U.S. Patent No. 12,036,174
`Petition for Post-Grant Review
`
`
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`______________________________________________
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`______________________________________________
`
`
`
`
`THERABODY, INC.
`Petitioner
`
`
`v.
`
`DATAFEEL INC.
`Patent Owner.
`
`
`_________________________
`
`Case No. PGR2025-00026
`U.S. Patent No. 12,036,174
`_________________________
`
`
`
`PETITION FOR POST-GRANT REVIEW
`OF U.S. PATENT NO. 12,036,174
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`
`Page
`
`
`INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................... 1 
`I. 
`II.  MANDATORY NOTICES UNDER 37 C.F.R. §42.8 ................................... 1 
`III. 
`FEE AUTHORIZATION ............................................................................... 2 
`IV.  GROUNDS FOR STANDING ....................................................................... 2 
`V. 
`PRECISE RELIEF REQUESTED ................................................................. 3 
`VI.  THE CHALLENGED PATENT .................................................................... 4 
`VII.  PROSECUTION HISTORY OF THE ’174 PATENT ................................. 12 
`VIII.  LEVEL OF ORDINARY SKILL IN THE ART .......................................... 13 
`IX.  PRIORITY DATE ........................................................................................ 13 
`X. 
`CLAIM CONSTRUCTION ......................................................................... 14 
`XI.  BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLIED PRIOR ART ......................... 14 
`A.  Korean Unexamined Application Publication No. 10-2001-
`0008111 (“Lee”) (Ex-1005) ............................................................... 14 
`U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0310353
`(“Barasch”) (Ex-1007) ....................................................................... 17 
`Korean Patent No.10-1123926 (“Choi”) (Ex-1008) .......................... 19 
`C. 
`D.  U.S. Patent No. 7,384,405 (“Rhoades”) (Ex-1010) ........................... 22 
`E. 
`U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0305969
`(“Giraud”) (Ex-1011) ......................................................................... 23 
`XII.  DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE UNPATENTABILITY
`GROUNDS UNDER 35 U.S.C. § 103 ......................................................... 27 
`A.  Ground 1: Claims 1-3, 5-6, 8-19 Are Unpatentable Under 35
`U.S.C. § 103 As Obvious Over Lee in View of Barasch ................... 27 
`1. 
`A POSITA Would Have Been Motivated to Combine
`Lee’s Teachings with Barasch and Would Have Had a
`Reasonable Expectation of Success ......................................... 27 
`Independent Claim 1 ................................................................ 31 
`a. 
`Element 1[pre]: “A treatment device, comprising:” ...... 31 
`
`B. 
`
`2. 
`
`i
`
`

`

`
`
`3. 
`
`4. 
`
`5. 
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`(continued)
`
`Page
`
`b. 
`
`c. 
`
`d. 
`
`e. 
`
`Element 1[a]: “a body provided with a processing
`unit and a power source; and” ....................................... 31 
`Element 1[b]: “a plurality of energy generator
`elements being independently operable to convert
`electricity from the power source into a plurality of
`different energy types transmittable towards an
`area of skin of a user, the plurality of energy
`generator elements being arranged coaxially about
`an axis,” ......................................................................... 33 
`Element 1[c]: “wherein the body includes a grip
`arranged to be grasped by a hand of the user
`applying a gripping force to maintain the plurality
`of energy generator elements on or adjacent the
`area of skin,” .................................................................. 36 
`Element 1[d]: “wherein the plurality of energy
`generator elements includes a first energy
`generator element and a second energy generator
`element, and wherein the first energy generator
`element is an impact generator element having a
`tissue contact surface that is linearly actuatable
`along the axis to contact and cause corresponding
`physical movement of the area of skin.” ....................... 38 
`Claim 2: “The treatment device of claim 1, wherein the
`impact generator element further
`includes a drive
`mechanism and a piston, wherein the drive mechanism is
`operably coupled to a controller that directs electricity to
`the drive mechanism to move the piston and the tissue
`contact surface along the axis.” ............................................... 39 
`Claim 3: “The treatment device of claim 1, wherein the
`second energy generator element is substantially ring
`shaped and arranged coaxially about the first energy
`generator element.” .................................................................. 41 
`Claim 5: “The treatment device of claim 1, wherein the
`second energy generator element includes a heat generator
`
`ii
`
`

