Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/415,100

METHOD OF SELECTIVE BOTTOM WIDENING OF HIGH ASPECT RATIO OPENINGS THROUGH A MULTI-LAYER STACK

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jan 17, 2024

Examiner

REIDA, MOLLY KAY

Art Unit

2899

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

SanDisk Technologies Inc.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +2.1% interview lift. Interview lift (+2.1%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 431 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

REIDA, MOLLY KAY View full profile →

Grants 83% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

357 granted / 431 resolved

+14.8% vs TC avg

Minimal +2% lift

Without

With

+2.1%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Fast prosecutor

2y 2m

Avg Prosecution

31 currently pending

Career history

464

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.4%

-39.6% vs TC avg

§103

75.4%

+35.4% vs TC avg

§102

14.6%

-25.4% vs TC avg

§112

6.4%

-33.6% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 431 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 17, 2024

Application Filed

Jun 02, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/831,950

Patent 12684823

LAYER STRUCTURES INCLUDING CONFIGURATION INCREASING OPERATION CHARACTERISTICS, METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME, ELECTRONIC DEVICES INCLUDING LAYER STRUCTURES, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUSES INCLUDING ELECTRONIC DEVICES

4y 1m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/108,953

Patent 12672279

SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME

3y 4m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/062,264

Patent 12666590

SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING THE SAME

3y 6m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/318,152

Patent 12660161

CAPACITOR STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME, SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME

3y 1m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

17/828,039

Patent 12648438

ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF

4y 0m to grant Granted Jun 02, 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

83%

Grant Probability

85%

With Interview (+2.1%)

2y 2m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 431 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.