Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/434,173

CONNECTOR

Non-Final OA

Filed

Feb 06, 2024

Priority

Feb 20, 2023 — JP 2023-024139

Examiner

JIMENEZ, OSCAR C

Art Unit

2896

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +8.7% interview lift. Interview lift (+8.7%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 730 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

JIMENEZ, OSCAR C View full profile →

Grants 87% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

636 granted / 730 resolved

+19.1% vs TC avg

Moderate +9% lift

Without

With

+8.7%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Fast prosecutor

1y 10m

Avg Prosecution

22 currently pending

Career history

745

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.2%

-39.8% vs TC avg

§103

68.2%

+28.2% vs TC avg

§102

30.0%

-10.0% vs TC avg

§112

0.9%

-39.1% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 730 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 06, 2024

Application Filed

Mar 13, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/403,765

Patent 12683343

ELECTRICAL CONNECTION DEVICE

2y 6m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/135,470

Patent 12671199

ELECTRICAL ASSEMBLY AND HEADER

3y 2m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/176,200

Patent 12661174

SURGICAL EQUIPMENT SOCKET, SURGICAL GENERATOR, SURGICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING THE USE OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT IN A SURGICAL SYSTEM

3y 3m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/399,925

Patent 12665328

Small-Sized Connector Convenient For Dismounting And Mounting

2y 5m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/399,963

Patent 12665354

Connector For Preventing Signal Interference

2y 5m to grant Granted Jun 23, 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

87%

Grant Probability

96%

With Interview (+8.7%)

1y 10m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 730 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.