Last updated: May 29, 2026

Application No. 18/222,971

HARD LINER REMOVAL INSTRUMENT

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jul 17, 2023

Priority

Jul 15, 2022 — provisional 63/389,638

Examiner

SIPP, AMY R.

Art Unit

3775

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Joint Development LLC

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +26.4% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (70%); +26.4% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 519 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

SIPP, AMY R. View full profile →

Grants 70% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

366 granted / 519 resolved

+0.5% vs TC avg

Strong +26% interview lift

Without

With

+26.4%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 3m

Avg Prosecution

51 currently pending

Career history

571

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.1%

-39.9% vs TC avg

§103

79.5%

+39.5% vs TC avg

§102

8.4%

-31.6% vs TC avg

§112

11.0%

-29.0% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 519 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jul 17, 2023

Application Filed

Sep 08, 2025

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Dec 02, 2025

Response Filed

May 19, 2026

Response after Non-Final Action

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/952,135

Patent 12636166

EXPANDABLE AND ADJUSTABLE LORDOSIS INTERBODY FUSION SYSTEM

3y 8m to grant Granted May 26, 2026

18/374,708

Patent 12616584

Expandable Interbody Implant with Lordosis Correction

2y 7m to grant Granted May 05, 2026

18/049,350

Patent 12599418

BONE FIXATION DEVICES

3y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026

18/392,980

Patent 12564432

Surgical Tensioning Instrument

2y 2m to grant Granted Mar 03, 2026

17/758,604

Patent 12558111

POLYAXIAL DRILL GUIDE

3y 7m to grant Granted Feb 24, 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

70%

Grant Probability

97%

With Interview (+26.4%)

3y 3m (~5m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 519 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.