Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/484,372

SELECTIVE PASSIVATION OF PHOTORESISTS

Non-Final OA

Filed

Oct 10, 2023

Examiner

SULLIVAN, CALEEN O

Art Unit

2899

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

Tokyo Electron Limited

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +11.5% interview lift. Interview lift (+11.5%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 1137 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

SULLIVAN, CALEEN O View full profile →

Grants 89% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

1007 granted / 1137 resolved

+20.6% vs TC avg

Moderate +12% lift

Without

With

+11.5%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Fast prosecutor

2y 1m

Avg Prosecution

9 currently pending

Career history

1147

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.5%

-39.5% vs TC avg

§103

70.3%

+30.3% vs TC avg

§102

8.1%

-31.9% vs TC avg

§112

2.4%

-37.6% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1137 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 10, 2023

Application Filed

Jun 05, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/148,449

Patent 12681387

PHOTORESIST COMPOSITIONS FOR EUV AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES USING THE SAME

3y 6m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/164,053

Patent 12676292

TARGET PROCESSING DEVICE AND TARGET PROCESSING METHOD

3y 5m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/173,048

Patent 12669476

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, METHOD OF WASHING SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF MEASURING CLEANLINESS OF WASHING SOLUTION

3y 4m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/224,063

Patent 12669757

MASK INSPECTION APPARATUS WITH A PLATFORM MODULE

2y 11m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

17/926,108

Patent 12663722

SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CONTROL DEFECTS IN PROJECTION-BASED SUB-MICROMETER ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

3y 7m 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.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

89%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+11.5%)

2y 1m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 1137 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.