Beta-Disclaimer: Dieses Case Study zeigt einen synthetischen Demonstrations-Loop.
Basierend auf EPO-BoA-Entscheidung G 2/10 als Referenzrahmen. Der zugrundeliegende Antrag ist synthetisch.
Alle Inhalte dienen der Illustration und ersetzen keine Rechtsberatung.
EPO Art. 123(2) • Medizintechnik-Loop
In Vivo Bioimpedance Monitoring
Prosecution Loop
EP 2 YYY YYY A1 (synthetisch) • Art. 123(2) EPC Added Subject Matter
Basierend auf EPO-BoA-Entscheidung G 2/10 →
Art. 123(2)
Intermediate Generalization: Adaptive Frequency Sweep aus spezifischer Kombination extrahiert
| Patent |
EP 2 YYY YYY A1 (synthetisch) — In Vivo Bioimpedance Monitoring Electrode Array |
| Tech Field |
Medical device — bioimpedance monitoring electrode arrays |
| OA Type |
Examination Communication — Art. 123(2) EPC Added Subject Matter objection |
| Rejection |
Claim 1 adds subject matter beyond the application as filed; the contested feature (adaptive frequency sweep) was originally disclosed only in combination with a separate electrode pair; isolated inclusion breaches Art. 123(2) EPC |
| Key Issue |
Intermediate generalization / unallowed extraction of feature from specific combination |
Agent: OA empfangen → Art. 123(2) EPC Added Subject Matter identifiziert → Original-Offenbarung wird analysiert.
| Typ |
Nr. |
Inhalt |
| Unabhängig |
1 |
An electrode array for bioimpedance measurement comprising:
a plurality of electrodes arranged on a flexible substrate,
at least two current-injecting electrodes and at least two measurement electrodes,
characterized in that the array further comprises a control unit configured to
perform an adaptive frequency sweep across a range of 1 kHz to 1 MHz. |
| Abhängig |
2 |
The electrode array of claim 1, wherein the adaptive frequency sweep is controlled by a processor executing a differential measurement algorithm. |
| Abhängig |
3 |
The electrode array of claim 1, wherein the electrode array is configured for placement on a patient skin surface and wherein the array comprises at least eight electrodes. |
Synthetisches Beispiel — kein reales Patent.
Rejection Summary
Art. 123(2) EPC — claim 1 adds subject matter beyond the application as filed
Primary Source
- Original Quelle: WO 2008/123456 A1 (priority document)
- Passage: Original disclosure: adaptive frequency sweep only described in combination with a specific electrode pair (electrode 7 + electrode 8) and a preamplifier circuit.
- Note: No standalone disclosure of adaptive frequency sweep across generic electrode array.
Secondary Source
- Spec Quelle: Original specification paragraphs [0035]–[0041]
- Passage: [0035] describes adaptive frequency sweep; [0038] specifies it requires electrode pair 7 + 8 in combination with preamplifier.
Examiner's Argument: The feature "adaptive frequency sweep" in claim 1 was originally disclosed ONLY in combination with the specific electrode pair (electrodes 7 and 8) and the preamplifier circuit of Fig. 3. Extracting the adaptive frequency sweep and applying it to a general electrode array constitutes added subject matter under Art. 123(2) EPC. The skilled person would not recognize the original disclosure as directly and unambiguously providing the broad claim.
Recovery Problem: How to recover claim 1 without adding subject matter?
Agent: OA analysiert → Intermediate Generalization identifiziert (adaptive frequency sweep aus Fig. 3 Kombination isoliert) → Amendment-Vorschlag: ursprungliche Kombination wiederherstellen.
An electrode array for bioimpedance measurement comprising:
a plurality of electrodes arranged on a flexible substrate,
at least two current-injecting electrodes and at least two measurement electrodes,
characterized in that:
(a) a control unit is configured to perform an adaptive frequency sweep across a range of 1 kHz to 1 MHz,
(b) the adaptive frequency sweep is performed in combination with a dedicated electrode pair consisting of a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode is configured as a current-injecting electrode and the second electrode is configured as a voltage measurement electrode, and
(c) the dedicated electrode pair is operatively connected to a preamplifier circuit as shown in Fig. 3.
Spec-Anker:
[0035] (adaptive frequency sweep description)
[0038] (electrode pair 7 + 8 in combination with preamplifier)
[0041] (Fig. 3 reference)
Key Additions vs. Original
| Element |
Zusammenfassung |
| 01 |
Restored combination: adaptive frequency sweep + electrode pair 7+8 + preamplifier circuit (Fig. 3) |
| 02 |
Closes the intermediate generalization gap identified by examiner |
| 03 |
Original disclosure directly supports every element of amended claim 1 |
Agent: Anspruch 1 geandert → Ursprungliche Kombination (adaptive freq + Electrode Pair 7+8 + Preamplifier Fig. 3) wiederhergestellt → Gegenargumentation wird generiert.
