Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 17/258,984

SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF PREPARING AND FORMING GELS FOR AT LEAST ONE OBJECT

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Jan 08, 2021
Examiner
OGUNBIYI, OLUWATOSIN A
Art Unit
1645
Tech Center
1600 — Biotechnology & Organic Chemistry
Assignee
Applied LifeSciences and Systems, LLC
OA Round
5 (Non-Final)
63%
Grant Probability
Moderate
5-6
OA Rounds
3y 1m
To Grant
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 63% of resolved cases
63%
Career Allow Rate
579 granted / 914 resolved
+3.3% vs TC avg
Strong +43% interview lift
Without
With
+42.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 1m
Avg Prosecution
45 currently pending
Career history
959
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
5.5%
-34.5% vs TC avg
§103
26.4%
-13.6% vs TC avg
§102
24.0%
-16.0% vs TC avg
§112
26.4%
-13.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 914 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Claims 1, 3-12, 21-24 and 28 are pending. The indicated allowability of claims 21-22 is withdrawn in view of Palmer et al. WO 2017/030876 2/23/2017 cited previously. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claim(s) 21-22 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Palmer et al. WO 2017/030876 2/23/2017 cited previously. Claim 21: Palmer et al disclose a system (paragraph 11) for forming a gel on targeted surfaces of groups of chicks, wherein the targeted surface is the chicks down (paragraph 5, 8, 13) comprising: a first delivery device (independent nozzle) in fluid communication with a first vessel containing a binding agent (alginic crosslinking solution), the first delivery device having a first delivery device outlet (mouth of the nozzle); and a second delivery device (nozzle on manifold) in fluid communication with a second vessel containing a gelling component (alginic acid gel), the second delivery device having a second delivery device outlet (mouth of the nozzle on the manifold) wherein the system is configured to form gels on the down of the chicks (targeted surface of a group of animals) via a method comprising: moving the first solution from the first vessel to the first delivery device outlet to create a first spray toward the groups of chicks, and moving the second solution from the second vessel to the second delivery device outlet to create towards the chicks, so that the first and second solutions react to form a gel on the targeted surface (downs) of the chicks, wherein gels formed on the down of group of animals are configured to be absorbed by respective mucosa of the chicks i.e. the chicks are placed closely together so they can consume the gel of each other’s down, thus orally absorbing the gel. See paragraphs 4, 5, 10-14. Claim 22: Palmer et al disclose the first or second solution comprises a product of interest such as vaccine, medication, nutrients, vitamins, probiotics, protein, fat, and prebiotics Status of Claims Claims 1, 3-12, 23-24 and 28 are allowed. Claims 21-22 are rejected. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to OLUWATOSIN A OGUNBIYI whose telephone number is (571)272-9939. The examiner can normally be reached IFP. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Daniel Kolker can be reached at 5712723181. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /OLUWATOSIN A OGUNBIYI/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1645
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 08, 2021
Application Filed
Dec 11, 2023
Non-Final Rejection — §102
Mar 14, 2024
Response Filed
May 24, 2024
Final Rejection — §102
Jun 18, 2024
Examiner Interview Summary
Jun 18, 2024
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Aug 30, 2024
Request for Continued Examination
Sep 03, 2024
Response after Non-Final Action
Nov 16, 2024
Non-Final Rejection — §102
Feb 25, 2025
Examiner Interview Summary
Mar 19, 2025
Response Filed
Apr 29, 2025
Final Rejection — §102
Sep 02, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Sep 05, 2025
Examiner Interview (Telephonic)
Dec 16, 2025
Request for Continued Examination
Dec 17, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Jan 28, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

5-6
Expected OA Rounds
63%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+42.9%)
3y 1m
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 914 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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