Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 15, 2026
Application No. 18/031,395

End-of-Dose Indicator for Medical Injection Device

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Apr 12, 2023
Priority
Oct 14, 2020 — EU 20306206.2 +1 more
Examiner
DARB, HAMZA A.
Art Unit
3783
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Becton Dickinson France
OA Round
2 (Final)
75%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
1m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 75% — above average
75%
Career Allowance Rate
401 granted / 537 resolved
+4.7% vs TC avg
Strong +32% interview lift
Without
With
+31.6%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 4m
Avg Prosecution
52 currently pending
Career history
608
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103
86.6%
+46.6% vs TC avg
§102
7.9%
-32.1% vs TC avg
§112
3.9%
-36.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 537 resolved cases

Office Action

§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 . Acknowledgment Claims 1, 17 are amended and field on 3/9/2026. The amendment to claims overcome the 112b rejection in the action mailed on11/18/2025. Claim Objections Claims 1, 17 are objected to because of the following informalities: In line 9 of claim 1, “one or more capacitors configured with the circuit” should read as “the circuit includes one or more capacitors In line 21 of claim 17, “one or more capacitors configured with the circuit” should read as “the circuit includes one or more capacitors . Appropriate correction is required. 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) 1-5, 13- 21, 30-32 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Säll (US 20190083708A1) in view of Mirov et al. (US 20170312455A1) (“Mirov”). Re Claim 1, Säll discloses an end-of-dose indicator device (100, Fig, 6a-9f) for a medical injection device (1, ¶0104, ¶0106), comprising: a housing ( housing of 100 include 102) comprising a proximal end (upper end, Fig. 9a), a distal end (lower end), and a sidewall (sidewall) therebetween defining an interior (chamber for the electronic, ¶01026, Fig. 9e), the housing configured to be secured to a proximal end of a medical injection device (Fig,9a-f, ¶0126); a switch (122,¶0105, Fig. 9e) arranged within the housing interior and having an open position and a closed position (in and off position, ¶0123); a circuit (150, ¶0126); and one or more indicators in electrical communication with the circuit, wherein the switch, when in the closed position, triggers the circuit to activate the indicator (140, ¶0129), but it fails to discloses one or more capacitors configured with the circuit. However, Mirov discloses a injector (Fig. 1-10) and wherein the housing has a light indicator (22) has a circuit (31, ¶0044) and one or more capacitors configured with the circuit. (¶0075, 28). Thus, it would have been prima facie obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modify circuit to include one or more capacitors configured with the circuit. as taught by Mirov for the purpose of provide a power to the circuit as an art recognized power source (Mirov, ¶0072). Re Claim 2, Säll discloses wherein the housing comprises a cylinder ( Fig. 9a) with a flared proximal end (top 102). Re Claim 3, Säll discloses wherein the flared proximal end comprises a proximal-facing outer surface (top surface of 102) configured to receive a user's thumb (the user capable to press top surface of 102 by a thumb, ¶0101). Re Claim 4, Säll discloses wherein the one or more indicators are one or more visual indicators (141, ¶0132). Re Claim 5, Säll discloses wherein the one or more visual indicators are one or more light-emitting diodes (141, ¶0132). Re Claim 13, Säll discloses wherein a shape of the housing matches a shape of the proximal end of the medical injection device (shape of house of 100 matches the shape of end of 1, Fig. 6a , Fig. 9f). Re Claim 14, Säll discloses wherein the circuit is configured such that activation of the indicator is delayed following closure of the switch (¶0130, ¶0131). Re Claim 15, Säll discloses wherein activation of the indicator is delayed at least 2 seconds (such as 5 second , ¶0130). Re Claim 16, Säll discloses wherein activation of the indicator is delayed at least 5 seconds (such as 5 second , ¶0130). Re Claim 17, Säll discloses a medical injection system (Fig. 1-9f), comprising: a medical injection device (1, Fig. 1) comprising: an injection device housing (24 is housing of 1) having a proximal end (lower end of 24, note, the directions of the art is opposite to the current application see ¶0062 of the current application, needle is close to the distal end), a distal end ( upper end of 24, Fig. 1), and a sidewall therebetween defining an injection device interior (Fig. 1) ; a syringe (16) received within the injection device interior (Fig. 1), the syringe comprising a proximal end comprising a piston (stopper close to the tip of plunger 60, ¶0096), a distal end comprising a needle (18), and a sidewall therebetween defining a syringe interior configured to receive a medicament (sidewall of 16, ¶0087); a plunger rod (60) received within the injection device interior and configured to displace the piston distally to cause the medicament to be expelled through the needle (¶0098); a drive assembly configured to displace the plunger rod distally (spring, resilient member 64, ¶0096); a plunger rod follower (121) comprising a distal end operatively