RESPONSE TO EXAMINER'S COMMUNICATION
European Patent Application No. [App#]
Added Subject Matter Objection — Art. 123(2) EPC
The Examining Division objects that claim 1 adds subject matter beyond the application as filed.
Applicant submits the following response.
I. ADMISSIBILITY OF AMENDMENT
The amendment to claim 1 reintroduces the specific combination originally disclosed in the application
as filed — adaptive frequency sweep performed in combination with a dedicated electrode pair
(electrodes 7 and 8) and operatively connected to the preamplifier circuit of Fig. 3, as described
in paragraphs [0035]–[0041] and shown in Fig. 3 of the application.
The skilled person reading the original application would directly and unambiguously recognize that
the combination of (i) adaptive frequency sweep, (ii) a dedicated electrode pair for current injection
and voltage measurement, and (iii) the preamplifier circuit, was disclosed as a unified functional
module in the original application. The amendment does not introduce new technical information;
it narrows claim 1 to the originally disclosed combination.
II. ORIGINAL DISCLOSURE SUPPORTS AMENDED CLAIM 1
Original application, paragraph [0038]: "The adaptive frequency sweep is performed using the
electrode pair [7, 8], which are operatively connected to the preamplifier circuit as shown in
Fig. 3. This arrangement ensures that the differential voltage measurement is performed with
sufficient common-mode rejection for the frequency range of interest."
Fig. 3 explicitly shows electrode pair 7 and 8 connected to the preamplifier circuit.
The skilled person would understand this as disclosure of the complete combination now claimed.
III. NO INTERMEDIATE GENERALIZATION
The examiner's objection incorrectly treats the "adaptive frequency sweep" as a standalone feature.
In the original disclosure, the adaptive frequency sweep was only ever described in the context
of the dedicated electrode pair + preamplifier combination. No independent disclosure exists.
ClaimForge's amendment recovers the originally disclosed combination in full.
IV. CONCLUSION
The subject-matter of amended claim 1 is directly and unambiguously disclosed in the application
as filed. No new technical information has been added. Art. 123(2) EPC is satisfied.
Allowance is requested.
Agent: Gegenargumentation generiert (6 Min.) → Autonomous Re-Search auf amended Claims gestartet.
| Rank |
Patent / Dokument |
Score |
Unterscheidung |
| 1 |
EP 1 876 234 B1
GE Healthcare, 2011 |
11/100 |
Bioimpedance monitoring — fixed frequency, no adaptive sweep |
| 2 |
US20120245478A1
Impedimed, 2010 |
8/100 |
BIA device — frequency sweep but no dedicated electrode pair with preamplifier |
| 3 |
WO2009/152661A1
Cheetah Technology, 2009 |
14/100 |
Adaptive frequency — general electrode array, not Fig. 3 preamplifier combination |
| 4 |
T 0638/21
EPO Boa, 2022 |
9/100 |
Medical electrode array — no adaptive frequency + preamplifier combination disclosed |
| 5 |
G 2/10
EPO Boa (Enlarged), 2012 |
41/100 |
General framework for added subject matter analysis — reference only |
Novelty Verdict
No prior art discloses the specific combination of adaptive frequency sweep + dedicated electrode pair + preamplifier circuit (Fig. 3). Art. 123(2) objection addressed. Confidence: 91%.
Confidence: 91%
Agent: Re-Search abgeschlossen. Keine Einzelreferenz offengelegt die spezifische Kombination (adaptive freq + Elektrodenpaar 7+8 + Vorverstarker) → Chain abgeschlossen.
Action:
Pass (conditional)
Strong recovery. Amendment restores originally disclosed combination without introducing new subject matter. G 2/10 framework confirms the amendment is permissible — specific combination, not intermediate generalization. Human check: claim construction for dependent claims 2-3 post amendment; potential dependency on claim 1 scope shift.
| Szenario |
Stunden |
| Ohne ClaimForge |
18–24 h |
| ClaimForge Loop |
2.5 h |
| Netto-Ersparnis |
15–20 h |
Caveat: EPO oral proceedings not covered; formal filing requires local counsel. Art. 123(2) + Art. 123(3) double-checking remains mandatory.
- Art. 123(3): amended claim must not extend protection beyond original scope — separate check required
- G 2/10 konkludente Zustimmung: borderline cases require specialist review
- Amended claims that change scope too far risk Art. 123(3) objection simultaneously
Medizintechnik / Bioimpedanz als Demo-Szenario
ClaimForge's autonomer Loop kann uber den gesamten Prosecution-Workflow eingesetzt werden — einschliesslich Art. 123(2) Added Subject Matter Recovery. Die Analyse der Original-Offenbarung und die Wiederherstellung der ursprunglichen Kombination gehort zum Standard-Workflow.