Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/667,929

INFUSION PUMP SYSTEM AND METHOD

Non-Final OA §101
Filed
May 17, 2024
Priority
Jul 19, 2013 — continuation of 9561324 +3 more
Examiner
FREHE, WILLIAM R
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Insulet Corporation
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
60%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 4m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 60% of resolved cases
60%
Career Allowance Rate
236 granted / 394 resolved
At TC average
Strong +42% interview lift
Without
With
+42.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 9m
Avg Prosecution
45 currently pending
Career history
451
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.9%
-39.1% vs TC avg
§103
55.3%
+15.3% vs TC avg
§102
13.3%
-26.7% vs TC avg
§112
25.3%
-14.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 394 resolved cases

Office Action

§101
DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Double Patenting A rejection based on double patenting of the “same invention” type finds its support in the language of 35 U.S.C. 101 which states that “whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process... may obtain a patent therefor...” (Emphasis added). Thus, the term “same invention,” in this context, means an invention drawn to identical subject matter. See Miller v. Eagle Mfg. Co., 151 U.S. 186 (1894); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Ockert, 245 F.2d 467, 114 USPQ 330 (CCPA 1957). A statutory type (35 U.S.C. 101) double patenting rejection can be overcome by canceling or amending the claims that are directed to the same invention so they are no longer coextensive in scope. The filing of a terminal disclaimer cannot overcome a double patenting rejection based upon 35 U.S.C. 101. Claims 1-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of Claims 1-10 of USPN 12,064,591, hereinafter Patent ‘591. This is a statutory double patenting rejection. Re Claim 1: Claim 1 of Patent ‘591 discloses an insulin delivery system, comprising: an insulin delivery device; a near field communication (NFC) device to store and transmit data regarding insulin therapy; and a mobile device comprising: a display; at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the mobile device to: responsive to the mobile device being tapped or bumped adjacent to or against the NFC device, receive the data regarding insulin therapy from the NFC device; responsive to receiving the data regarding insulin therapy from the NFC device, determine a suggested bolus dosage of insulin based at least partially on the data regarding insulin therapy; and cause a prompt for a user to confirm or deny the suggested bolus dosage of insulin be displayed on the display. Re Claims 2-10: Claims 2-10 of Patent ‘591 disclose respectively the Claim 2 limitation wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the mobile device to: responsive to a user interaction confirming the suggested bolus dosage of insulin, transmit insulin delivery instructions reflecting the suggested bolus dosage of insulin to the insulin delivery device; the Claim 3 limitation wherein responsive to the insulin delivery device being tapped or bumped adjacent to or against the NFC device, receive insulin delivery instructions from the NFC device; and deliver insulin the user according to the received insulin delivery instructions; the Claim 4 limitation wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the mobile device to: responsive to a user interaction confirming the suggested bolus dosage of insulin, writing new data regarding insulin therapy to the NFC device; the Claim 5 limitation wherein the NFC device comprises an NFC tag; the Claim 6 limitation wherein the NFC tag stores data regarding a meal item; the Claim 7 limitation wherein the mobile device comprises an accelerometer; the Claim 8 limitation wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the mobile device to: detect acceleration of the mobile device; and determine whether a movement value of the detected acceleration of the mobile device meets or exceeds a threshold movement value; the Claim 9 limitation wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the mobile device to: responsive to determining that the movement value of the detected acceleration of the mobile device meets or exceeds the threshold movement value and detecting a proximity of the NFC device, initiating communication with the NFC device; and the Claim 10 limitation wherein the insulin delivery device comprises: a portable housing defining a space to receive the insulin; and a drive system for dispensing the insulin from the portable housing. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to WILLIAM R FREHE whose telephone number is (571)272-8225. The examiner can normally be reached 10:30AM-7:30PM. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Kevin Sirmons can be reached at 571-272-4965. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /WILLIAM R FREHE/Examiner, Art Unit 3783 /KEVIN C SIRMONS/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3783
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Prosecution Timeline

May 17, 2024
Application Filed
Sep 03, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §101 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12746333
MULTI-COMPARTMENT SYRINGE WITH PUMP MECHANISM
6y 1m to grant Granted Sep 29, 2026
Patent 12706208
SENSOR NETWORK FOR BREAST PUMPING MOTHERS
5y 10m to grant Granted Aug 11, 2026
Patent 12691221
DISCRETIONARY INSULIN DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS
6y 5m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026
Patent 12667524
NASOGASTRIC TUBE
5y 4m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026
Patent 12667650
A BREAST MILK EXTRACTION KIT COMPRISING A BREAST MILK PUMP AND A PUMPING DEVICE
3y 5m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
60%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+42.5%)
3y 9m (~1y 4m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 394 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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