Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/836,944

MICROSPHERES COMPRISING ALUMINA AND ZIRCONIA SUITABLE FOR RETROREFLECTIVE ARTICLES

Non-Final OA

Filed

Aug 08, 2024

Priority

Mar 09, 2022 — provisional 63/318,059 +1 more

Examiner

CHOUDHURY, MUSTAK

Art Unit

Tech Center

Assignee

3M Innovative Properties Company

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +22.1% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (85%); +22.1% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 812 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

CHOUDHURY, MUSTAK View full profile →

Grants 85% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

687 granted / 812 resolved

+24.6% vs TC avg

Strong +22% interview lift

Without

With

+22.1%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 6m

Avg Prosecution

26 currently pending

Career history

829

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103

82.7%

+42.7% vs TC avg

§102

15.6%

-24.4% vs TC avg

§112

0.5%

-39.5% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 812 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Aug 08, 2024

Application Filed

Jun 05, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/301,859

Patent 12656629

ASTIGMATISM CORRECTING CONTACT LENSES

3y 2m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/207,958

Patent 12650587

Objective Attachment for a Microscope Objective and Apparatus for Feeding and/or Removing an Immersion Liquid

3y 0m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

18/361,809

Patent 12650586

MICROSCOPIC DEVICES AND FOCUSING METHODS THEREOF

2y 10m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

18/391,406

Patent 12642431

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ALIGNMENT OF THE EYE FOR OCULAR IMAGING

2y 5m to grant Granted Jun 02, 2026

19/087,200

Patent 12638665

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONFOCAL OBSERVATION OF A SAMPLE

1y 2m to grant Granted May 26, 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

85%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+22.1%)

2y 6m (~7m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 812 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.