Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/383,674

QUICK CONNECT, RAPID FLUID TRANSFER CONNECTION

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Oct 25, 2023
Examiner
KASHYAP, ESHA PRAKASH
Art Unit
3783
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Terumo Corporation
OA Round
2 (Final)
100%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
7m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 100% — above average
100%
Career Allowance Rate
1 granted / 1 resolved
+30.0% vs TC avg
Minimal +0% lift
Without
With
+0.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 6m
Avg Prosecution
41 currently pending
Career history
29
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103
60.2%
+20.2% vs TC avg
§102
31.6%
-8.4% vs TC avg
§112
7.7%
-32.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . Claims 1-3 and 5-21 are examined in this office action. Claims 1, 5, 6, 11, 12, 14, and 17 are currently amended. Claim 21 is new. Claims 4 is cancelled. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. 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) 1-3 and 5-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Suh et al. (KR 20050094235 A) in view of Gill (US Patent No. 2926934 A). Regarding claim 1, Suh in view of Gill discloses a quick connect, rapid fluid transfer connection (Suh, Figs. 1-3) comprising: a first connector (Suh, branch pipe 212, Fig. 3) fluidly associated with a first bag (Suh, umbilical cord blood cell freezing bag 100), and a second connector(Suh, transport conduit 252) fluidly associated with a second bag (Suh, transplantation bag 300). Suh does not expressly disclose the first connector including a check valve, a first plunger, and a first spring, the first plunger and the first spring together movable between a first position and a second position; and the second connector including a second plunger and a second spring that are together movable between a third position and a fourth position, the check valve being in line with the first and second plungers. PNG media_image1.png 268 652 media_image1.png Greyscale Gill teaches the first connector (coupling member A, Fig. 1) including a check valve, a first plunger (filter 74), and a first spring (spring 44), the first plunger and the first spring together movable between a first position (Fig. 1) and a second position (Fig. 2); and the second connector (coupling member B, Fig. 1) including a second plunger (shaft-like insert 110) and a second spring (spring 44) that are together movable between a third position (Fig. 1) and a fourth position (Fig. 2), the check valve (check valve 10) being in line with the first and second plungers (See annotated Fig. 2). Therefore, it would have been obvious, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the connection of Suh to include the first connector including a check valve, a first plunger, and a first spring, the first plunger and the first spring together movable between a first position and a second position; and the second connector including a second plunger and a second spring that are together movable between a third position and a fourth position, the check valve being in line with the first and second plungers as taught by Gill for simplifying the process of connecting together the fluid lines (Gill, Col. 1 Line 35 and Col. 6 Line 52). Regarding claim 2, Suh in view of Gill discloses the connection (Suh, Figs. 1-3) as recited above, wherein the first connector (Suh, branch pipe 212, Fig. 3) further includes a cavity (Suh, inside branch pipe 212) having a first portion (Suh, portion receiving spring 218a) with a first average diameter (Suh, diameter of portion receiving spring 218a) and a second portion (Suh, portion closed by ball 218b) with a second average diameter (Suh, diameter of portion closed by ball 218b), and the check valve (Suh, pressure valve 218) includes a ball (Suh, ball 218b) movable within the cavity (Suh, inside branch pipe 212), the ball (Suh, ball 218b) having a third average diameter (Suh, diameter of ball 218b) that is smaller than (Suh, as shown in Fig. 3) the first average diameter (Suh, diameter of portion receiving spring 218a) and greater than (Suh, as shown in Fig. 3) the second average diameter (Suh, diameter of portion closed by ball 218b). Regarding claim 3, Suh in view of Gill discloses the connection (Suh, Figs. 1-3) as recited above, wherein the first connector (Suh, branch pipe 212, Fig. 3) further includes a retention component Suh, (Fig. 3 showing a portion of branch pipe 212 retaining an end of transport conduit 252) disposed within and extending along at least a portion (Suh, Fig. 3) of the cavity (Suh, inside branch pipe 212). Regarding claim 5, Suh in view of Gill discloses the connection (Suh, Figs. 1-3) as recited above, wherein Suh does not expressly disclose that the first plunger is disposed upstream of the check valve. Gill teaches that the first plunger is disposed upstream (Fig. 1) of the check valve (check