coupled to the plunger rod and a proximal end (it is coupled by lower end of 120, see 11 and 21 in Fig. 8a-c); and an end-of-dose indicator device (100 including 102), comprising: an indicator housing (housing of 100, Fig. 9a-e) comprising a proximal end (upper end), a distal end ( lower end), and a sidewall therebetween defining an indicator interior (sidewall around the chamber for the electronic, ¶01026, Fig. 9e), the indicator housing configured to be secured to the proximal end of the medical injection device (Fig. 9a-f); a switch (122) arranged within the indicator housing interior (Fig. 9e) and having an open position and a closed position (in and off positions, ¶0129); a circuit (150, ¶0126); and one or more indicators in electrical communication with the circuit (140, ¶0129), wherein when the plunger rod is displaced distally ( moved to push the medication out, ¶0098), the proximal end of the plunger rod follower moves proximally (121 is moved from 131 to 132, Fig. 8c, ¶0106) to contact the switch, and moves the switch from the open position to the closed position which triggers the circuit to activate the indicator (Fig. 8c, 140, ¶0129), but it fails to discloses one or more capacitors configured with the circuit. (¶0075, 28). However, Mirov discloses a injector (Fig. 1-10) and wherein the housing has a light indicator (22) has a circuit (31, ¶0044) and one or more capacitors configured with the circuit. Thus, it would have been prima facie obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modify circuit to include one or more capacitors configured with the circuit. as taught by Mirov for the purpose of provide a power to the circuit as an art recognized power source (Mirov, ¶0072). Re Claim 18, Säll discloses wherein the housing comprises a cylinder ( Fig. 9a) with a flared proximal end (top 102). Re Claim 19, Säll discloses wherein the flared proximal end comprises a proximal-facing outer surface (top surface of 102) configured to receive a user's thumb (the user capable to press top surface of 102 by a thumb, ¶0101 Re Claim 20, Säll discloses wherein the one or more indicators are one or more visual indicators (141, ¶0132). Re Claim 21, Säll discloses wherein the one or more visual indicators are one or more light-emitting diodes (141, ¶0132). Re Claim 30, Säll discloses wherein the circuit is configured such that activation of the indicator is delayed following closure of the switch (¶0130, ¶0131). Re Claim 31, Säll discloses wherein activation of the indicator is delayed at least 2 seconds (such as 5 second , ¶0130). Re Claim 32, Säll discloses wherein activation of the indicator is delayed at least 5 seconds (such as 5 second , ¶0130). Claim(s) 6, 8-9.12, 22. 24-25 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Säll in view of Mirov and further in view of Jorgensen et al. (US 20110270214 A1) (“Jorgensen”). Re Claim 6, Säll discloses the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing (the light can be seen visually, ¶0049, ¶0056), but it fails to disclose wherein the housing further comprises one or more windows configured to allow the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing. However, Jorgensen discloses a pen injector (Fig. 1-10) and wherein the housing (260 house for electronic 271, 272) comprises one or more windows (276, ¶0108, Fig. 9) configured to allow the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing (¶0108). Thus, it would have been prima facie obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modify housing to include one or more windows so that the housing further comprises one or more windows configured to allow the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing as taught by Jorgensen for the purpose of viewing the information related to the injection (Jorgensen, ¶0094). Re Claim 8, Säll fails to disclose wherein the one or more windows are arranged at the proximal end of the housing. However, Jorgensen discloses a pen injector (Fig. 1-10) and wherein the housing (260 house for electronic 271, 272) comprises one or more windows are arranged at the proximal end of the housing (276, ¶0108, Fig. 9) configured to allow the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing (¶0108). Thus, it would have been prima facie obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modify housing to include one or more windows so that one or more windows are arranged at the proximal end of the housing as taught by Jorgensen for the purpose of viewing the information related to the injection (Jorgensen, ¶0094). Re Claim 9, Säll fails to disclose wherein the one or more windows are arranged circumferentially around the housing. However, Jorgensen discloses a pen injector (Fig. 1-10) and wherein the housing (260 house for electronic 271, 272) comprises one or more windows are arranged circumferentially around the housing (276, ¶0108, Fig. 9) configured to allow the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing (¶0108). Thus, it would have been prima facie obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modify housing to include one or more windows so that the one or more windows are arranged circumferentially around the housing as taught by Jorgensen for the purpose of viewing the information related to the injection (Jorgensen, ¶0094). Re Claim 12, Säll fails to disclose wherein the one or more windows are arranged on a proximal-facing surface of the proximal end of the housing. However, Jorgensen