Office Action 8: Final Rejection (2024-05-22)
Rejection types: 103 - Obviousness

CLAIMS:
IN THE CLAIMS:

Please AMEND the claims as follows:

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1-20. (Cancelled)219

21\. (Currently Amended) A method of providing a continuity of care for a patient at risk of developing pressure ulcers (PU) during transfer from a first care setting to a second care setting, the method comprising the steps of:identifying a current PU intervention of level-K received by the patient at the first care setting, wherein the current PU intervention of level-K is provided in a transfer record, wherein the transfer record further comprises results obtained from performing a first SEM scan of at least one body location of the patient while in the first care setting, wherein the first SEM scan comprises a plurality of measurements of an SEM value at the body location and calculation of a first delta value from the plurality of SEM values, wherein if the current PU intervention of level-K is a level-0 PU intervention, the level-0 PU intervention comprises performing a daily SEM scan of at least one body location of the patient;
making a plurality of Sub-Epidermal Moisture (SEM) measurements at a body location on the patient at the second care setting, each SEM measurement comprising a measurement of biocapacitance,
calculating a delta value by a difference between two of the plurality of SEM measurements,
determining whether the delta value exceeds a threshold, and
making a further plurality of SEM measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K if the delta value does not exceed the threshold, wherein the pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K is longer than every 15 minutes and continuing to administer the current PU intervention

Atty. Dkt. P34702US01/0100804.00306 Page 4 plurality of SEM measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K if the delta value does not exceed the threshold, and or making the further plurality of SEM measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-N if the delta value exceeds the threshold, where N has a value greater than K, wherein the pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-N is longer than or equal to every 15 minutes, and administering a new PU intervention of level-N and making a plurality of SEM measurements at a pre- determined frequency corresponding to level-N if the delta value exceeds the threshold, where N has a value greater than K.

22\. (Cancelled)

23\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, wherein the transfer record further comprises delta values calculated from a portion of the plurality of SEM scans of the patient taken at different times while in the first care setting.

24\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, wherein the transfer record further comprises results obtained from at least one of assessments selected from the group consisting of a risk assessment of the patient, a visual skin assessment of at least one body location of the patient, and an image of the at least one body location.

25\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, wherein the transfer record is stored on a database.

26\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 25, wherein:the transfer record further comprises a patient identifier and a date and a time when said first SEM scan was performed.

27\. (Cancelled)

28\. (Cancelled)

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29\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 26, further comprising the steps of:performing a second SEM scan of the body location of the patient in the second care setting to obtain a second plurality of SEM measurements,
calculating a second delta value,
creating a second data record that comprises the patient identifier, the second delta value,
and a second date and time when the second SEM scan was performed, and
reporting the second data record to the database.

30\. (Cancelled)

31\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of:querying the database for the delta value and the second delta value of the at least one body location of the patient in the transfer record and the second data record respectively to form retrieved delta values.

32\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 31, further comprising the steps of:formatting the retrieved delta values in date and time order, and
displaying the formatted delta values.

33\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 29, further comprising the steps of:creating an additional data record that comprises the patient identifier, a data element,
and a date/time associated with the data element, wherein the data element comprises one or more of a nutritional information, an implemented intervention, a risk assessment, a visual skin assessment, a care plan, a doctor's note, an event,
a vital sign, a body weight, and a lab result, and
reporting the additional data record to the database.

34\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 32, wherein the formatted delta values are displayed in the form of a curve.

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35\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of analyzing the retrieved delta values to determine one or more of a slope, an acceleration, a curve shape and associated characteristics, and a time-to-intercept of a selected threshold value.

36\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 35, wherein the acceleration is determined by the rate of change of the slope of the curve.

37\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 29, further comprising the steps of:performing a third SEM scan of the at least one body location of the patient in the second care setting to obtain a third plurality of SEM measurements,
calculating a third delta value,
creating a third data record that comprises the patient identifier, the third delta value, and
a third date and time when the third SEM scan was performed, and
reporting the third data record to a database.

38\. (Cancelled)

39\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 37, further comprising the step of querying the database to retrieve the delta values observed over time for a particular patient across multiple care settings and various episodes of care.

40\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, wherein the level-0 PU intervention further comprises an intervention selected from the group consisting of providing good nutrition,standard mattress, turning every 24 hours, and a combination thereof.

41\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, wherein a level-1 PU intervention is providing a heel boot to the patient.

42\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, wherein a level-2 PU intervention is changing the patient's support surface.

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43\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, wherein a level-3 PU intervention is applying dressing to the back or sides of patient's heel.

44\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, wherein a level-4 PU intervention is changing the patient's sheet cover to a low-friction sheet cover.

45\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, wherein a level-5 PU intervention is providing a low-friction padded mattress surface for the patient's lower leg.

46\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, wherein a level-6 PU intervention is turning the patient at a shorter interval than currently provided for.

47\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, wherein a level-7 PU intervention is applying a barrier cream to the patient's heel.

48\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, wherein a level-8 PU intervention is applying a neuro-muscular stimulation to the patient's heel.

49\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, wherein a level-9 PU intervention is applying a topical cream to the patient's heel to enhance perfusion.

50\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, wherein a level-10 PU intervention is providing a silicon pad for the patient's lower leg.

