Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 17/813,454

DEVICE FOR REDUCTION OR PREVENTION OF PRETERM LABOR

Final Rejection §102§103
Filed
Jul 19, 2022
Examiner
MCCARTHY, GINA
Art Unit
3786
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Novocuff, Inc.
OA Round
2 (Final)
48%
Grant Probability
Moderate
3-4
OA Rounds
3y 5m
To Grant
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 48% of resolved cases
48%
Career Allow Rate
82 granted / 169 resolved
-21.5% vs TC avg
Strong +56% interview lift
Without
With
+55.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 5m
Avg Prosecution
34 currently pending
Career history
203
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
5.7%
-34.3% vs TC avg
§103
44.0%
+4.0% vs TC avg
§102
18.9%
-21.1% vs TC avg
§112
28.1%
-11.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 169 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
DETAILED ACTION 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 . Any References cited but not appearing in any current Form 892 may be found in previous Form 892’s or IDS’s. Response to Amendment The amendment to the claims filed on 07/22/2025 has been entered. In the amendment claims 24, 26, 30, 32, 39-40, 42, 44 and 46 are amended. Claims 24-46 are pending. The amendment to claim 24 overcomes the 112b rejection with regard to that claim. The amendment to claim 26 overcomes the 112b rejection with regard to that claim. The amendment to claim 24 overcomes the 112b rejection made with regard to claim 30. The amendment to claim 40 overcomes the 112b rejection with regard to that claim. The amendment to claim 44 overcomes the 112b rejection with regard to that claim. The amendment to claim 46 overcomes the 112b rejection with regard to that claim. The amendment to claim 24 overcomes the 101 rejection with regard to that claim. The amendment to claim 46 overcomes the 101 rejection with regard to that claim. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments, see page 9, filed 07/22/2025, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 24 and 46 under 102 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of previously cited Yosowitz (US 3741216) and in view of newly cited Krumme (US 2007/0249893). Applicant’s arguments, see page 10, filed 07/22/2025, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 32 and 39 under 102 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of previously cited Yosowitz (US 3741216). Specification The specification is objected to as failing to provide proper antecedent basis for the claimed subject matter. See 37 CFR 1.75(d)(1) and MPEP § 608.01(o). Correction of the following is required: The specification fails to provide proper antecedent basis for “an expanded state in which the cuff expands only radially into the interior passage and downward” which is recited in amended claim 32 and for “an expanded state in which the ring expands only radially into the interior passage and downward” which is recited in amended claim 39 . Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 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) 32, 36-39 and 43-45 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Yosowitz (US 3741216) . Regarding claim 32, Yosowitz discloses a cervical support and reinforcement device (25) (capable of intended use) comprising: a cuff (33) configured to surround at least a portion of a cervix (col. 1, lines 42-55; col. 3, lines 37-49), the cuff comprising: a proximal opening (30), a distal opening (opening opposite 30 in Fig. 6 on an opposite end of the cuff 25), and an interior passageway therebetween (Fig 6; NOTE: the passageway between proximal opening and distal opening is an interior passageway), wherein the interior passageway is configured to receive at least the portion of the cervix (col. 3, lines 37-49; col. 1, lines 41-54; capable of intended use); and an exterior surface (26) for engaging a vaginal wall (Fig. 3; col.1, lines 52-56; col. 2, lines 58-67; NOTE: body tissue surrounding and spaced from the cervical neck includes a vaginal wall; capable of intended use), wherein the cuff is configured to non-uniformly expand from a neutral state to an expanded state (col. 2, lines 5-68; col. 3, lines 9-19; NOTE: membrane 33 is configured to expand non uniformly relative to membrane 34 in at least it is a different size relative to membrane 34 and in that they have different valves; Also NOTE: due to natural variations in a membrane material and due to protuberances on the membranes 33 and 34 which make it thicker, certain areas are configured to expand quicker or more than others and thus non uniformly) in which the cuff expands only radially into the interior passageway (col. 1, lines 49-55; col. 2, lines 50-68; NOTE: the cuff