DETAILED ACTION
This is the second office action for US Application 18/960,906 for Devices, Systems, and Methods for Hanging Fluid Reservoirs in Systems to Supply Fluids to an Endoscope.
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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant's election with traverse of Species IV in the reply filed on 21 August 2026 is acknowledged. The traversal is on the ground(s) that the figures are generic with respect to the disclosed mounting members or coupling assemblies. This is not found persuasive because it is not clear what Applicant means by the figures are generic with respect to the disclosed mounting members or coupling assemblies.
The requirement is still deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL.
Claims 4, 9, 13 and 17-20 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b), as being drawn to a nonelected species, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Applicant timely traversed the restriction (election) requirement in the reply filed on 21 August 2026. Claims 10-12, and 14-16 are also withdrawn from further consideration as drawn to a nonelected species. Applicant has indicated that the claims encompass the elected Species IV, but the claims are directed towards non-elected Species VIII.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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.
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.
Claim(s) 1-3 and 5-8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by WO 2023/027600 to Fisher & Paykel Healthcare LTD (referred to as Fisher hereinafter). Regarding claim 1, Fisher discloses a coupling member that can hang a fluid reservoir relative to an endoscope cart. The coupling member comprises a body portion (102) configured to engage a mounting feature of an endoscope cart (the body portion can engage a tube of a cart). There is a securement member (108) extending from the body portion that is configured to be coupled to a reservoir (the hook of 108 can engage a reservoir), and the body portion is configured to extend about a perimeter of an outer surface of the mounting feature (the body portion can engage a tube of a cart).
Regarding claim 2, the body portion and the securement member are formed as a single monolithic structure. Regarding claim 3, the securement member is fixedly coupled to the body portion. Regarding clam 5, the body portion (1412) forms a complete loop (see the alternate embodiment of figure 14 showing the body portion as a closed loop). Regarding claim 6, the body portion is an elongate member extending from a first end to a second end. Regarding claim 7, the first portion of the elongate member adjacent to a first end thereof, and a second portion of the elongate member adjacent to a second end thereof are configured to be secured to one another (the first end and second end of 102 are secured to each other by the length of the body). Regarding claim 8, the securement member comprises a hook.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 2025/0143969 to Carbeil
US 2025/0160631 to Johnson US 2025/0160630 to Pollock US 5222946 to Kamen US 6007124 to Thies, Jr.
US 5374194 to Walcerz
WO 2025106638 to Johnson
WO2025106536 to Pollock
The above prior art discloses various coupling members that can be utilized with carts.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to STEVEN M MARSH whose telephone number is (571)272-6819. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Thurs 9 am-7:30 pm.
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, Terrell McKinnon can be reached at 571-272-4797. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197
(toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
STEVEN M. MARSH
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3632
/STEVEN M MARSH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3632
Prosecution Insights