`

`
`
`6. 
`
`7. 
`
`8. 
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`(continued)
`
`Page
`
`c. 
`
`element.” .................................................................................. 42 
`Claim 6: “The treatment device of claim 1, wherein a first
`one of the plurality of different energy types is an impact
`force applied against a surface of the area of skin and a
`second one of the plurality of different energy types is a
`heat flux directed toward the area of skin.” ............................. 42 
`Independent Claim 8 ................................................................ 43 
`a. 
`Element 8[pre]: “A treatment device, comprising:” ...... 43 
`b. 
`Element 8[a]: “a body provided with a sensor, a
`power source, and a processing unit configured to
`receive input data and generate a control signal
`based on the input data, the body further including
`a skin contacting surface maintainable against skin
`of a user by a force applied by a hand of the user
`when gripping the body; and” ....................................... 43 
`Element 8[b]: “a first energy generator element
`and a second energy generator element coupled to
`the body, the first and second energy generator
`elements being independently operable to convert
`electricity from the power source into a first
`energy type and a second energy type,
`respectively, and direct the first and second energy
`types toward an area of skin, the first energy
`generator element including an impact generator
`element having a tissue contact surface that is
`linearly actuatable along an axis to contact and
`cause corresponding physical movement of the
`area of skin,” .................................................................. 45 
`Element 8[c]: “wherein the sensor is configured to
`detect additional input data based on a vital sign of
`the user and transmit the input data for display” ........... 47 
`Claim 9: “The treatment device of claim 8, wherein the
`additional input data corresponds to a heart rate of the
`user.” ........................................................................................ 50 
`
`d. 
`
`iii
`
`

`

`
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`(continued)
`
`Page
`
`9. 
`
`Claim 10: “The treatment device of claim 8, further
`comprising a controller configured to modify intensity of
`the first energy type and the second energy type.” .................. 50 
`10.  Claim 11: “The treatment device of claim 8, wherein a
`portion of the body configured to be gripped by the hand
`of the user is configured to emulate a grip of a gun.” .............. 51 
`11.  Claim 12: “The treatment device of claim 8, wherein the
`impact generator element further
`includes a drive
`mechanism and a piston, wherein the drive mechanism is
`operably coupled to a controller to direct electricity to the
`drive mechanism and move the piston and the tissue
`contacting surface along the axis.” .......................................... 52 
`12.  Claim 13: “The treatment device of claim 12, wherein the
`second energy generator element is a heat generator
`element configured to output the second energy type
`including a heat flux toward the area of skin.” ........................ 52 
`13.  Claim 14: “The treatment device of claim 13, wherein the
`heat generator element is arranged coaxially about the axis
`and at least a portion of the heat generator element extends
`about at least portion of the piston.” ........................................ 52 
`14.  Claim 15: “The treatment device of claim 13, further
`comprising
`a
`third
`energy
`generator
`element
`independently operable of the first and second energy
`generator elements to output a third energy type toward
`the area of skin.” ...................................................................... 53 
`15.  Claim 16: “The treatment device of claim 15, further
`comprising a controller configured to modify an intensity
`of the first, second, and third energy types.” ........................... 54 
`Independent Claim 17 .............................................................. 55 
`a. 
`Element 17[pre]: “A treatment device,
`comprising:” .................................................................. 55 
`
`16. 
`
`iv
`
`

