Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/677,406

PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE

Non-Final OA

Filed

May 29, 2024

Priority

Nov 17, 2016 — provisional 62/423,599 +3 more

Examiner

PRESTON, REBECCA STRASZHEIM

Art Unit

3774

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +38.0% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (74%); +38.0% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 629 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

PRESTON, REBECCA STRASZHEIM View full profile →

Grants 74% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

464 granted / 629 resolved

+3.8% vs TC avg

Strong +38% interview lift

Without

With

+38.0%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 4m

Avg Prosecution

17 currently pending

Career history

653

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.8%

-39.2% vs TC avg

§103

54.8%

+14.8% vs TC avg

§102

22.2%

-17.8% vs TC avg

§112

20.4%

-19.6% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 629 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

May 29, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 24, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

16/807,066

Patent 12661217

METHODS AND PROCEDURES FOR LIGAMENT REPAIR

6y 3m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

17/775,346

Patent 12653709

STENT DELIVERY ASSEMBLY

4y 1m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/618,560

Patent 12653669

GEOMETRICALLY-ACCOMMODATING HEART VALVE REPLACEMENT DEVICE

2y 2m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

17/715,005

Patent 12648865

BALLOON EXPANDED POLYMER STENT

4y 2m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

16/580,034

Patent 12642648

PROSTHESIS WITH BENEFICIAL COMPRESSION CHARACTERISTICS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

6y 8m 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.

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

Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

74%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+38.0%)

3y 4m (~1y 3m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 629 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.