OFFICE ACTION:
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 .
Response to Amendment
The IDSes received on 04/02/2024 has been considered.
In light of the amended claims, the claims are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103.
Notice to Applicant
In the amendment dated 04/02/2024, the following has occurred: claim 21 has been amended; claims 23-26, 29, 31-37, and 39-50 have remained unchanged; claims 1-20, 22, 27-28, 30, and 38 remain canceled; and no new claims have been added.
Claims 21, 23-26, 29, 31-37, and 39-50 are pending.
Effective Filing Date: 11/16/2017
Response to Arguments
35 U.S.C. 103 Rejections:
Point (a):
Applicant states that the Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Breggen, and Bennet-Guerrero references do not teach the “calculating” limitation. Examiner however used the Breggen reference to teach the calculation of a delta between two biocapacitance measurements. Breggen may not recite that these measurements are SEM measurements, however, the primary reference teaches of biocapacitance measurements which are SEM measurements. Thus, within the context of biocapacitance measurements, the Breggen reference does teach a calculation of a delta between two sensors/electrodes.
Additionally, Applicant states that the Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Breggen, and Bennet-Guerrero references do not teach the pre-determined frequency aspects of the newly amended claim 21. Applicant states that Bennet-Guerrero at best teaches a frequency of measurements such as every 15 minutes, in order to conserve battery life. There is a preferred frequency of every 1 minute. Examiner however would like to point out that the frequency that Applicant is trying to claim is not specifically claimed within  the specification as being functionally necessary. Paragraph [0081] provides suggested frequencies on the scales of hours ranging down to 30 minutes. The frequencies here are broad, therefore, Bennet-Guerrero’s broad recitation of “any frequencies of measurement that are beneficial or useful” in column 26, lines 16-19 and “any type of beneficial or otherwise useful frequency for measuring the heart rate” in column 80, lines 21-23 meets the presently-claimed 15 minutes or more. Furthermore, these amended limitations have been further addressed in detail below in the 35 U.S.C. 103 rejection section.
Point (b):
Applicant argues that Examiner has not provided where the “other values” are contemplated in the Lachenbruch and Geleijnse references. Applicant then cites to paragraph [0037] of Lachenbruch which Examiner cited as containing these “other values”. Applicant states that these “other values” are demographic characteristics used to stratify the data and not values measuring a disease state. Examiner however respectfully disagrees. Paragraph [0037] states that the “…the sensor collects information…..although other values may be collected depending on the particular embodiment.” This sentence states that the sensor collects SEM in the form of DPU but that other values may be collected. Applicant states that demographic characteristics are being collected and being used to stratify the data here, where there are no values which measure disease state which are being collected here. Examiner however respectfully disagrees as the above sentence itself describes that information relating to a disease state is being collected as information related to tissue status is being collected. This information is then transmitted to a server and then compared with demographic information. The “other values” are not being limited to non-disease state information here as “other values within a demographic” is not limiting. These values could be different types of measurements.
Applicant further states that there is no reasonable expectation of success for combining Breggen with Lachenbruch as there is no rationale for how a biosensor measuring changes in the dielectric properties when an analyte binds would be successful in the method of measuring impedance in DPU. Examiner used a substitution rationale to substitute using a sensor (assumed to be a single sensor which calculates a value) to collect SEM level measurements with the concept of collecting sensor measurements using a delta value between two sensors. Lachenbruch did not specifically state how the sensos here were able to collect this information, which Breggen teaches how sensors are used to collect this type of information. To further this point, Lachenbruch allows for other values, thus it would be acceptable to combine as the base reference furthers that it is adequate to combine the Berggren reference with the Lachenbruch reference. Examiner has noted this in a clearer manner in the updated 35 U.S.C. 103 rejection section below.
Applicant also claims that the disclosure of Bennet-Guerrero of reducing the measurement frequency is not a basis for predicting success of the claimed method steps of amended claim 21 for at least the reason that there is no suggestion or motivation to identify “a pre-determined frequency” of “a further plurality of SEM measurements” that is “corresponding to” an identified level as is required in amended claim 21. Examiner however respectfully disagrees. There is a reasonable expectation of success as Bennet-Guerrero does not specify or limit the frequency to less than 15 minutes only (see: column 26, lines 16-19), and in fact, Bennet-Guerrero states that it’s beneficial to have a further spaced out frequency as explained in column 26, lines 30-36.
Furthermore, Applicant states that Bennet-Guerrero does not provide an suggestion to measure a series of values at a frequency less often than 15 minutes, let alone a frequency for a high risk level. Examiner would like to point out however that Applicant’s argument above is not reflective of the claimed subject matter. Additionally, Applicant further states that the frequency of Bennet-Guerrero is limited and does not include the claimed subject matter of the amended claims. Examiner however disagrees for similar reasons as stated above where the Bennet-Guerrero reference does indeed not limit the frequencies within its specification, and the present invention’s specification has not described why having a frequency higher than 15 minutes if functionally important within the context of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is being deemed as a number selected within the range of what is acceptable in Bennet-Guerrero.
Lastly, Applicant states that Lachenbruch and Geleijnse teach away from doing something as is required in claim 21 if the delta value does not exceed the threshold, and therefore it would not be rational to teach of doing something in the form of making a further plurality of measurements. Examiner however respectfully disagrees. The statement “do nothing” was a placeholder to indicate that a decision is being made and that if the value of a threshold is not exceeded, the decision is to maintain the current course. In this case, FIG. 2 shows that there are measurements being made and that the course of action does not change if the threshold is not exceeded. Therefore, actions do occur such as the continuous data monitoring aspect.
Dependent Claims:
Dependent claims are rejected for the same reasoning as independent claim 21 above.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 04/02/2024 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statements are being considered by the examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary.  Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claims 21, 23-26, 29, and 37 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of “Capacitive Biosensors” to Berggren and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero.
As per claim 21, Lachenbruch et al. teaches a method of providing a continuity of care for a patient at risk of developing pressure ulcers (PU) during transfer from a first care setting to a second care setting, the method comprising the steps of:
--results as results obtained from performing a first SEM scan of at least one body location of the patient while in the first care setting, (see: paragraph [0037] where there are SEM scan measurements as well as a determined tissue status of the body location at a setting) wherein the first SEM scan comprises a plurality of measurements of an SEM value at the body location (see: paragraph [0037] where there is multiple measurements for a SEM scans a body location) and calculation of a first delta value from the plurality of SEM values, (see: paragraph [0037] where one or more sensors 102 are positioned to collect information regarding the tissue status of the individual. The sensor collects other values, where the other values is defined in the Berggren reference in claim 21 to be calculated delta values between electrodes)
--wherein if the current PU intervention of level-K is a level-0 PU intervention, the level-0 PU intervention comprises performing a daily SEM scan of at least one body location of the patient; (see: paragraph [0037] where there are SEM scans which are performed at least daily on the patient to track the patient’s tissue status levels. There is an intervention here in the form of daily scans in order to monitor patients, thus this is being considered a level-0 intervention)
--making a plurality of Sub-Epidermal Moisture (SEM) measurements at a body location on the patient at the second care setting, (see: paragraph [0037] where one or more sensors 102 are positioned to collect information regarding the tissue status of the individual. The sensors here collect SEM data at a body location in any setting) each SEM measurement comprising a measurement of biocapacitance, (see: paragraph [0015] where the sensor 102 may be implemented as a thin-film circuit sensor operable to measure capacitance)
--determining whether the delta value exceeds a threshold; (see: paragraph [0037] where the SEM information is transmitted to a server which receives and compares the received information with a threshold tissue status that is based on at least some demographic information for the individual. There is a determination here of if the delta value (SEM information including the other values) exceeds a threshold) and
--making a further plurality of measurements if the delta value does not exceed a threshold, (see: 206, 208, 202, and 204 of FIG. 2 where there are measurements being made over and over to determine if it has been exceeded. If the value does not exceed a threshold, information from a sensor is subsequently received) and do nothing if the delta value does not exceed the threshold, (see: 206 and 208 of FIG. 2 where the received information (delta value) is checked against a threshold to determine if it has been exceeded. When it is not exceeded the method proceeds to update the threshold with received information).
Additionally, Lachenbruch et al. teaches SEM measurements as measurements (see: paragraph [0037] where there are SEM measurements).
Lachenbruch et al. teaches the above-mentioned claim limitations. The difference between Lachenbruch et al. and the claimed invention is that while Lachenbruch et al. does disclose SEM measurements and calculating if a threshold is exceeded form measured patient values, it does not explicitly teach a current intervention as well as the optionality to change the intervention based on the measurements. More specifically, Lachenbruch et al. may not further, specifically teach:
1) --identifying a current PU intervention of level-K received by the patient at the first care setting, wherein the current PU intervention of level-K is provided in a transfer record, wherein the transfer record further comprises results;
2a) --making a further plurality of measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K if the delta value does not exceed a threshold, wherein the predetermined frequency corresponding to a level-K is longer than every 15 minutes, or
2b) --making the further plurality of measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-N if the delta value exceeds the threshold, where N has a value greater than K, wherein the pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-N is longer than or equal to every 15 minutes, and administering a new PU intervention of level-N;
3) --do nothing by continuing to administer the current PU intervention, and
4) --calculating a delta value by a difference between two of the plurality of measurements.
Geleijnse et al. teaches:
1) --identifying a current PU intervention of level-K received by the patient at the first care setting, (see: paragraph [0048] where the patient’s current care level is determined. The intervention here are related to a patient’s status, where a patient’s status to be that of pressure ulcers is taught in the primary reference in paragraph [0013] of Lachenbruch et al.) wherein the current PU intervention of level-K is provided in a transfer record, (see: paragraphs [0042] and [0067] where there is an EHR that is used to provide current and historic patient data. The EHR is the transfer record) wherein the transfer record further comprises results; (see: paragraphs [0042] and [0067] where there is an EHR that is used to provide current and historic patient data) and
3) --do nothing by continuing to administer the current PU intervention (see: paragraph [0031] where there is a level of recommendation of staying in the current level of care or to move to a different level of care).
One of ordinary skill at the time of the invention was filed would have found it obvious to 1) identify a current PU intervention of level-K received by the patient at the first care setting, wherein the current PU intervention of level-K is provided in a transfer record, wherein the transfer record further comprises results and 3) continue to administer the current PU intervention as taught by Geleijnse et al. in the method as taught by Lachenbruch et al. with the motivation(s) of monitoring a patient’s condition and adjusting the level of care accordingly (see: paragraph [0002] of Geleijnse et al.).
Berggren teaches:
4) --calculating a delta value by a difference between two of the plurality of measurements (see: 3rd paragraph of “1. Introduction” where there is a determination of measured changes (delta value) between two electrodes for capacitive affinity biosensors).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute 4) calculating a delta value by a difference between two of the plurality of measurements as taught by Berggren for the collection of SEM from sensors as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al. and Geleijnse et al. in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements. In the present case, the combination of Lachenbruch et al. and Geleijnse et al. teaches of obtaining measurement values in a broad manner thus one can replace the broadness with the specificity of determining a delta between sensors in order to obtain predictable results of captured patient data from sensors. Furthermore, Lachenbruch et al. describes using “other values” in paragraph [0037] therefore Lachenbruch et al. allows for a more specific determination of measurement values. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art could have substituted the one known element for the other to produce a predictable result (MPEP 2143).
Bennett-Guerrero teaches:
2a) --making a further plurality of measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K if the delta value does not exceed a threshold, wherein the predetermined frequency corresponding to a level-K is longer than every 15 minutes, (see: column 6, lines 9-21 where a change in the patient’s condition changes the frequency of measurements. If there is no change in the patient’s condition then these measurements would happen a lesser frequency such as once every 10 minutes in one embodiment. A further plurality of measurements are being taken at a pre-determined frequency of measurements such as once every 10 minutes. The pre-determined frequency here corresponding to level-K (such as once every 10 minutes), however the frequency is not limited to 10 or 15 minutes. Column 26, lines 16-19 describes that the frequency can vary and be any beneficial/useful frequency. Thus, the frequency here could be longer than 15 minutes) or
2b) --making the further plurality of measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-N if the delta value exceeds the threshold, where N has a value greater than K, wherein the pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-N is longer than or equal to every 15 minutes, and administering a new PU intervention of level-N (the is an optional limitation and therefore, does not need to be met).
One of ordinary skill at the time of the invention was filed would have found it obvious to 2a) make a further plurality of measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K if the delta value does not exceed a threshold, wherein the predetermined frequency corresponding to a level-K is longer than every 15 minutes, or 2b) make the further plurality of measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-N if the delta value exceeds the threshold, where N has a value greater than K, wherein the pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-N is longer than or equal to every 15 minutes, and administering a new PU intervention of level-N as taught by Bennett-Guerrero in the method as taught by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., and Berggren in combination with the motivation(s) of being beneficial for various reasons such as to enhance, improve, or even optimize battery life (see: column 6, lines 16-21 of Bennett-Guerrero).
As per claim 23, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. Lachenbruch et al. teaches values as delta values calculated from a portion of the plurality of SEM scans of the patient taken at different times while in the first care setting (see: paragraph [0037] where one or more sensors 102 are positioned to collect information regarding the tissue status of the individual. There are delta values (other values) here that include values derived from various scans taken a different times such as on different days).
Lachenbruch et al. may not further specifically teach wherein the transfer record further comprises values.
Geleijnse et al. teaches wherein the transfer record further comprises values (see: paragraphs [0042] and [0067] where there is an EHR that is used to provide current and historic patient data).
The motivations to combine the above-mentioned references are discussed in the rejection of claim 21, and incorporated herein.
As per claim 24, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches results as results obtained from at least one of assessments selected from the group consisting of a risk assessment of the patient, a visual skin assessment of at least one body location of the patient, and an image of the at least one body location (see: paragraph [0003] where conventionally, visual detection is used be a caregiver to identify pressure ulcers which is a visual skin assessment of at least one body location of the patient).
Lachenbruch et al. may not further, specifically teach wherein the transfer record further comprises results.
Geleijnse et al. teaches wherein the transfer record further comprises results (see: paragraphs [0042] and [0067] where there is an EHR that is used to provide current and historic patient data).
The motivations to combine the above-mentioned references are discussed in the rejection of claim 21, and incorporated herein.
As per claim 25, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. Lachenbruch et al. may not further, specifically teach wherein said transfer record is stored on a database.
Geleijnse et al. teaches wherein said transfer record is stored on a database (see: paragraph [0053] where there is a data base 26 storing EHR of the patient).
The motivations to combine the above-mentioned references are discussed in the rejection of claim 21, and incorporated herein.
As per claim 26, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 25, see discussion of claim 25. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches patient information as the record further comprises a patient identifier and a date and a time when said first scan was performed (see: paragraphs [0024] and [0037] where there is day and time information for different SEM scans as well as the tissue measurements for the individual which are indicative of a patient (also identifies a patient)).
Lachenbruch et al. may not further, specifically teach wherein: the transfer record further comprises a patient information.
Geleijnse et al. teaches wherein: the transfer record further comprises a patient information (see: paragraphs [0042] and [0067] where there is an EHR that is used to provide current and historic patient data).
The motivations to combine the above-mentioned references are discussed in the rejection of claim 21, and incorporated herein.
As per claim 29, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teaches the method of claim 26, see discussion of claim 26. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches further comprising the steps of:
--performing a second SEM scan of the body location of the patient in the second care setting to obtain a second plurality of SEM measurements, (see: paragraph [0037] where there are scans taken on consecutive days, thus there is a second scan performed on the second day at a body location on the individual)
--calculating a second delta value, (see: paragraph [0037] where values are calculated for each day (including a second) and these values are “other values” which are defined in the Berggren reference in claim 21 to be calculated delta values between electrodes)
--creating a second data record that comprises the patient identifier, the second delta value, and a second date and time when the second SEM scan was performed, (see: claim 5 where the database is being updated with a subsequent tissue status for an individual. Also see: paragraphs [0024] and [0037] where there is day and time information for different SEM scans (including a second scan) as well as the tissue measurements for the individual which are indicative of a patient (also identifies a patient)) and
--reporting the second data record to the database (see: claim 5 where the database is being updated with a subsequent tissue status for an individual).
As per claim 37, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teaches the method of claim 29, see discussion of claim 29. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches further comprising the steps of:
--performing a third SEM scan of the at least one body location of the patient in the second care setting to obtain a third plurality of SEM measurements (see: paragraph [0037] where there are scans taken on consecutive days, thus there is a third scan performed on the third day at a body location on the individual) and
--calculating a third delta value, (see: paragraph [0037] where values are calculated for each day (including a third) and these values are “other values” which are defined in the Berggren reference in claim 21 to be calculated delta values between electrodes)
--creating a third data record that comprises the patient identifier, the third delta value, and a third date and time when the third SEM scan was performed, (see: claim 5 where the database is being updated with a subsequent tissue status for an individual. Also see: paragraphs [0024] and [0037] where there is day and time information for different SEM scans (including a third scan) as well as the tissue measurements for the individual which are indicative of a patient (also identifies a patient)) and
--reporting the third data record to the database (see: claim 5 where the database is being updated with a subsequent tissue status for an individual).
Claims 31-32, 34, and 39 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of “Capacitive Biosensors” to Berggren and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 29, further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,675,289 to Heaton.
