Last updated: May 29, 2026

Application No. 17/497,373

TISSUE GRASPING DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS

Non-Final OA

Filed

Oct 08, 2021

Priority

Jul 13, 2016 — provisional 62/361,953 +4 more

Examiner

PRONE, CHRISTOPHER D

Art Unit

3774

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Medfree Inc.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

This examiner grants 65% of cases after interview

— +19.8% interview lift. A telephonic interview to clarify the technical implementation could significantly improve the outcome.

Based on 803 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

PRONE, CHRISTOPHER D View full profile →

Grants 65% of resolved cases

Career Allowance Rate

520 granted / 803 resolved

-5.2% vs TC avg

Strong +20% interview lift

Without

With

+19.8%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

4y 3m

Avg Prosecution

29 currently pending

Career history

863

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.4%

-39.6% vs TC avg

§103

78.2%

+38.2% vs TC avg

§102

14.0%

-26.0% vs TC avg

§112

6.3%

-33.7% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 803 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 08, 2021

Application Filed

Sep 10, 2025

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Mar 09, 2026

Response Filed

Mar 09, 2026

Response after Non-Final Action

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/167,378

Patent 12636051

TENSIONER-BALANCER FOR KNEE JOINT

3y 3m to grant Granted May 26, 2026

17/665,030

Patent 12629253

ORTHOPAEDIC KNEE CONE COMPONENTS FOR USE IN AN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGICAL PROCEDURE AND INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS FOR INSTALLING THE SAME

4y 3m to grant Granted May 19, 2026

17/811,419

Patent 12594175

CORE ASSEMBLY FOR MEDICAL DEVICE DELIVERY SYSTEMS

3y 9m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026

17/821,638

Patent 12594153

GENDER-SPECIFIC MESH IMPLANT WITH BARRIER FOR INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR

3y 7m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026

17/222,868

Patent 12588985

COMPLIANT BIOLOGICAL SCAFFOLD

4y 12m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026

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

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

65%

Grant Probability

85%

With Interview (+19.8%)

4y 3m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 803 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.