
    SCIENTIFIC SPECIALTIES INC., Plaintiff, v. THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC INC., Defendant.
    No. C-08-05224 RMW.
    United States District Court, N.D. California, San Jose Division.
    Jan. 13, 2010.
    
      Tam Thanh Thi Pham, Colby B. Springer, Robert Joseph Yorio, for Plaintiff.
    J. Robert Chambers, Charles S. Crompton III, Tracey Lynn Orick, for Defendant.
   ORDER CONSTRUING CLAIMS OF UNITED STATES PATENT NO. 5,722,553 AND GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF NON-INFRINGEMENT

RONALD M. WHYTE, District Judge.

Scientific Specialties Inc. (“SSI”) brings this suit against Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (“TFS”) alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 5,722,553 (“ '553 patent”), which is directed to an integral assembly of hollow tubes and seal caps. TFS asserts counterclaims for declaratory judgment of non-infringement and invalidity. The parties seek construction of seven phrases in the '553 patent. TFS also moves for summary judgment of non-infringement. The court held a claim construction hearing and heard argument on the summary judgment motion on November 3, 2009. After consideration of the claims, specification, prosecution history, and other relevant evidence, and after hearing the arguments of the parties, the court construes the disputed language of the patent-in-suit and grants in part and denies in part TFS’s motion for summary judgment.

I. BACKGROUND

Both SSI and TFS design and manufacture plastic products, including reagent tubes, that are used in scientific research. The '553 patent is directed to a strip of reagent tubes wherein each tube has an independently tethered seal cap. Reagent tubes are small, about an inch long, which makes them difficult to manipulate individually. '553 Patent at 3:20-30. To solve this problem, tubes are connected side-by-side in a strip. Id. at 2:24-26, 3:20-30. The seal caps may also be connected in a strip that fits on top of the tube strip. However, it is advantageous to provide each tube with an independently tethered seal cap, which allows each tube to be sealed or unsealed without affecting the other tubes in the strip. Id. at 3:29-34. The seal caps are attached at an angle to the row of tubes to minimize the overall width of the assembly. Id. at 1:48-52.

The '553 patent has 18 claims. Claims 1, 15, and 17 are independent claims. For illustration, claim 1 is reproduced below:

An integral assembly of a multiplicity of spaced reagent tubes arranged in an elongated aligned series, said tubes each having an open end and a closed end, the open ends of adjacent tubes integrally connected by a series of aligned tethers, and a corresponding multiplicity of correspondingly spaced independent seal caps, each seal cap having a tubular seal skirt portion symmetrical about a central axis and adapted to selectively sealingly engage the open end of an associated reagent tube, each said seal cap being independently pivotally connected integrally and angularly to an associated one of said reagent tubes at an angle other than 90 degrees to the elongated aligned series in which said reagent tubes are arranged and independently selectively manipulable in relation to the open end of said associated reagent tube to superimpose said seal cap thereover to selectively effect sealing penetration of said tubular skirt portion into or out of said open end to seal or unseal the open end of said associated reagent tube.

TFS makes and sells a line of products called ABgene EasyStrip Snap Tubes (“EasyStrip”). SSI contends that the products designated AB-1502, AB-1502/w, and AB-1504 infringe at least claims 1, 15, and 17 of the '553 patent. All three products consist of two pieces: a reagent tube strip and a strip of rings and caps. Declaration of Jeffrey Coulling (“Coulling Decl.”) ¶ 2. Each cap is independently connected to an associated ring, and the rings are joined by tethers. Id. ¶¶ 6-7. The rings are designed to be press-fit at an upper region of the tubes. Id. ¶ 8. The products are different in that the AB-1502 and AB-1502/w products have flat caps while the AB-1504 product has a domed cap. Id. ¶ 2. The AB-1502 and AB-1502/w products are identical except in color. Id.