`

`
`
`B. 
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`(continued)
`
`Page
`
`b. 
`
`c. 
`
`Element 17[a]: “a body provided with a power
`source and a processing unit configured to receive
`input data and generate a control signal based on
`the input data, the body including a skin contacting
`surface maintainable against skin of a user by a
`force applied by a hand of the user when gripping
`the body; and” ................................................................ 55 
`Element 17[b]: “a first energy generator element
`and a second energy generator element coupled to
`the body, the first and second energy generator
`elements being independently operable to convert
`electricity from the power source into a first
`energy type and a second energy type,
`respectively, and direct the first and second energy
`types toward an area of skin, the first energy
`generator element including an impact generator
`element having a tissue contact surface that is
`linearly actuatable along an axis to contact and
`cause corresponding physical movement of the
`area of skin;” .................................................................. 56 
`Element 17[c]: “wherein the processing unit is
`operable to output an optical signal on a display
`that is observable by eyes of the user, the output
`corresponding to the control signal.” ............................. 57 
`17.  Claim 18: “The treatment device of claim 17, wherein a
`portion of the body configured to be gripped by the hand
`of the user is configured to emulate a grip of a gun.” .............. 58 
`18.  Claim 19: “The treatment device of claim 17, further
`comprising a sensor to detect additional input data based
`on a vital sign of the user, the additional input data
`corresponding to a heart rate of the user.” ............................... 58 
`Ground 2: Claim 4 is unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as
`obvious over Lee in view of Barasch and, further in view of Choi
` ............................................................................................................ 58 
`
`d. 
`
`v
`
`

`

`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`(continued)
`
`Page
`
`
`
`1. 
`
`2. 
`
`A POSITA Would Have Been Motivated to Combine
`Choi’s Teachings with the Combination of Lee and
`Barasch and Would Have Had a Reasonable Expectation
`of Success ................................................................................. 58 
`Claim 4: “The treatment device of claim 1, wherein the
`second energy generator element includes a reflecting
`groove circumferentially arranged about the axis, the
`reflecting groove defining a concave shape arranged to
`reflect energy generated from the second energy generator
`element towards the area of skin.” ........................................... 61 
`Ground 3: Claim 7 is unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as
`obvious over Lee in view of Barasch and, further in view of
`Rhoades .............................................................................................. 63 
`1. 
`A POSITA Would Have Been Motivated to Combine
`Lee’s and Barasch’s Teachings with Rhoades and Would
`Have Had a Reasonable Expectation of Success ..................... 63 
`Claim 7: “The treatment device of claim 1, wherein at least
`one of the plurality of energy generator elements is
`contained at least partially within a housing that is
`removably securable to the body.” .......................................... 65 
`D.  Ground 4: Claims 1-7 and 17-18 Are Unpatentable Under 35
`U.S.C. § 103 As Obvious Over Giraud in View of Choi ................... 66 
`1. 
`A POSITA Would Have Been Motivated to Combine
`Giraud’s Teachings with Choi and Would Have Had a
`Reasonable Expectation of Success ......................................... 66 
`Independent Claim 1 ................................................................ 68 
`a. 
`Element 1[pre]: “A treatment device, comprising:” ...... 68 
`b. 
`Element 1[a]: “a body provided with a processing
`unit and a power source; and” ....................................... 69 
`
`C. 
`
`2. 
`
`2. 
`
`vi
`
`

`

`
`
`3. 
`
`4. 
`
`5. 
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`(continued)
`
`Page
`
`c. 
`
`d. 
`
`e. 
`
`Element 1[b]: “a plurality of energy generator
`elements being independently operable to convert
`electricity from the power source into a plurality of
`different energy types transmittable towards an
`area of skin of a user, the plurality of energy
`generator elements being arranged coaxially about
`an axis,” ......................................................................... 70 
`Element 1[c]: “wherein the body includes a grip
`arranged to be grasped by a hand of the user
`applying a gripping force to maintain the plurality
`of energy generator elements on or adjacent the
`area of skin,” .................................................................. 72 
`Element 1[d]: “wherein the plurality of energy
`generator elements includes a first energy
`generator element and a second energy generator
`element, and wherein the first energy generator
`element is an impact generator element having a
`tissue contact surfce that is linearly actuatable
`along the axis to contact and cause corresponding
`physical movement of the area of skin.” ....................... 73 
`Claim 2: “The treatment device of claim 1, wherein the
`impact generator element further
`includes a drive
`mechanism and a piston, wherein the drive mechanism is
`operably coupled to a controller that directs electricity to
`the drive mechanism to move the piston and the tissue
`contact surface along the axis.” ............................................... 75 
`Claim 3: “The treatment device of claim 1, wherein the
`second energy generator element is substantially ring
`shaped and arranged coaxially about the first energy
`generator element.” .................................................................. 76 
`Claim 4: “The treatment device of claim 1, wherein the
`second energy generator element includes a reflecting
`groove circumferentially arranged about the axis, the
`reflecting groove defining a concave shape arranged to
`
`vii
`
`