valve 10). Therefore, it would have been obvious, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the connection of Suh to include that the first plunger is disposed upstream of the check valve as taught by Gill for simplifying the process of connecting together the fluid lines (Gill, Col. 1 Line 35 and Col. 6 Line 52). Regarding claim 6, Suh in view of Gill discloses the connection (Suh, Figs. 1-3) as recited above, wherein Suh does not expressly disclose that the second plunger is configured to engage with the first plunger and to move the first plunger from the first position to the second position when joined to the first connector to form the connection. Gill teaches that the second plunger (shaft-like insert 110, Fig. 1) is configured to engage with the first plunger (filter 74) and to move the first plunger from the first position (Fig. 1) to the second position (Fig. 2) when joined (as shown in Fig. 2) to the first connector (coupling member A, Fig. 1) to form the connection. Therefore, it would have been obvious, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the connection of Suh to include that the second plunger is configured to engage with the first plunger and to move the first plunger from the first position to the second position when joined to the first connector to form the connection as taught by Gill for simplifying the process of connecting together the fluid lines (Gill, Col. 1 Line 35 and Col. 6 Line 52). Regarding claim 7, Suh in view of Gill discloses the connection (Suh, Figs. 1-3) as recited above, wherein the first connector (Suh, branch pipe 212, Fig. 3) includes a first end (Suh, top end of branch pipe 212) and an opposing second end (Suh, bottom end of branch pipe 212), the first end (Suh, top end of branch pipe 212) of the first connector (Suh, branch pipe 212, Fig. 3) being fluidly associated with the first bag (Suh, umbilical cord blood cell freezing bag 100), the second connector (Suh, transport conduit 252) including a first end (Suh, bottom end of transport conduit 252) and an opposing second end (Suh, top end of transport conduit 252), the first end of the second connector (Suh, bottom end of transport conduit 252) being fluidly associated with (Suh, as shown in Fig. 1) the second bag (Suh, transplantation bag 300). Suh does not expressly disclose the second end of the second connector configured to receive at least a portion of the second end of the first connector. Gill teaches the second end (left end of coupling member B, Fig. 1) of the second connector (coupling member B) configured to receive at least a portion (at front socket portion 17) of the second end of the first connector (coupling member A). Therefore, it would have been obvious, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the connection of Suh to include the second end of the second connector configured to receive at least a portion of the second end of the first connector as taught by Gill for simplifying the process of connecting together the fluid lines (Gill, Col. 1 Line 35 and Col. 6 Line 52). Regarding claim 8, Suh in view of Gill discloses the connection (Suh, Figs. 1-3) as recited above, wherein Suh does not expressly disclose that the first connector includes a first hub and a second hub, the first and second hubs including one or more guide components to assist in and ensure proper alignment of the first and second hubs when joined to define the first connector. Gill teaches that the first connector (coupling member A, Fig. 1) includes a first hub (end fitting 14) and a second hub (socket body 16), the first (end fitting 14) and second hubs (socket body 16) including one or more guide components (at threads 30) to assist in and ensure proper alignment of the first (end fitting 14) and second hubs (socket body 16) when joined to define the first connector. (coupling member A). Therefore, it would have been obvious, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the connection of Suh to include that the first connector includes a first hub and a second hub, the first and second hubs including one or more guide components to assist in and ensure proper alignment of the first and second hubs when joined to define the first connector as taught by Gill for simplifying the process of connecting together the fluid lines (Gill, Col. 1 Line 35 and Col. 6 Line 52). Regarding claim 9, Suh in view of Gill discloses the connection (Suh, Figs. 1-3) as recited above, wherein Suh does not expressly disclose that the second connector includes a first hub and a second hub, the first and second hubs including one or more guide components to assist in and ensure proper alignment of the first and second hubs when joined to define the first connector. Gill teaches that the second connector (coupling member B, Fig. 1) includes a first hub (end fitting 20) and a second hub (externally threaded body 22), the first and second hubs including one or more guide components (Fig. 1 showing threads at externally threaded