www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`17/641,737
`
`03/09/2022
`
`Ganesh Prasad Durgam Kannan
`
`81285US004
`
`4101
`
`3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
`PO BOX 33427
`ST. PAUL, MN 55133-3427
`
`CARREIRO, CAITLIN ANN
`
`ART UNIT
`
`3786
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`02/29/2024
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above-indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e-mail address(es):
`
`LegalUSDocketing@mmm.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-14 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) _ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`CL] Claim(s)__is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-14 is/are rejected.
`(] Claim(s)__ is/are objectedto.
`C] Claim(s
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`Application Papers
`10)¥} The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11) The drawing(s)filed on 3/9/22 is/are: a)[) accepted or b)@ objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121(d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12)(¥) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`_—_c)L) None ofthe:
`b)L) Some**
`a)Y) All
`1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No. |
`3.2.) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin this National Stage
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`*“ See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3)
`
`4)
`
`(LJ Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20240217
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`17/1641,737
`Kannan, Ganesh Prasad Durgam
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF)StatusExaminer
`CAITLIN CARREIRO
`3786
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEof this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORYPERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensionsof time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing
`date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s) filed on 3/9/22.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)() This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)This action is non-final.
`3) An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4)(2) Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/641,737
`Art Unit: 3786
`
`Page 2
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`DETAILED ACTION
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`In the preliminary amendmentfiled 3/9/22, Applicant amendedclaims 1-14 and
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`submitted amendmentsto the specification. Currently, claims 1-14 are pending.
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA 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.
`
`Specification
`
`Applicant is reminded of the proper language and formatfor an abstract of the
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`disclosure.
`
`The abstract should be in narrative form and generally limited to a single paragraph on a
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`separate sheet within the range of 50 to 150 words in length. The abstract should describe the
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`disclosure sufficiently to assist readers in deciding whether there is a need for consulting the
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`full patent text for details.
`
`The language should be clear and concise and should not repeat information given in
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`the title. It should avoid using phrases which can be implied, such as, “The disclosure concerns,”
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`“The disclosure defined by this invention,” “The disclosure describes,” etc.
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`In addition, the
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`form and legal phraseology often used in patent claims, such as “means” and “said,” should be
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`avoided.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/641,737
`Art Unit: 3786
`
`Page 3
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`The abstract of the disclosure is objected to because of various informalities which
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`require correction. See MPEP § 608.01(b). It is suggested that the abstract be amended as
`
`follows:
`
`The securementdevice eliminates the drawbacksof prior venous eannetas cannula
`
`securement methed methods by providing various plates, substrates and adhesivelayers in the
`
`
`securement device which seeures secure the article firmly onto the underlying substrate
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`arresting movement in all axis axes and that does not need any additional form of securement.
`
`Drawings
`
`The drawingsare objected to as follows:
`
`The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p) because they
`
`include written descriptions of the figures when only reference characters, sheet numbers
`
`and/or view numbers are permitted. Appropriate revision is required.
`
`Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to
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`the Office action to avoid abandonmentof the application. Any amended replacement drawing
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`sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet,
`
`even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing
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`should not be labeled as “amended.”If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate
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`figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining
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`figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the
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`several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary
`
`to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/641,737
`Art Unit: 3786
`
`Page 4
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`filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet”or
`
`“New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the
`
`applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office
`
`action. The objection to the drawingswill not be held in abeyance.
`
`Claim Objections
`
`Claims 1, 3, 7-8, 10-11, 13 and 14 are objected to because of the following informalities
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`which require appropriate correction:
`
`In claim 1 line 1: “comprises” should be “comprising”.
`
`In claim 3 lines 1-2: “a first and second cross tapes” should be “a first and second cross
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`tapes”.
`
`In claim 7 line 2: “the first adhesive, the second adhesive” should be “the first adhesive,
`
`adhesive and the second adhesive”.
`
`In claim 8 line 2: “assist removing” should be “assist in removing”.
`
`In claim 10 line 1: “as claimed in as claimed in claim 1” should be “as claimed in as
`
`elaimedin claim 1”.
`
`In claim 11 line 1: “securing the article” should be “securing #he an article”.
`
`In claim 13 line 2: “comprising the steps of removing second protective cover” should be
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`“eermprising-comprises the steps of removing a second protective cover”.
`
`In claim 13 line 3: “having plurality” should be “having a plurality”.
