Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 06, 2026
Application No. 18/023,537

METHODS AND DEVICES FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION WITH AND OPERATION OF AN IMPLANT

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Feb 27, 2023
Priority
Aug 31, 2020 — SE 2051020-2 +1 more
Examiner
LEVICKY, WILLIAM J
Art Unit
3796
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Implantica Patent Ltd.
OA Round
2 (Non-Final)
69%
Grant Probability
Favorable
2-3
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 69% — above average
69%
Career Allowance Rate
403 granted / 581 resolved
-0.6% vs TC avg
Strong +29% interview lift
Without
With
+29.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 4m
Avg Prosecution
36 currently pending
Career history
642
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
8.1%
-31.9% vs TC avg
§103
41.0%
+1.0% vs TC avg
§102
16.9%
-23.1% vs TC avg
§112
26.3%
-13.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 581 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
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 . Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114 A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after allowance or after an Office action under Ex Parte Quayle, 25 USPQ 74, 453 O.G. 213 (Comm'r Pat. 1935). Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, prosecution in this application has been reopened pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 7/1/2026 has been entered. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. Claims 43-50 and 52-59 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. Claim 43 recites the limitation "the authenticity" in line 7. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Dependent claims 44-50 inherit the same deficiencies. Claim 52 recites the limitation "the authenticity" in line 3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Dependent claims 53-59 inherit the same deficiencies. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to William J Levicky whose telephone number is (571)270-3983. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday 8AM-5PM EST. 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, David Hamaoui can be reached at (571)270-5625. 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. /William J Levicky/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3796
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 27, 2023
Application Filed
Apr 30, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112
Sep 24, 2025
Response Filed
Jan 19, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Feb 18, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Jul 01, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jul 07, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Jul 24, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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6y 0m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12667728
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3y 9m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026
Patent 12667729
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3y 2m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026
Patent 12661518
SYSTEMS FOR TISSUE STIMULATION AND ASSOCIATED METHODS
3y 5m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026
Patent 12649063
A STIMULATION GENERATOR
2y 12m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

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Prosecution Projections

2-3
Expected OA Rounds
69%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+29.2%)
3y 4m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 581 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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