body 22) to assist in and ensure proper alignment of the first (end fitting 20) and second hubs (externally threaded body 22) when joined to define the first connector (coupling member B). Therefore, it would have been obvious, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the connection of Suh to include that the second connector includes a first hub and a second hub, the first and second hubs including one or more guide components to assist in and ensure proper alignment of the first and second hubs when joined to define the first connector as taught by Gill for simplifying the process of connecting together the fluid lines (Gill, Col. 1 Line 35 and Col. 6 Line 52). Regarding claim 10, Suh in view of Gill discloses the connection (Suh, Figs. 1-3) as recited above, wherein the first bag (Suh, umbilical cord blood cell freezing bad 100, Fig. 1) includes a blood component, and the second bag (Suh, transplantation bag 300) includes an aqueous solution (Suh, “… thawing fluid in the transplant bag …” – Page 5, Col. 4). Regarding claim 11, Suh in view of Gill discloses a quick connect, rapid fluid transfer connection (Suh, Figs. 1-3) comprising: a first connector (branch pipe 212, Fig. 3) having a first end (top end of branch pipe 212) and an opposing second end (bottom end of branch pipe 212), the first connector (branch pipe 212) including a cavity (inside branch pipe 212) and a ball (ball 218b) movable therewithin (as shown in Fig. 3), the cavity having a first portion (portion receiving spring 218a) with a first average diameter (diameter of portion receiving spring 218a) and a second portion (portion closed by ball 218b) with a second average diameter (diameter of portion closed ball 218b), and the ball having a third average diameter (diameter of call 218b) that is smaller (as shown Fig. 3) than the first average diameter and greater than (as shown in Fig. 3) the second average diameter; and a second connector (transport conduit 252)having a first end (bottom end of transport conduit 252) and an opposing second end (top end of transport conduit 252). Suh does not expressly disclose the first connector including a first plunger and a first spring that are together movable between a first position and a second position and the second end of the second connector configured to receive at least a portion of the second end of the first connector, the second connector including a second plunger and a second spring that are together movable between a third position and a fourth position, the ball being in line with the first and second plungers. PNG media_image1.png 268 652 media_image1.png Greyscale Gill teaches the first connector (coupling member A, Fig. 1) including a first plunger (filter 74) and a first spring (spring 44) that are together movable between a first position (Fig. 1) and a second position (Fig. 2) and the second end of the second connector (right end of coupling member A) configured to receive at least a portion of the second end of the first connector (left end of coupling member B, Fig. 1), the second connector (coupling member B) including a second plunger (shaft-like insert 110) and a second spring (spring 44) that are together movable between a third position (Fig. 1) and a fourth position (Fig. 2), the ball (ball or check valve 10, Fig. 1) being in line (See annotated Fig. 2) with the first (filter 74) and second plungers (shaft-like insert 110). Therefore, it would have been obvious, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the connection of Suh to include the first connector including a first plunger and a first spring that are together movable between a first position and a second position and the second end of the second connector configured to receive at least a portion of the second end of the first connector, the second connector including a second plunger and a second spring that are together movable between a third position and a fourth position, the ball being in line with the first and second plungers as taught by Gill for simplifying the process of connecting together the fluid lines (Gill, Col. 1 Line 35 and Col. 6 Line 52). Regarding claim 12, Suh in view of Gill discloses the connection (Suh, Figs. 1-3) as recited above, wherein Suh does not expressly disclose that the second plunger is configured to engage with the first plunger and to move the first plunger from the first position to the second position when joined to the first connector to form the connection. Gill teaches that the second plunger (shaft-like insert 110, Fig. 1) is configured to engage with the first plunger (filter 74) and to move the first plunger from its first position (Fig. 1) to its second position (Fig. 2) when joined (as shown in Fig. 2) to the first connector (coupling member A, Fig. 1) to form the connection. Therefore, it would have been obvious, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the connection of Suh to include that the second plunger is configured to engage with