Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/070,531

SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH SELECTOR

Non-Final OA

Filed

Nov 29, 2022

Priority

Dec 16, 2015 — continuation of 10/470,790 +1 more

Examiner

DANG, ANH TIEU

Art Unit

3771

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Cilag GmbH International

OA Round

2 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +35.8% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (65%); +35.8% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 647 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

DANG, ANH TIEU View full profile →

Grants 65% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

423 granted / 647 resolved

-4.6% vs TC avg

Strong +36% interview lift

Without

With

+35.8%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 4m

Avg Prosecution

35 currently pending

Career history

686

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.2%

-39.8% vs TC avg

§103

74.9%

+34.9% vs TC avg

§102

14.2%

-25.8% vs TC avg

§112

3.0%

-37.0% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 647 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 29, 2022

Application Filed

Oct 16, 2025

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Jan 14, 2026

Response Filed

Jun 02, 2026

Request for Continued Examination

Jun 10, 2026

Response after Non-Final Action

Jul 01, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/810,470

Patent 12678282

TRANSCATHETER PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH DISTAL CUTTING ASSEMBLY

1y 10m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/250,272

Patent 12672860

MEDICAL SNARE DEVICE

3y 2m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/181,401

Patent 12667358

INCISIONLESS GASTRIC BYPASS SYSTEM

3y 3m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/737,500

Patent 12667383

ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND METHOD OF LATERALLY ALIGNING BLADE WITH CLAMP ARM

2y 0m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

17/454,667

Patent 12661136

METHODS, SYSTEMS AND DEVICES FOR GENERATING PRESSURE WAVES IN INTRAVASCULAR LITHOTRIPSY

4y 7m to grant Granted Jun 23, 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

2-3

Expected OA Rounds

65%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+35.8%)

3y 4m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Moderate

PTA Risk

Based on 647 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.