Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/649,749

COVER FOR PROSTHETIC VALVE EXPANSION MECHANISM

Non-Final OA

Filed

Apr 29, 2024

Priority

Nov 11, 2021 — provisional 63/278,443 +1 more

Examiner

HO, TAN-UYEN THI

Art Unit

Tech Center

Assignee

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

This examiner grants 23% of cases after interview

— +17.4% interview lift. A telephonic interview to clarify the technical implementation could significantly improve the outcome.

Based on 53 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

HO, TAN-UYEN THI View full profile →

Grants only 23% of cases

Career Allowance Rate

12 granted / 53 resolved

-37.4% vs TC avg

Strong +17% interview lift

Without

With

+17.4%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 11m

Avg Prosecution

13 currently pending

Career history

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103

79.9%

+39.9% vs TC avg

§102

12.0%

-28.0% vs TC avg

§112

4.4%

-35.6% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 53 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Apr 29, 2024

Application Filed

Jun 01, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/461,561

Patent 12605246

Prosthetic Heart Valve with Atrial Drain

2y 7m to grant Granted Apr 21, 2026

18/095,440

Patent 12502275

LEAFLET ATTACHMENT CONFIGURATIONS TO THE FRAMES OF PROSTHETIC VALVES

2y 11m to grant Granted Dec 23, 2025

18/978,859

Patent 12465350

EXPANDING DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

11m to grant Granted Nov 11, 2025

17/925,295

Patent 12458482

ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING A PRE-LOADED IMPLANT AND METHODS OF STERILIZING ASSEMBLIES

2y 11m to grant Granted Nov 04, 2025

17/901,602

Patent 12427013

PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE LEAFLET COMMISSURE ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS

3y 1m to grant Granted Sep 30, 2025

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

23%

Grant Probability

40%

With Interview (+17.4%)

3y 11m (~1y 9m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 53 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.