`
`In claim 14, lines 1-2 should be amended to recite: “A method of removing the adhesive
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`securementdevice as-chimedin-clain-t, of claim 1 from the an underlying substrate...”.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/641,737
`Art Unit: 3786
`
`Page 5
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`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
`(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out
`and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the
`invention.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AlA), second paragraph:
`The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly
`claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
`
`Claims 4-6, 8-10, 12 and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-
`
`AIA), second paragraph,as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly
`
`claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to
`
`pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
`
`Claim 4 recites the limitation "the first cross tape" in line 2. There is insufficient
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`antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
`
`Claim 4 recites the limitation "the second cross tape"in line 2. Thereis insufficient
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`antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
`
`Claims 5-6 depend directly or indirectly from claim 4 and thus contain the same
`
`deficiencies as claim 4.
`
`Claim 8 recites the limitation "the third protective cover"in line 2. There is insufficient
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`antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
`
`Claim 9 recites the limitation "the underlying substrate"in line 3. There is insufficient
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`antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/641,737
`Art Unit: 3786
`
`Page 6
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`Claim 10 recites the limitation "the underlying substrate"in line 2. Thereis insufficient
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`antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
`
`Claim 12 recites the limitation "the article fitted to the extensible substrate" in line 7.
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`Thereis insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim (because thereis no prior
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`recitation of the step offitting the article to the extensible substrate or disclosure of how the
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`article becomes“fitted” to the extensible substrate).
`
`Claim 13 recites the limitation "the substrate" in line 3. Thereis insufficient antecedent
`
`basis for this limitation in the claim. Furthermore,it is unclear whether this limitation is in
`
`reference to the “underlying” substrate or to the “extensible” substrate.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35
`
`U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction
`
`of the statutorybasis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AlA) for the rejection will not be
`
`considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting
`
`the rejection, would be the same under either status.
`
`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form
`
`the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
`
`A person shall be entitled to a patent unless —
`
`(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale,
`or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
`
`Claims 1-6 and 9-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by
`
`Souza et al (US 2013/0150796).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/641,737
`Art Unit: 3786
`
`Page 7
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`With respect to claim 1, Souza discloses an adhesive securement device for securing an
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`article (catheter securement device 200; figs 10-13; which includes an upper portion thatis
`
`divided into adhesive strips 236 and 238, and an adhesive layer on the lower portion; see para
`
`[0033]) wherein the device comprises:
`
`an extensible substrate (body 210; interpreted as being extensible becauseit is foldable
`
`as shown in fig 13 and thus is extended when in the unfolded configuration shown in fig 10)
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`with a first surface and a second surface (upper and lower portions 230 and 220; para [0033]);
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`a first adhesive on at least a portion of the first surface and a second adhesive on at
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`least a portion of the second surface (Upper portion 230 may include adhesive layer 216 on the
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`opposite side of body 210 from the adhesivelayer on lower portion 220 — para [0033]);
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`a first tab at a first end of the extensible substrate and a second tab at a second end of
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`the extensible substrate, opposite the first end (tabs 232; para [0035]; fig 10; one tab is at the
`
`upper end while the other tab is at the bottom end as shown in fig 10).
`
`With respect to claim 2, Souza discloses the device as claimed (see rejection of claim 1)
`
`and also discloses that the first tab and second tab (tabs 232) are free of exposed adhesive
`
`(para [0038)).
`
`With respect to claim 3, Souza discloses the device as claimed (see rejection of claim 1)
`
`and also discloses first and second cross tapes extending from the extensible substrate and
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`secured to the first adhesive (Upper portion 230 may include separation line 218 to divide
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`upper portion 230 into a first adhesive strip 236 and second adhesive strip 238 — para [0033];
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`the strips 236 and 238 extend from body 210 as shown in fig 10 and are interpreted as being
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/641,737
`Art Unit: 3786
`
`Page 8
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`“cross” tapes since they are configured to crossed over one another to secure a catheter as
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`shown in fig 13; see also para [0038]).
`
`With respect to claim 4, Souza discloses the device as claimed (see rejection of claim 1)
`
`and also discloses a third adhesive layer on the first cross tape and a fourth adhesive layer on
`
`the second crosstape (strips 236 and 238 are each “adhesive”strips and thus each include an
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`adhesive layer on a surface ofthe strip).
`
`With respect to claim 5, Souza discloses the device as claimed (see rejection of claim 4)
`
`and also discloses a first protective cover over the third adhesive layer and a second protective
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`cover over the fourth adhesive layer (separate portions 246, 248 of release liner 240 — para
`
`[0035]; fig 10).