As per claim 31, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teaches the method of claim 29, see discussion of claim 29. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches data as the delta value and the second delta value of the at least one body location of the patient in the transfer record and the second data record respectively (see: claim 5 where the tissue status stored in the database. Also see: paragraphs [0024] and [0037] where SEM delta value data (“other values” which are defined in the Berggren reference in claim 21 to be calculated delta values between electrodes) is being retrieved and respectively displayed. The stored information here is the equivalent of a first and second record).
The combination may not further, specifically teach querying the database for data to form retrieved delta values.
Heaton teaches:
--querying the database for data to form retrieved delta values (see: FIG. 9 where there is a directory for storing and retrieving archived responses into and from the database. In order for the system here to access the database here, it would query the database in order to retrieve the necessary data).
One of ordinary skill at the time of the invention was filed would have found it obvious to query the database for data to form retrieved delta values as taught by Heaton in the method as taught by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination with the motivation(s) of being a way to store and retrieve information from a database (see: column 19, lines 44-45 of Heaton).
As per claim 32, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, Bennett-Guerrero, and Heaton in combination teaches the method of claim 31, see discussion of claim 31. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches:
--formatting the retrieved delta values in date and time order, (see: paragraph [0037] where delta values are “other values” which are defined in the Berggren reference in claim 21 to be calculated delta values between electrodes. Also see: paragraph [0024] where the values are retrieved and viewed as a graphical history) and
--displaying the formatted delta values (see: paragraph [0024] where the “other values” are displayed).
As per claim 34, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, Bennett-Guerrero, and Heaton in combination teaches the method of claim 32, see discussion of claim 32. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches delta values (see: paragraph [0037] where there are “other values” which are defined in the Berggren reference in claim 21 to be calculated delta values between electrodes).
Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination may not further, specifically teach wherein the formatted values are displayed in the form of a curve.
Heaton further teaches wherein the formatted values are displayed in the form of a curve (see: FIG. 8).
One of ordinary skill at the time of the invention was filed would have found it obvious to have wherein the formatted values are displayed in the form of a curve as taught by Heaton in the method as taught by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination with the motivation(s) of being a way to display data in a graphical manner (see: FIG. 8 of Heaton).
As per claim 39, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teaches the method of claim 37, see discussion of claim 37. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches delta values (see: paragraph [0037] where there are “other values” which are defined in the Berggren reference in claim 21 to be calculated delta values between electrodes).
Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination may not further, specifically teach the step of
--querying the database to retrieve the values observed over time for a particular patient across multiple care settings and various episodes of care.
Heaton further teaches the step of querying the database to retrieve the values observed over time for a particular patient across multiple care settings and various episodes of care (see: FIG. 9 where there is a directory for storing and retrieving archived responses into and from the database. In order for the system here to access the database here, it would query the database in order to retrieve the necessary data. Additionally, the data here are past data values including values across multiple care settings and care episodes. These data values are retrieved regardless of setting and care episode).
The motivations to combine the above-mentioned references are discussed in the rejection of claim 31, and incorporated herein.
Claims 33 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of “Capacitive Biosensors” to Berggren and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 29, and further in view of U.S. 2008/0015894 to Miller et al.
As per claim 33, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teaches the method of claim 29, see discussion of claim 29. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches a record as a record that comprises the patient identifier, a data element, and a date/time associated with the data element (see: paragraph [0024] where there is a display of data according to date and time. The information shown identifies the individual and is also considered to be a data element).
The combination may not further, specifically the steps of:
1) --creating an additional data record, wherein the data element comprises one or more of a nutritional information, an implemented intervention, a risk assessment, a visual skin assessment, a care plan, a doctor's note, an event, a vital sign, a body weight, and a lab result, and
2) --reporting the additional data record to the database.
Miller et al. teaches:
1) --creating an additional data record, wherein the data element comprises one or more of a nutritional information, an implemented intervention, a risk assessment, a visual skin assessment, a care plan, a doctor's note, an event, a vital sign, a body weight, and a lab result, (see: paragraph [0121] where there are results being recorded in a database and these results are being considered to be the additional data record. The results can include the name of the patient (patient identifier), recommendations or changes to the therapy regimen (a care plan), as well as a date and time associated with the recommendation or change) and
2) --reporting the additional data record to the database (see: paragraph [0121] where the results of the contact with the medical provider are recorded with the database).
One of ordinary skill at the time of the invention was filed would have found it obvious to 1) create an additional data record, wherein the data element comprises one or more of a nutritional information, an implemented intervention, a risk assessment, a visual skin assessment, a care plan, a doctor's note, an event, a vital sign, a body weight, and a lab result and 2) report the additional data record to the database as taught by Miller et al. in the method as taught by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination with the motivation(s) of updating a patient’s files (see: paragraph [0021] of Miller et al.).
Claims 35-36 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of “Capacitive Biosensors” to Berggren further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,675,289 to Heaton as applied to claim 32, and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 8,355,925 to Rothman et al.
As per claim 35, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, Bennett-Guerrero, and Heaton in combination teaches the method of claim 32, see discussion of claim 32. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches delta values (see: paragraph [0037] where there are “other values” which are defined in the Berggren reference in claim 21 to be calculated delta values between electrodes).
The combination may not further, specifically teach the step of analyzing the retrieved values to determine one or more of a slope, an acceleration, a curve shape and associated characteristics, and a time-to-intercept of a selected threshold value.
Rothman et al. teaches:
--the step of analyzing the retrieved values to determine one or more of a slope, an acceleration, a curve shape and associated characteristics, and a time-to-intercept of a selected threshold value (see: column 15, lines 29-43 where a derivative in the slope is calculated and a determination is made based on this acceleration to see if the patient is declining at a faster rate. The change in the acceleration of the slope may trigger an alarm. Also see: column 23, lines 18-29 and 51-59).
One of ordinary skill at the time of the invention was filed would have found it obvious to have the step of analyzing the retrieved values to determine one or more of a slope, an acceleration, a curve shape and associated characteristics, and a time-to-intercept of a selected threshold value as taught by Rothman et al. in the method as taught by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Heaton in combination with the motivation(s) of alerting a user if a patient is getting better or worse at an accelerating rate (see: column 23, lines 51-59 of Rothman et al.).
As per claim 36, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, Heaton, and Rothman et al. in combination teach the method of claim 35, see discussion of claim 35. Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Heaton in combination may not further, specifically teach wherein the acceleration is determined by the rate of change of the slope of the curve.
Rothman et al. further teaches wherein the acceleration is determined by the rate of change of the slope of the curve (see: column 15, lines 29-43 where a derivative in the slope is calculated and a determination is made based on this acceleration to see if the patient is declining at a faster rate. The change in the acceleration of the slope may trigger an alarm. Also see: column 23, lines 18-29 and 51-59).
The motivations to combine the above-mentioned references are discussed in the rejection of claim 35, and incorporated herein.
Claims 40 and 43 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of “Capacitive Biosensors” to Berggren and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of “Protocol for the successful treatment of pressure ulcers” to Brem et al.
As per claim 40, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teaches the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not specifically, further teach wherein the level-0 PU intervention further comprises an intervention selected from the group consisting of providing good nutrition, standard mattress, turning every 24 hours, and a combination thereof.
Brem et al. teaches:
--wherein the level-0 PU intervention further comprises an intervention selected from the group consisting of providing good nutrition, standard mattress, turning every 24 hours, and a combination thereof (see: page 12S, point #7 under “Protocol for the comprehensive treatment of pressure ulcers” where providing good nutrition is an option to address pressure ulcers. Also see: page 13S under “Aggressive nutritional supplementation for all malnourished/undernourished patients”).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute an intervention selected from the group consisting of providing good nutrition, standard mattress, turning every 24 hours, and a combination thereof as taught by Brem et al. for the intervention group as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements. In the present case, the combination of Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero teaches a treatment used at a certain threshold level to treat an issue and one of ordinary skill in the art would have substituted a treatment in for the treatment of Geleijnse et al. because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art could have substituted the one known element for the other to produce a predictable result (MPEP 2143).
As per claim 43, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teaches the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not teach wherein a level-3 PU intervention is applying dressing to the back or sides of patient’s heel.
Brem et al. teaches:
--a level-3 PU intervention of applying dressing to the back or sides of patient's heel (see: Table 1 of page 10S and “Effective wound-bed preparation of a moist wound healing environment” of page 13S where a wound dressing is being used as a treatment for pressure ulcers).
The motivations to combine the above-mentioned references are discussed in the rejection of claim 40, and incorporated herein.
Claim 41 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of “Capacitive Biosensors” to Berggren and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 5,367,789 to Lamont.
As per claim 41, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teaches the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not teach wherein a level-1 PU intervention is providing a heel boot to the patient.
Lamont teaches:
--a level-1 PU intervention of providing a heel boot to the patient (see: column 1, lines 14-17 where there is a heel boot that is used to treat foot ulcers).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-1 PU intervention of providing a heel boot to the patient as taught by Lamont for a treatment level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements. In the present case, the combination of Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero teaches a treatment used at a certain threshold level to treat an issue and one of ordinary skill in the art would have substituted a treatment in for the treatment of Geleijnse et al. because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art could have substituted the one known element for the other to produce a predictable result (MPEP 2143).
Claim 42 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of “Capacitive Biosensors” to Berggren and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 6,634,045 to DuDonis et al.
As per claim 42, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not further specifically teach a level-2 PU intervention of changing the patient's support surface.
DuDonis et al. teaches:
--a level-2 PU intervention of changing the patient's support surface (see: column 3, lines 27-46. Also see: column 5, lines 18-21. The support surface is being changed here from the bed using the heel elevator support).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-2 PU intervention of changing the patient's support surface as taught by DuDonis et al. for a treatment level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements. In the present case, the combination of Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero teaches a treatment used at a certain threshold level to treat an issue and one of ordinary skill in the art would have substituted a treatment in for the treatment of Geleijnse et al. because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art could have substituted the one known element for the other to produce a predictable result (MPEP 2143).
Claim 44 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of “Capacitive Biosensors” to Berggren and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of “Friction between human skin and medical textiles for decubitus prevention” to Rotaru et al.
As per claim 44, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not further specifically teach a level-4 PU intervention of changing the patient's sheet cover to a low-friction sheet cover.
Rotaru et al. teaches:
--a level-4 PU intervention of changing the patient's sheet cover to a low-friction sheet cover (see: Abstract on page 91 and “Conclusions” on page 96 where old hospital bedsheets are being swapped out with lower friction ones to treat pressure ulcers).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-4 PU intervention of changing the patient's sheet cover to a low-friction sheet cover as taught by Rotaru et al. for a treatment program of a certain diagnostic level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements. In the present case, the combination of Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero teaches a treatment used at a certain threshold level to treat an issue and one of ordinary skill in the art would have substituted a treatment in for the treatment of Geleijnse et al. because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art could have substituted the one known element for the other to produce a predictable result (MPEP 2143).
Claim 45 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of “Capacitive Biosensors” to Berggren and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 8,011,041 to Hann.
As per claim 45, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not further specifically teach a level-5 PU intervention of providing a low-friction padded mattress surface for the patient's lower leg.
Hann teaches:
--a level-5 PU intervention of providing a low-friction padded mattress surface for the patient's lower leg (see: column 5, lines 51-63 where there is a low-friction pad being used. Also see: column 3, lines 30-35).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-5 PU intervention of providing a low-friction padded mattress surface for the patient's lower leg as taught by Hann for a treatment program of a certain diagnostic level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements. In the present case, the combination of Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero teaches a treatment used at a certain threshold level to treat an issue and one of ordinary skill in the art would have substituted a treatment in for the treatment of Geleijnse et al. because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art could have substituted the one known element for the other to produce a predictable result (MPEP 2143).
Claims 46 and 47 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of “Capacitive Biosensors” to Berggren and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of “Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers” to Thomas.
As per claim 46, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not further specifically teach a level-6 PU intervention of turning the patient at a shorter interval than currently provided for.
Thomas teaches:
--a level-6 PU intervention of turning the patient at a shorter interval than currently provided for (see: “Decrease Pressure, Friction, and Shear” of page 47 where the most common method for reducing pressure is frequent turning and positioning).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-6 PU intervention of turning the patient at a shorter interval than currently provided for as taught by Thomas for a treatment program of a certain diagnostic level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements. In the present case, the combination of Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero teaches a treatment used at a certain threshold level to treat an issue and one of ordinary skill in the art would have substituted a treatment in for the treatment of Geleijnse et al. because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art could have substituted the one known element for the other to produce a predictable result (MPEP 2143).
As per claim 47, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21.The combination may not further specifically teach a level-7 PU intervention of applying a barrier cream to the patient's heel.
Thomas teaches:
--a level-7 PU intervention of applying a barrier cream to the patient's heel (see: page 55, paragraph 3 where there is a cream containing 1% silver sulfadiazine being applied to improve clinical appearance of the wound and improve healing. The cream containing the silver sulfadiazine is the barrier cream. Also see: page 2, paragraph 2 of “Pressure Ulcer Prevention in the Hospital Setting Using Silicon Foam Dressings” to Truong et al. where silver sulfadiazine is an ingredient in barrier creams).
The motivations to combine the above-mentioned references are discussed in the rejection of claim 46, and incorporated herein.
Claim 48 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of “Capacitive Biosensors” to Berggren and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of “A systematic review of electrical stimulation for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment in people with spinal cord injuries” to Liu.
As per claim 48, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not further specifically teach a level-8 PU intervention of applying a neuro-muscular stimulation to the patient's heel.
Liu teaches:
--a level-8 PU intervention of applying a neuro-muscular stimulation to the patient's heel (see: “Results” on page 703 where ES enhanced PU healing).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-8 PU intervention of applying a neuro-muscular stimulation to the patient's heel as taught by Liu for a treatment program of a certain diagnostic level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements. In the present case, the combination of Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero teaches a treatment used at a certain threshold level to treat an issue and one of ordinary skill in the art would have substituted a treatment in for the treatment of Geleijnse et al. because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art could have substituted the one known element for the other to produce a predictable result (MPEP 2143).
Claim 49 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of “Capacitive Biosensors” to Berggren and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of “Topical hydrogen peroxide treatment of ischemic ulcers in the guinea pig: Blood recruitment in multiple skin sites” to Tur et al.
As per claim 49, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not further specifically teach a level-9 PU intervention of applying a topical cream to the patient's heel to enhance perfusion.
Tur et al. teaches:
--a level-9 PU intervention of applying a topical cream to the patient's heel to enhance perfusion (see: “Results” of page 217 where topical hydrogen peroxide cream was used to enhance vascular perfusion).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-9 PU intervention of applying a topical cream to the patient's heel to enhance perfusion as taught by Tur et al. for a treatment program of a certain diagnostic level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements. In the present case, the combination of Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero teaches a treatment used at a certain threshold level to treat an issue and one of ordinary skill in the art would have substituted a treatment in for the treatment of Geleijnse et al. because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art could have substituted the one known element for the other to produce a predictable result (MPEP 2143).
Claim 50 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of “Capacitive Biosensors” to Berggren and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of “Pressure Ulcer Prevention in the Hospital Setting Using Silicon Foam Dressings” to Truong et al.
As per claim 50, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not further specifically teach a level-10 PU intervention of providing a silicon pad for the patient's lower leg.
Truong et al. teaches:
--a level-10 PU intervention of providing a silicon pad for the patient's lower leg (see: page 5, paragraphs 2, 3, and 5 where silicon foam dressings can be used as treatment to prevent pressure ulcers).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-10 PU intervention of providing a silicon pad for the patient's lower leg as taught by Truong et al. for a treatment program of a certain diagnostic level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements. In the present case, the combination of Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero teaches a treatment used at a certain threshold level to treat an issue and one of ordinary skill in the art would have substituted a treatment in for the treatment of Geleijnse et al. because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art could have substituted the one known element for the other to produce a predictable result (MPEP 2143).
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action.  Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL.  See MPEP § 706.07(a).  Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action.  In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action.  In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the date of this final action.