discloses a pen injector (Fig. 1-10) and wherein the housing (260 house for electronic 271, 272) the one or more windows are arranged on a proximal-facing surface of the proximal end of the housing (276, ¶0108, Fig. 9) configured to allow the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing (¶0108). Thus, it would have been prima facie obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modify housing to include one or more windows so that the one or more windows are arranged on a proximal-facing surface of the proximal end of the housing as taught by Jorgensen for the purpose of viewing the information related to the injection (Jorgensen, ¶0094). Re Claim 22, Säll discloses the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing (the light can be seen visually, ¶0049, ¶0056), but it fails to disclose wherein the housing further comprises one or more windows configured to allow the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing. However, Jorgensen discloses a pen injector (Fig. 1-10) and wherein the housing (260 house for electronic 271, 272) comprises one or more windows (276, ¶0108, Fig. 9) configured to allow the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing (¶0108). Thus, it would have been prima facie obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modify housing to include one or more windows so that the housing further comprises one or more windows configured to allow the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing as taught by Jorgensen for the purpose of viewing the information related to the injection (Jorgensen, ¶0094). Re Claim 24, Säll fails to disclose wherein the one or more windows are arranged at the proximal end of the housing. However, Jorgensen discloses a pen injector (Fig. 1-10) and wherein the housing (260 house for electronic 271, 272) comprises one or more windows are arranged at the proximal end of the housing (276, ¶0108, Fig. 9) configured to allow the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing (¶0108). Thus, it would have been prima facie obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modify housing to include one or more windows so that one or more windows are arranged at the proximal end of the housing as taught by Jorgensen for the purpose of viewing the information related to the injection (Jorgensen, ¶0094). Re Claim 25, Säll fails to disclose wherein the one or more windows are arranged circumferentially around the housing. However, Jorgensen discloses a pen injector (Fig. 1-10) and wherein the housing (260 house for electronic 271, 272) comprises one or more windows are arranged circumferentially around the housing (276, ¶0108, Fig. 9) configured to allow the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing (¶0108). Thus, it would have been prima facie obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modify housing to include one or more windows so that the one or more windows are arranged circumferentially around the housing as taught by Jorgensen for the purpose of viewing the information related to the injection (Jorgensen, ¶0094). Claim(s) 6-7, 11, 22-23, 27 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Säll in view of Mirov and further in view of Fabien et al. (US 20180161507 A1) (“Fabien”). Re Claim 6, Säll discloses the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing (the light can be seen visually, ¶0049, ¶0056), but it fails to disclose wherein the housing further comprises one or more windows configured to allow the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing. However, Fabien discloses a pen injector (Fig. 1a-6) and wherein the housing (1c) comprises one or more windows (11, ¶0077) configured to allow the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing (¶077). Thus, it would have been prima facie obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modify housing to include one or more windows so that the housing further comprises one or more windows configured to allow the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing as taught by Fabien for the purpose of viewing the information related to the injection (Fabien, ¶0077). Re Claim 7, Säll fails to disclose wherein the one or more windows are arranged at the distal end of the housing. However, Fabien discloses a pen injector (Fig. 1a-6) and wherein the housing (1c) comprises one or more windows (11, ¶0077) are arranged at the distal end of the housing (at least the lower one are close to distal end ( below end, ¶0077). Thus, it would have been prima facie obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modify housing to include one or more windows so that the one or more windows are arranged at the distal end of the housing as taught by Fabien for the purpose of viewing the information related to the injection (Fabien, ¶0077). Re Claim 11, Säll fails to disclose wherein the one or more windows are arranged along a longitudinal axis of the housing between the proximal end of the housing and the distal end of the housing. However, Fabien discloses a pen injector (Fig. 1a-6) and wherein the housing (1c) comprises one or more windows (11, ¶0077) the one or more windows are arranged along a longitudinal axis of the housing between the proximal end of the housing and the distal end of the housing (¶077). Thus, it would have been prima facie obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modify housing to include one or more windows so that the