`
`With respect to claim 6, Souza discloses the device as claimed (see rejection of claim 5)
`
`and also discloses that the first protective cover and the second protective cover (portions 246
`
`and 248 of release liner 240) comprises peeling tabs respectively to assist in removingthe first
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`protective cover and the second protective cover (release tabs 242; para [0035]; figs 10 and
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`12).
`
`With respect to claims 9-10, Souza discloses the device as claimed (see rejection of
`
`claim 1) and also discloses that the first tab and second tab (tabs 232) are pulled (para [0038)).
`
`Souza does not explicitly disclose that the first/second tabs are pulled for releasing the
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`extensible substrate from an underlying substrate, wherein the underlying substrate is skin, but
`
`with regard to this statement of intended use and other functional statements, they do not
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`impose any structural limitations on the claims distinguishable over the device of Souza which is
`
`capable of being used as claimed if one so desires to do so. In re Casey, 152 USPQ 235 (CCPA
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/641,737
`Art Unit: 3786
`
`Page 9
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`1967) and In re Otto, 136 USPQ 458, 459 (CCPA 1963). Additionally, the law of anticipation
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`does not require that the reference “teach” what the subject patent teaches, but rather it is
`
`only necessary that the claims under attack “read on” something in the reference. Kalman v.
`
`Kimberly Clark Corp., 218 USPQ 781 (CCPA 1983). Furthermore, the manner in which a deviceis
`
`intended to be employed does notdifferentiate the claimed apparatus from prior art apparatus
`
`satisfying the claimed structural limitations. Ex parte Masham, 2 USPQ2d 1647 (1987). In the
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`present case, the tabs on the device of Souza are disclosed as being configured for being
`
`grasped and pulled to fold the adhesive strips over a catheter (para [0038]). Thus, the tabs are
`
`interpreted as being capable of being pulled to release the substrate from the user’s skin in the
`
`same way that they are pulled to be folded over a catheter. For at least this reason, the device
`
`of Souzais interpreted as being capable of being used as claimed if one desires to do so.
`
`With respect to claim 11, Souza discloses the device as claimed (see rejection of claim 1)
`
`and also discloses a method of securing an article to an underlying substrate with the
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`securementdevice (the catheter securement device 200 shown in figs 10-13 is used to secure a
`
`catheter (i.e. the “article”) to a user’s skin (i.e. the “underlying substrate”) — see para [0036-
`
`0037]), the method comprising the steps of: applying the article to the first adhesive and
`
`applying the second adhesive to an underlying substrate (device 200is applied to the skin by an
`
`adhesive layer that attaches lower portion 220 to the skin of the patient — para [0036]; the
`
`catheter is then inserted into the patient and secured via adhesive strips 236 and 238 which are
`
`folded over the catheter and secured with the adhesive on the strips — see para [0037-0038)).
`
`With respect to claim 12, Souza discloses the method as claimed (see rejection of claim
`
`11) and also discloses the steps of: removing a first protective cover enveloping a third adhesive
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/641,737
`Art Unit: 3786
`
`Page 10
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`layer (release liner 240 may be removed to expose adhesive layer 216 — para [0037]), wherein
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`the third adhesive layer is secured on at least a portion of a substrate positioned on the first
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`adhesive (upper portion 230 may include adhesive layer 216 on the opposite side of body 210
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`from the adhesive layer on lower portion 220 to provide adhesion for the adhesivestrips 236,
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`238 oncein place — para [0033]); securing the article to the third adhesive layer (the catheter is
`
`secured via adhesive strips 236 and 238 which are folded over the catheter and secured with
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`the adhesive on the strips — see para [0037-0038]); removing a third protective cover
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`enveloping the second adhesive (the release liner on lower portion 200 may be removed prior
`
`to placementat the desired catheter site — para [0036]); and securing the article fitted to the
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`extensible substrate to the underlying substrate by tapping the article or the extensible
`
`substrate thereby exerting pressure to the second adhesive ( Lower portion 220 may be
`
`pressed onto the skin of the patient so that an adhesive layer attaches lower portion 220 to the
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`skin of the patient — para [0036]; it is inherent that the substrate is pressed in order to press the
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`lower portion onto the skin; the pressing step is interpreted as being equivalent to “tapping” to
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`exert the necessary pressure on the adhesive so that it attaches to the skin).
