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.
(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) 1-15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Singh et al. (U.S. Pub. No. 2020/0163737 A1, hereinafter “Singh”).
Singh discloses, regarding claim 1, a device (10, see Figs. 2-4) comprising: a base (16) having an inferior surface (22) and a superior surface (see annotated Fig. 2 below), the inferior surface configured to interface with an external portion (31) of a human eye (30, see Fig. 3), the base having a geometry that is based on at least two cannulas (e.g. cannulas can be inserted through 66, ) configured to be inserted in a pars plana of the human eye (see Fig. 3); and an optical fiber (14, see para. [0056]) disposed in the base (see Fig. 3), the optical fiber configured to transmit light through the base and the external portion of the human eye to illuminate an internal portion of the human eye (see para. [0060]).
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Regarding claim 2, wherein the geometry includes an aperture (66) configured to enclose at least one of the at least two cannulas (see Fig. 2, see para. [0060]).
Regarding claim 3, wherein the geometry includes an inner diameter (see annotated Fig. 2 above) configured to enclose at least one of the at least two cannulas (see Fig. 2, see para. [0060]).
Regarding claim 4, wherein the geometry includes an outer diameter (see annotated Fig. 2 above) configured to be disposed between the at least two cannulas (note that cannulas can be placed around e.g. outside of the outer diameter so that the outer diameter is disposed between the cannulas).
Regarding claim 5, further comprising an additional optical fiber disposed in the base, the additional optical fiber configured to transmit additional light through the base and the external portion of the human eye to illuminate the internal portion of the human eye.
Regarding claim 6, further comprising a reflective portion of the superior surface configured to reflect the light to illuminate the internal portion of the human eye (see paras. [0054]-[0055], note use of cladding to propagate light to the light emitting end 52 via total internal reflection).
Regarding claim 7, further comprising a masked portion of the superior surface configured to prevent transmission of the light through the superior surface (see paras. [0054]-[0055], note use of cladding).
Regarding claim 8, wherein the external portion of the human eye includes at least one of the pars plana of the human eye or a fornix of the human eye (see Fig. 3).
Regarding claim 9, wherein the geometry is adjustable to increase or decrease an outer diameter of the base (see para. [0058] “flexible” and “low durometer material”, e.g. would be capable of being adjusted either compressed to decrease the outer diameter and then allowed to regain the uncompressed diameter e.g. increase).
Singh discloses, regarding 10, a transscleral illuminator (10, see Figs. 2-4) comprising: a base (16) having a first surface (22) and a second surface (see annotated Fig. 2 above), the first surface configured to contact a sclera of a human eye (see Fig. 3), the base having an adjustable geometry (see para. [0058] “flexible” and “low durometer material”, e.g. would be capable of being adjusted either compressed to decrease the outer diameter and then allowed to regain the uncompressed diameter e.g. increase); and at least one optical fiber (14) partially disposed within the base (see Fig. 3), the at least one optical fiber configured to transmit light from a light source through the first surface and the sclera to illuminate an inner portion of the human eye (see para. [0063]).
Regarding claim 11, further comprising a recess (66) of the adjustable geometry configured to interface with a cannula (see Fig. 3, see para. [0060]).
Regarding claim 12, further comprising an aperture of the adjustable geometry configured to enclose a cannula (e.g. cannula inserted through 66, see Fig. 3, see para. [0060]).
Regarding claim 13, further comprising a masked portion of the second surface configured to prevent transmission of the light from the light source through the second surface (see paras. [0054]-[0055], note use of cladding).
Regarding claim 14, further comprising a reflective portion of the second surface configured to reflect the light from the light source (see paras. [0054]-[0055], note use of cladding to propagate light to the light emitting end 52 via total internal reflection).
Regarding claim 15, wherein the first surface is configured to maintain a relative orientation between the base and the sclera (see para. [0060]).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. See PTO-892.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Michelle C. Green whose telephone number is (571)270-7051. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday between 9am-5pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, please contact the examiner’s supervisor, Eduardo C. Robert, at (571) 272-4719. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/M.C.G/ Examiner, Art Unit 3773 /JACQUELINE T JOHANAS/Primary Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3773
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