Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/873,597

FOCUS MEASURMENT AND CONTROL IN METROLOGY AND ASSOCIATED WEDGE ARRANGEMENT

Non-Final OA

Filed

Dec 10, 2024

Priority

Jun 27, 2022 — EU 22181325.6 +1 more

Examiner

WHITESELL, STEVEN H

Art Unit

Tech Center

Assignee

ASML Holding N.V.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +12.9% interview lift. Interview lift (+12.9%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 964 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

WHITESELL, STEVEN H View full profile →

Grants 82% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

789 granted / 964 resolved

+21.8% vs TC avg

Moderate +13% lift

Without

With

+12.9%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 7m

Avg Prosecution

38 currently pending

Career history

1011

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

1.3%

-38.7% vs TC avg

§103

78.9%

+38.9% vs TC avg

§102

12.3%

-27.7% vs TC avg

§112

5.2%

-34.8% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 964 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 10, 2024

Application Filed

May 27, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/633,359

Patent 12681394

TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT APPARATUS, LITHOGRAPHY APPARATUS, AND ARTICLE MANUFACTURING METHOD

2y 3m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/474,561

Patent 12669675

METHOD FOR PRODUCING A MIRROR OF A LITHOGRAPHY SYSTEM

2y 9m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/629,615

Patent 12663730

FRONT-TO-BACK OVERLAY (FTBO) STANDARD

2y 2m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/093,106

Patent 12656677

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ACTINIC MASK INSPECTION AND REVIEW IN VACUUM

3y 5m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/386,869

Patent 12656674

RETICLE CONTAINER WITH DIRECTED PURGE FLOW

2y 7m 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

82%

Grant Probability

95%

With Interview (+12.9%)

2y 7m (~1y 0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 964 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.