the first plunger and to move the first plunger from the first position to the second position when joined to the first connector to form the connection as taught by Gill for simplifying the process of connecting together the fluid lines (Gill, Col. 1 Line 35 and Col. 6 Line 52). Regarding claim 13, Suh in view of Gill discloses the connection (Suh, Figs. 1-3) as recited above, wherein Suh does not expressly disclose that the first connector includes a first hub and a second hub, the first and second hubs including one or more guide components to assist in and ensure proper alignment of the first and second hubs when joined to define the first connector; and the second connector includes a third hub and a fourth hub, the third and fourth hubs including one or more second guide components to assist in and ensure proper alignment of the third and fourth hubs when joined to define the first connector. Gill teaches that the first connector (coupling member A, Fig. 1) includes a first hub (end fitting 14) and a second hub (socket body 16), the first (end fitting 14) and second hubs (socket body 16) including one or more guide components (at threads 30) to assist in and ensure proper alignment of the first (end fitting 14) and second hubs (socket body 16) when joined to define the first connector (coupling member A); and the second connector (coupling member B) includes a third hub (end fitting 20) and a fourth hub (externally threaded body 22), the third and fourth hubs including one or more second guide components (Fig. 1 showing threads at externally threaded body 22) to assist in and ensure proper alignment of the third (end fitting 20) and fourth hubs (externally threaded body 22) when joined to define the first connector (coupling member A). Therefore, it would have been obvious, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the connection of Suh to include that the first connector includes a first hub and a second hub, the first and second hubs including one or more guide components to assist in and ensure proper alignment of the first and second hubs when joined to define the first connector; and the second connector includes a third hub and a fourth hub, the third and fourth hubs including one or more second guide components to assist in and ensure proper alignment of the third and fourth hubs when joined to define the first connector as taught by Gill for simplifying the process of connecting together the fluid lines (Gill, Col. 1 Line 35 and Col. 6 Line 52). Regarding claim 14, Suh in view of Gill disclose a method for reconstituting a blood component (Suh, “regarding thawing of an umbilical cord blood cell freezing bag using a branch pipe …” – Abstract), the method comprising: joining a first connector (Suh, branch pipe 212, Fig. 1) and a second connector (Suh, transport conduit 252), the first connector (Suh, branch pipe 212, Fig. 1) fluidly associated with a first bag (Suh, umbilical cord blood cell freezing bag 100), and the second connector (Suh, transport conduit 252) fluidly associated with a second bag (Suh, transplantation bag 300), and the second bag (Suh, transplantation bag 300). Suh does not expressly disclose the first connector including a check valve, a first plunger, and a first spring, the first plunger and the first spring together movable between a first position and a second position, the second bag including a second plunger and a second spring that are together movable between a third position and a fourth position, the check valve being in line with the first and second plungers. Gill teaches the first connector (coupling member A, Fig. 1) including a check valve (check valve 10), a first plunger (filter 74), and a first spring (spring 44), the first plunger and the first spring together movable between a first position (Fig. 1) and a second position (Fig. 2), the second bag including a second plunger (shaft-like insert 110) and a second spring (spring 44) that are together movable between a third position (Fig. 1) and a fourth position (Fig. 2), the check valve (check valve 10) being in line with the first and second plungers (See annotated Fig. 2). PNG media_image1.png 268 652 media_image1.png Greyscale Therefore, it would have been obvious, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the method of Suh to include the first connector including a check valve, a first plunger, and a first spring, the first plunger and the first spring together movable between a first position and a second position, the second bag including a second plunger and a second spring that are together movable between a third position and a fourth position, the check valve being in line with the first and second plungers as taught by Gill for simplifying the process of connecting together the fluid lines (Gill, Col. 1 Line 35 and Col. 6 Line 52). Regarding claim 15, Suh in view of Gill disclose the method(Suh, “regarding thawing of an umbilical cord blood cell freezing bag using a branch pipe …” – Abstract) as