`

`
`
`6. 
`
`7. 
`
`8. 
`
`9. 
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`(continued)
`
`Page
`
`reflect energy generated from the second energy generator
`element towards the area of skin.” ........................................... 77 
`Claim 5: “The treatment device of claim 1, wherein the
`second energy generator element includes a heat generator
`element.” .................................................................................. 77 
`Claim 6: “The treatment device of claim 1, wherein a first
`one of the plurality of different energy types is an impact
`force applied against a surface of the area of skin and a
`second one of the plurality of different energy types is a
`heat flux directed toward the area of skin.” ............................. 77 
`Claim 7: “The treatment device of claim 1, wherein at least
`one of the plurality of energy generator elements is
`contained at least partially within a housing that is
`removably securable to the body.” .......................................... 78 
`Independent Claim 17 .............................................................. 79 
`a. 
`Element 17[pre]: “A treatment device,
`comprising:” .................................................................. 79 
`Element 17[a]: “a body provided with a power
`source and a processing unit configured to receive
`input data and generate a control signal based on
`the input data, the body including a skin contacting
`surface maintainable against skin of a user by a
`forceapplied by a hand of the user when gripping
`the body; and” ................................................................ 80 
`
`b. 
`
`viii
`
`

`

`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`(continued)
`
`Page
`
`
`
`B. 
`
`Element 17[b]: “a first energy generator element
`and a second energy generator element coupled to
`the body, the first and second energy generator
`elements being independently operable to convert
`electricity from the power source into a first
`energy typeand a second energy type, respectively,
`and direct the first and second energy types toward
`an area of skin, the first energy generator element
`including an impact generator element having a
`tissue contact surface that is linearly actuatable
`along an axis to contact and cause corresponding
`physical movement of the area of skin;” ....................... 81 
`Element 17[c]: “wherein the processing unit is
`operable to output an optical signal on a display
`that is observable by eyes of the user, the output
`corresponding to the control signal.” ............................. 82 
`10.  Claim 18: “The treatment device of claim 17, wherein a
`portion of the body configured to be gripped by the hand
`of the user is configured to emulate a grip of a gun.” .............. 83 
`XIII.  DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE UNPATENTABILITY
`GROUNDS UNDER 35 U.S.C. § 112 ......................................................... 84 
`A.  Ground 5: Claims 1-19 Are Unpatentable Under 35 U.S.C. § 112
`Based on Lack of Written Description Support ................................. 84 
`Ground 6: Claims 1-19 Are Unpatentable Under 35 U.S.C. § 112
`Based on Lack of Enablement ............................................................ 90 
`XIV.  THE BOARD SHOULD NOT DENY INSTITUTION UNDER
`FINTIV .......................................................................................................... 92 
`XV.  CONCLUSION ............................................................................................. 92 
`
`
`c. 
`
`d. 
`
`ix
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent No. 12,036,174
`Petition for Post-Grant Review
`LIST OF EXHIBITS1
`
`Ex. No.
`
`Description
`
`Ex-1001 U.S. Patent No. 12,036,174 (“the ’174 Patent”)
`
`Ex-1002 Declaration for Morten O. Jensen
`
`Ex-1003 Curriculum Vitae of Morten O. Jensen
`
`Ex-1004 Prosecution History of the ’174 Patent (Application No. 18/526,980)
`
`Ex-1005 Korean Unexamined Application Publication No. 10-2001-0008111 (“Lee”)
`
`Ex-1006 Certified Translation of Korean Unexamined Application Publication No.
`10-2001-0008111 (“Lee”)
`
`Ex-1007 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0310353 (“Barasch”)
`
`Ex-1008 Korean Patent No.10-1123926 (“Choi”)
`
