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
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)(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) 1-7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by THOMPSON (WO 2012/103531).
Regarding claim 1, THOMPSON et al. discloses a method of forming a
balloon for a surgical access device, the method comprising:
positioning a molding material such as ePTFE (504) into a channel (Fig.71a) defined in a first mold half (bottom 506-Fig.71a) of a mold;
mounting a second mold half (top 506-Fig.71b) onto the first mold half (bottom 506-Fig.71b) to cover the channel and form a cavity within the mold (Fig.71b), the first and second mold halves each including vent holes (apertures 507) extending therethrough that are in fluid communication with the cavity (Fig.71a); and
expanding the molding material ePTFE to conform to the shape of the cavity to form a balloon (Fig.72b) including protrusions (507) extending radially outwardly therefrom, the protrusions formed by engagement of the molding material with the vent holes (507 of 506 in Fig.71a).
Regarding claim 2, THOMPSON et al. discloses intermediate portion has a toroidal shape (Fig.71a&b), and discloses expanding the molding material including forming an inflatable anchor (539) of the balloon (Fig.81c).
Regarding claim 3, THOMPSON et al. discloses wherein the cavity of the mold includes first and third portions disposed on opposed sides of the intermediate portion and each having a tubular shape and expanding the molding material includes forming proximal and distal sleeves of the balloon (abstract).
Regarding claim 4, THOMPSON et al. discloses expanding the molding material includes subjecting the molding material to gas and pressure [0222].
Regarding claim 5, THOMPSON et al. discloses the molding material is a tube (504-Fig.71a).
Regarding claim 6, THOMPSON et al. discloses curing at elevated temperatures [0221].
Regarding claim 7, THOMPSON et al. discloses removing the balloon from the mold [0222]; Fig.72a-b.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure:
a) Mahoney et al. (6,863,856) discloses slotted mold for making a catheter balloon.
b) Noddin (2007/0106216) discloses a composite balloon.
c) Tokarz et al. (2011/0117630) discloses surgical access device including a universal fluid flow valve.
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STELLA YI
Examiner
Art Unit 1742
/STELLA K YI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1742
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