Last updated: October 01, 2026

Application No. 18/775,682

CLOSURE SUBSYSTEMS FOR ROBOTIC STAPLING AND CUTTING SYSTEMS

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jul 17, 2024

Priority

Jul 21, 2023 — provisional 63/514,972 +3 more

Examiner

SCHERBEL, TODD J

Art Unit

3771

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Cilag GmbH International

OA Round

2 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +52.3% interview lift. Interview already conducted in this application's prosecution history. This examiner has a 76% grant rate with +52.3% interview lift. Since an interview has already been tried, recommend written response with narrowed claims based on precedent claim evolution patterns.

Based on 782 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

SCHERBEL, TODD J View full profile →

Grants 76% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

596 granted / 782 resolved

+6.2% vs TC avg

Strong +52% interview lift

Without

With

+52.3%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 1m

Avg Prosecution

29 currently pending

Career history

805

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

1.5%

-38.5% vs TC avg

§103

34.7%

-5.3% vs TC avg

§102

28.9%

-11.1% vs TC avg

§112

28.3%

-11.7% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 782 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jul 17, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 09, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Jul 01, 2026

Response Filed

Jul 17, 2026

Examiner Interview (Telephonic)

Sep 02, 2026

Request for Continued Examination

Sep 10, 2026

Response after Non-Final Action

Sep 21, 2026

Examiner Interview (Telephonic)

Sep 23, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/964,363

Patent 12740801

METHOD OF OPERATING AN ARTICULATING ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT

3y 11m to grant Granted Sep 22, 2026

18/985,072

Patent 12733724

DEPILATOR

1y 9m to grant Granted Sep 15, 2026

18/425,609

Patent 12714643

Needle Assemblies

2y 6m to grant Granted Aug 25, 2026

18/908,719

Patent 12702590

ROBOTIC CATARACT SURGERY USING FOCUSED ULTRASOUND

1y 10m to grant Granted Aug 11, 2026

18/611,028

Patent 12685626

REPOSITIONABLE SURGICAL ANCHORS

2y 4m to grant Granted Jul 21, 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

2-3

Expected OA Rounds

76%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+52.3%)

3y 1m (~11m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Moderate

PTA Risk

Based on 782 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.