`Ex-1009 Certified Translation of Korean Patent No.10-1123926 (“Choi”)
`
`Ex-1010 U.S. Patent No. 7,384,405 (“Rhoades”)
`
`Ex-1011 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0305969 (“Giraud”)
`
`Ex-1012 Chunpeng Jiang et al., A Wearable Braille Recognition System Based on
`High Density Tactile Sensors, 2020 IEEE 33rd Int’l Conf. on Micro Electro
`Mech. Sys. (MEMS) 28-31 (2020)
`
`Ex-1013 The Cadence Tablet, Tactile Engineering, https://www.tactile-
`engineering.com/cadence (last visited Jan. 16, 2025)
`
`Ex-1014 Devin Thorpe, These 6 Women Undergrads at MIT Invented a Game-
`Changer for the Blind, Forbes,
`https://www.forbes.com/sites/devinthorpe/2016/12/20/these-6-women-
`
`
`1 Four-digit pin citations that begin with 0 are to the branded numbers added by
`Petitioner in the bottom right corner of the exhibits. All other pin citations are to
`original page, column, paragraph, or line numbers.
`
`x
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent No. 12,036,174
`Petition for Post-Grant Review
`
`Ex. No.
`
`Description
`undergrads-at-mit-invented-a-game-changer-for-the-blind/ (Dec. 20, 2016)
`
`Ex-1015 O-Rejuv Facial Device, O Cosmedics, https://www.ocosmedics.com/o-
`rejuv-facial-device.html (last visited Jan. 16, 2025)
`
`Ex-1016 ZAQ Facial Rejuvenation Device, ZAQ, https://zaq.com/products/zaq-facial-
`rejuvenation-7-color-led-device-rf-ems-sonic-vibration-hot-massager (last
`visited Jan. 16, 2025)
`
`Ex-1017 Sooyeon Choi et al., Efficacy and Safety of a Home-Use Handheld Multi-
`Energy-Based Device for Skin Rejuvenation: Clinical, Ex Vivo, and
`Histological Studies, 39 Lasers Med. Sci. 38 (2024)
`
`Ex-1018 Ergonomics and Handheld Medical Devices: Five Vital Elements for Design
`Success, Medical Design Briefs,
`https://www.medicaldesignbriefs.com/component/content/article/%2029108-
`ergonomics-and-handheld-medical-devices-five-vital-elements-for-design-
`success (lasted visited Jan. 16, 2025)
`
`Ex-1019 Finding a Percussion Massager for Effective Muscle Recovery, Pulse
`Therapy Hub, https://pulsetherapyhub.com/the-difference-between-a-
`percussion-massager-and-a-vibration-massager (lasted visited Jan. 16, 2025)
`
`Ex-1020 Claim Correlation Chart
`
`Ex-1021 Percussion Massage v. Vibration Massage, Dr. Graeme,
`https://www.drgraeme.com/articles/2021/06/percussion-massager-vs-
`vibration-massage (lasted visited Jan. 16, 2025)
`
`Ex-1022 Vibration vs. Percussion Massagers: Which One is the Best?, The Fitness
`Tribe, https://thefitnesstribe.com/vibration-vs-percussion-massagers (lasted
`visited Jan. 16, 2025)
`
`Ex-1023 Vibrational Massagers vs. Percussive Massagers, Fit Body Factory,
`https://thefitbodyfactory.com/blogs/news/vibrational-massagers-vs-
`percussive-massagers (lasted visited Jan. 16, 2025)
`
`Ex-1024 U.S. Patent No. 10,940,081 (“Nazarian”)
`
`xi
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent No. 12,036,174
`Petition for Post-Grant Review
`
`Ex. No.
`
`Description
`
`Ex-1025 How to Implement In-Sensor Vibration Monitoring with ISM330IS, ST
`Community, https://community.st.com/t5/mems-and-sensors/how-to-
`implement-in-sensor-vibration-monitoring-with-ism330is/ta-p/572988
`(lasted visited Jan. 16, 2025)
`
`Ex-1026 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0276079 (“Cheng”)
`
`Ex-1027 EMS Gua Sha Massager | Cooling & Heating for Lymphatic Drainage
`Massage, Contouring, Oil & Acne Control | LED Therapy & Microcurrent,
`Arte Reverie, https://artereverie.com/products/gua-sha-ems-massager (lasted
`visited Jan. 16, 2025)
`
`Ex-1028 MG 600 | Massage Gun with Hot & Cold Function, Medisana,
`https://www.medisana.com/en/Wellness/Massage-devices/MG-600-
`Massage-Gun-with-hot-cold-function.html (lasted visited Jan. 16, 2025)
`
`Ex-1029 What’s the Difference Between TENS and EMS Units, Healthline,
`https://www.healthline.com/health/tens-vs-ems (lasted visited Jan. 16, 2025)
`
`Ex-1030 Digital EMS & TENS Device, EM49, Beurer, https://www.shop-
`beurer.com/products/digital-ems-tens-device-em49 (lasted visited Jan. 16,
`2025)
`
`Ex-1031 Understanding E-Stim Devices: A Guide to Electrical Muscle Stimulation,
`Optimal Wellness Center,
`https://www.owchealth.com/blog/2024/10/15/understanding-e-stim-devices-
`a-guide-to-electrical-muscle-stimulation (lasted visited Jan. 16, 2025)
`
`Ex-1032 Claim Chart for Theragun Prime Plus
`
`
`xii
`
`