includes membrane 33 which only expands radially into the interior passageway [see annotated Fig. 3 below]) PNG media_image1.png 497 758 media_image1.png Greyscale and downward (NOTE: the membrane of the cuff expands downward relative to an upper surface, see annotated Fig. 3 above; NOTE: the expansion of the membrane 33 is all downward from an upper surface and is also a radial expansion into the interior passageway and thus the membrane 33 of the cuff expands only radially to the interior passageway and downward as all expansion falls into one or both of the categories of downward or radially) such that the cuff applies traction to push the cervix away from the uterus when in the expanded state (col. 1, lines 42-55; col. 3, lines 37-49; capable of intended use). Regarding claim 36, Yosowitz discloses the invention as described above with regard to claim 24. Yosowitz further discloses a distal cuff (34) positioned on the exterior surface (Fig. 3) and configured to expand into the vaginal wall (col. 1, lines 52-56; NOTE: body tissue surrounding and spaced from the cervical neck includes a vaginal wall; capable of intended use). Regarding claim 37, Yosowitz discloses the invention as described above with regard to claim 24. Yosowitz further discloses a plurality of cleats (35) that extend from an exterior surface of the cuff (cleats/protuberances 35 extend from an exterior surface of the expandable cuff 33; Fig. 6, col. 2, lines 50-68). Regarding claim 38, Yosowitz discloses the invention as described above with regard to claim 24. Yosowitz further discloses wherein the cuff further comprises at least two recessed portions (portions in between pairs of protuberances 35; col. 2, lines 50-68) and at least two expandable portions alternatingly spaced with the recessed portions (see annotated Fig. 6 above with regard to the claim 24 rejection; NOTE: portions of the cuff with protuberances 35 are expandable portions alternately spaced with recessed portions [portions without the protuberances]). Regarding claim 39, Yosowitz discloses a cervical support and reinforcement device (25) (capable of intended use) comprising: a ring (33) (Fig. 6) configured to surround at least a portion of a cervix (col. 1, lines 42-55; col. 3, lines 37-49), the ring comprising: a proximal opening (30), a distal opening (opening opposite 30 in Fig. 6 on an opposite end of the ring 25), and an interior passageway therebetween (Fig 6; NOTE: the passageway between proximal opening and distal opening is an interior passageway), wherein the interior passageway is configured to receive at least the portion of the cervix (col. 3, lines 37-49; col. 1, lines 41-54; capable of intended use); and a plurality of cleats (35) extending from the ring (Fig. 6) and configured to engage the cervix (col. 2, lines 50-68; col. 1, lines 41-54; NOTE: the inner membrane 33 [ring] engages the cervical neck thus it would follow that the protuberances 35 are configured to engage the cervix as they are on the inner membrane of 33), wherein the ring is configured to non-uniformly expand from a neutral state to an expanded state (col. 2, lines 5-68; col. 3, lines 9-19; NOTE: membrane 33 is configured to expand non uniformly relative to membrane 34 in at least it is a different size relative to membrane 34 and in that they have different valves; Also NOTE: due to natural variations in a membrane material and due to protuberances on the membranes 33 and 34 which make it thicker, certain areas are configured to expand quicker or more than others and thus non uniformly) in which the ring expands only radially into the interior passageway (col. 1, lines 49-55; col. 2, lines 50-68; NOTE: the cuff includes membrane 33 which only expands radially into the interior passageway [see annotated Fig. 3] above with regard to the claim 32 rejection) and downward (NOTE: the membrane of the cuff expands downward relative to an upper surface, see annotated Fig. 3 above with regard to the claim 32 rejection; NOTE: the expansion of the membrane 33 is all downward from an upper surface and is also a radial expansion into the interior passageway and thus the membrane 33 of the cuff expands only radially to the interior passageway and downward as all expansion falls into one or both of the categories of downward or radially) such that the ring applies traction to push the cervix away from the uterus (capable of intended use). Regarding claim 43, Yosowitz discloses the invention as described above with regard to claim 39. Yosowitz further discloses a distal cuff (34) positioned on the exterior surface (Fig. 3) and configured to expand into the vaginal wall (col. 1, lines 52-56; NOTE: body tissue surrounding and spaced from the cervical neck includes a vaginal wall; capable of intended