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 .
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
Notice of Amendment
In response to the amendment(s) filed on 8/19/26, amended claim(s) 1, 5, 7, 11, 15, and 17, and canceled claim(s) 8 and 18 is/are acknowledged. The following new and/or reiterated ground(s) of rejection is/are set forth:
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.
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: “a mechanical connection configured to couple the neonatal pod to a neonatal patch,” in claim 1, which corresponds to “pins, plugs, or sockets” (see para [0058] of Applicant’s specification as originally filed); and “a mechanical connection between a neonatal pod and the neonatal patch; the mechanical connection, which is configured to couple to the neonatal pod to the neonatal patch,” in claim 11, which corresponds to “pins, plugs, or sockets” (see para [0058] of Applicant’s specification as originally filed).
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.
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.
Claim(s) 1-7 and 9-10 is/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.
For claim 1, the claim terms “charger” (line 1) and “a charger” (line 6) are ambiguous. It is unclear whether the same charger is being referred to or if these are different chargers. The claim is examined under the former interpretation.
Dependent claim(s) 2-7 and 9-10 fail to cure the ambiguity of independent claim 1, thus claim(s) 1-7 and 9-10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b).
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.
Claim(s) 1-2, 5, 9-12, 15, and 19-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0330885 to Xu in view of GB 2 389 535 to Tierney, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2024/0389945 to Burkholz et al. (hereinafter “Burkholz”), and U.S. Patent No. 6,740,033 to Olejniczak et al. (hereinafter “Olejniczak”).
For claim 1, Tierney discloses a system (Abstract) with charger, comprising:
a neonatal patch (“wearable patch,” para [0102] and [0128]) that is configured to measure signals from a patient (para [0102] and [0128]);
a wireless communication interface (“bidirectional wireless communication system,” para [0094]);
a rechargeable battery (“battery,” para [0095] and “rechargeable battery,” claim 20); and
a charger that is configured to convert ambient radiation into an electrical current (solar cell,” para [0095]), and charge the rechargeable battery using the electrical current (“solar cell,” para [0095]);
a processing device (“computer” or “computing apparatus,” para [0151]); and
a memory device (“memory,” para [0151]) configured to store instructions executable by the processing device to use the wireless communication interface (para [0151]).
Xu does not expressly disclose that the system is a neonatal pod.
However, Tierney teaches that the system is a neonatal pod (Abstract) (Fig. 1).
It would have been obvious to a skilled artisan to modify Xu such that the system is a neonatal pod, in view of the teachings of Tierney, for the obvious advantage of applying the same principles of Xu to a baby in a controlled microclimate after the baby is born.
Xu and Tierney do not expressly disclose a mechanical connection configured to couple the neonatal pod to the neonatal patch.
However, Burkholz teaches a physical connection configured to couple to the neonatal pod to the neonatal patch (para [0047]).
It would have been obvious to a skilled artisan to modify Xu to include a mechanical connection configured to couple the neonatal pod to the neonatal patch, in view of the teachings of Burkholz, as another medium by which data can be transferred or instructions can be sent to the patch (in addition, or alternate, to a wireless medium).
Xu, Tierney, and Burkholz do not expressly disclose determining a type of neonatal patch based on the mechanical connection between the neonatal pod and the neonatal patch.
However, Olejniczak teaches determining a type of patch (Examiner’s Note: construed in view of para [0050] of Applicant’s specification as originally filed) based on the mechanical connection between two structures (col. 4, line 66 – col. 5, line 3) (see col. 5, lines 57-67 for a list of parameters that can be monitored).
It would have been obvious to a skilled artisan to modify Xu to include determining a type of neonatal patch based on the mechanical connection between the neonatal pod and the neonatal patch, in view of the teachings of Olejniczak, for the obvious advantage of automating parameter selection so that a user of the device doesn’t have to manually input what parameter is being measured.
For claim 2, Xu further discloses wherein the battery charger comprises a solar charger (“solar cell,” para [0095]).
For claim 5, Xu further discloses a processing device (“computer” or “computing apparatus,” para [0151]); and a memory device (“memory,” para [0151]) configured to store instructions executable by the processing device (para [0151]) to use the wireless communication interface to provide the signals over a network (see Fig. 4) to a base station (see “Base station” in Fig. 4) configured to make determinations about a health of the patient based on the signals (see Fig. 16) (also see para [0033], [0039], and [0102]).