recited above, wherein the first connector (Suh, branch pipe 212, Fig. 3) further includes a cavity (Suh, inside branch pipe 212) having a first portion (Suh, portion receiving spring 218a) with a first average diameter (Suh, diameter of portion receiving spring 218a) and a second portion (Suh, portion closed by ball 218b) with a second average diameter (Suh, diameter of portion closed by ball 218b), and the check valve (Suh, pressure valve 218) includes a ball (Suh, ball 218b) movable within the cavity (Suh, inside branch pipe 212), the ball (Suh, ball 218b) having a third average diameter (Suh, diameter of ball 218b) that is smaller than (Suh, as shown in Fig. 3) the first average diameter (Suh, diameter of portion receiving spring 218a) and greater than (Suh, as shown in Fig. 3) the second average diameter (Suh, diameter of portion closed by ball 218b). Regarding claim 16, Suh in view of Gill disclose the method(Suh, “regarding thawing of an umbilical cord blood cell freezing bag using a branch pipe …” – Abstract) as recited above, wherein the first connector (Suh, branch pipe 212, Fig. 3) further includes a retention component Suh, (Fig. 3 showing a portion of branch pipe 212 retaining an end of transport conduit 252) disposed within and extending along at least a portion (Suh, Fig. 3) of the cavity (Suh, inside branch pipe 212). Regarding claim 17, Suh in view of Gill disclose the method(Suh, “regarding thawing of an umbilical cord blood cell freezing bag using a branch pipe …” – Abstract) as recited above, wherein Suh does not expressly disclose that the second plunger is configured to engage with the first plunger and to move the first plunger from its first position to its second position when joined to the first connector to form the connection. Gill teaches that the second plunger (shaft-like insert 110, Fig. 1) is configured to engage with the first plunger (filter 74) and to move the first plunger from its first position (Fig. 1) to its second position (Fig. 2) when joined (as shown in Fig. 2) to the first connector (coupling member A, Fig. 1) to form the connection. Therefore, it would have been obvious, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the method of Suh to include that the second plunger is configured to engage with the first plunger and to move the first plunger from its first position to its second position when joined to the first connector to form the connection as taught by Gill for simplifying the process of connecting together the fluid lines (Gill, Col. 1 Line 35 and Col. 6 Line 52). Regarding claim 18, Suh in view of Gill disclose the method(Suh, “regarding thawing of an umbilical cord blood cell freezing bag using a branch pipe …” – Abstract) as recited above, wherein the first connector (Suh, branch pipe 212, Fig. 3) includes a first end (Suh, top end of branch pipe 212) and an opposing second end (Suh, bottom end of branch pipe 212), the first end (Suh, top end of branch pipe 212) of the first connector (Suh, branch pipe 212, Fig. 3) being fluidly associated with the first bag (Suh, umbilical cord blood cell freezing bag 100), the second connector (Suh, transport conduit 252) including a first end (Suh, bottom end of transport conduit 252) and an opposing second end (Suh, top end of transport conduit 252), the first end of the second connector (Suh, bottom end of transport conduit 252) being fluidly associated with (Suh, as shown in Fig. 1) the second bag (Suh, transplantation bag 300). Suh does not expressly disclose the second end of the second connector configured to receive at least a portion of the second end of the first connector. Gill teaches the second end (left end of coupling member B, Fig. 1) of the second connector (coupling member B) configured to receive at least a portion (at front socket portion 17) of the second end of the first connector (coupling member A). Therefore, it would have been obvious, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the method of Suh to include the second end of the second connector configured to receive at least a portion of the second end of the first connector as taught by Gill for simplifying the process of connecting together the fluid lines (Gill, Col. 1 Line 35 and Col. 6 Line 52). Regarding claim 19, Suh in view of Gill disclose the method(Suh, “regarding thawing of an umbilical cord blood cell freezing bag using a branch pipe …” – Abstract) as recited above, wherein Suh does not expressly disclose that the first connector includes a first hub and a second hub, the first and second hubs including one or more guide components to assist in and ensure proper alignment of the first and second hubs when joined to define the first connector. Gill teaches that the first connector (coupling member A, Fig. 1) includes a first hub (end fitting 14) and a second hub (socket body 16), the first (end fitting 14) and second hubs (socket body 16) including one or more guide components (at threads 30) to assist in and ensure