use). Regarding claim 44, Yosowitz discloses the invention as described above with regard to claim 24. Yosowitz further discloses wherein the portion of the ring further comprises at least two of recessed portions (portions in between pairs of protuberances 35; col. 2, lines 50-68) and at least two of expandable portions alternatingly spaced with the recessed portions (see annotated Fig. 6 above with regard to the claim 24 rejection; NOTE: portions of the cuff with protuberances 35 are expandable portions alternately spaced with recessed portions [portions without the protuberances]). Regarding claim 45, Yosowitz discloses the invention as described above with regard to claim 24. Yosowitz further discloses wherein the ring further comprises at least two recessed portions (two portions in between protuberances 35; col. 2, lines 50-68) and at least two expandable portions alternatingly spaced with the recessed portions (see annotated Fig. 6 above with regard to the claim 24 rejection; NOTE: portions of the cuff with protuberances 35 are expandable portions alternately spaced with recessed portions [portions without the protuberances]). Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. Claim(s) 24-26, 30-31 and 46 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yosowitz (US 3741216) in view of Krumme (US 2007/0249893). Regarding claim 24, Yosowitz discloses a cervical support and reinforcement device (25) (capable of intended use) (Figs. 3-6) comprising: an expandable cuff (1) (annotated Fig. 6 below) PNG media_image2.png 771 1028 media_image2.png Greyscale configured to surround at least a portion of a cervix (col. 2, lines 7-12), the expandable cuff comprising: a proximal opening (30), a distal opening (opening opposite 30 in Fig. 6 on an opposite end of the cuff 25), and an interior passageway therebetween (annotated Fig 6; NOTE: the passageway between proximal opening and distal opening is an interior passageway), wherein the interior passageway is configured to receive at least the portion of the cervix (col. 3, lines 37-49; col. 1, lines 41-54; capable of intended use); and a membrane (33) configured for non-uniform expansion into the interior passageway (col. 2, lines 5-68; col. 3, lines 9-19; NOTE: membrane 33 is configured to expand non uniformly relative to membrane 34 in at least it is a different size relative to membrane 34 and in that they have different valves; Also NOTE: due to natural variations in a membrane material and due to protuberances on the membrane 34 which make it thicker, certain areas are configured to expand quicker or more than others and thus non uniformly) via one or more expandable portions (33) (col. 2, lines 50-68; NOTE: membrane 33 or a portion of it is an expandable portion). Yosowitz does not disclose a membrane configured for non-uniform expansion into the interior passageway via one or more expandable portions adjacent one or more recessed portions, wherein the one or more expandable portions are configured to expand further into the interior passageway than the one or more recessed portions when the membrane is filled with fluid. Krumme teaches an analogous support ([0001]) comprising an analogous expandable cuff (1) comprising an analogous proximal opening (annotated Fig. 1 below), an analogous distal opening (Fig. 1; NOTE: an opening on the other side of the proximal opening is the distal opening) and an analogous interior passageway (annotated Fig. 1); and a membrane ([0033]; biocompatible material such as a polymer) configured for non-uniform expansion into the interior passageway (annotated Fig. 1 above; [0033]; NOTE: there are inflatable bladder portions and non) via one or more expandable portions (8) adjacent one or more recessed portions (9), wherein the one or more expandable portions are configured to expand further into the interior passageway than the one or more recessed portions (9) when the membrane is filled with fluid ([0033]). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to provide that the membrane configured for non-uniform expansion into the interior passageway of the cervical support and reinforcement device of Yosowitz is configured for non-uniform expansion via one or more expandable portions adjacent one or more recessed portions, wherein the one or more expandable portions are configured to expand further into the interior passageway than the one or more recessed portions when the membrane is filled with fluid, as taught by Krumme, by adding bladders to the membrane of the cuff of Yosowitz, in order to provide an improved cervical support that facilitates leaving undisturbed tissue and allows blood flow during use (Krumme, [0008]). Regarding claim 25, Yosowitz in view of Krumme discloses the invention as described