`

`I.
`
`INTRODUCTION
`Therabody, Inc. (“Petitioner”) requests post grant review (“PGR”) of Claims
`
`U.S. Patent No. 12,036,174
`Petition for Post-Grant Review
`
`1-19 (“challenged claims”) of U.S. Patent No. 12,036,174 (“the ’174 Patent”) (Ex
`
`1001), currently assigned to DataFeel Inc. (“PO”).
`
`II. MANDATORY NOTICES UNDER 37 C.F.R. §42.8
`Real Parties-in-Interest: Petitioner identifies the following real parties-in-
`
`interest: Therabody, Inc.
`
`Related Matters: PO’s licensee has asserted the ’174 Patent against
`
`Petitioner in Hyper Ice, Inc. v. Therabody, Inc., 8:24-cv-02034-JWH-(DFMx) (C.D.
`
`Cal.). PO’s licensee has also asserted the ’174 Patent in the following matters that
`
`remain pending:
`
` Hyper Ice, Inc. v. MerchSource, LLC, 8:24-cv-02092-JWH-(DFMx) (C.D.
`Cal.) and
`
` Shenzhen Kelaisiman Trading Co., Ltd. v. Hyper Ice, Inc., 8:24-cv-01472-
`JWH-(DFMx) (C.D. Cal).
`Lead and Back-Up Counsel:
`
` Lead Counsel:
`
`Marc J. Pensabene (Reg. No. 37,416)
`O’Melveny & Myers LLP
`1301 Avenue of the Americas, 17th Floor
`New York, NY 10019
`Telephone: (212) 326-2000
`Fax: (212) 326-2061
`Email: mpensabene@omm.com
`
` Backup Counsel:
`
`1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent No. 12,036,174
`Petition for Post-Grant Review
`Brett J. Williamson (pro hac vice anticipated)
`O’Melveny & Myers LLP
`610 Newport Center Drive, 17th Floor
`Newport Beach, CA 92660
`Telephone: (949) 823-6900
`Fax: (949) 823-6994
`Email: bwilliamson@omm.com
`
`Bradley Berg (pro hac vice anticipated)
`O’Melveny & Myers LLP
`610 Newport Center Drive, 17th Floor
`Newport Beach, CA 92660
`Telephone: (949) 823-6900
`Fax: (949) 823-6994
`Email: bmberg@omm.com
`
`Service Information: Petitioner consents to electronic service by email to
`
`
`
`
`
`the following addresses:
`
` mpensabene@omm.com
` bmberg@omm.com
` bwilliamson@omm.com
` kgodfrey@omm.com
`
`III. FEE AUTHORIZATION
`Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. §42.15(a) and §42.103(a), the PTO is authorized to
`
`charge any and all fees to Deposit Account No. LA500639.
`
`IV. GROUNDS FOR STANDING
`Petitioner certifies that the ’174 Patent is available for review, and Petitioner
`
`is not barred or estopped from requesting review. “A petition for a post-grant review
`
`may only be filed not later than the date that is 9 months after the date of the grant
`
`of the patent.” 35 U.S.C. § 321(c); 37 C.F.R. § 42.202(a). The ’174 Patent issued
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent No. 12,036,174
`Petition for Post-Grant Review
`on July 16, 2024, which is less than nine months prior to the filing date of this
`
`Petition. Further, the ’174 Patent does not claim priority to an effective filing date
`
`before March 16, 2013, or to any patent or application that contains or contained at
`
`any time such a claim. See Tricam Indus., Inc. v. Little Giant Ladder Sys., LLC,
`
`PGR2021-00044, Paper No. 10 at 14 (PTAB Aug. 3, 2021). Therefore, the ’174
`
`Patent is eligible for PGR.
`
`V.
`
`PRECISE RELIEF REQUESTED
