Last updated: July 05, 2026

Application No. 18/588,195

BACKSIDE CONTACT FORMATION FOR A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE STRUCTURE WITH A DENSE GATE PITCH

Non-Final OA

Filed

Feb 27, 2024

Examiner

QUINTO, KEVIN V

Art Unit

2893

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

International Business Machines Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +1.7% interview lift. Interview lift (+1.7%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 851 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

QUINTO, KEVIN V View full profile →

Grants 85% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

722 granted / 851 resolved

+16.8% vs TC avg

Minimal +2% lift

Without

With

+1.7%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 6m

Avg Prosecution

27 currently pending

Career history

880

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.6%

-39.4% vs TC avg

§103

76.5%

+36.5% vs TC avg

§102

13.7%

-26.3% vs TC avg

§112

4.8%

-35.2% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 851 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 27, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 09, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/491,702

Patent 12672590

METHODS OF FORMING MICROELECTRONIC DEVICES

2y 8m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/346,942

Patent 12666607

SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE

2y 11m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/144,958

Patent 12660155

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICES

3y 1m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/491,694

Patent 12660715

METHODS OF FORMING MICROELECTRONIC DEVICES

2y 8m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/338,807

Patent 12653036

SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND METHOD

2y 11m to grant Granted Jun 09, 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

85%

Grant Probability

86%

With Interview (+1.7%)

2y 6m (~2m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 851 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.