above with regard to claim 24. The combination further discloses wherein the expandable cuff is configured to expand substantially radially inward toward an axial center of the proximal opening (Yosowitz discloses the cuff is configured to expand substantially radially toward an axial center of the proximal opening col. 1, lines 49-55; col. 2, lines 63-67; col. 3, lines 1-8; col. 3, lines 30-49; capable of intended use; in the combination Krumme [Fig. 1]; [0033]] teaches the bladders 8 configured to expand substantially radially inward toward an axial center of the proximal opening). Regarding claim 26, Yosowitz in view of Krumme discloses the invention as described above with regard to claim 24. The combination further discloses wherein the expandable cuff is configured to expand substantially radially inward toward an axial center of the proximal opening (Yosowitz, col. 1, lines 49-55) and expand downward away from a transverse plane of the proximal opening (annotated Yosowitz Fig. 4 below; NOTE re Yosowitz: the membrane 33 expands laterally and this would be away from a transverse plane as shown in annotated Fig. 4 below and would also be downward depending on orientation of the user, e.g. where a user is on her side it could be considered expanding downward and away from a transverse plane; Yosowitz, col. 2, lines 50-68; ALSO NOTE: as the membrane 33 is a sealed circularly sectioned flexible peripheral tubes and in the combination having spaced apart bladders [taught by Krumme], it follows that the membrane including bladders would expand radially and downward when filled with fluid). PNG media_image3.png 318 651 media_image3.png Greyscale Regarding claim 30, Yosowitz in view of Krumme discloses the invention as described above with regard to claim 24. Yosowitz further discloses wherein the expandable cuff is positioned within a body (26) with an exterior surface (26) for engaging a vaginal wall (col. 1, lines 52-56; capable of intended use; annotated Fig. 3 above with regard to the claim 1 rejection), the cervical support and reinforcement further comprising: a distal cuff (34) positioned on the exterior surface of the body (Fig. 3) and configured to expand into the vaginal wall (col. 1, lines 52-56; NOTE: body tissue surrounding and spaced from the cervical neck includes a vaginal wall; capable of intended use). Regarding claim 31, Yosowitz in view of Krumme discloses the invention as described above with regard to claim 24. Yosowitz further discloses a plurality of cleats (35) that extend from an exterior surface of the expandable cuff (cleats/protuberances 35 extend from an exterior surface of the expandable cuff 33; Fig. 6; col. 2, lines 50-68). Regarding claim 46, Yosowitz discloses a cervical support and reinforcement device (25) (capable of intended use) comprising: an expandable cuff (1) (col. 2, lines 50-68; col. 3, lines 9-19) configured to surround at least a portion of a cervix (col. 1, lines 42-55; col. 3, lines 37-49), the expandable cuff comprising: a proximal opening (30), a distal opening (opening opposite 30 in Fig. 6 on an opposite end of the cuff 25), and an interior passageway therebetween (Fig 6; NOTE: the passageway between proximal opening and distal opening is an interior passageway), wherein the interior passageway is configured to receive at least the portion of the cervix (col. 3, lines 37-49; col. 1, lines 41-55; capable of intended use); an exterior surface (26) for engaging a vaginal wall (Fig. 3; col.1, lines 52-56; col. 2, lines 58-67; NOTE: body tissue surrounding and spaced from the cervical neck includes a vaginal wall; capable of intended use); and a membrane (33) configured for non-uniform expansion into the interior passageway (col. 2,lines 5-68; col. 3, lines 9-19; NOTE: membrane 33 is configured to expand non uniformly relative to membrane 34 in at least it is a different size relative to membrane 34 and in that they have different valves; Also NOTE: due to natural variations in a membrane material and due to protuberances on the membrane 34 which make it thicker, certain areas are configured to expand quicker or more than others and thus non uniformly) via one or more expandable portions (33) (col. 2, lines 50-68; NOTE: membrane 33 or a portion of it is an expandable portion). Yosowitz does not disclose a membrane configured for non-uniform expansion into the interior passageway via one or more expandable portions adjacent one or more recessed portions, wherein the one or more expandable portions are configured to expand further into the interior passageway than the one or more recessed portions when the membrane is filled with fluid. Krumme teaches an analogous support ([0001]) comprising an analogous expandable cuff (1) comprising an analogous proximal opening (annotated Fig. 1 below), an analogous distal opening (Fig. 1; NOTE: an opening on the other side of the proximal opening is the distal opening) and an analogous interior passageway (annotated Fig. 1); and a membrane ([0033]; biocompatible material such as a polymer) configured for non-uniform expansion into the interior passageway (annotated Fig. 1 above; [0033]; NOTE: there are inflatable bladder portions and non) via one or more expandable portions (8) adjacent one or more recessed portions (9), wherein the one or more expandable portions are configured to expand further into the interior passageway than the one or more recessed portions (9) when the membrane is filled with fluid ([0033]). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to provide that the membrane configured for non-uniform expansion into the interior passageway of the cervical support and reinforcement device of Yosowitz is configured for non-uniform expansion via one or more expandable portions adjacent one or more recessed portions, wherein the one or more expandable portions are configured to expand further into the interior passageway than the one or more recessed portions when the membrane is filled with fluid, as taught by Krumme, by adding bladders to the membrane of the cuff of Yosowitz, in order to provide an improved cervical support that facilitates leaving undisturbed tissue and allows blood flow during use (Krumme, [0008]). Claim(s) 27-29 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yosowitz (US 3741216) in view of Krumme (US 2007/0249893) as applied to claim 24 above, and further in view of Kelley (US 2019/0321215). Regarding claims 27, Yosowitz in view of Krumme discloses the invention as described above with regard to claims 24. Yosowitz further discloses a fluid conduit (col. 3, lines 9-19; NOTE: passageway of valves 37, 38 are conduits) in fluid communication with the expandable cuff (col. 3, lines 9-19), the fluid conduit configured to communicate fluid to the expandable cuff (col. 3, lines 9-18), thereby inflating the expandable cuff (col. 3, lines 9-18) Yosowitz in view of Krumme does not explicitly disclose the fluid conduit configured to extract fluid from the expandable cuff thereby deflating the expandable cuff. Kelley teaches an analogous cervical support and reinforcement device ([0034]) having an analogous expandable cuff (110) configured to surround at least a portion of a cervix (Fig. 9A, [0071]) and further comprising an analogous fluid conduit (118) in fluid communication with the expandable cuff ([0059]), the fluid conduit configured to communicate fluid to the expandable cuff ([0059]), thereby inflating the expandable cuff and extract fluid from the expandable cuff thereby deflating the expandable cuff ([0059]). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to provide that the fluid conduit in fluid communication with the expandable cuff of the cervical support and reinforcement device of Yosowitz in view of Krumme is configured to extract fluid from the expandable cuff thereby deflating the expandable cuff, as taught by Kelley, in order to provide an improved cervical support and reinforcement device that facilitates maintaining a level of expansion or contraction of the cuff (Kelley, [0060]). Regarding claims 28, Yosowitz in view of Krumme and in further view of Kelley discloses the invention as described above with regard to claim 27. Kelley further teaches a valve (119) in fluid communication with the fluid conduit ([0060]; Fig. 7). Regarding claim 29, Yosowitz in view of Krumme, and in further view of Kelley discloses the invention as described above with regard to claim 27. Kelley further teaches a valve (119) in fluid communication with the fluid conduit ([0060]; Fig. 7), wherein the valve is operable to removably receive a portion (610) of an inflation device operable to inflate the expandable cuff ([0074]) without removal of the device from a patient's vagina ([0074]; [0073]; capable of intended use). Claim(s) 33-35 and 40-42 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as obvious over Yosowitz (US 3741216) as applied to claims 32 and 39, respectively above, and further in view of Kelley (US 2019/0321215). Regarding claim 33, Yosowitz discloses the invention as described above with regard to claims 32. Yosowitz further discloses a fluid conduit (col. 3, lines 9-19; NOTE: passageway of valves 37, 38 are conduits) in fluid communication with the cuff (col. 3, lines 9-19), the fluid conduit configured to communicate fluid to the cuff (col. 3, lines 9-18), thereby inflating the expandable cuff (col. 3, lines 9-18) Yosowitz does not explicitly disclose the fluid conduit configured to extract fluid from the cuff thereby deflating the cuff. Kelley teaches an analogous cervical support and reinforcement device ([0034]) having an analogous cuff (110) configured to surround at least a portion of a cervix (Fig. 9A, [0071]) and further comprising an analogous fluid conduit (118) in fluid communication with the expandable cuff ([0059]), the fluid conduit configured to communicate fluid to the cuff ([0059]), thereby inflating the cuff and extract fluid from the cuff thereby deflating the expandable cuff ([0059]). