Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/779,695

PHOTOPOLYMERIZABLE BLOCK POLYMERS AND METHODS OF PRODUCING AND USING THE SAME

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Jul 22, 2024
Examiner
WHITELEY, JESSICA
Art Unit
1763
Tech Center
1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering
Assignee
Align Technology, Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
88%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 1m
To Grant
96%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 88% — above average
88%
Career Allow Rate
1317 granted / 1489 resolved
+23.4% vs TC avg
Moderate +7% lift
Without
With
+7.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
2y 1m
Avg Prosecution
47 currently pending
Career history
1536
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.9%
-39.1% vs TC avg
§103
31.5%
-8.5% vs TC avg
§102
34.8%
-5.2% vs TC avg
§112
16.6%
-23.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1489 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
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 . Election/Restrictions Applicant’s election without traverse of Group I, claims 22-45 in the reply filed on January 20, 2026 is acknowledged. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. Claims 24 and 25 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. Claims 24 and 25 both state that the molecular weight of the telechelic block copolymer. However, the claims do not specify if the molecular weight is weight average or number average, thus, making the claim indefinite. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 22-45 are allowable. The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: The pending claims are allowable over the closest reference: Bielawski et al (2003, polymer 44, 3721-3726). Summary of claim 22: PNG media_image1.png 221 642 media_image1.png Greyscale Bielawski teaches a telechelic polyacrylate compound with unsaturated end groups (title) that is formed from two monomers, methyl acrylate and ethyl acrylate (page 3724) and teaches the end group contain two acrylate compounds. However, Bielawski does not teach or fairly suggest the claimed photo-curable resin wherein the polymer is used in a photocurable resin composition, wherein the photo-curable resin composition is capable of being 3D printed, and wherein the photo-curable resin composition is used to make a medical device. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JESSICA WHITELEY whose telephone number is (571)272-5203. The examiner can normally be reached 8 - 5:00. 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, Joseph Del Sole can be reached at 5712721130. 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. /JESSICA WHITELEY/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1763
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jul 22, 2024
Application Filed
Dec 11, 2024
Response after Non-Final Action
Feb 19, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12600808
CROSSLINKABLE PREPOLYMERS FOR CHEMICALLY STABLE POLYMER GELS
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
Patent 12600888
DUAL-CURABLE ADHESIVE COMPOSITION
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
Patent 12590264
PROFRAGRANCE CONJUGATES
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026
Patent 12590265
1-NORBORNAN-2-YLPROPAN-2-ONE AS A FRAGRANCE
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026
Patent 12583833
Enrichment of a Diastereomer in Magnolan
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 24, 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
88%
Grant Probability
96%
With Interview (+7.1%)
2y 1m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1489 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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