Last updated: July 05, 2026

Application No. 18/810,858

TENSION CONTROL IN ACTUATION OF JOINTED INSTRUMENTS

Non-Final OA

Filed

Aug 21, 2024

Priority

Nov 10, 2017 — provisional 62/584,608 +3 more

Examiner

LUKJAN, SEBASTIAN X

Art Unit

3792

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Intuitive Surgical Operations Inc.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +41.2% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (76%); +41.2% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 515 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

LUKJAN, SEBASTIAN X View full profile →

Grants 76% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

393 granted / 515 resolved

+6.3% vs TC avg

Strong +41% interview lift

Without

With

+41.2%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 0m

Avg Prosecution

33 currently pending

Career history

556

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.7%

-39.3% vs TC avg

§103

86.0%

+46.0% vs TC avg

§102

2.5%

-37.5% vs TC avg

§112

6.9%

-33.1% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 515 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Aug 21, 2024

Application Filed

Mar 31, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/621,317

Patent 12667735

METHODS FOR REDUCING PAIN DURING PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY OF ACTINIC KERATOSIS

4y 6m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/238,563

Patent 12642698

OPHTHALMOLOGICAL LASER DEVICE

2y 9m to grant Granted Jun 02, 2026

18/511,532

Patent 12642955

IMPELLER FRAME

2y 6m to grant Granted Jun 02, 2026

18/951,274

Patent 12616849

SUNGLASS LENS AND SUNGLASS OPTICS FOR OCULAR PHOTO-BIO-STIMULATION

1y 5m to grant Granted May 05, 2026

14/094,312

Patent 12599779

APPARATUSES FOR TREATING AND/OR DIAGNOSING MOTOR-RELATED NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

12y 4m to grant Granted Apr 14, 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

76%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+41.2%)

3y 0m (~1y 1m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 515 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.