Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/424,246

SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE HAVING AIR GAPS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jan 26, 2024

Priority

Aug 30, 2021 — continuation of 11/923,243

Examiner

PARKER, JOHN M

Art Unit

2899

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +0.9% interview lift. Interview lift (+0.9%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 853 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

PARKER, JOHN M View full profile →

Grants 92% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

785 granted / 853 resolved

+24.0% vs TC avg

Minimal +1% lift

Without

With

+0.9%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 2m

Avg Prosecution

19 currently pending

Career history

865

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.4%

-39.6% vs TC avg

§103

73.2%

+33.2% vs TC avg

§102

10.5%

-29.5% vs TC avg

§112

3.8%

-36.2% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 853 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 26, 2024

Application Filed

Jun 02, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/873,214

Patent 12685126

INTERCONNECT STRUCTURE

3y 11m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/036,281

Patent 12685181

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MAKING INTEGRATED COOLING LIQUID CAVITY IN PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD

3y 2m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/077,382

Patent 12685101

SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE WITH A LINER LAYER

3y 7m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/109,569

Patent 12685104

CONTACT FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENT

3y 5m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/116,276

Patent 12685117

Semiconductor circuit pattern and manufacturing method thereof

3y 4m to grant Granted Jul 14, 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

92%

Grant Probability

93%

With Interview (+0.9%)

2y 2m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 853 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.