II. ANALYSIS

A. Construction of Disputed Language

Construction of a patent, including terms of art within a claim, is exclusively within the province of the court. Markman v. Westview Instruments, Inc., 517 U.S. 370, 388, 116 S.Ct. 1384, 134 L.Ed.2d 577 (1996). In determining the meaning of a disputed claim limitation, the intrinsic evidence, including the claim language, written description, and prosecution history, is the most significant. Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d 1303, 1313 (Fed.Cir.2005). Words of a claim “are generally given their ordinary and customary meaning” as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Id. at 1312-13. Claims are read in view of the specification, which is the “single best guide to the meaning of the disputed term.” Id. at 1315. A court “should also consider the patent’s prosecution history, if it is in evidence.” Id. at 1317.

1. “An integral assembly of a multiplicity of spaced reagent tubes arranged in an elongated ... series ... and a corresponding multiplicity of correspondingly spaced independent seal caps” (Claims 1, 15, and 17)_

SSI’s Proposed Construction

TFS’s Proposed Constmction

a contiguous component comprising a series of reagent tubes spaced apart ... a series of [aligned] components where the length of the series is greater than the dimensions of the individual components ... individually manipulable seal caps that correspond in number to the reagent tubes, the spacing of the seal caps corresponding to a spacing of the reagent tubes, the number of seal caps and reagent tubes each being more than one

a one-piece article of manufacture of a number of spaced reagent tubes arranged in an elongated series and a corresponding number of spaced independent seal caps and excludes an article of manufacture where the reagent lubes and seal caps are formed separately in two pieces and then physically joined

The '553 patent repeatedly refers to the claimed invention as an “integral assembly,” and the terms “integral” and “integrally” appear frequently in the specification and claims. At the core of many of the disputed terms is a disagreement between the parties about the meaning of the word “integral.” SSI contends that “integral” means (circularly) “forming a unit such as to be complete and composed of integral parts” and that “integral assembly” refers to a series of individual elements coming together (i.e. assembled) to function as a contiguous component (i.e. operating in an integral manner). TFS contends that “integral assembly” refers to a one-piece article of manufacture.

Despite the terms’ frequent usage, neither “integral” nor “integrally” is defined in the patent. In discussing the background of the invention, the inventor states:

It is particularly advantageous in the handling of reagent-containing vials or tubes, such as microcentrifuge tubes, that the tubes and the independently tethered caps for sealing the tubes constitute a unitary assembly. Accordingly, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a unitary assembly of multiple hollow tubes integrally connected to one another and to a corresponding number of seal caps independently tethered to an associated tube so that the integral assembly of tubes and caps may be handled as a unit while enabling each of the seal caps to be independently sealed or unsealed from the tube to which it is independently integrally tethered.

'553 Patent at 1:36-47 (emphasis added). Thus, it appears that the goal of providing for an “integral assembly” is to allow the apparatus to be handled as a unit. This is similar to SSI’s definition of “integral,” but the proposed construction “contiguous component” is seemingly too broad. The terms “integral” and “integrally” frequently modify words that already imply that two pieces are contiguous, such as in the phrases “integrally connected,” “integrally tethered,” “integral connection,” and “merges integrally.” E.g., id. at 1:41-42, 2:27, 2:55-56, 3:60, 3:65, 4:26. Thus, “integral” and “integrally” must mean something more than “contiguous.”

Depending on the context, courts have construed the term “integral” to broadly mean forming a unit or to narrowly refer to being formed in one piece. See, e.g., Vanguard Prods. Corp. v. Parker Hannifin Corp., 234 F.3d 1370, 1371, 1373 (Fed.Cir.2000) (“formed as a unit with another part”);

In re Hotte, 647 (C.C.P.A.1973) (“sufficiently broad to embrace constructions united by such means as fastening and welding”); Am. Piledriving Equip., Inc. v. Bay Mach. Corp., 632 F.Supp.2d 956, 965 (N.D.Cal.2009) (“formed or cast of one piece”); Parker-Hannifin Corp. v. Wix Filtration Corp., 2008 WL 697510 at *10, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 24540 at *27 (E.D.Cal. Mar. 14, 2008) (“formed in a single piece”). TFS urges the court to follow Parker-Hannifin, which construed “integral” to mean “formed in a single piece.” The patent at issue in ParkerHannifin used language such as “integral end cap assembly” and “an annular flange integral with said first end cap.” 2008 WL 697510, at *7, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 24540 at *19-20. The specification stated that the flange should be molded as a single unit with the top end cap. Id. at *8, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 24540 at *22. The court held that such single-unit construction was consistent with the term “integral,” and “[t]here is nothing in the claims or specifications that indicate that ‘integral’ requires more than one part.” Id. at *8, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 24540 at *22-23. Thus, like other cases that limit “integral” to a one-piece article, Parker-Hannifin involved a patent that clearly indicated the elements should be formed in one piece. While the only embodiment discussed in the '553 patent involves a one-piece article of manufacture, the specification does not explicitly limit the invention to that structure, nor is it clear that “integral” refers only to a single injection-molded piece as described in the preferred embodiment.

