Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/164,651

BACKSIDE CONTACT FORMATION

Non-Final OA

Filed

Feb 06, 2023

Examiner

ABDELAZIEZ, YASSER A

Art Unit

2898

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

International Business Machines Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +2.7% interview lift. Interview lift (+2.7%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 816 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

ABDELAZIEZ, YASSER A View full profile →

Grants 86% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

703 granted / 816 resolved

+18.2% vs TC avg

Minimal +3% lift

Without

With

+2.7%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Fast prosecutor

2y 1m

Avg Prosecution

29 currently pending

Career history

843

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

2.2%

-37.8% vs TC avg

§103

73.2%

+33.2% vs TC avg

§102

12.9%

-27.1% vs TC avg

§112

10.5%

-29.5% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 816 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 06, 2023

Application Filed

Jun 20, 2024

Response after Non-Final Action

May 06, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Jul 15, 2026

Interview Requested

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/345,311

Patent 12684928

LIGHT-EMITTING CHIP, MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE

3y 0m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/350,427

Patent 12684759

SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME

3y 0m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

17/259,949

Patent 12677497

SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE

5y 5m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/057,321

Patent 12660535

SUBSTRATE TREATING APPARATUS AND SUBSTRATE TREATING METHOD

3y 6m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

17/883,073

Patent 12653017

INTERCONNECT STRUCTURE OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE INCLUDING METAL PATTERN OR VIA STRUCTURE WITH SIDEWALL SPACER STRUCTURE

3y 10m 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

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

86%

Grant Probability

89%

With Interview (+2.7%)

2y 1m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 816 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.