jonesieatl, I have read the same thing several times trying my best to discern what is going on and I come up with the same conclusion as you. The follow up key question is the following: "is extracting a pointer part and parcel or integral, absolutely essential to our patent?"
If it is, then the USPTO decision is absolutely crucial. If not, then our patent claim holds but without this little caviat!
Please share your thoughts.
By the way, the visit to the USPTO yielded nothing. They will not talk to anyone about this.
By the way, A. Deb is the lead examiner!