proper alignment of the first (end fitting 14) and second hubs (socket body 16) when joined to define the first connector. (coupling member A). Therefore, it would have been obvious, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the method of Suh to include that the first connector includes a first hub and a second hub, the first and second hubs including one or more guide components to assist in and ensure proper alignment of the first and second hubs when joined to define the first connector as taught by Gill for simplifying the process of connecting together the fluid lines (Gill, Col. 1 Line 35 and Col. 6 Line 52). Regarding claim 20, Suh in view of Gill disclose the method(Suh, “regarding thawing of an umbilical cord blood cell freezing bag using a branch pipe …” – Abstract) as recited above, wherein Suh does not expressly disclose that the second connector includes a first hub and a second hub, the first and second hubs including one or more guide components to assist in and ensure proper alignment of the first and second hubs when joined to define the first connector. Gill teaches that the second connector (coupling member B, Fig. 1) includes a first hub (end fitting 20) and a second hub (externally threaded body 22), the first and second hubs including one or more guide components (Fig. 1 showing threads at externally threaded body 22) to assist in and ensure proper alignment of the first (end fitting 20) and second hubs (externally threaded body 22) when joined to define the first connector (coupling member B). Therefore, it would have been obvious, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the method of Suh to include that the second connector includes a first hub and a second hub, the first and second hubs including one or more guide components to assist in and ensure proper alignment of the first and second hubs when joined to define the first connector as taught by Gill for simplifying the process of connecting together the fluid lines (Gill, Col. 1 Line 35 and Col. 6 Line 52). Claim(s) 21 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Suh et al. (KR 20050094235 A) in view of Gill (US Patent No. 2926934 A) and in further view of Di Capua Jr. et al. (US Pub No. 20240390663 A1). Regarding claim 21, Suh in view of Gill and Di Capua Jr. discloses the connection (Suh, Figs. 1-3) as recited above, wherein Suh does not expressly disclose that the second connector includes a seal disposed around at least a portion of the second plunger. Di Capua Jr. teaches that the second connector (second coupling 610, Fig. 26B) includes a seal (valve seal 635, Fig. 26B) disposed around at least a portion of the second plunger (second piston 658, Fig. 26B). Therefore, it would have been obvious, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the connection of Suh to include that the second connector includes a seal disposed around at least a portion of the second plunger as taught by Di Capua allowing fluid to flow through the second coupling passageway (Di Capua, Para [0101]). Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments, see pages 11-12, filed 6/25/2026, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 1-3 and 5-20 under 35 USC 103 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 in view of Suh in view of Gill. Applicant argues that Suh and Gill, considered along or in combination are silent with regard to the check valve or ball being in line with first and second plungers. In contrast, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 of Gill the as-alleged check valve is on a different plane than the as-alleged first and second plungers. Examiner interprets that Gill teaches a check valve or ball being in line with the first and second plungers as shown in annotated Fig. 2 above. With respect to applicant’s argument the rejection above teaches the claimed limitation. Examiner further relies on Di Capua Jr. teach the newly added claim 21 as recited above. The rejection above is maintained. Conclusion THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 ESHA P KASHYAP whose telephone number is (571)272-9890. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm. 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. /ESHA PRAKASH KASHYAP/Examiner, Art Unit 3783 /CHELSEA E STINSON/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3783
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Prosecution Timeline

Oct 25, 2023
Application Filed
May 15, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jun 04, 2026
Interview Requested
Jun 18, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Jun 18, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
Jun 25, 2026
Response Filed
Sep 23, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
100%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+0.0%)
3y 6m (~7m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 1 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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