Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 25, 2026
Application No. 18/930,734

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING CELL METABOLISM THROUGH PHOTOBIOMODULATION

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Oct 29, 2024
Priority
Jan 03, 2018 — CIP of 10/821,298 +1 more
Examiner
FARAH, AHMED M
Art Unit
3792
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
None recorded (individual inventor: Li-Da Huang)
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
79%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 4m
Est. Remaining
98%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 79% — above average
79%
Career Allowance Rate
1063 granted / 1347 resolved
+8.9% vs TC avg
Strong +19% interview lift
Without
With
+18.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 4m
Avg Prosecution
20 currently pending
Career history
1365
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.9%
-36.1% vs TC avg
§103
30.8%
-9.2% vs TC avg
§102
21.1%
-18.9% vs TC avg
§112
30.0%
-10.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1347 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. Claim is 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. Claim 8 recites in lines 4-5 the limitation “analyzing the signal and generate a feedback signal to the controller to control the light source until optimal results are obtained.” The term “optimal results” in claim 8 line 5 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “optimal results” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. The scope of the term optimal result cannot be determined from the claim or the specification. paragraph [0006] teaches feedback control mechanism to generate an optical dosage, and paragraph a feedback loop control is implemented to activate the optimal results of brain function enhancement. However, the scope of the term “optimal result” cannot be determined from the claim or the specification. Thus, this term renders indefinite clam 8 and dependent claims 9-14. Appropriate correction is required. Claim 8 further recites in lines 8-9 the limitation “first line is generated by curve fitting to approximate the turning point on the responding signal.” The term “approximate” in claim 8 lines 9 and 10 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “approximate” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. Thus, this term further renders the claims indefinite. Appropriate correction is required. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AHMED M FARAH whose telephone number is (571)272-4765. The examiner can normally be reached Mon - Fri. 9:30AM -10:30 PM. 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, Niketa Patel can be reached at 571-272-4156. 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. /AHMED M FARAH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3792
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Prosecution Timeline

Oct 29, 2024
Application Filed
Sep 02, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
79%
Grant Probability
98%
With Interview (+18.9%)
3y 4m (~1y 4m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1347 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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