Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/932,308

VALVULAR INSUFFICIENCY REPAIR DEVICE AND METHOD

Non-Final OA

Filed

Oct 30, 2024

Priority

Nov 22, 2013 — provisional 61/907,650 +5 more

Examiner

SHI, KATHERINE MENGLIN

Art Unit

3771

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +21.9% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (78%); +21.9% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 882 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

SHI, KATHERINE MENGLIN View full profile →

Grants 78% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

692 granted / 882 resolved

+8.5% vs TC avg

Strong +22% interview lift

Without

With

+21.9%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 0m

Avg Prosecution

36 currently pending

Career history

906

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.2%

-39.8% vs TC avg

§103

72.0%

+32.0% vs TC avg

§102

12.5%

-27.5% vs TC avg

§112

4.7%

-35.3% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 882 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 30, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 25, 2025

Response after Non-Final Action

May 15, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/777,483

Patent 12678273

IMPLANTABLE PROTHESIS FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE HERNIA REPAIR

1y 12m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/671,198

Patent 12672866

SYNDESMOSIS DEVICE INSERTER

2y 1m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/492,828

Patent 12661107

METHODS FOR ATTACHING TISSUE TO BONE UTILIZING A SCAFFOLD

2y 8m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

17/695,445

Patent 12653528

SELF-CINCHING SUTURE CONSTRUCT APPARATUS

4y 3m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/147,105

Patent 12653529

Applicator Instruments with Inverted Handles and Triggers, Curved Shafts, and Visible Orientation Indicia

3y 5m 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

78%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+21.9%)

3y 0m (~1y 4m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 882 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.