How can a rejection be overcome by amendment?

A rejection can be effectively overcome by amendment through the addition of limitations or steps from the specification. This is because amending the claims to incorporate specific details or features that are detailed in the specification can clarify the scope of the invention and distinguish it from prior art. These amendments can make the claims more precise and potentially patentable by addressing the reasons for rejection, such as issues of novelty or non-obviousness.

Incorporating limitations from the specification helps to align the claims with the disclosed invention and ensures that the claims are sufficiently supported by the underlying disclosure. This practice can strengthen the argument for patentability by showing that the claimed invention is not only novel but also clearly delineated from existing technologies.

The other options do not address the nature of overcoming the rejection effectively. For instance, submitting a new patent application may not resolve the issues raised in the previous application and can lead to additional complications. Increasing the number of claims does not inherently make them patentable, especially if the new claims lack novelty or are not supported by the specification. Including an entirely new element not mentioned in the claims might introduce new issues regarding compliance with the requirement of support in the specification, which could lead to further rejections rather than resolving existing ones.