one or more windows are arranged along a longitudinal axis of the housing between the proximal end of the housing and the distal end of the housing as taught by Fabien for the purpose of viewing the information related to the injection (Fabien, ¶0077). Re Claim 22, Säll discloses the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing (the light can be seen visually, ¶0049, ¶0056), but it fails to disclose wherein the housing further comprises one or more windows configured to allow the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing. However, Fabien discloses a pen injector (Fig. 1a-6) and wherein the housing (1c) comprises one or more windows (11, ¶0077) configured to allow the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing (¶077). Thus, it would have been prima facie obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modify housing to include one or more windows so that the housing further comprises one or more windows configured to allow the one or more visual indicators to be seen outside of the housing as taught by Fabien for the purpose of viewing the information related to the injection (Fabien, ¶0077). Re Claim 23, Säll fails to disclose wherein the one or more windows are arranged at the distal end of the housing. However, Fabien discloses a pen injector (Fig. 1a-6) and wherein the housing (1c) comprises one or more windows (11, ¶0077) are arranged at the distal end of the housing (at least the lower one are close to distal end, lower end, ¶0077). Thus, it would have been prima facie obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modify housing to include one or more windows so that the one or more windows are arranged at the distal end of the housing as taught by Fabien for the purpose of viewing the information related to the injection (Fabien, ¶0077). Re Claim 27, Säll fails to disclose wherein the one or more windows are arranged along a longitudinal axis of the housing between the proximal end of the housing and the distal end of the housing. However, Fabien discloses a pen injector (Fig. 1a-6) and wherein the housing (1c) comprises one or more windows (11, ¶0077) the one or more windows are arranged along a longitudinal axis of the housing between the proximal end of the housing and the distal end of the housing (¶0077). Thus, it would have been prima facie obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modify housing to include one or more windows so that the one or more windows are arranged along a longitudinal axis of the housing between the proximal end of the housing and the distal end of the housing as taught by Fabien for the purpose of viewing the information related to the injection (Fabien, ¶0077). Claim(s) 10, 26 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Säll in view of Jorgensen and further in view of Fabien. Re Claim 10, Säll fails to disclose wherein the one or more windows are arranged circumferentially around the distal end of the housing. However, Fabien discloses a pen injector (Fig. 1a-6) and wherein the housing (1c) comprises one or more windows (11, ¶0077) are arranged at the distal end of the housing (at least the lower one are close to distal end, below end, ¶0077). Thus, it would have been prima facie obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modify housing to include one or more windows so that the one or more windows are circumferentially around the distal end of the housing as taught by Fabien for the purpose of viewing the information related to the injection (Fabien, ¶0077). Re Claim 26, Säll fails to disclose wherein the one or more windows are arranged circumferentially around the distal end of the housing. However, Fabien discloses a pen injector (Fig. 1a-6) and wherein the housing (1c) comprises one or more windows (11, ¶0077) are arranged at the distal end of the housing (at least the lower one are close to distal end, lower end, ¶0077). Thus, it would have been prima facie obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modify housing to include one or more windows so that the one or more windows are arranged circumferentially around the distal end of the housing as taught by Fabien for the purpose of viewing the information related to the injection (Fabien, ¶0077). Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments, see remark, filed 3/9/2026, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 1, 17 under 102 rejection and with regards to the new limitation 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 over Sall in view of Mirov Conclusion Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). 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 HAMZA A. DARB whose telephone number is (571)270-1202. The examiner can normally be reached 8:00-5:00 M-F (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, Chelsea Stinson can be reached at (571) 270-1744. 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. /HAMZA A DARB/Examiner, Art Unit 3783 /CHELSEA E STINSON/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3783
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Prosecution Timeline

Apr 12, 2023
Application Filed
Nov 18, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Mar 09, 2026
Response Filed
Apr 08, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jul 06, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jul 14, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action

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