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 .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because they do not include the following reference sign(s) mentioned in the description: 80 and 134.
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.
Specification
The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
The following title is suggested: GANTRY TUBE COMPRISING A FIRST TUBE, A SECOND TUBE, AND A PLURALITY OF CHANNELS FOR A MAGNETIC RESONANCE/POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY IMAGING SYSTEM.
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities:
Paragraph [0001] should include U. S. Patent No. 12,189,006 issued on 07 January 2025.
Paragraph [0004], line 24, “2” after “Fig.” should be replaced by --3--.
Paragraph [0022], line 4, --tube-- should be inserted before “44”.
Appropriate correction is required.
Please note that paragraph numbers in a U. S. Patent Application Publication do not correspond to paragraph numbers in the originally-filed specification. The paragraph numbers mentioned above refer to the originally-filed specification.
Claim Objections
Claims 1-6 are objected to because of the following informalities:
(Proposed Amendments) A gantry tube for a magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) imaging system that includes a gradient coil located within a superconducting magnet, [[and]]
wherein the magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) imaging system further includes a body coil located within a radio frequency (RF) screen, and
wherein the gantry tube is located between the gradient coil and [[RF]] the radio frequency (RF) screen, the gantry tube comprising:
a second tube; (a positive limitation)
a first tube located within [[a]] the second tube,
wherein the first tube is oriented about a longitudinal axis of the magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) imaging system, and
wherein an inner surface of the body coil defines a patient bore for receiving a patient to be scanned; and
a plurality of wall elements that extends (refers to the plurality) between the first tube and the second [[tubes]] tube,
wherein the plurality of wall elements, the first tube, and the second tube form a plurality of channels that extends (refers to the plurality) in an axial direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal [[axis]] axis,
wherein each channel of the plurality of channels is configured to hold a PET detector of the magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) imaging system, [[and]]
wherein a PET detector is inserted into or removed from an associated channel of the plurality of channels in the axial direction, [[and]]
wherein the gantry tube is fabricated by joining a plurality of segments that each includes sections of the first tube, the second tube, the plurality of wall segments, and [[a]] the plurality of channels, and
wherein each segment of the plurality of segments is fabricated using a nonconductive material.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 2 is objected to because of the following informalities:
2. (Proposed Amendments) The gantry tube according to claim 1, further including a first support ring and a second support ring located at a first end and a second end, respectively, of the gantry tube to provide an additional stiffness to the gantry tube.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities:
3. (Proposed Amendments) The gantry tube according to claim 1, wherein a PET detector is inserted into or removed from an associated channel of the plurality of channels without moving the gantry tube relative to the magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) imaging system.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 4 is objected to because of the following informalities:
4. (Proposed Amendments) The gantry tube according to claim 1, wherein each segment of the plurality of segments (a previously recited limitation in claim 1) includes a first channel, a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 5 is objected to because of the following informalities:
5. (Proposed Amendments) The gantry tube according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of segments [[are]] is (refers to the plurality) formed by a pultrusion process.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 6 is objected to because of the following informalities:
6. (Proposed Amendments) The gantry tube according to claim 1, wherein a width of each wall element of the plurality of wall elements increases as the wall extends from the first tube to the second tube to form a substantially wedge-shaped wall.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 7-13 are objected to because of the following informalities:
7. (Proposed Amendments) A gantry tube for a magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) imaging system that includes a gradient coil located within a superconducting magnet, and
wherein the magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) imaging system further includes a body coil located within a radio frequency (RF) screen, the gantry tube comprising:
a second tube; (a positive limitation)
a first tube located within [[a]] the second tube,
wherein the first tube is oriented about a longitudinal axis of the magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) imaging system; and
a plurality of wall elements that extends (refers to the plurality) between the first tube and the second [[tubes]] tube,
wherein a width of each wall element of the plurality of wall elements increases as the wall extends from the first tube to the second tube to form a substantially wedge-shaped wall,
wherein the plurality of wall elements, the first tube, and the second tube form a plurality of channels that extends (refers to the plurality) in an axial direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal [[axis]] axis,
wherein each channel of the plurality of channels is configured to hold a PET detector of the magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) imaging system, [[and]]
