In Re: Hyon, No. 11-1239 (Fed. Cir. 2012)
Annotate this CaseThe patent is entitled “Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Molded Article for Artificial Joints and Method of Preparing the Same.” The examiner rejected a reissue application as obvious, finding that it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to use cross-linked UHMWPE in the method of making the UHMWPE products disclosed by a reference, given the teaching of another reference that cross-linking prior to compression deformation results in improved transparency, an increased melting point, and excellent dimensional stability. The examiner further found that one of ordinary skill in the art would have had a reasonable expectation of success in obtaining those enhanced properties by combining the techniques taught by the two references. The Board affirmed, rejecting an argument that there would have been no motivation to combine the teachings because the references are directed to different products. The Federal Circuit affirmed.
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