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS
Claims 21, 23-26, 29, 31-37, and 39-50 are pending. Claims 1-20, 22, 27, 28, 30, and 38 are cancelled. Claim 21 is amended without prejudice to, or disclaimer of, the underlying subject matter. Support for the amendments may be found in the original claims and specification, e.g., at paragraph [0062] and Example 1. No new matter enters by way of the present amendments. Reconsideration of the application based on the above amendments and following remarks is respectfully requested.
Rej
ections under 35 U.S.C.
&
A. Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren and further in
view of Bennett-Guerrero
The Examiner rejects claims 21, 23-26, 29, and 37 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly
being unpatentable over US Publication 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. ("Lachenbruch") in view of US Publication 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. ("Geleijnse"), further in view of "Capacitive Biosensors" (Berggren et al., Electroanalysis, 13(3):173-180 (2001)) ("Berggren"), and further in view of US Patent 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero ("Bennett-Guerrero"). See Office Action at pp. 7-8.
Specifically, the Examiner asserts that "Lachenbruch et al. teaches... do nothing if the delta value does not exceed the threshold... ." Office Action at page 8. The Examiner acknowledges that "while Lachenbruch et al. does disclose SEM measurements and calculating if a threshold is exceeded fUro]m measured patient values, it does not explicitly teach a current intervention as well as the optionality to change the intervention based on the measurements." Office Action at pages 9-10. Applicant thanks the Examiner for acknowledging that "Lachenbruch et al. may not further, specifically teach... making a further plurality of measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K... continuing to administer the current PU intervention, and ... calculating a delta value by a difference between two of the plurality of measurements." Office Action at page 10 (emphasis added).
The Examiner further alleges that "Geleinjse et al. teaches... continuing to administer the current PU intervention... ." Office Action at page 11. The Examiner alleges that "Berggren teaches... calculating a delta value by a difference between two of the plurality of measurements...." Office Action at page 11. The Examiner also alleges that "Bennett-Guerrero teaches...making the further plurality of measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K...making the further plurality of measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-N...where N has a value greater than K...." Office Action at page 11.
Lastly, the Examiner alleges that combining Bennet-Guerrero with "the method as taught by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., and Berggren in combination with the motivation(s) of being beneficial for various reasons such as to enhance, improve, or even optimize battery life." Office Action at page 13. Applicant respectfully disagrees.
Applicant respectfully submits that aprimafacie case of obviousness has not been established for amended claim 21 for at least the following two reasons: (a) Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero, alone or in combination, do not provide or suggest each and every element of amended claim 21 and (b) a person of ordinary skill in the art combining the cited references would not have arrived at the claimed subject matter with a reasonable expectation of success.
(a) Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero, alone or in
combination, do not provide or suggest each and every element of amended claim 21
Applicant respectfully submits that Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Berggren, and Bennett- Guerrero, alone or in combination, do not provide or suggest each and every element of amended claim 21.
It is well-established law for an obviousness rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 103 that the
references, either alone or combined, must provide all of the elements of the claim. The Office is required to make "a searching comparison of the claimed invention - including all its limitations
[o]ffice personnel must explain why the difference(s) between the prior art andthe claimed invention would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art." M.P.E.P. at § 2141 (III).
The Examiner has not at least shown that the cited references, alone or in combination, provide or suggest "calculating a delta value by a difference between a maximum SEM value and a minimum SEM value of the plurality of SEM measurements", let alone "making a further plurality of SEM measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K if the delta value does not exceed the threshold, wherein the pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K is longer than every 15 minutes." as is recited in amended claim 21.
The Examiner acknowledges that Lachenbruch "may not further, specifically teach:... do something by continuing to administer the current PU intervention and making a plurality of measurement at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K... and... calculating a delta value by a difference between two of the plurality of SEM measurements... ." Office Action at page 10.
Geleijnse does not remedy the deficiencies of Lachenbruch. The Examiner alleges that Geleijnse teaches "do nothing by continuing to administer the current PU intervention." Office Action at page 11. At best, Geliejnse recites "decisions support... to assist the clinician to make educated decisions on the transition of the patient to a different level of care (or to better stay in the current level of care)." However, Geleijnse is silent as to "calculating a delta value by a difference between a maximum SEM value and a minimum SEM value of the plurality of SEM measurements", let alone "making a further plurality of SEM measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K if the delta value does not exceed the threshold, wherein the pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K is longer than every 15 minutes." as is recited in amended claim 21.
Berggren does not remedy the deficiencies of Lachenbruch and Geleijnse. The Examiner alleges Berggren teaches "calculating a delta value by a difference between two of the plurality of measurements." Office Action at page 11. Applicant respectfully disagrees. At best, Berggren recites "Capacitive affinity biosensors can be constructed by immobilizing recognition elements in thin layers on an electrode or between two electrodes and measuring changes in the dielectric properties when an analyte binds." Berggren at 3rd paragraph of Introduction (emphasis added). Applicant respectfully submits that Berggren is completely silent as to "calculating a delta value by a difference between a maximum SEM value and a minimum SEM value of the plurality of SEM measurements", let alone "making a further plurality of SEM measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K if the delta value does not exceed the threshold, wherein the pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K is longer than every 15 minutes." as is recited in amended claim 21.
Bennet-Guerrero does not remedy the deficiencies of Lachenbruch, Geleijnse and
Berggren. The Examiner alleges that "one of ordinary skill...would have found it obvious to 2a) make a further plurality of measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level- K and 2b) make the further plurality of measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-N, where N has a value greater than K as taught by Bennet- Guerrero in the method as taught by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., and Berggren in combination with the motivation(s) of being beneficial for various reasons such as to enhance, improve, or even optimize battery life." Office Action at page 13. Applicant disagrees. At best, Bennett- Guerrero recites that when a "patient's heart rate and respiratory rates slow, such as 10% lower than the median value obtained during day time, and the patient is subject to minimal movement as is consistent with sleep...the frequency of measurements of the patient chest incline can be reduced, such as every 15 minutes, in order to conserve battery life, enhance sensor longevity, etc." and is silent as to a frequency "longer than every 15 minutes" as is recited in claim 21. Bennet-Guerrero at Column 6 lines 53-59 (emphasis added). Further, the Examiner has alleged that Bennett-Guerrero "Column 26, lines 16-19 describes that the frequency can vary and be any beneficial/useful frequency." Office Action at page 13. However, the Examiner has failed to
provide any evidence in the cited art or in the general knowledge of one of skill in the art that would inform one of skill in the art that a beneficial/useful frequency would be "longer than every 15 minutes" as is recited in claim 21, let alone any explanation of how Bennett-Guerrero, which is directed to "the frequency of measurements of the patient chest incline," would provide any guidance as to what a beneficial/useful frequency is for SEM measurements for "a patient at risk of developing pressure ulcers" as is recited in claim 21. See Bennett-Guerrero at Column 6, lines 53-59. Indeed, Applicant submits that one of skill in the art reading Bennet-Guerrero would understand that Bennet-Guerrero recites a longest frequency of 15 minutes, and a preferred frequency of every 1 minute. Therefore, Applicant respectfully submits that Bennet-Guerrero is completely silent as to "calculating a delta value by a difference between a maximum SEM value and a minimum SEM value of the plurality of SEM measurements", let alone "making a further plurality of SEM measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K if the delta value does not exceed the threshold, wherein the pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K is longer than every 15 minutes." as is recited in amended claim 21 (emphasis added).
For at least the above reasons, Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Berggren, and Bennet-Guerrero, alone or in combination, do not provide or suggest each and every element of amended claim 21. Accordingly, Applicant respectfully submits that the amended claim 21 is nonobvious over Lachenbruch, in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren and Bennet-Guerrero.
(b) A person of ordinary skill in the art combining the cited references would not have arrived at the claimed subject matter with a reasonable expectation of success
Notwithstanding that Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Berggren, and Bennet-Guerrero, alone or in combination, do not provide or suggest all the elements of amended claim 21, the Examiner alleges that there is motivation to combine Berggren with Lachenbruch and Geleijnse because "Lachenbruch et al. and Geleijnse et al. teaches of obtaining measurements values in a broad manner thus one can replace the broadness with the specificity of determining a delta between sensors in order to obtain predictable results of captured patient data from sensors... Lachenbruch et al. describes using 'other values' in paragraph [00037] therefore... allows for a more specific
determination of measurement values." Office Action at 12. The Examiner also alleges that the motivation to combine Bennet-Guerrero with Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, and Bergen is that the combination is "beneficial for various reasons such as to enhance, improve, or even optimize battery life." Office Action at 13. Applicant respectfully disagrees.
To establish aprimafacie case of obviousness, there must be some suggestion or
motivation, either in the references themselves or in the knowledge generally available to one of skill in the art, to modify the reference or to combine reference teachings. See M.P.E.P §2143.01. There must also be a reasonable expectation of success. See M.P.E.P §2143.02. Furthermore, if a proposed modification would render the prior art invention being modified unsatisfactory for its intended purpose then there is no suggestion or motivation to make the proposed modification. See M.P.E.P. §2143.01(V)
i) One of ordinary skill in the art combining Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, and Berggren would not have arrived at the claimed subject matter of amended claim 21 with a reasonable expectation of success.
Applicant submits that one of skill in the art reading Lachenbruch and Geleijnse would understand that, at best, only Lachenbruch recites "other values" in paragraph [0037]:
the sensor collects information regarding subepidermal moisture (SEM) levels as a measure of impedance in dermal phase units (DPU), although other values may be
collected depending on the particular embodiment... [f]or example, if the threshold of
150DMU was based on an average SEM for 20 patients within the individuals'
demographic that developed pressure ulcers within one week, the threshold value may be recalculated to include the individual's SEM of 185 DMU, adjusting the threshold value
up or down, depending on other values within the demographic. Lachenbruch at paragraph [0037] (emphasis added).
Applicant submits one of skill in the art reading Lachenbruch would understand that the alleged "other values" in paragraph [0037] are not "measurement values" as alleged by the Examiner but are demographic characteristics to stratify the data. Accordingly, one of skill in
the art would not understand "other values" to refer to values measuring a disease state. Therefore, one of skill in the art would not consider the term "other values" to suggest the interchangeability of a "specific determination of measurement values" as is alleged by the Examiner for the "other values" recited by Lachenbruch in paragraph [0037]. See Office Action at page 12.
Second, even if, arguendo, one were to apply Berggren to the recitation of Lachenbruch, there is no reasonable expectation of success. As discussed in Section A, Berggren recites "Capacitive affinity biosensors can be constructed by immobilizing recognition elements in thin layers on an electrode or between two electrodes and measuring changes in the dielectric properties when an analyte binds." Berggren at 3rd paragraph of Introduction (emphasis added). Applicant respectfully submits that one of skill in the art reading Berggren would understand that the biosensors of Berggren immobilize an analyte and register a change when an analyte binds. The Examiner has provided no rationale for how a biosensor "measuring changes in the dielectric properties when an analyte binds" (Berggren at page 1) as recited in Berggren would be successful in the method of Lachenbruch which one of skill in the art would understand to require "a measure of impedance in dermal phase units (DPU)." See Lachenbruch at paragraph [0037]. Applicant respectfully submits that one of skill in the art would understand that substituting the "changes in the dielectric properties when an analyte binds" of Berggren (see Berggren at page 1) for the "measure of impedance in dermal phase units" required in Lachenbruch would render the method of Lachenbruch inoperable and therefore unsatisfactory for its intended purpose. See Lachenbruch at paragraph [0037]. Indeed, there is no reasonable expectation of success, let alone any suggestion or motivation for the allegedly obvious substitution to arrive at "calculating a delta value by a difference between a maximum SEM value and a minimum SEM value of the plurality of SEM measurements" as is required by amended claim 21. Applicant submits that Geleijnse is silent as to "calculating a delta value by a difference between a maximum SEM value and a minimum SEM value of the plurality of SEM measurements" as is required by amended claim 21.
For at least the above reasons, one of ordinary skill in the art combining Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, and Berggren would not have arrived at the claimed subject matter of amended claim 21 with a reasonable expectation of success. Accordingly, Applicant respectfully submits that the amended claim 21 is nonobvious over Lachenbruch, in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren.
ii) One of ordinary skill in the art combining Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Berggren and
Bennet-Guerrero would not have arrived at the claimed subject matter of amended claim 21 with a reasonable expectation of success.
First, as stated in section (a) the Examiner has failed to provide any recitation that would inform one of skill in the art that a beneficial/useful frequency would be "longer than every 15 minutes" as is recited in claim 21. Applicant submits that one of skill in the art reading Bennet- Guerrero would understand that Bennet-Guerrero provides a frequency of measurement of an incline angle of a subject's chest and reducing the frequency for beneficial/useful reasons related to measurement of an incline angle of a subject's chest, e.g., to conserve battery life, not "corresponding to level-K" "for a patient at risk of developing pressure ulcers" as is recited in claim 21. Accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that Bennet-Guerrero's disclosure of reducing measurement frequency (i.e., more frequent than every 15 minutes) is not a basis for predicting success of the claimed method steps of amended claim 21 for at least the reason that there is no suggestion or motivation to identify "a pre-determined frequency" of "a further plurality of SEM measurements" that is "corresponding to" an identified level as is required in amended claim 21. Hence, there would not be a reasonable expectation of success to apply an element of Bennet-Guerrero's protocol in the methods of Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, and Berggren for reducing measurement frequency, much less a modified version of such a protocol to arrive at the method of claim 21, let alone to achieve an alleged comparable result.
Second, the Examiner has not provided any evidence in the art or general knowledge of one of skill in the art to measure a series of values at a frequency "longer than every 15 minutes," let alone a frequency "equal to every 15 minutes." Indeed, Bennet-Guerrero recites a frequency of every one minute for a high risk level. See Bennet-Guerrero at Column 6 lines 9-10. As
previously discussed in Section (a), Bennet-Guerrero recites a lowest frequency of 15 minutes, and the Examiner has failed to provide any evidence in Bennet-Guerrero or elsewhere that would inform one of skill in the art of what a "beneficial/useful" frequency would be for the measurement of SEM values to provide a "continuity of care for a patient at risk of developing pressure ulcers (PU)" as is recited in claim 21. Office Action at page 13. Rather, Bennet- Guerrero discloses the importance of more frequent measurements to "indicate that the patient is attempting to sit up, stand, and/or leave the hospital bed which could predispose the patient to injury" and "for a patient being enterally fed into the stomach, an indication/alarm may provide an indication as to whether the incline of the upper chest/abdomen is less than 30 degrees...relative to the floor." See Bennet-Guerrero at column 7, lines 7-25. In contrast, Applicant's disclosure addresses a "a continuity of care for a patient at risk of developing pressure ulcers (PU)" as is recited in claim 21. Therefore, even assuming arguendo that one of skill in the art would look to Bennet-Guerrero for a frequency of measurements as disclosed in Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, or Berggren, they would not arrive at the method of claim 21 as amended with any expectation of success to provide a "continuity of care for a patient at risk of developing pressure ulcers" as is recited in claim 21 based on the monitoring frequency for a patient at risk of changing incline.
Third, the Examiner has alleged that "Bennett-Guerrero.. .was not used to teach the entire limitation..." Office Action at page 4. However, the Examiner has provided no rationale for how any of the other references teach "making a further plurality of measurements at a pre- determined frequency corresponding to level-K..." as is recited in claim 21. Applicant submits that by the Examiner's own reasoning, Lachenbruch and Geleijnse teach away from doing something as is required in claim 21 "if the delta value does not exceed the threshold" by teaching to do nothing. Specifically, the Examiner states that "Lachenbruch et al. teaches ... do nothing if the delta value does not exceed the threshold" and that "Geleijnse et al. teaches... do nothing by continuing to administer the current PU intervention." Office Action at pages 9 and 11. Applicant submits that "making a further plurality of SEM measurements at a pre- determined frequency corresponding to level-K if the delta value does not exceed the threshold"
as recited in claim 21 is doing something based on the calculated delta value. Therefore, Applicant submits that one of skill in the art reading Lachenbruch and Geleijnse would find no suggestion or motivation to identify a monitoring frequency of Bennet-Guerrero to arrive at the frequency recited in amended claim 21, let alone make "a further plurality of SEM measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K if the delta value does not exceed the threshold" as recited in claim 21.
For at least the above reasons, Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Berggren, and Bennet-Guerrero, alone or in combination, do not provide or suggest each and every element of amended claim 21. Accordingly, Applicant respectfully submits that the amended claim 21 is nonobvious over Lachenbruch, in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren and Bennet-Guerrero.
For at least the above reasons, Applicant respectfully requests that the Examiner
