Last updated: July 15, 2026

Application No. 18/411,286

EXPANDABLE SHEATH

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jan 12, 2024

Priority

Aug 06, 2021 — provisional 63/230,631 +2 more

Examiner

LYNCH, ROBERT A

Art Unit

3771

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +13.3% interview lift. Interview lift (+13.3%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 864 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

LYNCH, ROBERT A View full profile →

Grants 80% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

693 granted / 864 resolved

+10.2% vs TC avg

Moderate +13% lift

Without

With

+13.3%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 11m

Avg Prosecution

42 currently pending

Career history

899

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.4%

-39.6% vs TC avg

§103

70.1%

+30.1% vs TC avg

§102

9.7%

-30.3% vs TC avg

§112

3.7%

-36.3% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 864 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 12, 2024

Application Filed

Mar 30, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Jun 30, 2026

Response Filed

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/682,855

Patent 12678551

PORTABLE SUCTION DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING SUCTION USING SAME

4y 4m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/384,101

Patent 12673193

Dilation Instrument with Malleable Guide and Dilation Catheter with Integral Position Sensor

2y 8m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/351,584

Patent 12653540

DEVICES, ASSEMBLIES, AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING AGENTS

2y 11m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/495,561

Patent 12642598

TECHNIQUES FOR AUTOMATICALLY TRACKING SURGICAL PROCEDURES

2y 7m to grant Granted Jun 02, 2026

18/133,425

Patent 12636142

Stent-Graft System

3y 1m to grant Granted May 26, 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

80%

Grant Probability

94%

With Interview (+13.3%)

2y 11m (~5m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 864 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.