TFS argues that the specification uses “integral assembly” synonymously with “unitary assembly” and uses “unitary” in the sense of a single structure. The only language regarding a single structure is the statement, describing the preferred embodiment, that “the flexible hinge straps, the integrally connected tubes, and the seal caps are all preferably formed as a single unitary structure by injection molding from a suitable synthetic resinous material.” '553 Patent at 4:30-33 (emphasis added). Far from limiting either “integral” or “unitary” to a single structure, this language suggests that the apparatus is preferably a single unitary structure but need not be. TFS’s argument that “preferably” modifies “injection molding” rather than “single unitary structure” is unpersuasive. Although the inventor was often liberal with his use and positioning of adverbs, TFS’s interpretation greatly strains the rules of grammar. Moreover, the inventor earlier states that the preferred embodiment “comprises a multiplicity ... of tubes, injection molded from a suitable plastic,” id. at 3:25-37, suggesting that the new preference being expressed is that of forming the entire article, from tubes through seal caps, as a single structure.

TFS also relies on the prosecution history to argue that the invention must be a single structure. During prosecution, the examiner rejected certain claims under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as being unpatentable over Irwin, et al. (United States Patent No. 3,139,208) in view of Berg (United States Patent No. 2,949,203). Springer Decl., Ex. F ¶ 4. Specifically, the examiner found “[i]t would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to have employed the cap open position taught by Berg, Fig. 2, in the construction of the device of Irwin, et. al., motivated by the ease of molding such.” Id. In response, the inventor argued:

the flat plate 8 of Irwin et al is integral with the tubes 6, the flat plate configuration being chosen specifically to retain the associated receptacles 6 for paint materials associated with one another to permit “paint by the numbers” facility to the user of the assembly. Additionally, the Berg structure illustrated in FIG. 2 is a separate manufacture from the container 10, and is disposed removably on the neck of the container 10 for purposes of convenience. Thus, attempting to mold the injection molded part of Berg as illustrated in FIG. 2 into the structure of Irwin et al, which presumably is also injection molded, would serve no useful purpose revealed by Irwin et al, would not be simpler or more easy, but much more complex, and certainly therefore a logical inference cannot be deduced that the molding process and structure resulting therefrom would be facilitated by the proposed re-design and reconstruction. If anything it would be made more complex and difficult, therefore teaching away from the proposed reconstruction.

Springer Decl., Ex. G at 14. TFS argues that this excerpt (1) uses “integral” to refer to the one-piece unit in Irwin and (2) states that converting the inventor’s one-piece unit of manufacture into a structure with parts of separate manufacture would be teaching away from the invention. It is true that Irwin describes a one-piece unit and in fact touts his invention as “lend[ing] itself to inexpensive production as a unitary molding ... by reason of the fact that the [pieces] are all formed integrally with one another.” Irwin at 1:21-25. However, using the word “integral” to refer to a one-piece unit of manufacture does not imply that “integral” cannot also describe something else. In addition, the inventor never argues that a structure with parts of separate manufacture were not contemplated by his invention. He argued that there was no motivation to combine Irwin with Berg, i.e. that the invention was non-obvious. This is fully consistent with an argument that the invention included multi-part units. Thus, the prosecution history does not support TFS’s narrow definition of “integral.”

