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 § 112
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 1-20 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.
Referring to claim 1 it recites the limitations a, wafer, a reaction area and the reaction is not lower than a top surface of the wafer in lines 1-4. In the drawings Fig 1-10 clearly suggests that item 11 is a reaction volume in cylindrical shape. The top surface of the cylinder is represented by numeral reference 111 is above the wafer top surface. It is not clear to the examiner how to interpret the limitation top surface of the reaction area is not lower than the top surface of the wafer. Also, it is not clear to examiner on how to estimate the scope of the limitation and what exactly applicant is trying to seek protection for. Hence, claim 1 and depending claims are indefinite. Hence, claim 1 and depending claims are indefinite and rejected under indefiniteness.
Referring to claim 12 it recites the limitations a, wafer, a reaction area and the reaction is not lower than a top surface of the wafer in lines 1-5. In the drawings Fig 1 -10 clearly suggests that item 11 is a reaction volume in cylindrical shape. The top surface of the cylinder is represented by numeral reference 111. Hence, it is not clear to the examiner how to interpret the limitation top surface of the reaction area is not lower than the top surface of the wafer. Also, it is not clear to examiner how to interpret the scope of the limitation and what exactly applicant is trying to seek protection for. Hence, claim 12 and depending claims are indefinite and rejected under indefiniteness.
Conclusion
Claims 1-20 are rejected.
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/SRINIVAS SATHIRAJU/Examiner, Art Unit 2844 11/01/2025