I thought I was pretty clear, but from my readings at the PTO site, in recent times (going back 10+years), the PTO scans every peice of paper associated with a patent into their data base (certianly read-only, perhaps using PDS/Adobe which is a read-only system with safe-guards against alterations - I've used this system for the publication of directive documents well over 10 years ago). Thus, everything is available to the examiner to view on line.

It appears you are not familiar with standard document control mechanisms. The history always remains completely intact. There is no opportunity to "go back and change things". It is was it is, and was, and will always stay that way. Changes are made by revising the document and publishing it again as a revision. New, superceding dosuments may be issued, and will clearly state the new effective date, and typically a statement such as "this revision or new document supercedes the following documents", followed by a list.

A new Cert would likely include such language if any changes to the pre-existing documents are incorporated. If there are no changes, the Cert would likely say something like "this patent has been reviewed (details: who, when, why, etc.) and all claims of the original patent remain valid and intact".

I hope this helps.

SGE