In conclusion, the '553 patent uses “integral” to mean more than a one-piece article but less than anything that is contiguous. The court finds that “integral” and “integrally” refer to pieces joined in such a way as to form a single unit. Thus, the court construes the language at issue as “a number of spaced reagent tubes arranged in an elongated series with a corresponding number of individually manipulable seal caps, the spacing of the seal caps corresponding to the spacing of the reagent tubes, all joined so as to form a unit.”

2. “the open ends of the adjacent tubes integrally connected by a series of aligned tethers” (Claim 1)_

SSI’s Proposed Constmction

TFS’s Proposed Construction

the components of the series are joined in a contiguous manner by a series of tethers oriented in a common direction

adjacent tubes are connected together by tethers at their open ends (i.e., at the plane of the element 7 in Fig. 6) and excludes an assembly where the adjacent tubes are connected by tethers spaced below their open ends

The parties dispute two aspects of this claim language. First, the parties dispute the scope of the term “integrally,” which the court resolves above. Second, the parties dispute the location of the tethers that connect the adjacent tubes. Under TFS’s construction, the tethers must be at the open ends of the tubes and the language excludes an assembly the adjacent tubes are connected by tethers spaced below their open ends. At the claim construction hearing, counsel for SSI agreed that claim 1 requires that there be tethers at the open ends of the tubes. However, SSI argues, there is no basis for excluding an assembly that also has tethers at other locations.

As SSI points out, claim 1 does not use close-ended claim language that would exclude additional elements not described. In addition, claim 18 provides “[t]he integral assembly according to claim 17 ... whereby said tethers comprise the only interconnection between said reagent tubes.” Thus, the inventor used clear language when he required the tethers at the open ends to be the only tethers. There is no basis for a similar limitation in claim 1. Thus, the court construes the disputed language to mean “adjacent tubes are joined so as to form a unit by a series of aligned tethers that attach at the plane of the open ends of each respective tube.”

3. “tether means coincident with the plane of the open ends of the multiplicity of tubes integrally interconnecting adjacent tubes, said tether means being coincident with the plane including the central axes of said multiplicity of spaced reagent tubes ... said tether means integrally connecting the annular flanges of adjacent reagent tubes” (Claim 15)

SSI’s Proposed Construction

TFS’s Proposed Construction

the components of the series are joined in a contiguous manner by a series of tethers coincident with the ‘open end plane’; the plane of the tether is coincident with the plane of the central axes ... tethers connect the annular flange of adjacent tubes in a contiguous manner

adjacent tubes are connected together by tethers at their open ends (i.e., at the plane of element 1 in Fig. 6) and excludes an assembly where the adjacent tubes are connected by tethers spaced below them open ends

As above, the key portions of this disputed language are the term “integrally” and the location of the tethers relative to the open ends of the tubes. This language is clear as to the location of the tethers (“coincident with the plane of the open ends”), and as with claim 1 discussed above, there is no basis for excluding structures that have additional tethers not at the open ends. The parties agree that the language “tether means” does not invoke the means plus function provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6. Thus, the court finds that, except for the term “integrally,” this language does not require construction.

4.“the open ends of adjacent tubes integrally connected directly by a series of aligned tethers” (Claim 17)

SSI’s Proposed Constmction

TFS’s Proposed Construction

individual tubes are contiguously connected to adjacent tubes by members aligned in a common direction

adjacent tubes are eonnected together by tethers at their open ends (i.e., at the plane of the element 7 in Fig. 6) and excludes an assembly where the adjacent tubes are connected by tethers spaced below their open ends

This language has the same import as the language construed in Part II.A.2 above, except that it has the additional word “directly.” The parties’ proposed constructions do not account for this difference, i.e. they are identical to the proposed constructions above. At the claim construction hearing, counsel for TFS represented that the term “directly” does not affect the infringement analysis in this case. “[WJhile interpretations that render some portion of the claim language superfluous are disfavored, where neither the plain meaning nor the patent itself commands a difference in scope between two terms, they may be construed identically.” Power Mosfet Techs., LLC v. Siemens AG, 378 F.3d 1396, 1410 (Fed.Cir.2004) (finding “the addition of the term ‘directly’ to an existing requirement of physical contact imposes no additional restrictions on the phrase”). Thus, the court construes this language to have the same meaning as the language in Part II.A.2, i.e. “adjacent tubes are joined so as to form a unit by a series of aligned tethers that attach at the plane of the open ends of each respective tube.”