wherein a PET detector is inserted into or removed from an associated channel of the plurality of channels in the axial direction from either a first end or a second end of the gantry [[tube]] tube, [[and]]
wherein the gantry tube is fabricated by joining a plurality of segments that each includes sections of the first tube, the second tube, the plurality of wall elements, and [[a]] the plurality of channels, and
wherein each segment of the plurality of segments is fabricated using a nonconductive material.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 8 is objected to because of the following informalities:
8. (Proposed Amendments) The gantry tube according to claim 7, further including a first support ring and a second support ring located at a first end and a second end, respectively, of the gantry tube to provide an additional stiffness to the gantry tube.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 9 is objected to because of the following informalities:
9. (Proposed Amendments) The gantry tube according to claim 7, wherein a PET detector is inserted into or removed from an associated channel of the plurality of channels without moving the gantry tube relative to the magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) imaging system.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 10 is objected to because of the following informalities:
10. (Proposed Amendments) The gantry tube according to claim 7, wherein each segment of the plurality of segments (a previously recited limitation in claim 7) includes a first channel, a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 11 is objected to because of the following informalities:
11. (Proposed Amendments) The gantry tube according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of segments [[are]] is (refers to the plurality) formed by a pultrusion process.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 12 is objected to because of the following informalities:
12. (Proposed Amendments) The gantry tube according to claim 7, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels has a substantially rectangular shape.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 13 is objected to because of the following informalities:
13. (Proposed Amendments) The gantry tube according to claim 7, wherein at least one channel of the plurality of channels includes a metallic surface that forms a waveguide.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 14-20 are objected to because of the following informalities:
14. (Proposed Amendments) A method of inserting a PET detector into a gantry tube of a magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) imaging system or removing a PET detector from the gantry [[tube]] tube,
wherein the magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) imaging system includes a gradient coil located within a superconducting magnet, and the magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) imaging system further includes a body coil located within a radio frequency (RF) screen, and
wherein the gantry tube is located between the gradient coil and the [[RF]] radio frequency (RF) screen, the method comprising:
providing a first tube located within a second tube, wherein the first tube is oriented about a longitudinal axis of the magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) imaging system;
providing a plurality of wall elements that extends (refers to the plurality) between the first tube and the second tube to form a plurality of channels, wherein the plurality of channels extends in an axial direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis;
joining a plurality of segments that each includes sections of the first tube, the second tube, the plurality of wall elements, and [[a]] the plurality of channels to form the gantry [[tube]] tube, wherein each segment of the plurality of segments is fabricated using a nonconductive material; and
moving a PET detector in the axial direction to either insert the PET detector into an associated channel of the plurality of channels or remove a PET detector from an associated channel of the plurality of channels.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 15 is objected to because of the following informalities:
15. (Proposed Amendments) The method according to claim 14, further including providing a first support ring and a second support ring located at a first end and a second end, respectively, of the gantry tube to provide an additional stiffness to the gantry tube.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 16, 19, and 20 are objected to because of the following informalities:
16. (Proposed Amendments) The method according to claim 14, wherein a PET detector is inserted into or removed from an associated channel of the plurality of channels without moving the gantry tube relative to the magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) imaging system.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 20 is objected to because of the following informalities:
20. (Proposed Amendments) The method according to claim 19, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels (a previously recited limitation in claim 14) has a substantially rectangular shape.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 17 is objected to because of the following informalities:
17. (Proposed Amendments) The method according to claim 14, wherein each segment of the plurality of segments (a previously recited limitation in claim 14) includes a first channel, a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 18 is objected to because of the following informalities:
18. (Proposed Amendments) The method according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of segments [[are]] is (refers to the plurality) formed by a pultrusion process.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 21-25 are objected to because of the following informalities:
21. (Proposed Amendments) A PET detector positioning device for a magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) imaging system that includes a gradient coil located within a superconducting magnet and
wherein the magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) imaging system further includes a body coil located within a radio frequency (RF) screen,
wherein the magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) imaging system also includes a PET gantry having a plurality of channels that receives (refers to the plurality) respective PET detectors, and
wherein the plurality of channels extends (refers to the plurality) in an axial direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) imaging system, the PET detector positioning device comprising:
a support ring that supports the PET gantry, wherein the support ring includes an annular groove that forms an axial alignment notch;
an extension tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the extension tube is attached to a first end of an associated PET detector;
a bailer arm rotatably attached to the first end of the extension tube, wherein the bailer arm includes a latch element that engages the annular groove to set a desired distance between the axial alignment notch and the PET detector.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 22 is objected to because of the following informalities:
22. (Proposed Amendments) The PET positioning device according to claim 21, wherein the extension tube and PET detector are inserted in the axial direction into an associated channel, and the latch element engages the annular groove when the latch element and annular groove are aligned.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 23 is objected to because of the following informalities:
23. (Proposed Amendments) The PET positioning device according to claim 21, wherein the bailer arm includes a first pivot element and a second pivot element that extend through a first surface and a second surface of the extension tube to enable a rotation of the bailer arm relative to the extension tube.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 24 and 25 are objected to because of the following informalities:
24. (Proposed Amendments) The PET positioning device according to claim 21, wherein a desired distance is set between the axial alignment notch and a section of the PET detector that marks [[the]] a position (a lack of an antecedent basis) of the PET detector within the PET gantry.
Appropriate correction is required.
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 pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 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 1-25 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 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.
Claim 1 recites a passive element “the walls” in line 10, which renders the claim indefinite. There is insufficient antecedent basis for the limitation in the claim. It is unclear whether the plurality of wall elements comprises walls. See transitional phrases in MPEP § 2111.03.
Claim 1 recites a method step “a PET detector is inserted into or removed from an associated channel in the axial direction” in lines 12-13, which renders the claim indefinite because a single claim which claims both an apparatus and a method step of using the apparatus is indefinite under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph. See MPEP 2173.05(p)(II). It is unclear whether an infringement of claim 1 occurs for the structure of the gantry tube or the method step of inserting a PET detector.
Claim 1 recites a passive limitation “walls” in line 15, which renders the claim indefinite. There is insufficient antecedent basis for the limitation in the claim. It is unclear whether the plurality of wall elements comprises walls. See transitional phrases in MPEP § 2111.03.
Claim 3 recites a method step of “a PET detector is inserted into or removed from an associated channel without moving the gantry tube relative to the imaging system” in lines 1-3, which renders the claim indefinite because a single claim which claims both an apparatus and a method step of using the apparatus is indefinite under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph. See MPEP 2173.05(p)(II). It is unclear whether an infringement of claim 3 occurs for the structure of the gantry tube of claim 1 or the method step of inserting a PET detector of claim 3.
Claim 6 recites a passive limitation “the wall” in line 2, which renders the claim indefinite. There is insufficient antecedent basis for the limitation in the claim. It is unclear whether the plurality of wall elements comprises the wall. See transitional phrases in MPEP § 2111.03.
Claim 7 recites a passive limitation “the wall” in line 8, which renders the claim indefinite. There is insufficient antecedent basis for the limitation in the claim. It is unclear whether the plurality of wall elements comprises the wall. See transitional phrases in MPEP § 2111.03.
Claim 7 recites a passive limitation “the walls” in line 9, which renders the claim indefinite. There is insufficient antecedent basis for the limitation in the claim. It is unclear whether the plurality of wall elements comprises walls. See transitional phrases in MPEP § 2111.03.
Claim 7 recites a method step of “a PET detector is inserted into or removed from an associated channel in the axial direction from either a first end or a second end of the gantry tube” in lines 12-13, which renders the claim indefinite because a single claim which claims both an apparatus and a method step of using the apparatus is indefinite under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph. See MPEP 2173.05(p)(II). It is unclear whether an infringement of claim 7 occurs for the structure of the gantry tube or the method step of inserting a PET detector.
Claim 7 recites a passive limitation “walls” in line 15, which renders the claim indefinite. There is insufficient antecedent basis for the limitation in the claim. It is unclear whether the plurality of wall elements comprises walls. See transitional phrases in MPEP § 2111.03.
