DETAILED ACTION
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Response to Amendment
The Amendments filed March 23rd, 2026 have been entered. Claims 11-30 remain pending in the application. Applicant’s amendments to the claims have overcome each and every Claim Objection previously set forth in the Non-Final Office Action mailed February 12th, 2026 and are hereby withdrawn in light of their correction.
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 simultaneously “wherein a movement of the release handle toward the limb support unlocks the multi-axis joint to permit the limb support to rotate about the tension rod axis” (of claim 25) with consideration of “a release handle that is pivotable about a handle axis which extends over the spar, the release handle being configured to pivot about the handle axis to change the carriage from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration” (claim 11) must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered. Notably, it’s unclear where in the disclosure applicants avail what appears to be a single-handled operative handle to control both the carriage locking and the multi-axis pivoting of the coupler with a single ‘release handle’ is shown. The specification respectfully appears to use different terms for either the carriage handle or the coupler handle for operation (“a release handle 20” [00157], “the handle 38” [00159]).
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.
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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 11-30 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Lane et al. (U.S. Pub. No. 20170281447); hereafter "Lane".
Regarding claim 11, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), a surgical limb support apparatus for use with a surgical table (Title, [0002]), the surgical limb support apparatus comprising a spar (416; FIG. 14/19) having a longitudinal axis (as illustrated in FIG. 14), a coupler (12/14) configured to attach the spar to the surgical table ([0116]-[0117]), the coupler being lockable to fix a position of the spar relative to the surgical table and being releasable to permit adjustment of an orientation of the spar relative to the surgical table (As set forth between [0116-0117] concerning “The mount 12 supports a lockable multi-axis coupler 14 that supports a spar 16 illustratively embodied as a rod and permits movement of the spar 16 relative to the mount 12 in a plurality of directions.”), a rod (476; FIG. 14) supported relative to the spar in spaced apart relation with the spar (as illustrated in FIG. 14), the rod being generally parallel with the spar (as illustrated in FIG. 14), a carriage (430; FIG. 14) coupled to the spar and to the rod (as illustrated in FIG. 14), the carriage being fixed relative to the spar and relative to the rod when in a locked configuration (as illustrated in FIG. 14, clarified in [0135-0137]; “he handle 438 is biased to a locked position (shown in FIGS. 14 and 15) wherein the movement along the spar 416 and about axes 434 and 435 is precluded”), the carriage having a released configuration in which the carriage is movable along the spar and along the rod ([0145]: “When the handle 438 is moved to a released position, such as that shown in FIG. 18, then the shaft 488 is unloaded and the bias member 484 urges the lock 480 out of engagement with the spar 416 so that the carriage 474 is free to move along the spar 416”), the rod preventing the carriage from being rotatable around the longitudinal axis of the spar when the carriage is in the released configuration ([0146]: “The engagement of the needle bearings 500, 502 with the guide tube 476 resists the rotation of the coupler 430 about the spar 416 when a load is placed on the limb rest 432”), and a limb support (410/434/432, and adjoint substructures thereof; as illustrated in FIGS. 14-19) coupled to the carriage to move therewith relative to the spar and relative to the rod when the carriage is in the released configuration (as clarified in claim 16 “limb rest about the first axis, about the second axis, and along the spar”), and a release handle (438; FIG. 19/422; FIG. 14) that is pivotable about a handle axis (correspondent 437; FIG. 19) which extends over the spar (as illustrated in FIGS. 19; wherein the axis of 437 is above 416), the release handle being configured to pivot about the handle axis to change the carriage from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration (as clarified in [0135]: “The adjustable coupler 430 includes a handle 438 which may be actuated to cause the coupler 430 to be released to allow adjustment of the limb rest 432 about an axis 434 and an axis 435. When the handle 438 is actuated to a released position, the coupler 430 and limb rest 432 are free to move along the spar 416, and the limb rest 432 is adjustable about the axes 434 and 435”). Where it is considered the release handle appears capable of rotation through the “floating lock ring 458” [0140] that appears to be free to rotate beneath the wedge plates 462/464; FIG. 17-19 when the lock plate is unlocked. Therefore, it is considered that the release handle 438 may indeed pivot about the handle axis 437 (along 488; FIGS. 17-19).
Regarding claim 12, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), the surgical limb support apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a first stop (584; FIG. 14) and a second stop (580) interconnecting the spar and the rod, the first and second stops being spaced apart and defining a range of movement of the carriage relative to the spar and the rod when the carriage is in the released configuration (as illustrated in FIG. 14).
Regarding claim 13, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), the surgical limb support apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a spar handle (420; FIG. 14, and synonymous 20 of FIG. 2) extending from the first stop and grippable by a user to reposition the spar, the rod, the carriage, and the limb support relative to the surgical table when the coupler is released (as illustrated in FIG. 14, clarified in [0136]: “A handle 420 positioned on a distal end of the spar 416 relative to the mount 12 is configured to be used by a user to position the spar 416 and includes a release trigger 422 that, when gripped by a user, causes the a lockable multi-axis coupler 14 to be released to allow the spar 416 to move relative to the mount 12”).
Regarding claim 14, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), the surgical limb support apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a release trigger (420/422; [0136]: “a release trigger 422”) extending from the first stop and movable toward the spar handle to release the coupler to permit the spar, the rod, the carriage, and the limb support to be repositioned relative to the surgical table (As set forth in [0136]).
Regarding claim 15, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), the surgical limb support apparatus of claim 14, wherein a proximal end of the spar is coupled to the coupler and a distal end of the spar is coupled to the first stop (as illustrated in FIG. 14).
