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 § 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)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-5, 8-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Betsugi [US Pub # 2020/0069386].
Regarding claim 1: Betsugi shows an endoscope driving assembly for supporting and driving an endoscopic device (50) disposed on a slave device (83), the endoscope driving assembly comprising: a coupler (80) configured to support the endoscopic device; and a mount (60) on which the coupler (80) is mounted and configured to receive a signal from a master device (13) to control the endoscopic device, wherein the coupler (80) is replaceably (any removable piece can be replaceable) provided to support a plurality of endoscopic devices with different shapes.
Regarding claim 2: Betsugi shows a coupler body (82) capable of accommodating at least a portion of the endoscopic device; and a main hole (831) formed through the coupler body (82) and configured to accommodate a handle of the endoscopic device.
Regarding claim 3: Betsugi shows a mount body (61) configured to fasten to the coupler body;
a rotor (62) disposed on the mount body (61) and capable of rotating in any one direction by receiving a signal from the master device; and a handle holder (81) connected to the rotor (62) and configured to rotate the handle of the endoscopic device with the handle being accommodated in the main hole of the coupler (80).
Regarding claim 4: Betsugi shows the handle holder (81) is replaceable.
Regarding claim 5: Betsugi shows wherein the coupler further comprises: a first detection target pressed by the endoscopic device and configured to move in a direction toward the mount body in a state where the mount body and the coupler body are fastened together (see [0022], lines 5-7).
Regarding claim 8: Betsugi shows wherein the mount (60) further comprises: a vertical extension part (66) provided around a rotation axis of the rotor; and guide grooves (63, 63) provided spaced apart from each other on an outer peripheral surface of the vertical extension part.
Regarding claim 9: Betsugi shows wherein the coupler (80, through the part 81) further comprises guide protrusions respectively accommodated in the guide grooves, wherein with the guide protrusions accommodated in the guide grooves, the coupler (80) rotates in one direction around the rotation axis of the rotor and is fastened to the mount (60).
Regarding claim 10: Betsugi shows wherein the mount (60) further comprises: a hook (213, see fig 5) provided so as to be caught on the coupler while the mount (60) is fastened to the coupler (80).
Regarding claim 11: Betsugi shows wherein the hook comprises: a hook body (213) supported by the mount body (61); and a hook head configured to protrude from the hook body (213) toward the coupler body.
Regarding claim 12: Betsugi shows wherein the coupler further comprises an elastic protrusion disposed on a side of the coupler body (82) facing the hook, wherein with the coupler body caught on the hook head, the elastic protrusion presses the hook body.
Regarding claim 13: Betsugi shows a method for using an endoscope driving assembly for supporting and driving an endoscopic device disposed on a slave device (83), wherein the endoscope driving assembly comprising: a coupler (80) configured to support the endoscopic device; and a mount (60) on which the coupler (80) is mounted and configured to receive a signal from a master device (13) to control the endoscopic device, wherein the coupler (80) is replaceably provided to support a plurality of endoscopic devices with different shapes.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
Claims 6, 7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Betsugi [US Pub # 2020/0069386] in view of Kaufmann [US Pat# 12042173].
Regarding claims 6 and 7: Betsugi does not explicitly disclose wherein the coupler further comprises: a second detection target disposed on a side of the coupler body facing the mount body. wherein the mount further comprises: a first sensor configured to detect the first detection target moved in the direction toward the mount body; and a second sensor configured to detect the second detection target while the coupler body is fastened to the mount body. However, Kaufmann wherein the coupler further comprises: a second detection target disposed on a side of the coupler body facing the mount body. wherein the mount further comprises: a first sensor configured to detect the first detection target moved in the direction toward the mount body; and a second sensor configured to detect the second detection target while the coupler body is fastened to the mount body (see col 34, lines 45-55).
It would have been obvious to someone having ordinary skill in the art at the time of the effective filling date to have provided the coupler with sensors to monitor the movement and functionality of the endoscope device and send feedback to the user.
PNG
media_image1.png
745
531
media_image1.png
Greyscale
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. For example [US 2022/0096082] shows endoscope (106) attached by a coupler (1100) and provided with sensors.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ZAKARIA ELAHMADI whose telephone number is (571)270-5324. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 10-6 EST.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Minnah Seoh can be reached on 571-270-7778. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/ZAKARIA ELAHMADI/
Examiner, Art Unit 3618
Prosecution Insights