Last updated: July 05, 2026

Application No. 18/410,303

SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE HAVING NON-SILICIDE SOURCE/DRAIN CONTACT AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jan 11, 2024

Examiner

TYNES JR., LAWRENCE C

Art Unit

2899

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +9.0% interview lift. Interview lift (+9.0%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 777 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

TYNES JR., LAWRENCE C View full profile →

Grants 85% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

662 granted / 777 resolved

+17.2% vs TC avg

Moderate +9% lift

Without

With

+9.0%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 4m

Avg Prosecution

28 currently pending

Career history

811

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.4%

-39.6% vs TC avg

§103

66.0%

+26.0% vs TC avg

§102

7.7%

-32.3% vs TC avg

§112

22.7%

-17.3% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 777 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 11, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 01, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/853,204

Patent 12672559

LOW INSERTION LOSS COAXIAL THROUGH-HOLE FOR HIGHSPEED INPUT-OUPUT

4y 0m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

17/951,601

Patent 12672572

PACKAGE COMPRISING A SUBSTRATE WITH INTERCONNECTS

3y 9m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/389,445

Patent 12672507

HEATING APPARATUS AND PRETREMENT METHOD FOR WAFER

2y 7m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/532,037

Patent 12666652

LOCAL BACKSIDE CONTACT ISOLATION FOR MERGED BACKSIDE CONTACT PATTERNING

2y 6m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/091,197

Patent 12660272

SELECTIVE GATE OXIDE FORMATION ON 2D MATERIAL BASED TRANSISTOR DEVICES

3y 5m to grant Granted Jun 16, 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.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

85%

Grant Probability

94%

With Interview (+9.0%)

2y 4m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 777 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.