5.“each said seal cap being independently pivotally connected integrally ... to an associated one of said reagent tubes” (Claims 1 and 15)

SSI’s Proposed Constmction

TFS’s Proposed Construction

an individual seal cap is eontiguously connected to each tube by a flexible member at an angle to the common direction of the elongated series

each seal cap is independently and pivotally conneeted to an associated reagent tube in a one piece construction and excludes a construction in which each seal cap is pivotally connected to a ring which is then physically connected to a reagent tube

As with other claim language, this dispute turns on the construction of the term “integrally.” Consistent with the meaning of “integrally” as discussed above, the court construes this language to mean “each seal cap is independently and pivot-ally joined so as to form a unit with an associated reagent tube.”

6.“each said seal cap being independently pivotally directly connected integrally ... to an associated one of said reagent tubes” (Claim 17)

SSI’s Proposed Construction

TFS’s Proposed Constmction

an individual seal cap is contiguously connected to each tube by a flexible member at an angle to the common direction of the elongated series

each seal cap is independently and pivotally conneeted to an associated reagent tube in a one piece construction and excludes a construction in which each seal cap is pivotally connected to a ring which is then physically connected to a reagent tube

This language is identical to that construed in the preceding section, except that it has the additional word “directly.” As with the claim language construed in Part II.A.4 above, the parties apparently agree that the word “directly” has no import. Thus, the court construes this language to have the same meaning as the language in the preceding section.

7. “each said seal cap including a semi-spherically domed wall portion constituting said closed end” (Claim 15)

The parties agree that this phrase should have the construction “each said seal cap has a rounded end in the shape of a semi-spherically domed wall portion and excludes a seal cap having a flat or planar closed end.” Thus, the court adopts this construction.

B. TFS’s Motion for Summary Judgment of Non-Infringement

To prove infringement, the patentee must show that the accused device meets each claim limitation, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. Deering Precision Instruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distrib. Sys., Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 1324 (Fed.Cir.2003). Summary judgment of non-infringement is proper when no reasonable jury could find that the accused device contains every limitation recited in the properly construed claim. PC Connector Solutions LLC v. SmartDisk Corp., 406 F.3d 1359, 1362 (Fed.Cir.2005). SSI and TFS have stipulated that “if a claim term is not designated for construction that said element is present in the accused produces).” Scheduling Order at 4. Thus, the non-infringement analysis reduces to whether the seven phrases construed above are present in the accused products.

1. “Integral” and “Integrally”

TFS argues that the EasyStrip products do not literally infringe any claims of the '553 patent under its proposed constructions. Specifically, TFS argues that “integral” and “integrally” refer to a one-piece article of manufacture and thus could not read on EasyStrip’s two-piece design. Thus, TFS argues, EasyStrip lacks three limitations that are present in all of the independent claims: (1) an “integral assembly,” (2) open ends integrally connected by tethers, and (3) seal caps integrally connected to associated reagent tubes.

Because the court rejects TFS’s narrow definition of “integral,” these arguments fail. A jury could find that the two pieces of the EasyStrip design are meant to join so as to form a unit and that, in their assembled form, the three limitations are present. Thus, summary judgment of non-infringement on the basis of the terms “integral” and “integrally” is denied.

2. Semi-Spherically Domed Seal Caps

With respect to claim 15, TFS also argues that the AB-1502 and AB-1502/w products do not infringe because their caps do not have a semi-spherically domed wall portion and SSI may not assert infringement under the doctrine of equivalents. SSI concedes that the AB-1502 and AB-1502/w products do not literally infringe, as their caps are flat instead of semi-spherically domed. Rather, SSI argues that these products infringe under the doctrine of equivalents because “[b]oth caps with domed portions and caps with flat portions are configured to seal an open end of a reagent tube,” i.e. they perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain the same result. SSI’s Claim Construction Brief at 23-24.

