Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/870,497

DENTAL WORKPIECE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Nov 29, 2024
Examiner
LUCCHESI, NICHOLAS D
Art Unit
3772
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
78%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 9m
To Grant
88%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 78% — above average
78%
Career Allow Rate
623 granted / 794 resolved
+8.5% vs TC avg
Moderate +9% lift
Without
With
+9.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
52 currently pending
Career history
846
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.7%
-38.3% vs TC avg
§103
32.9%
-7.1% vs TC avg
§102
28.4%
-11.6% vs TC avg
§112
31.0%
-9.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 794 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 . 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 1-8 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. In claim 1, lines 3 and 4, “when a spherical alumina slurry with an average particle diameter of 3.0 um is projected in a micro slurry jet erosion test” is unclear. It appears that –at the dental workpiece—should be inserted after “projected”. In claim 2, lines 2-4, “when a spherical alumina slurry with an average particle diameter of 3.0 um is projected in a micro slurry jet erosion test” is unclear. It appears that –at the dental workpiece—should be inserted after “projected”. In claim 6, lines 3-5, “when a spherical alumina slurry with an average particle diameter of 3.0 um is projected in a micro slurry jet erosion test” is unclear. It appears that –at the dental workpiece—should be inserted after “projected”. In claim 7, lines 4 and 5, “when a spherical alumina slurry with an average particle diameter of 3.0 um is projected in a micro slurry jet erosion test” is unclear. It appears that –at the dental workpiece—should be inserted after “projected”. In claim 8, lines 3 and 4, “when a spherical alumina slurry with an average particle diameter of 3.0 um is projected in a micro slurry jet erosion test” is unclear. It appears that –at the dental workpiece—should be inserted after “projected”. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1-8 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NICHOLAS D LUCCHESI whose telephone number is (571)272-4977. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 800-430. 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, Eric Rosen can be reached at 571-270-7855. 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. /NICHOLAS D LUCCHESI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3772
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 29, 2024
Application Filed
Feb 04, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12599467
MANDIBULAR OPENING AND ADVANCEMENT MEASUREMENT AND POSITIONING DEVICE
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
Patent 12599461
IMPRESSION TRAY
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
Patent 12594103
MODULAR BONE SCREW FOR SURGICAL FIXATION TO BONE
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026
Patent 12594152
DENTAL FLOSSING DEVICE
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026
Patent 12588970
SURGICAL GUIDE WITH MATING CONNECTORS
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

AI Strategy Recommendation

Get an AI-powered prosecution strategy using examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Powered by AI — typically takes 5-10 seconds

Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
78%
Grant Probability
88%
With Interview (+9.1%)
2y 9m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 794 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month