For claim 9, Xu further discloses wherein the signals represent a physiological condition of the patient (para [0102] and [0128]).
For claim 10, Xu further discloses wherein the patch is selected from a group consisting of an electrocardiogram patch, a core temperature patch, a peripheral temperature patch, a respiratory rate patch, a pulse rate patch, and a specific percentage of oxygen patch (para [0102] and [0128]).
For claim 11, Xu discloses a system (Abstract), comprising:
a processing device (“computer” or “computing apparatus,” para [0151]); and
a memory device (“memory,” para [0151]) configured to store instructions executable by the processing device (para [0151]) to use a wireless communication interface (“bidirectional wireless communication system,” para [0094]);
a neonatal patch (“wearable patch,” para [0102] and [0128]) that is configured to measure signals from a patient (para [0102] and [0128]);
the wireless communication interface (“bidirectional wireless communication system,” para [0094]);
a rechargeable battery (“battery,” para [0095] and “rechargeable battery,” claim 20); and
a battery charger that is configured to convert ambient radiation into an electrical current (solar cell,” para [0095]), and charge the rechargeable battery using the electrical current (“solar cell,” para [0095]).
Xu does not expressly disclose a neonatal pod.
However, Tierney teaches a neonatal pod (Abstract) (Fig. 1).
It would have been obvious to a skilled artisan to modify Xu to include a neonatal pod, in view of the teachings of Tierney, for the obvious advantage of applying the same principles of Xu to a baby in a controlled microclimate after the baby is born.
Xu and Tierney do not expressly disclose a physical connection configured to couple to the neonatal patch.
However, Burkholz teaches a physical connection configured to couple to the neonatal patch (para [0047]).
It would have been obvious to a skilled artisan to modify Xu to include a physical connection configured to couple to the neonatal patch, in view of the teachings of Burkholz, as another medium by which data can be transferred or instructions can be sent to the patch (in addition, or alternate, to a wireless medium).
Xu, Tierney, and Burkholz do not expressly disclose determining a type of neonatal patch based on the mechanical connection between a neonatal pod and the neonatal patch.
However, Olejniczak teaches determining a type of patch (Examiner’s Note: construed in view of para [0050] of Applicant’s specification as originally filed) based on the mechanical connection between two structures (col. 4, line 66 – col. 5, line 3) (see col. 5, lines 57-67 for a list of parameters that can be monitored).
It would have been obvious to a skilled artisan to modify Xu to include determining a type of neonatal patch based on the mechanical connection between a neonatal pod and the neonatal patch, in view of the teachings of Olejniczak, for the obvious advantage of automating parameter selection so that a user of the device doesn’t have to manually input what parameter is being measured.
For claim 12, Xu further discloses wherein the battery charger comprises a solar charger (“solar cell,” para [0095]).
For claim 15, Xu further discloses wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to use the wireless communication interface to provide the signals over a network (see Fig. 4) to a base station (see “Base station” in Fig. 4) configured to make determinations about a health of the patient based on the signals (see Fig. 16) (also see para [0033], [0039], and [0102]).
For claim 19, Xu further discloses wherein the signals represent a physiological condition of the patient (para [0102] and [0128]).
For claim 20, Xu further discloses wherein the patch is selected from a group consisting of an electrocardiogram patch, a core temperature patch, a peripheral temperature patch, a respiratory rate patch, a pulse rate patch, and a specific percentage of oxygen patch (para [0102] and [0128]).
Claim(s) 3-4 and 13-14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Xu in view of Tierney, Burkholz, and Olejniczak, and further in view of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2025/0183711 to Abbate.
For claim 3, Xu, Tierney, Burkholz, and Olejniczak do not expressly disclose wherein the battery charger comprises a thermal charger.
However, Abbate teaches wherein the battery charger comprises a thermal charger (para [0016]).
It would have been obvious to a skilled artisan to modify Tierney wherein the battery charger comprises a thermal charger, in view of the teachings of Abbate, just as another way to generate electrical current from an environment.
For claim 4, Xu, Tierney, Burkholz, and Olejniczak do not expressly disclose wherein the thermal charger converts thermal energy from a body of the patient to electrical current.
However, Abbate teaches wherein the thermal charger converts thermal energy from a body of the patient to electrical current (para [0016]).
It would have been obvious to a skilled artisan to modify Xu wherein the thermal charger converts thermal energy from a body of the patient to electrical current, in view of the teachings of Abbate, just as another way to generate electrical current from an environment.