withdraw the rejection of claim 21under 35 U.S.C. § 103 over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, and further in view of Bennett-Guerrero. As claims 23-26, 29, and 37 depend from and include all elements of claim 21, Applicant submit that these claims are also nonobvious over Lachenbruch, in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren and Bennet- Guerrero for the same reason. Applicant respectfully requests that the Examiner withdraw the rejection of claims 21, 23-26, 29, and 37 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, and further in view of Bennett-Guerrero.
B. Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, Bennett- Guerrero, and Heaton
The Examiner rejects claims 31, 32, 34, and 39 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, further in view of Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 29, and further in view of US Patent 9,675,289 to Heaton ("Heaton"). See Office Action at p. 18.
Specifically, the Examiner asserts that Heaton provides "querying the database for data for form retrieved delta values." Office Action at page 19. As such, the Examiner concludes that
"[o]ne of ordinary skill at the time the invention as filed would have found it obvious to query the database for data to form retrieved delta values as taught by Heaton in the method as taught by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggen, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination with the motivation(s) of being a way to store and retrieve information from a database." Office Action at page 19. Applicant respectfully disagrees.
If an independent claim is nonobvious under 35 U.S.C. 103, then any claim depending therefrom is nonobvious. In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071 (Fed. Cir. 1988). Claims 29, 31, 32, 34 and 39 are dependent from claim 21, and incorporates the features of claim 21. Since the Examiner has not shown that amended claim 21 is obvious in view of Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Berggren, Bennett-Guerrero, and Heaton does not remedy the deficiencies of these references as discussed in Section A above, claims 31, 32, 34 and 39 are also nonobvious.
For at least the above reasons, Applicant respectfully requests that the Examiner
withdraw the rejection of claims 31, 32, 34, and 39 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, and further in view of Bennett-Guerrero as previously applied to claim 29, and further in view of Heaton.
C. Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, Bennett- Guerrero, and Miller
The Examiner rejects claim 33 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, and further in view of Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 29, and further in view of US Publication 2008/0015894 to Miller et al. ("Miller"). See Office Action at p. 21. Specifically, the Examiner asserts that Miller provides "creating an additional record, wherein the data element comprises one or more of a nutritional information, an implemented intervention, a risk assessment, a visual skin assessment, a care plan, a doctor's note, an event, a vital sign, a body weight, and a lab result..." Office Action at page 22. Thus, the Examiner concludes that "[o]ne of ordinary skill at the time of the invention was filed would have found it obvious to 1) create an additional data record, wherein the data element comprises one or more of a nutritional information, an implemented
intervention, a risk assessment, a visual skin assessment, a care plan, a doctor's note, an event, a vital sign, a body weight, and a lab result and 2) report the additional data record to the database." Office Action at page 22. Applicant respectfully disagrees.
If an independent claim is nonobvious under 35 U.S.C. 103, then any claim depending therefrom is nonobvious. In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071 (Fed. Cir. 1988). Claims 29 and 33 are dependent from claim 21, and incorporate the features of claim 21. Since the Examiner has not shown that amended claim 21 is obvious in view of Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Berggren, Bennet- Guerrero, and Miller does not remedy the deficiencies of these references as discussed in Section A above, claim 33 is also nonobvious.
For at least the above reasons, Applicant respectfully requests that the Examiner withdraw the rejection of claim 33 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren and Bennett-Guerrero as previously applied to claim 29, and further in view of Miller.
D. Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, Bennett- Guerrero, Heaton, and Rothman
The Examiner rejects claims 35 and 36 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being
unpatentable over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, further in view of Bennett-Guerrero, further in view of Heaton as applied to claim 32, and further in view of US Patent 8,355,925 to Rothman et al. ("Rothman"). See Office Action at p. 23. Specifically, the Examiner asserts that Rothman provides "the step of analyzing the retrieved values to determine one or more of a slope, an acceleration, a curve shape and associated characteristics, and a time- to-time intercept of a selected threshold value." Office Action at page 24. Thus, the Examiner concludes "[o]ne of ordinary skill at the time of the invention as filed would have found it obvious to have the step of analyzing the retrieved values to determine one or more of a slope, an acceleration, a curve shape and associated characteristics, and a time-to-intercept of a selected threshold value...with the motivation(s) of alerting a user if a patient is getting better or worse at an accelerating rate." Id. Applicant respectfully disagrees.
If an independent claim is nonobvious under 35 U.S.C. 103, then any claim depending therefrom is nonobvious. In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071 (Fed. Cir. 1988). Claims 32, 35, and 36 are dependent directly or indirectly from claim 21, and incorporates the features of amended claim 21. Since the Examiner has not shown that amended claim 21 is obvious in view of Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Berggren, Bennet-Guerrero, and Rothman does not remedy the deficiencies of these references as discussed in Section A above, claims 35 and 36 are also nonobvious.
For at least the above reasons, Applicant respectfully requests that the Examiner
withdraw the rejection of claims 35 and 36 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, Bennett-Guerrero, and Heaton as previously applied to claim 32, and further in view of Rothman.
E. Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, Bennett- Guerrero, and Brem
The Examiner rejects claims 40 and 43 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being
unpatentable over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, further in view of Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of "Protocol for the successful treatment of pressure ulcers" (Brem et al., The American Journal of Surgery, 188 (Suppl. to July 2004):9S-17S (2004)) ("Brem"). See Office Action at p. 25. Specifically, the Examiner asserts that Brem provides "wherein the level-0 PU intervention further comprises an intervention selected from the group consisting of providing good nutrition, standard mattress, turning every 24 hours, and a combination thereof." Office Action at page 25. Thus, the Examiner concludes that "it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute an intervention selected the group consisting of providing good nutrition, standard mattress, turning every 24 hours, and a combination thereof...because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable." Office Action at page 26. Applicant respectfully disagrees.
If an independent claim is nonobvious under 35 U.S.C. 103, then any claim depending therefrom is nonobvious. In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071 (Fed. Cir. 1988). Claims 40 and 43 are dependent directly or indirectly from claim 21, and incorporates the features of amended claim 21. Since the Examiner has not shown that amended claim 21 is obvious in view of Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Berggren, and Bennet-Guerrero as discussed in Section A above, claims 40 and 43 are also nonobvious.
For at least the above reasons, Applicant respectfully requests that the Examiner
withdraw the rejection of claims 40 and 43 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren and Bennett-Guerrero as previously applied to claim 21, and further in view of Brem.
F. Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, Bennett- Guerrero, and Lamont
The Examiner rejects claim 41 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, further in view of Bennett- Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of US Patent 5,367,789 to Lamont ("Lamont"). See Office Action at p. 27. Specifically, the Examiner asserts that Lamont provides "a level-1 PU intervention of providing a heel boot to the patient." Office Action at page 27. Thus, the Examiner concludes that "it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-1 PU intervention of providing a heel boot to the patient...because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable." Office Action at pages 27-28. Applicant respectfully disagrees.
If an independent claim is nonobvious under 35 U.S.C. 103, then any claim depending therefrom is nonobvious. In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071 (Fed. Cir. 1988). Claim 41 is dependent from amended claim 21, and incorporates the features of amended claim 21. Since the Examiner has not shown that amended claim 21 is obvious in view of Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Berggren, and Bennet-Guerrero, and Lamont does not remedy the deficiencies of these references as discussed in Section A above, claim 41 is also nonobvious.
For at least the above reasons, Applicant respectfully requests that the Examiner withdraw the rejection of claim 41 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren and Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of Lamont.
G. Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, Bennett- Guerrero, and DuDonis
The Examiner rejects claim 42 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, further in view of Bennett- Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of US Patent 6,634,045 to DuDonis et al. ("DuDonis"). See Office Action at p. 28. Specifically, the Examiner asserts that DuDonis provides "a level-2 PU intervention of changing the patient's support surface." Office Action at page 28. Thus, the Examiner concludes "it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-2 PU intervention of changing the patient's support surface as taught by DuDonis et al. for a treatment level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination." Office Action at page 29. Applicant respectfully disagrees.
If an independent claim is nonobvious under 35 U.S.C. 103, then any claim depending therefrom is nonobvious. In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071 (Fed. Cir. 1988). Claim 42 is dependent from claim 21, and incorporates the features of claim 21. Since the Examiner has not shown that claim 21 is obvious in view of Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Berggren, and Bennet-Guerrero, and DuDonis does not remedy the deficiencies of these references as discussed in Section A above, claim 42 is also nonobvious.
For at least the above reasons, Applicant respectfully requests that the Examiner withdraw the rejection of claim 42 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren and Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of DuDonis.
H. Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, Bennett- Guerrero, and Rotaru
The Examiner rejects claim 44 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, further in view of Bennett- Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of "Friction between human skin and medical textiles for decubitus prevention" (Rotaru et al., Tribology International, 65:91-96 (2013)) ("Rotaru"). See Office Action at p. 29. Specifically, the Examiner asserts that Rotaru provides "a level-4 PU intervention of changing the patient's sheet cover to a low-friction sheet cover." Office Action at page 30. Thus, the Examiner concludes "it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-4 PU intervention of changing the patient's sheet cover to a low-friction sheet cover as taught by Rotaru et al. for a treatment program of a certain diagnostic level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination." Id. Applicant respectfully disagrees.
If an independent claim is nonobvious under 35 U.S.C. 103, then any claim depending therefrom is nonobvious. In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071 (Fed. Cir. 1988). Claim 44 is dependent from amended claim 21, and incorporates the features of claim 21. Since the Examiner has not shown that amended claim 21 is obvious in view of Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Berggren, and Bennet-Guerrero, and Rotaru does not remedy the deficiencies of these references as discussed in Section A above, claim 44 is also nonobvious.
For at least the above reasons, Applicant respectfully requests that the Examiner withdraw the rejection of claim 44 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren and Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of Rotaru.
. Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, Bennett- Guerrero, and Hann
The Examiner rejects claim 45 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, further in view of Bennett- Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of US Patent 8,011,041 to Hann ("Hann"). See Office Action at pp. 30-31. Specifically, the Examiner asserts that Hann provides "a level-5 PU intervention of providing a low-friction padded mattress surface for the patient's lower leg." Office Action at page 31. Thus, the Examiner concludes "it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-5 PU intervention of providing a low-friction padded mattress surface for the patient's lower leg as taught by Hann for a treatment program of certain diagnostic level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination." Id. Applicant respectfully disagrees.
If an independent claim is nonobvious under 35 U.S.C. 103, then any claim depending therefrom is nonobvious. In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071 (Fed. Cir. 1988). Claim 45 is dependent from amended claim 21, and incorporates the features of amended claim 21. Since the Examiner has not shown that amended claim 21 is obvious in view of Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Berggren, Bennett-Guerrero, and Hann does not remedy the deficiencies of these references as discussed in Section A above, claim 45 is also nonobvious.
For at least the above reasons, Applicant respectfully requests that the Examiner withdraw the rejection of claim 45 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren and Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of Hann.
J. Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, Bennett- Guerrero, and Thomas
The Examiner rejects claims 46 and 47 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being
unpatentable over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, further in view
of Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of "Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers" (Thomas, J Am. Med. Dir. Assoc., 7:46-59 (2006)) ("Thomas"). See Office Action at p. 32. S Specifically, the Examiner asserts that Thomas provides "a level-6 PU intervention of turning the patient at a shorter interval than currently provided for." Office Action at page 32. Thus, the Examiner concludes "it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-6 PU intervention of turning the patient at a shorter interval than currently provided for as taught by Thomas for a treatment program of a certain diagnostic level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination." Office Action at page 32. Applicant respectfully disagrees.
If an independent claim is nonobvious under 35 U.S.C. 103, then any claim depending therefrom is nonobvious. In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071 (Fed. Cir. 1988). Claims 46 and 47 are dependent directly or indirectly from amended claim 21, and incorporates the features of claim 21. Since the Examiner has not shown that amended claim 21 is obvious in view of Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Berggren, Bennett-Guerrero, and Thomas does not remedy the deficiencies of these references as discussed in Section A above, claims 46 and 47 are also nonobvious.
For at least the above reasons, Applicant respectfully requests that the Examiner
withdraw the rejection of claims 46 and 47 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren and Bennett-Gerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of Thomas.
K. Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, Bennett- Guerrero, and Liu
The Examiner rejects claim 48 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, further in view of Bennett- Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of "A systematic review of electrical stimulation for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment in people with spinal cord injuries" (Liu
et al., The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 37(6):703-718 (2014)) ("Liu"). See Office Action at p. 34. Specifically, the Examiner asserts Liu provides "a level-8 PU intervention of applying a neuro-muscular stimulation to the patient's heel." Office Action at page 34. Thus, the Examiner concludes that "it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-8 PU intervention of applying a neuro- muscular stimulation to the patient's heel as taught by Liu for a treatment program of a certain diagnostic level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett- Guerrero in combination." Id. Applicant respectfully disagrees.
If an independent claim is nonobvious under 35 U.S.C. 103, then any claim depending therefrom is nonobvious. In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071 (Fed. Cir. 1988). Claim 48 is dependent from amended claim 21, and incorporates the features of amended claim 21. Since the Examiner has not shown that amended claim 21 is obvious in view of Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Berggren, Bennett-Guerrero, and Liu does not remedy the deficiencies of these references as discussed in Section A above, claim 48 is also nonobvious.
For at least the above reasons, Applicant respectfully requests that the Examiner withdraw the rejection of claim 48 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren and Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of Liu.
L. Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, Bennett- Guerrero, and Tur
The Examiner rejects claim 49 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, further in view of Bennett- Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of "Topical hydrogen peroxide treatment of ischemic ulcers in the guinea pig: Blood recruitment in multiple skin sites" (Tur et al., J. Am. Acad. Dermatol., 33:217-221 (1995)) ("Tur"). See Office Action at p. 35. Specifically, the Examiner asserts Tur provides "a level-9 PU intervention of applying a topical cream to the patient's heel to enhance perfusion." Id. Thus, the Examiner concludes that "it would have been
obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-9 PU intervention of applying a topical cream to the patient's heel to enhance perfusion as taught by Tur et al. for a treatment program of a certain diagnostic level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero in combination." Id. at 36. Applicant respectfully disagrees.
If an independent claim is nonobvious under 35 U.S.C. 103, then any claim depending therefrom is nonobvious. In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071 (Fed. Cir. 1988). Claim 49 is dependent from claim 21, and incorporates the features of amended claim 21. Since the Examiner has not shown that amended claim 21 is obvious in view of Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Berggren, and Bennett-Guerrero, and Tur does not remedy the deficiencies of these references as discussed in Section A above, claim 49 is also nonobvious.
For at least the above reasons, Applicant respectfully requests that the Examiner withdraw the rejection of claim 49 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren and Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of Tur.
M. Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, Bennett- Guerrero, and Truong
The Examiner rejects claim 50 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren, further in view of Bennett- Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of "Pressure Ulcer Prevention in the Hospital Setting Using Silicon Foam Dressings" (Truong et al., Cureus, 8(8):e730, pp. 1-6 (2016)) ("Truong"). See Office Action at p. 36. Specifically, the Examiner asserts that Truong provides "a level-10 PU intervention of providing a silicon pad for the patient's lower leg." Id. at 37. Thus, the Examiner concludes that "it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-10 PU intervention of providing a silicon pad for the patient's lower leg as taught by Truong for a treatment program of a certain diagnostic level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et
al., and Berggren in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements." Id. Applicant respectfully disagrees.
If an independent claim is nonobvious under 35 U.S.C. 103, then any claim depending therefrom is nonobvious. In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071 (Fed. Cir. 1988). Claim 50 is dependent from amended claim 21, and incorporates the features of amended claim 21. Since the Examiner has not shown that amended claim 21 is obvious in view of Lachenbruch, Geleijnse, Berggren, and Bennet-Guerrero, and Truong does not remedy the deficiencies of these references as discussed in Section A above, claim 50 is also nonobvious.
For at least the above reasons, Applicant respectfully requests that the Examiner withdraw the rejection of claim 50 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 over Lachenbruch in view of Geleijnse, further in view of Berggren and Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of Truong.
CONCLUSION