Claim 9 recites a method step of “a PET detector is inserted into or removed from an associated channel without moving the gantry tube relative to the imaging system” in lines 1-3, which renders the claim indefinite because a single claim which claims both an apparatus and a method step of using the apparatus is indefinite under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph. See MPEP 2173.05(p)(II). It is unclear whether an infringement of claim 9 occurs for the structure of the gantry tube of claim 7 or the method step of inserting a PET detector of claim 9.
Claim 14 recites a passive limitation “walls” in line 13, which renders the claim indefinite. There is insufficient antecedent basis for the limitation in the claim. It is unclear whether the plurality of wall elements comprises walls. See transitional phrases in MPEP § 2111.03.
Claim 19 recites a passive limitation “the wall” in line 2, which renders the claim indefinite. There is insufficient antecedent basis for the limitation in the claim. It is unclear whether the plurality of wall elements comprises the wall. See transitional phrases in MPEP § 2111.03.
Claim 21 recites a limitation “the PET detector” in line 14, which renders the claim indefinite. There is insufficient antecedent basis for the limitation in the claim.
Claim 22 recites a method step of “the extension tube and PET detector are inserted in the axial direction into an associated channel and the latch element engages the annular groove when the latch element and annular groove are aligned” in lines 1-3, which renders the claim indefinite because a single claim which claims both an apparatus and a method step of using the apparatus is indefinite under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph. See MPEP 2173.05(p)(II). It is unclear whether an infringement of claim 22 occurs for the structure of the PET detector positioning device or the method step of inserting the extension tube and PET detector.
Claim 22 recites a limitation “PET detector” in line 2, which renders the claim indefinite. There is insufficient antecedent basis for the limitation in the claim.
Claim 24 recites a limitation “the PET detector” in line 2, which renders the claim indefinite. There is insufficient antecedent basis for the limitation in the claim.
Claim 24 recites a limitation “the PET detector” in line 3, which renders the claim indefinite. There is insufficient antecedent basis for the limitation in the claim.
Claim 25 recites a limitation “the PET detector” in line 2, which renders the claim indefinite. There is insufficient antecedent basis for the limitation in the claim.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-25 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Eberler et al. (U. S. Patent No. 12,189,006 B2) disclosed a medical imaging system comprising a gantry tube.
Corbeil (U. S. Patent No. 12,029,588 B2) disclosed a diagnostic medical imaging apparatus comprising a cooling channel with a non-metallic heat sink.
Lips et al. (U. S. Patent No. 10,470,662 B2) disclosed a magnetic resonance imaging system comprising an integrated photon-detector ring.
Yan et al. (U. S. Patent No. 10,345,460 B2) disclosed a positron emission tomography imaging system.
Su et al. (U. S. Patent No. 10,267,930 B2) disclosed systems for PET imaging.
Okamoto et al. (U. S. Patent No. 10,067,207 B2) disclosed a PET/MRI apparatus.
Schmand et al. (U. S. Patent No. 9,121,893 B2) disclosed a combined PET/MR imaging system comprising APD-based PET detectors.
Caruba et al. (U. S. Patent No. 8,818,488 B2) disclosed an MR-PET imaging system comprising a data processing unit.
Caruba et al. (U. S. Patent No. 8,716,664 B2) disclosed a data processing unit for MR-PET imaging.
Corbeil et al. (U. S. Patent No. 8,630,693 B2) disclosed a magnetic resonance device comprising a PET unit.
Ueno et al. (U. S. Patent No. 7,683,338 B2) disclosed a radiological imaging system.
Linz et al. (U. S. Patent No. 7,667,457 B2) disclosed a system comprising an apparatus for detecting gamma-rays in a PET/MRI scanner.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Allen C. Ho, whose telephone number is (571) 272-2491. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 10AM - 6PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, David J. Makiya, can be reached at (571) 272-2273. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is (571) 273-8300.
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Allen C. Ho, Ph.D.
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2884
/Allen C. Ho/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2884 Allen.Ho@uspto.gov
Prosecution Insights