Swanson (US 5,991,650) details a surface coating for a catheter (e.g. abstract; col 1 lines 65-67 and col 2 lines 1-12; col 3 lines 55-67 and col 4 lines 1-25).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the US Patent 9,730,756 B2 to incorporate the teachings of Swanson wherein the device is a catheter and wherein at least a portion of the catheter includes a coating for the purpose of creating a mechanical barrier between the catheter components and viruses and bacteria (e.g. Swanson col 3 lines 55-60).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
Claims 94-100, 102-103, and 105-112 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention. Claim 94 contains the limitation “…a cutter element comprising a tip section outer wall distal edge or a tip section inner wall distal edge, the cutter element is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis;…wherein the cutter element is positioned outside an optical path of the laser beam” and Claim 108 contains the limitation “a cutter element comprising a tip section external wall distal most edge or a tip section internal wall distal most edge, the cutter element is positioned substantially parallel to the catheter central longitudinal axis;…wherein the cutter element is positioned outside an optical path of the laser energy.” The instant specification details in [0188]-[0189] and Fig 10, that there may be an external wall, an internal wall, and/or a cutter (blade) but fails to detail the particulars as described in the claims. Figure 10 and the instant specification does not detail or describe a cutter element comprising a tip section external or internal wall, the cutter being positioned substantially parallel to the catheter or being positioned outside an optical path of the laser energy. Therefore, it appears that the applicant may be claiming new matter which is not supported by the instant specification. "Even if a claim is supported by the specification, the language of the specification, to the extent possible, must describe the claimed invention so that one skilled in the art can recognize what is claimed. The appearance of mere indistinct words in a specification or a claim, even an original claim, does not necessarily satisfy that requirement." Enzo Biochem, Inc. v. Gen-Probe, Inc., 323 F.3d 956, 968, 63 USPQ2d 1609, 1616 (Fed. Cir. 2002). Please refer to MPEP 2163.03.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 94-100, 102-103, and 105-112 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 94 contains the limitation “…a cutter element comprising a tip section outer wall distal edge or a tip section inner wall distal edge, the cutter element is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis;…wherein the cutter element is positioned outside an optical path of the laser beam.” However, it is unclear where the cutter is located in relation to the catheter to be positioned outside an optical path of the laser energy and the instant specification and drawings fail to give clarity on the location as well.
Claim 108 contains the limitation “a cutter element comprising a tip section external wall distal most edge or a tip section internal wall distal most edge, the cutter element is positioned substantially parallel to the catheter central longitudinal axis;…wherein the cutter element is positioned outside an optical path of the laser energy.” However, it is unclear where the cutter is located in relation to the catheter to be positioned outside an optical path of the laser energy and the instant specification and drawings fail to give clarity on the location as well.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Nobles (US 5,766,795 A) discloses in Fig 4 and col 4 lines 8-23 a catheter 12 that has a tip section 22 with an inner and outer wall and has an optical fiber 62, and has a cutter element 48 having a tip section 58 wherein the cutter element is positioned outside of an optical path of the optical fibers. Taylor (US 2009/0171330 A1) discloses in Fig 4 and [0036]-[0038] a catheter 402 that has a tip section 418 with an inner and outer wall (forming a lumen 404) and has a plurality of optical fibers 406, positioned between the tip section outer wall and inner wall, and the plurality of optical fibers are configured to emit a laser beam substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis (e.g. [0030]-[0031] the light guides may ablate or also receive light from an ablation light source).
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JESSANDRA F HOUGH whose telephone number is (571)270-7902. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday 7 am - 4 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, David Hamaoui can be reached at (571)270-5625. 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.
Jessandra Hough July 16, 2026
/J.F.H./Examiner, Art Unit 3796
/William J Levicky/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3796
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