For claim 13, Xu, Burkholz, and Olejniczak do not expressly disclose wherein the battery charger comprises a thermal charger.
However, Abbate teaches wherein the battery charger comprises a thermal charger (para [0016]).
It would have been obvious to a skilled artisan to modify Tierney wherein the battery charger comprises a thermal charger, in view of the teachings of Abbate, just as another way to generate electrical current from an environment.
For claim 14, Xu, Burkholz, and Olejniczak do not expressly disclose wherein the thermal charger converts thermal energy from a body of the patient to electrical current.
However, Abbate teaches wherein the thermal charger converts thermal energy from a body of the patient to electrical current (para [0016]).
It would have been obvious to a skilled artisan to modify Xu wherein the thermal charger converts thermal energy from a body of the patient to electrical current, in view of the teachings of Abbate, just as another way to generate electrical current from an environment.
Claim(s) 6-7 and 16-17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Xu in view of Tierney, Burkholz, and Olejniczak, and further in view of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0373007 to Hall et al. (hereinafter “Hall”).
For claim 6, Xu, Tierney, Burkholz, and Olejniczak do not expressly disclose wherein the instructions are executable by the processing device to: determine that the wireless communication interface is not connected to the network; and store the signals in the memory device until the wireless communication interface is re-connected to the network.
However, Hall teaches wherein the instructions are executable by the processing device to: determine that the wireless communication interface is not connected to the network (para [0069]); and store the signals in the memory device until the wireless communication interface is re-connected to the network (para [0069]).
It would have been obvious to a skilled artisan to modify Xu wherein the instructions are executable by the processing device to: determine that the wireless communication interface is not connected to the network; and store the signals in the memory device until the wireless communication interface is re-connected to the network, in view of the teachings of Hall, for the obvious advantage of saving the data so that it can be transmitted once connection is restored.
For claim 7, Xu, Tierney, Burkholz, and Olejniczak do not expressly disclose an alarm device, and wherein the instructions are executable by the processing device to activate an alarm in response to determining that the wireless communication interface is not connected to the network.
However, Hall teaches an alarm device (para [0077]), and wherein the instructions are executable by the processing device to activate an alarm in response to determining that the wireless communication interface is not connected to the network (para [0077]).
It would have been obvious to a skilled artisan to modify Xu to include an alarm device, and wherein the instructions are executable by the processing device to activate an alarm in response to determining that the wireless communication interface is not connected to the network, in view of the teachings of Hall, for the obvious advantage of indicating to a user and/or healthcare provider the status of the wireless connection.
For claim 16, Xu, Burkholz, and Olejniczak do not expressly disclose wherein the instructions are executable by the processing device to: determine that the wireless communication interface is not connected to the network; and store the signals in the memory device until the wireless communication interface is re-connected to the network.
However, Hall teaches wherein the instructions are executable by the processing device to: determine that the wireless communication interface is not connected to the network (para [0069]); and store the signals in the memory device until the wireless communication interface is re-connected to the network (para [0069]).
It would have been obvious to a skilled artisan to modify Xu wherein the instructions are executable by the processing device to: determine that the wireless communication interface is not connected to the network; and store the signals in the memory device until the wireless communication interface is re-connected to the network, in view of the teachings of Hall, for the obvious advantage of saving the data so that it can be transmitted once connection is restored.
For claim 17, Xu, Burkholz, and Olejniczak do not expressly disclose an alarm device, and wherein the instructions are executable by the processing device to activate an alarm in response to determining that the wireless communication interface is not connected to the network.
However, Hall teaches an alarm device (para [0077]), and wherein the instructions are executable by the processing device to activate an alarm in response to determining that the wireless communication interface is not connected to the network (para [0077]).
It would have been obvious to a skilled artisan to modify Xu to include an alarm device, and wherein the instructions are executable by the processing device to activate an alarm in response to determining that the wireless communication interface is not connected to the network, in view of the teachings of Hall, for the obvious advantage of indicating to a user and/or healthcare provider the status of the wireless connection.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments have been considered but are moot because the arguments do not address the new grounds of rejection necessitated by Applicant’s amendments presented in the response filed 8/19/26.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 DANIEL LEE CERIONI whose telephone number is (313) 446-4818. The examiner can normally be reached M - F 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM PT.
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/DANIEL L CERIONI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3791
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