`Petitioner requests review and cancellation of Claims 1-19 as unpatentable
`
`based on the following grounds, supported by a declaration from Dr. Morten Jensen.
`
`Ex-1002; Ex-1003.
`
`2
`
`3
`
`Ground Summary
`1
`Claims 1-3, 5-6, 8-19 are unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as
`obvious over Korean Unexamined Application Publication No. 10-
`2001-0008111 (“Lee”) (Ex-1005) in view of U.S. Patent Application
`Publication No. 2016/0310353 (“Barasch”) (Ex-1007).
`Claim 4 is unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as obvious over Lee in
`view of Barasch and, further in view of Korean Patent No. 10-
`1123926 (“Choi”) (Ex-1008).
`Claim 7 is unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as obvious over Lee in
`view of Barasch and, further in view of U.S. Patent No. 7,384,405
`(“Rhoades”) (Ex-1010).
`Claims 1-7 and 17-18 Are Unpatentable Under 35 U.S.C. § 103 As
`Obvious Over Giraud in View of Choi
`Claims 1-19 are unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 112 based on lack of
`written description support.
`Claims 1-19 are unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 112 based on a lack of
`enablement.
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`
`
`
`
`3
`
`

`

`VI. THE CHALLENGED PATENT
`The ’174 Patent is titled “Communication Devices, Methods, and Systems.”
`
`U.S. Patent No. 12,036,174
`Petition for Post-Grant Review
`
`Ex-1001 Cover. As reflected in the title, the patent’s specification and figures
`
`describe various communication devices designed to interact with the skin of a user
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`through a plurality of “energy generators” that convert electricity into distinct types
`
`of energy. See also id. at 1:28-29 (“Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate
`
`to communication devices, methods, and systems.”). The types of energy are then
`
`transmitted to the skin to communicate data through non-visual means. Id., 1:59-65.
`
`The patent explains that “a processing unit” is “configured to communicate with the
`
`nerves associated with the skin by receiving input data from a data source and
`
`causing the plurality of energy generators to output an energy signal” toward the
`
`skin. Id., 1:68-2:4. As described further below, however, the claims of the ’174
`
`Patent ignore the critical “communication” aspect of the specification, and instead
`
`claim an entirely different field of “treatment devices.” None of the embodiments in
`
`the ’174 Patent are described as “treatment devices.” Indeed, the only disclosed
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`devices are “communication devices.” Id., 12:51-13:40.
`
` The patent describes several embodiments of the communication device, each
`
`with distinct configurations and applications. Id.,1:59-2:4. The embodiments are
`
`designed to use energy generators to communicate with various parts of a user’s
`
`body in various contexts, such as patient monitoring, a person shooting a gun, and a
`
`4
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`

