Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/941,077

PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY RETICLE STAGE DRIVE SYSTEM

Non-Final OA

Filed

Nov 08, 2024

Priority

Nov 09, 2023 — provisional 63/597,409

Examiner

ASFAW, MESFIN T

Art Unit

2882

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +14.1% interview lift. Interview already conducted in this application's prosecution history. This examiner has a 83% grant rate with +14.1% interview lift. Since an interview has already been tried, recommend written response with narrowed claims based on precedent claim evolution patterns.

Based on 976 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

ASFAW, MESFIN T View full profile →

Grants 83% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

808 granted / 976 resolved

+14.8% vs TC avg

Moderate +14% lift

Without

With

+14.1%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 8m

Avg Prosecution

24 currently pending

Career history

1006

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.3%

-39.7% vs TC avg

§103

78.0%

+38.0% vs TC avg

§102

16.8%

-23.2% vs TC avg

§112

0.2%

-39.8% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 976 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 08, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 15, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Jun 16, 2026

Interview Requested

Jun 24, 2026

Applicant Interview (Telephonic)

Jun 24, 2026

Examiner Interview Summary

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/619,278

Patent 12681392

CYCLIC EXPOSURE SCANNING SYSTEM HAVING DISTRIBUTED MULTI-LENS AND METHOD THEREOF

2y 3m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/575,925

Patent 12675050

Apparatus and method for laser interference structuring of substrates with periodic dot structures for anti-reflection properties

2y 6m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/662,070

Patent 12675053

STRUCTURE, EXPOSURE APPARATUS, AND ARTICLE MANUFACTURING METHOD

2y 1m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/684,915

Patent 12675054

COATING AND DEVELOPING DEVICE

2y 4m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/523,198

Patent 12669755

IMAGING OPTICAL UNIT

2y 7m to grant Granted Jun 30, 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

83%

Grant Probability

97%

With Interview (+14.1%)

2y 8m (~12m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 976 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.