Opinion ID: 809418
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: “Substantially Fixed”

Text: The parties do not dispute that the correct construction of “substantially fixed” in the ’509 patent allows for “some movement of the sensor relative to the position of the sensor control unit.” Instead, the dispute between the parties lies in whether “some movement” includes the degree of movement in the Shichiri I system such that the sensor need only be “somewhat restrained.” We conclude that it does not. The external wires of the Shichiri I sensor are only “somewhat restrained” because they are tethered to a watch-shaped assembly and therefore only restrained by human arm or wrist movement. This degree of arm and wrist movement is not only significantly greater than the movement allowable under the Board’s original construction of “substantially fixed,” it is also greater than the movement described in the specification. Indeed, the embodiments disclosed in the ’509 patent all show the above-skin portion of the electrochemical sensor maintained in a fixed position. Specifically, the specification teaches a “support structure 82” that “hold[s], support[s], and/or guide[s] the sensor 42 into the correct position.” ’509 patent col.34 ll.54-55. While the Board’s original construction is reasonable in view of the specification, the Board’s modified construction requiring only a “somewhat restrained” sensor is not. On remand, the Board should apply its original construction of “substantially fixed.” 2 These include claims 1, 32, 33, 39, 88, 89, 90, 244, 247, and 248 of the ’752 patent and claims 1, 11, 26, 229, 230, 231, and 233 of the ’509 patent. 17 IN RE ABBOTT DIABETES