Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/818,408

HELICAL ELECTRODE TREATMENT DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS OF TREATMENT

Non-Final OA

Filed

Aug 28, 2024

Priority

Aug 31, 2023 — provisional 63/579,822

Examiner

FLANAGAN, BEVERLY MEINDL

Art Unit

3794

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Intuitive Surgical Operations Inc.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +21.4% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (72%); +21.4% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 212 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

FLANAGAN, BEVERLY MEINDL View full profile →

Grants 72% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

152 granted / 212 resolved

+1.7% vs TC avg

Strong +21% interview lift

Without

With

+21.4%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 3m

Avg Prosecution

48 currently pending

Career history

263

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.8%

-39.2% vs TC avg

§103

53.3%

+13.3% vs TC avg

§102

14.4%

-25.6% vs TC avg

§112

10.6%

-29.4% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 212 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Aug 28, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 15, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/338,135

Patent 12678214

POWER UNIT FOR DELIVERING COHERENT SINE BURST IRREVERSIBLE ELECTROPORATION ENERGY TO A BIOLOGICAL TISSUE

3y 0m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/125,487

Patent 12667409

SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH AN EXTENDABLE LOOP MADE OF METAL WIRE THAT CAN BE ENERGIZED

3y 3m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/466,874

Patent 12667481

Heat Transfer Device and System

2y 9m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/219,740

Patent 12653439

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFICATION OF FRACTIONATED SIGNALS

2y 11m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/295,175

Patent 12653559

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF UNIFORMLY DELIVERING ULTRASONIC ENERGY

3y 2m to grant Granted Jun 16, 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

72%

Grant Probability

93%

With Interview (+21.4%)

2y 3m (~4m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 212 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.