NEXT OFFICE ACTION: DETAILED ACTION
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection.  ince this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 08/22/2024 has been entered.
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 .
Response to Amendment
The IDS received on 08/22/2024 has been considered.
In light of the amendments, the claims are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103.
Notice to Applicant
In the amendment dated 08/22/2024, the following has occurred: claim 21 has been amended; claims 23-26, 29, 31-37, and 39-50 have remained unchanged; claims 1-20, 22, 27-28, 30, and 38 remain canceled; and no new claims have been added.
Claims 21, 23-26, 29, 31-37, and 39-50 are pending.
Effective Filing Date: 11/16/2017
Response to Arguments
35 U.S.C. 103 Rejections:
Applicant argues with respect to the previously-used Berggren references. These arguments have been deemed moot in view of the newly-cited Tonar et al. reference.
Point (a):
Applicant states that the combination of references do not teach every element of the amended claims. Applicant further states that the references do not teach the “calculating” limitation. Examiner however used the Tonar et al. reference as explained above to teach this limitation. Applicant also states that the “making a further plurality of SEM measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K is longer than every 15 minutes” is also not taught. Examiner however respectfully disagrees as the Bennet-Guerrero reference was used to teach this. Applicant states that Bennet-Guerrero at best teaches a frequency of measurements such as every 15 minutes, in order to conserve battery life. Applicant states that there is no specific recitation of over 15 minutes and one of skill in the art would not think otherwise. Examiner respectfully disagrees however as paragraph [0081] provides suggested frequencies on the scales of hours ranging down to 30 minutes. These frequencies are broad, therefore, Bennet-Guerrero’s broad recitation of “any frequencies of measurement that are beneficial or useful” in column 26, lines 16-19 and “any type of beneficial or otherwise useful frequency for measuring the heart rate” in column 80, lines 21-23 meets the presently-claimed 15 minutes or more.
Point (b):
Applicant argues that no one can replace a broadness of how to obtain measurement values with the specificity of determining a delta between sensors in order to obtain predictable results of captured patient data from sensors. Lachenbruch describes using “other values”. Applicant further states that one of skill in the art would not understand the “other values” in Lachenbruch to be values measuring a disease state. Examiner however respectfully disagrees as paragraph [0037] in fact states that there are sensors collecting measurements relating to the physiological aspects of a person. One of ordinary skill in the art would reasonably be able to understand that the “other values” which are being obtained by the sensors could be measurements related to other physiological aspects of the person.
Applicant further states that there is no reasonable expectation of success for combining Breggen with Lachenbruch as there is no rationale for how a biosensor measuring changes in the dielectric properties when an analyte binds would be successful in the method of measuring impedance in DPU. Examiner used a substitution rationale to substitute using a sensor (assumed to be a single sensor which calculates a value) to collect SEM level measurements with the concept of collecting sensor measurements using a delta value between two sensors. Lachenbruch did not specifically state how the sensos here were able to collect this information, which Breggen teaches how sensors are used to collect this type of information. To further this point, Lachenbruch allows for other values, thus it would be acceptable to combine as the base reference furthers that it is adequate to combine the Berggren reference with the Lachenbruch reference. Examiner has noted this in a clearer manner in the updated 35 U.S.C. 103 rejection section below.
Applicant also claims that the disclosure of Bennet-Guerrero of reducing the measurement frequency is not a basis for predicting success of the claimed method steps of amended claim 21 for at least the reason that there is no suggestion or motivation to identify “a pre-determined frequency” of “a further plurality of SEM measurements” that is “corresponding to” an identified level as is required in amended claim 21. Examiner however respectfully disagrees. There is a reasonable expectation of success as Bennet-Guerrero does not specify or limit the frequency to less than 15 minutes only (see: column 26, lines 16-19), and in fact, Bennet-Guerrero states that it’s beneficial to have a further spaced out frequency as explained in column 26, lines 30-36.
Furthermore, Applicant states that Bennet-Guerrero does not provide an suggestion to measure a series of values at a frequency less often than 15 minutes, let alone a frequency for a high risk level. Examiner would like to point out however that Applicant’s argument above is not reflective of the claimed subject matter. Additionally, Applicant further states that the frequency of Bennet-Guerrero is limited and does not include the claimed subject matter of the amended claims. Examiner however disagrees for similar reasons as stated above where the Bennet-Guerrero reference does indeed not limit the frequencies within its specification, and the present invention’s specification has not described why having a frequency higher than 15 minutes if functionally important within the context of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is being deemed as a number selected within the range of what is acceptable in Bennet-Guerrero.
Lastly, Applicant states that Lachenbruch and Geleijnse teach away from doing something as is required in claim 21 if the delta value does not exceed the threshold, and therefore it would not be rational to teach of doing something in the form of making a further plurality of measurements. Examiner however respectfully disagrees. The statement “do nothing” was a placeholder to indicate that a decision is being made and that if the value of a threshold is not exceeded, the decision is to maintain the current course. In this case, FIG. 2 shows that there are measurements being made and that the course of action does not change if the threshold is not exceeded. Therefore, actions do occur such as the continuous data monitoring aspect.
Dependent Claims:
Dependent claims are rejected for the same reasoning as independent claim 21 above.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 08/22/2024 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statements are being considered by the examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary.  Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claims 21, 23-26, 29, and 37 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of U.S. 2016/0310034 to Tonar et al. and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero.
As per claim 21, Lachenbruch et al. teaches a method of providing a continuity of care for a patient at risk of developing pressure ulcers (PU) during transfer from a first care setting to a second care setting, the method comprising the steps of:
--results as results obtained from performing a first SEM scan of at least one body location of the patient while in the first care setting, (see: paragraph [0037] where there are SEM scan measurements as well as a determined tissue status of the body location at a setting) wherein the first SEM scan comprises a plurality of measurements of an SEM value at the body location (see: paragraph [0037] where there is multiple measurements for a SEM scans a body location) and calculation of a first delta value from the plurality of SEM values, (see: paragraph [0037] where one or more sensors 102 are positioned to collect information regarding the tissue status of the individual. The sensor collects other values, where the other values are defined in the Tonar et al. reference in paragraph [0007], and a delta value is being determined from all of these values)
--wherein if the current PU intervention of level-K is a level-0 PU intervention, the level-0 PU intervention comprises performing a daily SEM scan of at least one body location of the patient; (see: paragraph [0037] where there are SEM scans which are performed at least daily on the patient to track the patient’s tissue status levels. There is an intervention here in the form of daily scans in order to monitor patients, thus this is being considered a level-0 intervention)
--making a plurality of Sub-Epidermal Moisture (SEM) measurements at a body location on the patient at the second care setting, (see: paragraph [0037] where one or more sensors 102 are positioned to collect information regarding the tissue status of the individual. The sensors here collect SEM data at a body location in any setting) each SEM measurement comprising a measurement of biocapacitance, (see: paragraph [0015] where the sensor 102 may be implemented as a thin-film circuit sensor operable to measure capacitance)
--determining whether the delta value exceeds a threshold; (see: paragraph [0037] where the SEM information is transmitted to a server which receives and compares the received information with a threshold tissue status that is based on at least some demographic information for the individual. There is a determination here of if the delta value (SEM information including the other values) exceeds a threshold) and
--making a further plurality of measurements if the delta value does not exceed a threshold, (see: 206, 208, 202, and 204 of FIG. 2 where there are measurements being made over and over to determine if it has been exceeded. If the value does not exceed a threshold, information from a sensor is subsequently received) and do nothing if the delta value does not exceed the threshold, (see: 206 and 208 of FIG. 2 where the received information (delta value) is checked against a threshold to determine if it has been exceeded. When it is not exceeded the method proceeds to update the threshold with received information).
Additionally, Lachenbruch et al. teaches SEM measurements as measurements (see: paragraph [0037] where there are SEM measurements).
Lachenbruch et al. teaches the above-mentioned claim limitations. The difference between Lachenbruch et al. and the claimed invention is that while Lachenbruch et al. does disclose SEM measurements and calculating if a threshold is exceeded form measured patient values, it does not explicitly teach a current intervention as well as the optionality to change the intervention based on the measurements. More specifically, Lachenbruch et al. may not further, specifically teach:
1) --identifying a current PU intervention of level-K received by the patient at the first care setting, wherein the current PU intervention of level-K is provided in a transfer record, wherein the transfer record further comprises results;
2a) --making a further plurality of measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K if the delta value does not exceed a threshold, wherein the predetermined frequency corresponding to a level-K is longer than every 15 minutes, or
2b) --making the further plurality of measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-N if the delta value exceeds the threshold, where N has a value greater than K, wherein the pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-N is longer than or equal to every 15 minutes, and administering a new PU intervention of level-N;
3) --do nothing by continuing to administer the current PU intervention, and
4) --calculating a delta value by a difference between a maximum SEM value and a minimum SEM value of the plurality of measurements.
Geleijnse et al. teaches:
1) --identifying a current PU intervention of level-K received by the patient at the first care setting, (see: paragraph [0048] where the patient’s current care level is determined. The intervention here are related to a patient’s status, where a patient’s status to be that of pressure ulcers is taught in the primary reference in paragraph [0013] of Lachenbruch et al.) wherein the current PU intervention of level-K is provided in a transfer record, (see: paragraphs [0042] and [0067] where there is an EHR that is used to provide current and historic patient data. The EHR is the transfer record) wherein the transfer record further comprises results; (see: paragraphs [0042] and [0067] where there is an EHR that is used to provide current and historic patient data) and
3) --do nothing by continuing to administer the current PU intervention (see: paragraph [0031] where there is a level of recommendation of staying in the current level of care or to move to a different level of care).
One of ordinary skill at the time of the invention was filed would have found it obvious to 1) identify a current PU intervention of level-K received by the patient at the first care setting, wherein the current PU intervention of level-K is provided in a transfer record, wherein the transfer record further comprises results and 3) continue to administer the current PU intervention as taught by Geleijnse et al. in the method as taught by Lachenbruch et al. with the motivation(s) of monitoring a patient’s condition and adjusting the level of care accordingly (see: paragraph [0002] of Geleijnse et al.).
Tonar et al. teaches:
4) --calculating a delta value by a difference between a maximum SEM value and a minimum SEM value of the plurality of measurements (see: paragraph [0007] where there are minimum and maximum SEM values which are being used to determine a difference).
One of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention would have found it obvious to 4) calculate a delta value by a difference between a maximum SEM value and a minimum SEM value of the plurality of measurements as taught by Tonar et al. in the method as taught by Lachenbruch et al. and Geleijnse et al. in combination with the motivation(s) of determining damaged tissue (see: paragraph [0002] of Tonar et al.).
Bennett-Guerrero teaches:
2a) --making a further plurality of measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K if the delta value does not exceed a threshold, wherein the predetermined frequency corresponding to a level-K is longer than every 15 minutes, (see: column 6, lines 9-21 where a change in the patient’s condition changes the frequency of measurements. If there is no change in the patient’s condition then these measurements would happen a lesser frequency such as once every 10 minutes in one embodiment. A further plurality of measurements are being taken at a pre-determined frequency of measurements such as once every 10 minutes. The pre-determined frequency here corresponding to level-K (such as once every 10 minutes), however the frequency is not limited to 10 or 15 minutes. Column 26, lines 16-19 describes that the frequency can vary and be any beneficial/useful frequency. Thus, the frequency here could be longer than 15 minutes) or
2b) --making the further plurality of measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-N if the delta value exceeds the threshold, where N has a value greater than K, wherein the pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-N is longer than or equal to every 15 minutes, and administering a new PU intervention of level-N (the is an optional limitation and therefore, does not need to be met).
One of ordinary skill at the time of the invention was filed would have found it obvious to 2a) make a further plurality of measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-K if the delta value does not exceed a threshold, wherein the predetermined frequency corresponding to a level-K is longer than every 15 minutes, or 2b) make the further plurality of measurements at a pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-N if the delta value exceeds the threshold, where N has a value greater than K, wherein the pre-determined frequency corresponding to level-N is longer than or equal to every 15 minutes, and administering a new PU intervention of level-N as taught by Bennett-Guerrero in the method as taught by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., and Tonar et al. in combination with the motivation(s) of being beneficial for various reasons such as to enhance, improve, or even optimize battery life (see: column 6, lines 16-21 of Bennett-Guerrero).
As per claim 23, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. Lachenbruch et al. teaches values as delta values calculated from a portion of the plurality of SEM scans of the patient taken at different times while in the first care setting (see: paragraph [0037] where one or more sensors 102 are positioned to collect information regarding the tissue status of the individual. There are delta values (other values) here that include values derived from various scans taken a different times such as on different days).
Lachenbruch et al. may not further specifically teach wherein the transfer record further comprises values.
Geleijnse et al. teaches wherein the transfer record further comprises values (see: paragraphs [0042] and [0067] where there is an EHR that is used to provide current and historic patient data).
The motivations to combine the above-mentioned references are discussed in the rejection of claim 21, and incorporated herein.
As per claim 24, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches results as results obtained from at least one of assessments selected from the group consisting of a risk assessment of the patient, a visual skin assessment of at least one body location of the patient, and an image of the at least one body location (see: paragraph [0003] where conventionally, visual detection is used be a caregiver to identify pressure ulcers which is a visual skin assessment of at least one body location of the patient).
Lachenbruch et al. may not further, specifically teach wherein the transfer record further comprises results.
Geleijnse et al. teaches wherein the transfer record further comprises results (see: paragraphs [0042] and [0067] where there is an EHR that is used to provide current and historic patient data).
The motivations to combine the above-mentioned references are discussed in the rejection of claim 21, and incorporated herein.
As per claim 25, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. Lachenbruch et al. may not further, specifically teach wherein said transfer record is stored on a database.
Geleijnse et al. teaches wherein said transfer record is stored on a database (see: paragraph [0053] where there is a data base 26 storing EHR of the patient).
The motivations to combine the above-mentioned references are discussed in the rejection of claim 21, and incorporated herein.
As per claim 26, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 25, see discussion of claim 25. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches patient information as the record further comprises a patient identifier and a date and a time when said first scan was performed (see: paragraphs [0024] and [0037] where there is day and time information for different SEM scans as well as the tissue measurements for the individual which are indicative of a patient (also identifies a patient)).
Lachenbruch et al. may not further, specifically teach wherein: the transfer record further comprises a patient information.
Geleijnse et al. teaches wherein: the transfer record further comprises a patient information (see: paragraphs [0042] and [0067] where there is an EHR that is used to provide current and historic patient data).
The motivations to combine the above-mentioned references are discussed in the rejection of claim 21, and incorporated herein.
As per claim 29, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teaches the method of claim 26, see discussion of claim 26. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches further comprising the steps of:
--performing a second SEM scan of the body location of the patient in the second care setting to obtain a second plurality of SEM measurements, (see: paragraph [0037] where there are scans taken on consecutive days, thus there is a second scan performed on the second day at a body location on the individual)
--calculating a second delta value, (see: paragraph [0037] where values are calculated for each day (including a second) and these values are “other values” which are defined in the Tonar et al. reference in paragraph [0007] are being used to determine differences between multiple SEM values)
--creating a second data record that comprises the patient identifier, the second delta value, and a second date and time when the second SEM scan was performed, (see: claim 5 where the database is being updated with a subsequent tissue status for an individual. Also see: paragraphs [0024] and [0037] where there is day and time information for different SEM scans (including a second scan) as well as the tissue measurements for the individual which are indicative of a patient (also identifies a patient)) and
--reporting the second data record to the database (see: claim 5 where the database is being updated with a subsequent tissue status for an individual).
As per claim 37, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teaches the method of claim 29, see discussion of claim 29. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches further comprising the steps of:
--performing a third SEM scan of the at least one body location of the patient in the second care setting to obtain a third plurality of SEM measurements (see: paragraph [0037] where there are scans taken on consecutive days, thus there is a third scan performed on the third day at a body location on the individual) and
--calculating a third delta value, (see: paragraph [0037] where values are calculated for each day (including a third) and these values are “other values” which are defined in the Tonar et al. reference in paragraph [0007] are being used to determine differences between multiple SEM values)
--creating a third data record that comprises the patient identifier, the third delta value, and a third date and time when the third SEM scan was performed, (see: claim 5 where the database is being updated with a subsequent tissue status for an individual. Also see: paragraphs [0024] and [0037] where there is day and time information for different SEM scans (including a third scan) as well as the tissue measurements for the individual which are indicative of a patient (also identifies a patient)) and
--reporting the third data record to the database (see: claim 5 where the database is being updated with a subsequent tissue status for an individual).
Claims 31-32, 34, and 39 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of U.S. 2016/0310034 to Tonar et al. and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 29, further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,675,289 to Heaton.
As per claim 31, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teaches the method of claim 29, see discussion of claim 29. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches data as the delta value and the second delta value of the at least one body location of the patient in the transfer record and the second data record respectively (see: claim 5 where the tissue status stored in the database. Also see: paragraphs [0024] and [0037] where SEM delta value data (“other values” which are defined in the Tonar et al. reference in paragraph [0007]) is being retrieved and respectively displayed. The stored information here is the equivalent of a first and second record).
The combination may not further, specifically teach querying the database for data to form retrieved delta values.
Heaton teaches:
--querying the database for data to form retrieved delta values (see: FIG. 9 where there is a directory for storing and retrieving archived responses into and from the database. In order for the system here to access the database here, it would query the database in order to retrieve the necessary data).
One of ordinary skill at the time of the invention was filed would have found it obvious to query the database for data to form retrieved delta values as taught by Heaton in the method as taught by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination with the motivation(s) of being a way to store and retrieve information from a database (see: column 19, lines 44-45 of Heaton).
As per claim 32, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., Bennett-Guerrero, and Heaton in combination teaches the method of claim 31, see discussion of claim 31. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches:
--formatting the retrieved delta values in date and time order, (see: paragraph [0037] where delta values are “other values” which are defined in the Tonar et al. reference in paragraph [0007] to be calculated delta values between electrodes. Also see: paragraph [0024] where the values are retrieved and viewed as a graphical history) and
--displaying the formatted delta values (see: paragraph [0024] where the “other values” are displayed).
As per claim 34, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., Bennett-Guerrero, and Heaton in combination teaches the method of claim 32, see discussion of claim 32. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches delta values (see: paragraph [0037] where there are “other values” which are defined in the Tonar et al. reference in paragraph [0007] to be calculated delta values between electrodes).
Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination may not further, specifically teach wherein the formatted values are displayed in the form of a curve.
Heaton further teaches wherein the formatted values are displayed in the form of a curve (see: FIG. 8).
One of ordinary skill at the time of the invention was filed would have found it obvious to have wherein the formatted values are displayed in the form of a curve as taught by Heaton in the method as taught by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination with the motivation(s) of being a way to display data in a graphical manner (see: FIG. 8 of Heaton).
As per claim 39, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teaches the method of claim 37, see discussion of claim 37. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches delta values (see: paragraph [0037] where there are “other values” which are defined in the Tonar et al. reference in paragraph [0007] to be calculated delta values between electrodes).
Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination may not further, specifically teach the step of
--querying the database to retrieve the values observed over time for a particular patient across multiple care settings and various episodes of care.
Heaton further teaches the step of querying the database to retrieve the values observed over time for a particular patient across multiple care settings and various episodes of care (see: FIG. 9 where there is a directory for storing and retrieving archived responses into and from the database. In order for the system here to access the database here, it would query the database in order to retrieve the necessary data. Additionally, the data here are past data values including values across multiple care settings and care episodes. These data values are retrieved regardless of setting and care episode).
The motivations to combine the above-mentioned references are discussed in the rejection of claim 31, and incorporated herein.
Claims 33 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of U.S. 2016/0310034 to Tonar et al. and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 29, and further in view of U.S. 2008/0015894 to Miller et al.
As per claim 33, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teaches the method of claim 29, see discussion of claim 29. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches a record as a record that comprises the patient identifier, a data element, and a date/time associated with the data element (see: paragraph [0024] where there is a display of data according to date and time. The information shown identifies the individual and is also considered to be a data element).
The combination may not further, specifically the steps of:
1) --creating an additional data record, wherein the data element comprises one or more of a nutritional information, an implemented intervention, a risk assessment, a visual skin assessment, a care plan, a doctor's note, an event, a vital sign, a body weight, and a lab result, and
2) --reporting the additional data record to the database.
Miller et al. teaches:
1) --creating an additional data record, wherein the data element comprises one or more of a nutritional information, an implemented intervention, a risk assessment, a visual skin assessment, a care plan, a doctor's note, an event, a vital sign, a body weight, and a lab result, (see: paragraph [0121] where there are results being recorded in a database and these results are being considered to be the additional data record. The results can include the name of the patient (patient identifier), recommendations or changes to the therapy regimen (a care plan), as well as a date and time associated with the recommendation or change) and
2) --reporting the additional data record to the database (see: paragraph [0121] where the results of the contact with the medical provider are recorded with the database).
One of ordinary skill at the time of the invention was filed would have found it obvious to 1) create an additional data record, wherein the data element comprises one or more of a nutritional information, an implemented intervention, a risk assessment, a visual skin assessment, a care plan, a doctor's note, an event, a vital sign, a body weight, and a lab result and 2) report the additional data record to the database as taught by Miller et al. in the method as taught by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination with the motivation(s) of updating a patient’s files (see: paragraph [0021] of Miller et al.).
Claims 35-36 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of U.S. 2016/0310034 to Tonar et al. further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,675,289 to Heaton as applied to claim 32, and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 8,355,925 to Rothman et al.
As per claim 35, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., Bennett-Guerrero, and Heaton in combination teaches the method of claim 32, see discussion of claim 32. Lachenbruch et al. further teaches delta values (see: paragraph [0037] where there are “other values” which are defined in the Tonar et al. reference in paragraph [0007] to be calculated delta values between electrodes).
The combination may not further, specifically teach the step of analyzing the retrieved values to determine one or more of a slope, an acceleration, a curve shape and associated characteristics, and a time-to-intercept of a selected threshold value.
Rothman et al. teaches:
--the step of analyzing the retrieved values to determine one or more of a slope, an acceleration, a curve shape and associated characteristics, and a time-to-intercept of a selected threshold value (see: column 15, lines 29-43 where a derivative in the slope is calculated and a determination is made based on this acceleration to see if the patient is declining at a faster rate. The change in the acceleration of the slope may trigger an alarm. Also see: column 23, lines 18-29 and 51-59).
One of ordinary skill at the time of the invention was filed would have found it obvious to have the step of analyzing the retrieved values to determine one or more of a slope, an acceleration, a curve shape and associated characteristics, and a time-to-intercept of a selected threshold value as taught by Rothman et al. in the method as taught by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Heaton in combination with the motivation(s) of alerting a user if a patient is getting better or worse at an accelerating rate (see: column 23, lines 51-59 of Rothman et al.).
As per claim 36, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., Heaton, and Rothman et al. in combination teach the method of claim 35, see discussion of claim 35. Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Heaton in combination may not further, specifically teach wherein the acceleration is determined by the rate of change of the slope of the curve.
Rothman et al. further teaches wherein the acceleration is determined by the rate of change of the slope of the curve (see: column 15, lines 29-43 where a derivative in the slope is calculated and a determination is made based on this acceleration to see if the patient is declining at a faster rate. The change in the acceleration of the slope may trigger an alarm. Also see: column 23, lines 18-29 and 51-59).
The motivations to combine the above-mentioned references are discussed in the rejection of claim 35, and incorporated herein.
Claims 40 and 43 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of U.S. 2016/0310034 to Tonar et al. and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of “Protocol for the successful treatment of pressure ulcers” to Brem et al.
As per claim 40, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teaches the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not specifically, further teach wherein the level-0 PU intervention further comprises an intervention selected from the group consisting of providing good nutrition, standard mattress, turning every 24 hours, and a combination thereof.
Brem et al. teaches:
--wherein the level-0 PU intervention further comprises an intervention selected from the group consisting of providing good nutrition, standard mattress, turning every 24 hours, and a combination thereof (see: page 12S, point #7 under “Protocol for the comprehensive treatment of pressure ulcers” where providing good nutrition is an option to address pressure ulcers. Also see: page 13S under “Aggressive nutritional supplementation for all malnourished/undernourished patients”).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute an intervention selected from the group consisting of providing good nutrition, standard mattress, turning every 24 hours, and a combination thereof as taught by Brem et al. for the intervention group as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements. In the present case, the combination of Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero teaches a treatment used at a certain threshold level to treat an issue and one of ordinary skill in the art would have substituted a treatment in for the treatment of Geleijnse et al. because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art could have substituted the one known element for the other to produce a predictable result (MPEP 2143).
As per claim 43, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teaches the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not teach wherein a level-3 PU intervention is applying dressing to the back or sides of patient’s heel.
Brem et al. teaches:
--a level-3 PU intervention of applying dressing to the back or sides of patient's heel (see: Table 1 of page 10S and “Effective wound-bed preparation of a moist wound healing environment” of page 13S where a wound dressing is being used as a treatment for pressure ulcers).
The motivations to combine the above-mentioned references are discussed in the rejection of claim 40, and incorporated herein.
Claim 41 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of U.S. 2016/0310034 to Tonar et al. and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 5,367,789 to Lamont.
As per claim 41, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teaches the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not teach wherein a level-1 PU intervention is providing a heel boot to the patient.
Lamont teaches:
--a level-1 PU intervention of providing a heel boot to the patient (see: column 1, lines 14-17 where there is a heel boot that is used to treat foot ulcers).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-1 PU intervention of providing a heel boot to the patient as taught by Lamont for a treatment level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements. In the present case, the combination of Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero teaches a treatment used at a certain threshold level to treat an issue and one of ordinary skill in the art would have substituted a treatment in for the treatment of Geleijnse et al. because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art could have substituted the one known element for the other to produce a predictable result (MPEP 2143).
Claim 42 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of U.S. 2016/0310034 to Tonar et al. and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 6,634,045 to DuDonis et al.
As per claim 42, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not further specifically teach a level-2 PU intervention of changing the patient's support surface.
DuDonis et al. teaches:
--a level-2 PU intervention of changing the patient's support surface (see: column 3, lines 27-46. Also see: column 5, lines 18-21. The support surface is being changed here from the bed using the heel elevator support).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-2 PU intervention of changing the patient's support surface as taught by DuDonis et al. for a treatment level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements. In the present case, the combination of Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero teaches a treatment used at a certain threshold level to treat an issue and one of ordinary skill in the art would have substituted a treatment in for the treatment of Geleijnse et al. because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art could have substituted the one known element for the other to produce a predictable result (MPEP 2143).
Claim 44 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of U.S. 2016/0310034 to Tonar et al. and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of “Friction between human skin and medical textiles for decubitus prevention” to Rotaru et al.
As per claim 44, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not further specifically teach a level-4 PU intervention of changing the patient's sheet cover to a low-friction sheet cover.
Rotaru et al. teaches:
--a level-4 PU intervention of changing the patient's sheet cover to a low-friction sheet cover (see: Abstract on page 91 and “Conclusions” on page 96 where old hospital bedsheets are being swapped out with lower friction ones to treat pressure ulcers).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-4 PU intervention of changing the patient's sheet cover to a low-friction sheet cover as taught by Rotaru et al. for a treatment program of a certain diagnostic level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements. In the present case, the combination of Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero teaches a treatment used at a certain threshold level to treat an issue and one of ordinary skill in the art would have substituted a treatment in for the treatment of Geleijnse et al. because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art could have substituted the one known element for the other to produce a predictable result (MPEP 2143).
Claim 45 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of U.S. 2016/0310034 to Tonar et al. and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 8,011,041 to Hann.
As per claim 45, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not further specifically teach a level-5 PU intervention of providing a low-friction padded mattress surface for the patient's lower leg.
Hann teaches:
--a level-5 PU intervention of providing a low-friction padded mattress surface for the patient's lower leg (see: column 5, lines 51-63 where there is a low-friction pad being used. Also see: column 3, lines 30-35).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-5 PU intervention of providing a low-friction padded mattress surface for the patient's lower leg as taught by Hann for a treatment program of a certain diagnostic level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements. In the present case, the combination of Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero teaches a treatment used at a certain threshold level to treat an issue and one of ordinary skill in the art would have substituted a treatment in for the treatment of Geleijnse et al. because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art could have substituted the one known element for the other to produce a predictable result (MPEP 2143).
Claims 46 and 47 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of U.S. 2016/0310034 to Tonar et al. and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of “Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers” to Thomas.
As per claim 46, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not further specifically teach a level-6 PU intervention of turning the patient at a shorter interval than currently provided for.
Thomas teaches:
--a level-6 PU intervention of turning the patient at a shorter interval than currently provided for (see: “Decrease Pressure, Friction, and Shear” of page 47 where the most common method for reducing pressure is frequent turning and positioning).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-6 PU intervention of turning the patient at a shorter interval than currently provided for as taught by Thomas for a treatment program of a certain diagnostic level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements. In the present case, the combination of Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero teaches a treatment used at a certain threshold level to treat an issue and one of ordinary skill in the art would have substituted a treatment in for the treatment of Geleijnse et al. because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art could have substituted the one known element for the other to produce a predictable result (MPEP 2143).
As per claim 47, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21.The combination may not further specifically teach a level-7 PU intervention of applying a barrier cream to the patient's heel.
Thomas teaches:
--a level-7 PU intervention of applying a barrier cream to the patient's heel (see: page 55, paragraph 3 where there is a cream containing 1% silver sulfadiazine being applied to improve clinical appearance of the wound and improve healing. The cream containing the silver sulfadiazine is the barrier cream. Also see: page 2, paragraph 2 of “Pressure Ulcer Prevention in the Hospital Setting Using Silicon Foam Dressings” to Truong et al. where silver sulfadiazine is an ingredient in barrier creams).
The motivations to combine the above-mentioned references are discussed in the rejection of claim 46, and incorporated herein.
Claim 48 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of U.S. 2016/0310034 to Tonar et al. and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of “A systematic review of electrical stimulation for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment in people with spinal cord injuries” to Liu.
As per claim 48, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not further specifically teach a level-8 PU intervention of applying a neuro-muscular stimulation to the patient's heel.
Liu teaches:
--a level-8 PU intervention of applying a neuro-muscular stimulation to the patient's heel (see: “Results” on page 703 where ES enhanced PU healing).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-8 PU intervention of applying a neuro-muscular stimulation to the patient's heel as taught by Liu for a treatment program of a certain diagnostic level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements. In the present case, the combination of Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero teaches a treatment used at a certain threshold level to treat an issue and one of ordinary skill in the art would have substituted a treatment in for the treatment of Geleijnse et al. because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art could have substituted the one known element for the other to produce a predictable result (MPEP 2143).
Claim 49 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of U.S. 2016/0310034 to Tonar et al. and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of “Topical hydrogen peroxide treatment of ischemic ulcers in the guinea pig: Blood recruitment in multiple skin sites” to Tur et al.
As per claim 49, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not further specifically teach a level-9 PU intervention of applying a topical cream to the patient's heel to enhance perfusion.
Tur et al. teaches:
--a level-9 PU intervention of applying a topical cream to the patient's heel to enhance perfusion (see: “Results” of page 217 where topical hydrogen peroxide cream was used to enhance vascular perfusion).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-9 PU intervention of applying a topical cream to the patient's heel to enhance perfusion as taught by Tur et al. for a treatment program of a certain diagnostic level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements. In the present case, the combination of Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero teaches a treatment used at a certain threshold level to treat an issue and one of ordinary skill in the art would have substituted a treatment in for the treatment of Geleijnse et al. because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art could have substituted the one known element for the other to produce a predictable result (MPEP 2143).
Claim 50 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. 2016/0338591 to Lachenbruch et al. in view of U.S. 2015/0186607 to Geleijnse et al. further in view of U.S. 2016/0310034 to Tonar et al. and further in view of U.S. Patent No. 9,028,407 to Bennett-Guerrero as applied to claim 21, and further in view of “Pressure Ulcer Prevention in the Hospital Setting Using Silicon Foam Dressings” to Truong et al.
As per claim 50, Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination teach the method of claim 21, see discussion of claim 21. The combination may not further specifically teach a level-10 PU intervention of providing a silicon pad for the patient's lower leg.
Truong et al. teaches:
--a level-10 PU intervention of providing a silicon pad for the patient's lower leg (see: page 5, paragraphs 2, 3, and 5 where silicon foam dressings can be used as treatment to prevent pressure ulcers).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a level-10 PU intervention of providing a silicon pad for the patient's lower leg as taught by Truong et al. for a treatment program of a certain diagnostic level as disclosed by Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero in combination since each individual element and its function are shown in the prior art, with the difference being the substitution of the elements. In the present case, the combination of Lachenbruch et al., Geleijnse et al., Tonar et al., and Bennett-Guerrero teaches a treatment used at a certain threshold level to treat an issue and one of ordinary skill in the art would have substituted a treatment in for the treatment of Geleijnse et al. because they are types of treatment options, making results predictable. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art could have substituted the one known element for the other to produce a predictable result (MPEP 2143).
Conclusion