A court may render summary judgment that the accused device is not equivalent if the asserted equivalence would entirely vitiate a particular claim element. Warner-Jenkinson Co. v. Hilton Davis Chem. Co., 520 U.S. 17, 39, 117 S.Ct. 1040, 137 L.Ed.2d 146 (1997). A corollary to the rule against vitiating a claim element is that “equivalency cannot embrace a structure that is specifically excluded from the scope of the claims.” Athletic Alternatives v. Prince Mfg., 73 F.3d 1573, 1582 (Fed.Cir.1996). Here, the parties’ agreed-upon construction of the language “each said seal cap including a semi-spherically domed wall portion constituting said closed end” in claim 15 specifically excludes “a seal cap having a flat or planar closed end.” Thus, SSI is barred from regaining this excluded structure through the doctrine of equivalents. Even if the construction did not explicitly exclude a flat cap, “[a] claim that contains a detailed recitation of structure is properly accorded correspondingly limited recourse to the doctrine of equivalents.” Bicon, Inc. v. Straumann Co., 441 F.3d 945, 955 (Fed.Cir.2006) (finding recitation of a frustospherical basal surface excluded “distinctly different and even opposite shapes”). Claim 15’s recitation of a domed seal cap is specific enough that it cannot reach flat seal caps through equivalence. Moreover, SSI’s theory that both shapes perform the function of sealing a reagent tube would extend to any shape of seal cap. A result in which any shape is equivalent to a specific shape limitation is “impermissible under the all-elements rule of Warner-Jenkinson.” Tronzo v. Biomet, Inc., 156 F.3d 1154, 1160 (Fed.Cir.1998). Thus, as a matter of law, the AB-1502 and AB-1502/w products do not infringe claim 15.

III. ORDER

For the foregoing reasons, the court:

1. Grants summary judgment that the AB-1502 and AB1502/w products do not infringe claim 15 and denies the remainder of TFS’s motion for summary judgment of non-infringement; and

2. Construes the disputed claim language as follows:

Claim Language

Construction

“An integral assembly of a multiplicity of spaced reagent tubes arranged in an elongated ... series ... and a corresponding multiplicity of correspondingly spaced independent seal caps”

a number of spaced reagent tubes arranged in an elongated series with a corresponding number of individually manipulable seal caps, the spacing of the seal caps corresponding to the spacing of the reagent tubes, all joined so as to form a unit

“the open ends of the adjacent tubes integrally connected by a series of aligned tethers”

adjacent tubes are joined so as to form a unit by a series of aligned tethers that attach at the plane of the open end of each respective tube

“tether means coincident with the plane of the open ends of the multiplicity of tubes integrally interconnecting adjacent tubes, said tether means being coincident with the plane including the central axes of said multiplicity of spaced reagent tubes ... said tether means integrally connecting the annular flanges of adjacent reagent tubes”

“integrally” refers to being joined so as to form a unit; “tether” means is not in means plus function format

“the open ends of adjacent tubes integrally connected directly by a series of aligned tethers”

adjacent tubes are joined so as to form a unit by a series of aligned tethers that attach at the plane of the open end of each respective tube

“each said seal cap being independently pivotally connected integrally ... to an associated one of said reagent tubes”

each seal cap is independently and pivotally joined so as to form a unit with an associated reagent tube

“each said seal cap being independently pivotally directly connected integrally ... to an associated one of said reagent tubes”

each seal cap is independently and pivotally joined so as to form a unit with an associated reagent tube

“each said seal cap including a semi-spherically domed wall portion constituting said closed end”

each said seal cap has a rounded end in the shape of a semi-spherically domed wall portion and excludes a seal cap having a flat or planar closed end

3.Schedules a case management conference for February 5, 2010 at 10:30 AM. 
      
      . SSI omits the word “aligned” in its proposed construction for this language as it appears in claim 15.
     
      
      . Indeed, the words appear so frequently in some places that it is difficult to see how they are not redundant or circular. See, e.g., '553 Patent at 1:67 to 2:4 (“an integral 'live' hinge integrally interposed in the tether ... enabling flexible manipulation of each ... cap ... from an angularly related integral extended condition to an integral superimposed tube-sealing condition”); id. at 4:56-57 ("the thin hinge portion is integral with the remainder of the strap with which it is integrally formed”).
     