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 14-16 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.
In claim 14, line 14, “converts the near-infrared light into visible light a camera” is unclear. It appears that –and—or similar language should be inserted before “a”.
In claim 15, line 12, “the near-infrared light” has no prior antecedent basis.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-13 are allowed.
Claims 14-16 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
The prior art of record fails to show either singly or in combination, the claimed blood visualization system, blood vessel puncture system, and method of capturing a visible blood vessel image of a blood vessel in a site to be visualize, comprising a blood visualization device having all of the recited limitations as recited in the independent claims. The following are examples of the state of the art:
Kagenow et al 20100177182 discloses a similar device, where a near infrared light source (see figs. 2a-2d) irradiates a first surface, and an attachment portion is fixed to a site to be visualized and is in contact with a second surface. Kagenow et al do not disclose the attachment portion comprising a wavelength converter comprising a wavelength conversion material that converts the near-infrared light into visible light, where the attachment portion is fixable to the site to be visualized in a state in which the wavelength converter is in contact with the second surface (claim 1) and a camera configured to capture a blood vessel image displayed on the wavelength converter (claim 14). Similarly, Kagenow et al does not disclose the methods of claims 14 and 15 which utilize the claimed device.
JP 20156033585 discloses a similar device that transmits near infrared light to irradiate a first surface, but does not disclose a wavelength converter that converts near infrared light to visible light.
WO 2016182075 discloses a similar device that transmits near infrared light to irradiate a first surface, but does not disclose a wavelength converter that converts near infrared light to visible light.
JP 2008167792 discloses an imaging device that utilizes a wavelength conversion member 60, that converts near infrared light to visible light.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NICHOLAS D LUCCHESI whose telephone number is (571)272-4977. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 800-430.
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/NICHOLAS D LUCCHESI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3772
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