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20160338591: Claims:
1. A method for tracking a change in tissue status comprising:
receiving at least some demographic information regarding an individual being monitored; receiving, from a sensor, information regarding a first tissue status for the individual; comparing the received information with a threshold tissue status selected at least in part based on the at least some demographic information regarding the individual; providing an alert indicative of a change in tissue status in response to determining that the received information exceeds the threshold tissue status.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least some demographic information regarding the individual being monitored comprises at least one of an age of the individual, a medical condition of the individual, a sex of the individual, a weight of the individual, a medication provided to the individual, a smoking status of the individual, a mobility level of the individual, a medical device utilized by the individual, and an indication that the individual has previously had a tissue condition.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the information regarding the first tissue status for the individual comprises a temperature of the tissue, a moisture level of the tissue, mechanical energy dissipation through the tissue, ultrasound or other high frequency information, light frequency information, or a biomarker in the tissue.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the alert indicative of the change in tissue status comprises providing an alert to a caregiver via a computing device.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
storing the received information regarding the first tissue status and the at least some information regarding an individual being monitored in a database; receiving, from the sensor, information regarding at least one subsequent tissue status for the individual; and updating the database with the at least one subsequent tissue status for the individual.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:
adjusting the threshold based on at least some of the information in the database.
7. The method of claim 5, further comprising providing a graphical history of tissue status over time based on the first tissue status and the at least one subsequent tissue status for the individual.
8. The method of claim 5, further comprising updating the database with an outcome for the individual.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising making an adjustment to a person support apparatus upon which the individual is disposed.
10. A system comprising:
at least one sensor for sensing information regarding a tissue status for an individual; a server communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor for receiving the information regarding the tissue status for the individual from the at least one sensor, the server comprising a processor and a memory storing computer readable and executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the server to compare the information regarding the tissue status to a threshold tissue status and provide at least one output based on the comparison; and at least one computing device communicatively coupled to the server for receiving the at least one output from the server.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the sensor comprises a light source and an optical detector.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the information regarding the tissue status for the individual comprises information regarding a change in light intensity at a predetermined wavelength.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one output comprises an instruction to make an adjustment to a person support apparatus upon which the individual is disposed, a notification to a caregiver, or an instruction to provide medication.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the instruction to make the adjustment to the person support apparatus comprises an instruction to alter an angle of the person support apparatus, an instruction to reduce a pressure associated with the person support apparatus, or an instruction to alter a temperature of the person support apparatus.
15. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one computing device is associated with a person support apparatus upon which the individual is disposed.
16. The system of claim 10, wherein the server receives at least some information regarding the individual, and the threshold tissue status depends at least in part on the at least some information regarding the individual.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the server updates the threshold tissue status based on the information regarding the tissue status for the individual.
18. The system of claim 16, wherein the server updates the threshold tissue status based on an outcome for the individual.
19. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least some information regarding the individual comprises at least one of an age of the individual, a medical condition of the individual, a sex of the individual, a weight of the individual, a medication provided to the individual, a smoking status of the individual, a mobility level of the individual, a medical device utilized by the individual, and an indication that the individual has previously had a tissue condition.
20. The system of claim 10, wherein the information regarding the tissue status comprises information regarding a moisture level of the tissue, mechanical energy dissipation through the tissue, ultrasound or other high frequency information, light frequency information, or a biomarker in the tissue.
Ref US20150186607: Claims:
1. A clinical support system comprising a processor and a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium contains instructions for execution by the processor, wherein the instructions cause the processor to perform the steps of:
obtaining current patient data descriptive of a patient, for whom a recommendation for a transition from a current care levels to one or more other care levels shall be provided, in the current care level, obtaining historic patient data of the patient obtained earlier in the current and/or other care levels, and computing two or more patient specific transition scores from said obtained current and historic patient data, wherein a patient specific transition score indicates a level of recommendation of a transition of the patient from the current care level to a different care level or to stay in the current care level.
2. The clinical support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to compute said two or more patient specific transition scores by use of a prediction model predicting the patient's future health progress based on said obtained current and historic patient data.
3. The clinical support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said historic patient data comprises historic transitions between different care levels including information on improvements and/or deteriorations of the patient's health status in response to said historic transitions.
4. (canceled)
5. The clinical support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to identify the location of the current care level and to use the location of the current care level as an additional input in the computation of the two or more patient specific transition scores.
6. The clinical support system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to identify the location of the current care level by reading a location information from the current patient data or by deriving the location from features of the current patient data including the type, amount and/or content of the current patient data.
7. The clinical support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to use the risk of readmission of the patient to the current care level as an additional input in the computation of the two or more patient specific transition scores.
8. (canceled)
9. The clinical support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to use patient population data providing statistical information on historic transitions of other patients between different care levels including information on improvements and/or deteriorations of their health status in response to said historic transitions.
10. The clinical support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to compute one or more disease specific health scores for the patient from said current and historic patient data and to use said one or more disease specific health scores in the computation of said two or more patient specific transition scores.
11. The clinical support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to obtain patient data, health progression information and/or transmission scores of patients that had the same or a similar health status and/or health history as the current patient and to use the obtained patient data health progression information and/or transmission scores in the computation of the two or more patient specific transition scores.
12. The clinical support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the processor
to compute a general health score for the current care level from historic patient data of patients that have been in the current care level, to compute two or more general transition scores each indicating a level of recommendation of a transition of a patient from the current care level to a different care level or to stay in the current care level, and to combine said two or more general transition scores with said two or more patient specific transition scores to obtain two or more final transition scores.
13. The clinical support system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to apply a weighted combination of said general transition scores and said patient specific transition scores to obtain said final transition scores, the weights being determined manually or from the accuracy of past transition scores of the current patient, other patients and/or all patients.
14. A clinical support method comprising the steps of
obtaining current patient data descriptive of a patient, for whom a recommendation for a transition from a current care levels to one or more other care levels shall be provided, in the current care level, obtaining historic patient data of the patient obtained earlier in the current and/or other care levels, and computing two or more patient specific transition scores from said obtained current and historic patient data, wherein a patient specific transition score indicates a level of recommendation of a transition of the patient from the current care level to a different care level or to stay in the current care level.
15. A computer-readable non-transitory storage medium containing instructions for execution by a processor, wherein the instructions cause the processor to perform the steps of:
obtaining current patient data descriptive of a patient, for whom a recommendation for a transition from a current care levels to one or more other care levels shall be provided, in the current care level, obtaining historic patient data of the patient obtained earlier in the current and/or other care levels, and computing two or more patient specific transition scores from said obtained current and historic patient data, a patient specific transition score indicating a level of recommendation of a transition of the patient from the current care level to a different care level or to stay in the current care level.
16. Computer program comprising program code means for causing a computer to carry out the steps of the method as claimed in claim 14 when said computer program is carried out on the computer.
17. A clinical support system comprising:
means for obtaining current patient data descriptive of a patient, for whom a recommendation for a transition from a current care levels to one or more other care levels shall be provided, in the current care level, means for obtaining historic patient data of the patient obtained earlier in the current and/or other care levels, and means for computing two or more patient specific transition scores from said obtained current and historic patient data, wherein a patient specific transition score indicates a level of recommendation of a transition of the patient from the current care level to a different care level or to stay in the current care level.
Ref US9028407: Claims:
1. An apparatus for monitoring patient orientation, comprising:
a reusable sensor configured to detect inclination angles of an anterior region of the patient; and
an elongated disposable attachment device having a first end and a second end, a distance between the first end and the second end defining a length of the elongated disposable attachment device, the length of the elongated disposable attachment device being greater than a maximum width of the elongated disposable attachment device that is perpendicular to a first direction between the first end and the second end of the elongated disposable attachment device, the elongated disposable attachment device configured for removable attachment to both the sensor and the patient's anterior region such that the first direction of the attachment device extends along a longitudinal axis of a sternum of the patient, the attachment device including:
a sensor attachment portion configured for removable attachment to the sensor such that the sensor is prevented from direct contact with the patient,
a patient attachment portion configured for removable attachment to the patient's anterior region, and
a first connector attached to the sensor attachment portion and a second connector attached to the patient attachment portion, the first connector and the second connector being configured to detachably mate to each other.
2. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 1, wherein the sensor attachment portion is elongated and opposite ends of the elongated sensor attachment portion comprise the first and second ends of the elongated disposable attachment device, respectively, and the patient attachment portion includes two separate, physically distinct and non-integral attachment portions that are each individually removably attachable to locations adjacent the opposite ends of the elongated sensor attachment portion.
3. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the sensor attachment portion is hollow and configured for disposing the sensor therein.
4. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 2, wherein the sensor attachment portion defines a sealable pouch that is configured for disposing the sensor therein.
5. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 4, wherein the pouch is defined at an upper surface of the sensor attachment portion.
6. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is an accelerometer.
7. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 1, further including a sensor sheath that houses the sensor and that is insertable into the sensor attachment portion.
8. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 7, further comprising a controller that is spaced apart from and physically unconnected with the sensor, and a transmitter that wirelessly transmits signals between the sensor and the controller, the sensor sheath housing the transmitter.
9. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 8, wherein the controller includes an indicator that enables viewing of the incline angles detected by the sensor.
10. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 8, wherein the controller controls the sensor to vary the frequency of incline measurements.
11. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 8, wherein the controller provides an alarm indication if the sensor detects certain incline angles.
12. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 11, wherein the controller provides an alarm indication if the sensor detects that the patient's incline angle falls below a certain angle.
13. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 12, wherein the controller provides an alarm indication if the sensor detects that the patient's incline angle falls below 30 degrees.
14. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 11, wherein the controller provides an alarm indication if the sensor detects that the patient's incline angle indicates that the patient is attempting to stand.
15. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 11, wherein the controller provides an alarm indication if the sensor detects that the patient's incline angle exceeds a certain angle.
16. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to monitor the patient conditions, including at least one of heart rate, respiratory rate, respiratory depth, GI motility, sleep analysis, and seizure detection.
17. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to control an aspect of sensing of at least one of the monitored conditions based on at least one of another of the monitored conditions.
18. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 17, wherein the controller is configured to affect the frequency of monitoring of patient incline based on data of at least one of the other monitored conditions.
19. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 18, wherein the controller is configured to reduce the frequency of monitoring of patient incline if data of at least one heart rate, respiratory rate, and respiratory depth indicates that the patient is asleep.
20. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 1, wherein the sensor attachment portion comprises a pouch configured to fully encapsulate the sensor.
21. An apparatus for monitoring patient orientation, comprising:
a reusable sensor configured to detect inclination angles of an anterior region of the patient; and
an elongated disposable attachment device having a first end and a second end, a distance between the first end and the second end defining a length of the elongated disposable attachment device, the length of the elongated disposable attachment device being greater than a maximum width of the elongated disposable attachment device that is perpendicular to a first direction between the first end and the second end of the elongated disposable attachment device, the elongated disposable attachment device configured for removable attachment to both the sensor and the patient's anterior region such that the first direction of the attachment device extends along a longitudinal axis of a sternum of the patient, the attachment device including:
a sensor attachment portion configured for removable attachment to the sensor such that the sensor is prevented from direct contact with the patient, and
a patient attachment portion configured for removable attachment to the patient's anterior region,

wherein the sensor at attachment portion is configured to connect to the reusable sensor such that the reusable sensor has an alignment having a fixed relationship to the first direction, and,
wherein the patient attachment portion is configured for removable attachment to skin of the patient at the sternum of the patient.
22. The apparatus for monitoring patient orientation according to claim 21, wherein the maximum width of the elongated disposable attachment device is less than a width of the sternum 
[Truncated to input limit]