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to provide that the fluid conduit in fluid communication with the cuff of the cervical support and reinforcement device of Yosowitz is configured to extract fluid from the cuff thereby deflating the cuff, as taught by Kelley, in order to provide an improved cervical support and reinforcement device that facilitates maintaining a level of expansion or contraction of the cuff (Kelley, [0060]). Regarding claims 34, Yosowitz in view of Kelley discloses the invention as described above with regard to claims 33. Kelley further teaches a valve (119) in fluid communication with the fluid conduit ([0060]; Fig. 7). Regarding claims 35, Yosowitz in view of Kelley discloses the invention as described above with regard to claim 33. Kelley further teaches a valve (119) in fluid communication with the fluid conduit ([0060]; Fig. 7), wherein the valve is operable to removably receive a portion (610) of an inflation device operable to inflate the cuff ([0074]) without removal of the device from a patient's vagina ([0074]; [0073]; capable of intended use). Regarding claim 40, Yosowitz discloses the invention as described above with regard to claim 39. Yosowitz further discloses a fluid conduit (col. 3, lines 9-19; NOTE: passageway of valves 37, 38 are conduits) in fluid communication with a portion of the ring (col. 3, lines 9-19), the fluid conduit configured to communicate fluid to the portion of the ring (col. 3, lines 9-18), thereby inflating the portion of the ring (col. 3, lines 9-18). Yosowitz does not explicitly disclose the fluid conduit configured to extract fluid from the cuff thereby deflating the portion of the ring. Kelley teaches an analogous cervical support and reinforcement device having an analogous ring (110) configured to surround at least a portion of a cervix (Fig. 9A, [0071]) and further comprising an analogous fluid conduit (118) in fluid communication with a portion of the ring ([0059]), the fluid conduit configured to communicate fluid to the ring ([0059]), thereby inflating the portion of the ring and extract fluid from the cuff thereby deflating the portion of the ring ([0059]). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to provide that the fluid conduit in fluid communication with a portion of the ring of the cervical support and reinforcement device of Yosowitz is configured to extract fluid from the cuff thereby deflating the portion of the ring, as taught by Kelley, in order to provide an improved cervical support and reinforcement device that facilitates maintaining a level of expansion or contraction of the cuff (Kelley, [0060]). Regarding claim 41, Yosowitz in view of Kelley discloses the invention as described above with regard to claim 40. Kelley further teaches a valve (119) in fluid communication with the fluid conduit ([0060]; Fig. 7). Regarding claim 42, Yosowitz in view of Kelley discloses the invention as described above with regard to claim 40. Kelley further teaches a valve (119) in fluid communication with the fluid conduit ([0060]; Fig. 7), wherein the valve is operable to removably receive a portion (610) of an inflation device operable to inflate the portion of the ring ([0074]) without removal of the device from a patient's vagina ([0074]; [0073]; capable of intended use). Conclusion THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GINA MCCARTHY whose telephone number is (408)918-7594. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday, 7:00-3:30 PT. 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, Alireza Nia can be reached at 571-270-3076. 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. /G.M./Examiner, Art Unit 3786 /ALIREZA NIA/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3786
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jul 19, 2022
Application Filed
Jul 19, 2024
Response after Non-Final Action
Apr 15, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §103
Jul 22, 2025
Response Filed
Oct 14, 2025
Final Rejection — §102, §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
48%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+55.8%)
3y 5m
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 169 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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