Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/883,149

FACE-UP WAFER ELECTROCHEMICAL PLANARIZATION APPARATUS

Non-Final OA

Filed

Sep 12, 2024

Priority

Jun 06, 2022 — divisional of 12/090,600

Examiner

MACARTHUR, SYLVIA

Art Unit

1716

Tech Center

1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering

Assignee

Applied Materials Inc.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +26.1% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (65%); +26.1% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 957 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

MACARTHUR, SYLVIA View full profile →

Grants 65% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

626 granted / 957 resolved

At TC average

Strong +26% interview lift

Without

With

+26.1%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 7m

Avg Prosecution

30 currently pending

Career history

995

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.2%

-39.8% vs TC avg

§103

83.3%

+43.3% vs TC avg

§102

10.9%

-29.1% vs TC avg

§112

3.0%

-37.0% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 957 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Sep 12, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 20, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/713,532

Patent 12680164

DISTRIBUTION BODY FOR DISTRIBUTING A PROCESS GAS FOR TREATING A SUBSTRATE BY MEANS OF THE PROCESS GAS

2y 1m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

17/776,636

Patent 12652997

COIN-SLOT AND BALL-LOCK CERAMIC LIFT PIN HOLDERS

4y 0m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

18/027,200

Patent 12651732

APPARATUS DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS, SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING APPARATUS SYSTEM, AND SEMICONDUCTOR APPARATUS MANUFACTURING SYSTEM

3y 2m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

18/189,639

Patent 12648393

TEMPERATURE REGULATING APPARATUS FOR SEMICONDUCTOR-DEVICE MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT, AND SEMICONDUCTOR-DEVICE MANUFACTURING SYSTEM

3y 2m to grant Granted Jun 02, 2026

17/915,523

Patent 12642038

SEMICONDUCTOR EDGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHODS

3y 8m 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

65%

Grant Probability

92%

With Interview (+26.1%)

3y 7m (~1y 9m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 957 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.