Regarding claim 16, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), the surgical limb support apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a release rod (as illustrated in FIG. 20 inside 416) extending through a bore of the spar along the longitudinal axis, the release rod being movable within the bore of the spar due to movement of the release trigger, the release rod also extending through upper regions of the first and second stops (as illustrated in FIG. 20).
Regarding claim 17, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), the surgical limb support apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a counterbalance (418/18; FIG. 14) to counterbalance a weight of the spar, the rod, the carriage, the limb support, and a limb of a patient supported by the limb support when the coupler is released, the counterbalancer being coupled to the second stop and to the coupler (as explained in [0136] and [0117]: “a counterbalancing gas spring 418 which assists in supporting the weight of a patient's leg when the leg support 410 is in use or the position is being adjusted”).
Regarding claim 18, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), the surgical limb support apparatus of claim 17, wherein a first end region of the counterbalancer is situated beneath the second stop and a second end region of the counterbalancer is situated beneath the coupler (as illustrated in FIG. 14).
Regarding claim 19, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), the surgical limb support apparatus of claim 15, wherein the counterbalancer comprises a gas spring (as expressed in [0136] and [0117]: ”counterbalancing gas spring”).
Regarding claim 20, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), the surgical limb support apparatus of claim 11, wherein the carriage is configured to clamp against the spar when in the locked configuration (as portrayed in FIG. 17) and to unclamp from the spar when in the released configuration (as portrayed in FIG. 18).
Regarding claim 21, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), the surgical limb support apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a tension rod (488; FIG. 17 and 18) that is movable to clamp and unclamp the carriage relative to the spar thereby to move the carriage between the locked configuration and the released configuration (As illustrated between FIGS. 17 and 18).
Regarding claim 22, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), the surgical limb support apparatus of claim 21, wherein the tension rod extends from the carriage in substantially perpendicular relation with the longitudinal axis of the spar (as illustrated in FIGS. 16-19).
Regarding claim 23, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), the surgical limb support apparatus of claim 21, wherein the limb support is coupled to an end region of the tension rod that is spaced apart from the carriage so that the limb support is offset laterally from the carriage (as illustrated between FIGS. 14-21).
Regarding claim 24, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), the surgical limb support apparatus of claim 23, wherein the limb support is coupled to the tension rod by a multi-axis joint that is lockable to prevent rotation of the limb support about a tension rod axis and that is releasable to allow rotation of the limb support about the tension rod axis (As set forth in [0141]: “the release 436, when it is in the locked position of FIG. 19, prevents movement of the limb rest 432 relative to two degrees of freedom, namely, axes 434, 435. When the release 436 is moved to the released position shown in FIG. 19, the limb rest mounting plate 596 and the limb rest 432 are free to move in two degrees of freedom about the axes 434, 435”).
Regarding claim 25, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), the surgical limb support apparatus of claim 24, wherein movement of the release handle (438; FIG. 17/18) that is movable toward the limb support to unlock the multi-axis joint to permit the limb support to rotate about the tension rod axis (As illustrated between FIGS. 17/18, and clarified in [0135] and [0144]).
Regarding claim 26, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), the surgical limb support apparatus of claim 25, wherein after movement of the release handle toward the limb support to unlock multi-axis joint and place the carriage in the released configuration, the limb support is adjustable in four degrees relative to the spar (As illustrated between FIGS. 17 and 18 and the clamps about 416; as clarified in claim 2; “wherein when the release is in the released position, the limb rest is simultaneously adjustable relative to the spar with at least four degrees of freedom.”).
Regarding claim 27, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), the surgical limb support apparatus of claim 25, wherein the limb support comprises a surgical boot (432; FIG. 14) having a foot support portion (vertical portion of 432; FIG. 14) and a calf support portion (horizontal portion of 432; FIG. 14) and the release handle is movable toward the calf support portion to unlock the multi-axis joint (As illustrated between FIGS. 14, 17 and 18).
Regarding claim 28, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), the surgical limb support apparatus of claim 25, wherein the multi- axis joint is configured to permit rotation of the limb support about a yaw axis regardless of whether the multi-axis joint is locked or unlocked to permit rotation of the limb support about the tension rod axis (as set forth in [0144]).
Regarding claim 29, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), the surgical limb support apparatus of claim 28, wherein the yaw axis is substantially perpendicular to the tension rod axis (as illustrated between FIGS. 14-19).
Regarding claim 30, Lane discloses (FIGS. 14-21), the surgical limb support apparatus of claim 25, wherein the release handle pivots about the yaw axis with the limb support (As illustrated and conveyed through FIGS. 14-20).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see Remarks (pages 6-7), filed March 26th, 2026, with respect to Claim Objections have been fully considered and are persuasive. The Claim Objections of February 12th, 2026 has been withdrawn.
Applicant's arguments filed March 23rd, 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Particularly, applicant alleges that Lane fails to avail that the release handle is pivotably about a handle axis, however, it is respectfully considered that Lane does in fact possess a handle axis (437; FIG. 19) that is both pivoted about and is above the spar 416 (FIG. 19). Particularly wherein the floating lock ring 458 appears capable of rotation (which the release handle is fixed to), and wherein there are configurations that the release handle indeed may rotate about the handle axis (437; FIG. 17-19) under such free and floating rotation.
Therefore, the rejection/grounds thereof of claims 11-30 is respectfully maintained for reasons of record and those elucidated further herein.
Conclusion
The prior art previously made of record and not relied upon is still considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Luke F Hall whose telephone number is (571)272-5996. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8am-5pm.
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, Justin Mikowski can be reached at 571-272-8525. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/LUKE HALL/Examiner, Art Unit 3673 /JUSTIN C MIKOWSKI/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3673
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