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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of Species 1 (first embodiment) in the reply filed on 5/26/2026 is acknowledged.
Applicant’s response field 5/26/2026 states that claims 1 - 10 and 14 are readable upon the elected species. However, claim 17 is determined to also read upon the elected species.
Consequently, claims 11 - 13, 15 - 16, and 18 - 19 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected species, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 5/26/2026. Claims 1 - 10, 14 and 17 are examined herein.
Specification
The lengthy specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible minor errors. Applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification.
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.
Claims 1 - 10, 14, and 17 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.
Claim 1 is indefinite because it is unclear what is required by “a second portion that is higher in electric conductivity than the first portion, the second portion including a first surface positioned between the piezoelectric element layer and the first portion and a connection surface that is a surface different from the first surface”. It is unclear how the first surface may be positioned as recited. It is unclear if “and a connection surface …” modifies the positioning of the first surface, or if this is a claim element that the dematching layer or transducer includes. In other words, is the first surface required to be between the piezoelectric element layer and the first portion and a connection surface? Or is the claim trying to set forth that the dematching layer or transducer includes “a first portion and a second portion …and a connection surface”?
Claim 1 is indefinite because it is unclear what “is thicker than the first surface, and is electrically connected to the first surface” modifies. It is unclear if the limitation modifies the second portion or the connection surface.
Claims 2 - 10, 14, and 17 are indefinite by virtue of dependency.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1 - 10, 14, and 17 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Li et al. (US 2015/0115773) are considered to be the closest prior art.
Regarding claim 1, Li shows an ultrasound transducer, comprising:
a piezoelectric element layer including a piezoelectric element (micromachined piezoelectric composite body 22, [0024] and fig. 1) configured to transmit and receive ultrasound;
a dematching layer (combination of two or more dematching layers 28, [0037] and fig. 1) that is layered over the piezoelectric element layer, the dematching layer being configured to reflect at least part of the ultrasound (“dematching layer 28 has a relatively high acoustic impedance … majority of the acoustic energy is transmitted out through the front side 24 of the acoustic layer 20 …”, [0035]) and including a first portion (seed layer, [0039], or alternatively, one of plural matching layers, [0038]) and a second portion (layer of gold, [0039]) that is higher in electric conductivity than the first portion; and
a wire electrically connected to the transducer (see cable/wire in fig. 6).
Li fails to show that the second portion includes a first surface positioned between the piezoelectric element layer and the first portion and a connection surface that is a surface different from the first surface, is thicker than the first surface, and is electrically connected to the first surface and the wire.
Moreover, no other prior art of record, either singly or in combination, teaches or reasonably suggests such features. Claim 1 is thus considered to contain subject matter that is allowable over the prior art. Claims 2 - 10, 14, and 17 require all of the features of claim 1 and are thus also considered to contain subject matter that is allowable over the prior art.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AMELIE R DAVIS whose telephone number is (571)270-7240. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday, 9:30 - 6:00 PST.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Pascal Bui-Pho can be reached at (571)272-2714. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/AMELIE R DAVIS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3798
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