`
`With respect to claim 13, Souza discloses the method as claimed (see rejection of claim
`
`11) and also discloses securing the adhesive securement device further comprising the steps of
`
`removing second protective cover enveloping a fourth adhesive layer secured on at least a
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`portion of the substrate having plurality of cross tapes and crossing the plurality of cross tapes
`
`acrossthe article ( release liner 240, or portions 246, 248 of release liner 240, may be removed
`
`to expose adhesive layer 216 — para [0037]; the adhesivestrips fold over portions of catheter
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`device 20 securing catheter device 20 between the upper portion 230 and the lower portion
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/641,737
`Art Unit: 3786
`
`Page 11
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`220 and in position against the skin of the patient; the Adhesive strips 236, 238 may be crossed
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`over catheter device 20, as shown in FIG. 13 — para [0038)).
`
`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-AlA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction
`
`of the statutorybasis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AlA) for the rejection will not be
`
`considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting
`
`the rejection, would be the same under either status.
`
`The following is a quotation of 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 ordinaryskill in the art to which the
`claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention
`was made.
`
`The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under
`
`35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
`
`1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
`
`2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
`
`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
`
`4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousnessor
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`nonobviousness.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/641,737
`Art Unit: 3786
`
`Page 12
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`Claims 7 and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Souza et
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`al (US 2013/0150796)in view of Sciulli (US 2006/0211970).
`
`With respect to claim 7, Souza discloses the device as claimed (see rejection of claim 1)
`
`but does not disclose that the first adhesive and the second adhesiveare stretch releasable.
`
`Sciulli, however, teaches use of stretch release adhesive on a bandage used for securing
`
`a catheter (para [0032]) that is configured such that a user can grasp the tab on the bandage
`
`and apply a tension or stretching force thereto to cause stretching of backing layer and
`
`adhesive layer to effect debonding of adhesive layer from the patient and remove the structure
`
`from connection with the patient (para [0032]). Thus, it would have been obvious to one having
`
`ordinaryskill in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to have used a stretch
`
`release adhesive as taught by Sciulli for the adhesive on the device of Souza in order to permit
`
`easy release of the device from the user’s skin for removal.
`
`With respect to claim 14, Souza discloses the device as claimed (see rejection of claim 1)
`
`and also discloses that in order to apply the device, a clinician grasps each close tab 232 and
`
`pulls adhesive strips 236, 238 of upper portion 230 such that the adhesive strips fold over
`
`portions of catheter device 20 securing catheter device 20 between the upper portion 230 and
`
`the lower portion 220 and in position against the skin of the patient (para [0038]). Thus, Souza
`
`teaches the steps of stretching the first tab in a first direction and stretching the second tab ina
`
`second direction, which is opposite from the first direction, but does not teach that such steps
`
`are followed for removing the adhesive securement device from the underlying substrate.
`
`Sciulli, however, teaches a bandage used for securing a catheter (para [0032]) thatis
`
`configured such that a user can grasp the tab on the bandage and apply a tension or stretching
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/641,737
`Art Unit: 3786
`
`Page 13
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`force thereto to cause stretching of backing layer and adhesive layer to effect debonding of
`
`adhesive layer from the patient and removethe structure from connection with the patient
`
`(para [0032]). Thus, it would have been obvious to one having ordinaryskill in the art, before
`
`the effective filing date of the invention, to have used the device of Souza in a manner in which
`
`the user grasps the tab on the bandage and applies a tension or stretching force thereto to
`
`cause stretching of backing layer and adhesive layer in order to effect debonding of adhesive
`
`layer, as taught by Sciulli, in order to permit removal of the structure from connection with the
`
`patient.
`
`Claim 8 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Souzaet al (US
`
`2013/0150796).
`
`With respect to claim 8, Souza discloses the device as claimed (see rejection of claim 1)
`
`and also discloses a third protective cover configured to be removed for exposing the second
`
`adhesive and fixing the extensible substrate onto an underlying substrate (the lower portion
`
`may comprise a release liner covering the adhesive that is configured to be applied to the user’s
`
`skin; the release liner may be removed prior to placement at the desired catheter site — para
`
`[0036]). Souza does not, however, explicitly disclose that the third protective cover comprises a
`
`peeling tab to assist removing the third protective cover.
`
`Souza teaches that the releaseliner 240 includes release tabs 242 (para [0035]; figs 10
`
`and 12) that are configured to assist with removal of liner 240 (para [0035]). Thus, it would
`
`have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention, to have added a peeling tab like the tab 242 on liner 240 to the release liner on the
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/641,737
`Art Unit: 3786
`
`Page 14
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`lower portion of the device of Souza in order to assist with removal of that liner to expose the
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`adhesive on the lower portion for application to the skin.
`
`Conclusion
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
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`Application/Control Number: 17/641,737
`Art Unit: 3786
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`Page 15
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`/CAITLIN A CARREIRO/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3786
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`