`

`U.S. Patent No. 12,036,174
`Petition for Post-Grant Review
`person exercising. In each instance the focus of the embodiment relates to
`
`communication through the skin. Id., 2:5-21. This is true, even when the alleged
`
`invention is used in a healthcare setting—it is solely described as outputting data to
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`communicate information about a patient (e.g., the patient’s temperature or
`
`heartrate) but is not used as a treatment device. Id., 14:43-46 (“In a healthcare
`
`setting, the energy signal may be output towards the skin of a caregiver to
`
`communicate symbols associated with a status of a patient.”); 15:14-31, 20:43-56.
`
`The energy generators described in the different embodiments output different
`
`types of energy, such as impact, heat, electrical, and pressure energy, to convey
`
`information. For example, in the first embodiment, the communication device
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`comprises a body with a distal surface compatible with the skin, a tissue interface
`
`with multiple energy generators, an attachment element to maintain the interface
`
`against the skin, and a processing unit. Id., 1:59-2:4. The energy generators are
`
`arranged in a grid pattern and can output energy signals in a specific direction
`
`towards the skin, as shown below. Id., 2:35-47.
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent No. 12,036,174
`Petition for Post-Grant Review
`
`Ex-1001 Fig. 1A
`
`
`
`The body is flexible and can be wrapped around a limb or other body parts, as
`
`shown below. Id., 2:5-21. The attachment elements in these embodiments, such as
`
`adhesives, elastic bands, compression garments, and other fastening mechanisms,
`
`are designed to maintain the tissue interface against or adjacent to the skin. Id., 2:5-
`
`34, 3:45-59. Their purpose is to ensure that the energy signals are effectively
`
`transmitted to the skin, providing reliable communication to the user. Id., 2:23-40.
`
`Another embodiment describes implantable devices where the tissue interface is
`
`positioned under the skin, such as on a bone plate. Id., 4:6-11. The energy signals
`
`are transmitted to the underside of the skin, allowing for more direct communication
`
`with the nerves associated with the skin. Id., 4:6-11.
`
`
`
`6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent No. 12,036,174
`Petition for Post-Grant Review
`
`
`
`Ex-1001 Fig. 1B
`
`The processing unit receives input data from various data sources and controls
`
`the energy generators to output energy signals based on the data. Id., 2:62-3:7, 3:28-
`
`44. The data sources can include local sensors, remote sensors, patient monitoring
`
`devices, and servers. Id., 2:62-3:7, 3:28-44.
`
`The energy generators output different types of energy to communicate
`
`information through the skin. Id., 42:12-32. The types of energy disclosed in the
`
`’174 Patent include:
`
` Impact Energy: Generated by a mechanical actuator to create a physical
`
`movement recognizable by touch receptors in the skin. Id., 17:66-18:17.
`
`7
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`

`

`U.S. Patent No. 12,036,174
`Petition for Post-Grant Review
` Heat Energy: Produced by an electrical resistor that converts electricity
`
`into heat, which is then transmitted to the skin. Id., 18:33-47.
`
` Electrical Energy: Created by an electroshock generator that outputs an
`
`electrical shock recognizable by electricity-sensitive receptors in the skin.
`
`Id., 18:62-19:12.
`
` Pressure Energy: Generated by an electroacoustic transducer that
`
`converts electricity into sound waves, which are then transmitted to the
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`skin. Id., 19:25-36.
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent No. 12,036,174
`Petition for Post-Grant Review
`
`Ex-1001 Figs. 4A-4D
`
`
`
`Each energy generator is independently operable and can be controlled by the
`
`processing unit to output energy signals based on input data. Id., 3:8-16. The energy
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`signals can be modified in terms of i