Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/568,687

JOINT DEVICE

Non-Final OA

Filed

Dec 08, 2023

Priority

Jun 11, 2021 — JP 2021-098286 +1 more

Examiner

HU, ANN M

Art Unit

3774

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +21.3% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (68%); +21.3% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 941 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

HU, ANN M View full profile →

Grants 68% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

637 granted / 941 resolved

-2.3% vs TC avg

Strong +21% interview lift

Without

With

+21.3%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 9m

Avg Prosecution

48 currently pending

Career history

1000

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.1%

-39.9% vs TC avg

§103

85.6%

+45.6% vs TC avg

§102

11.0%

-29.0% vs TC avg

§112

1.5%

-38.5% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 941 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 08, 2023

Application Filed

May 19, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/012,849

Patent 12661241

DEVICE FOR SHAPING AND CUTTING A BONE GRAFT

3y 6m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/379,396

Patent 12653663

Fixation Member With Separate Eyelet And Methods Of Use Thereof

2y 8m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

17/111,448

Patent 12648847

SEALING MEMBERS FOR PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE

5y 6m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

17/785,659

Patent 12642659

SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS

3y 11m to grant Granted Jun 02, 2026

17/806,002

Patent 12642650

MEDICAL DEVICE FOR TREATING A HEART VALVE INSUFFICIENCY

3y 12m 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

68%

Grant Probability

89%

With Interview (+21.3%)

3y 9m (~1y 1m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 941 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.