Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/786,832

INVENTORY SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING AND COUNTING POTENTIALLY RETAINED SURGICAL ITEMS

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jul 29, 2024

Priority

Aug 25, 2021 — continuation of 12/051,499

Examiner

DIABY, MOUSTAPHA

Art Unit

2683

Tech Center

2600 — Communications

Assignee

Covidien L.P.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +10.0% interview lift. Interview lift (+10.0%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 620 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

DIABY, MOUSTAPHA View full profile →

Grants 84% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

519 granted / 620 resolved

+21.7% vs TC avg

Moderate +10% lift

Without

With

+10.0%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Fast prosecutor

2y 0m

Avg Prosecution

24 currently pending

Career history

640

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

1.5%

-38.5% vs TC avg

§103

86.9%

+46.9% vs TC avg

§102

6.2%

-33.8% vs TC avg

§112

2.5%

-37.5% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 620 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jul 29, 2024

Application Filed

Sep 10, 2024

Response after Non-Final Action

Jun 01, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/490,486

Patent 12684332

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEAMLESS MOBILE PLAN SIGNUP AND ACTIVATION

2y 8m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/612,600

Patent 12684461

RESTRICT MOBILE TO MOBILE COMMUNICATION DYNAMICALLY IN 5G USER PLANE FUNCTION

2y 3m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/705,110

Patent 12683677

ASSISTED BEAM TRACKING FOR USER EQUIPMENT

2y 2m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/288,353

Patent 12677253

CAUSE DETERMINATION METHOD AND APPARATUS, AND CAUSE INDICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS

2y 8m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/486,600

Patent 12676510

IMPLEMENTATION OF ATTACHMENT FOR PASSIVE IOT DEVICE COMMUNICATION WITH AMBIENT ENERGY SOURCE

2y 8m to grant Granted Jul 07, 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.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

84%

Grant Probability

94%

With Interview (+10.0%)

2y 0m (~1m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 620 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.