Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/946,456

PERICARDIAL TRANSECTION DEVICE WITH SUCTION DEVICE

Non-Final OA

Filed

Nov 13, 2024

Priority

May 27, 2022 — provisional 63/346,822 +1 more

Examiner

HUPCZEY, JR, RONALD JAMES

Art Unit

Tech Center

Assignee

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

This examiner grants 65% of cases after interview

— +22.5% interview lift. A telephonic interview to clarify the technical implementation could significantly improve the outcome.

Based on 808 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

HUPCZEY, JR, RONALD JAMES View full profile →

Grants 65% of resolved cases

Career Allowance Rate

523 granted / 808 resolved

+4.7% vs TC avg

Strong +22% interview lift

Without

With

+22.5%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

4y 0m

Avg Prosecution

31 currently pending

Career history

845

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.2%

-39.8% vs TC avg

§103

70.5%

+30.5% vs TC avg

§102

12.2%

-27.8% vs TC avg

§112

8.2%

-31.8% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 808 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 13, 2024

Application Filed

Jun 02, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/089,753

Patent 12678221

CORRUGATED RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION CATHETER HAVING WALL-ATTACHING ADJUSTMENT WIRE AND APPARATUS THEREOF

3y 6m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

17/727,073

Patent 12667425

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OPTIMIZING PERIVASCULAR NEUROMODULATION THERAPY USING COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS

4y 2m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/049,537

Patent 12653612

HEAT TREATMENT DEVICE AND APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING ABNORMALITY THEREOF

3y 7m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

17/403,491

Patent 12611246

END EFFECTOR DRIVE MECHANISMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS SUCH AS FOR USE IN ROBOTIC SURGICAL SYSTEMS

4y 8m to grant Granted Apr 28, 2026

18/918,994

Patent 12611249

METHODS AND DEVICES FOR APPLYING ENERGY TO BODILY TISSUES

1y 6m to grant Granted Apr 28, 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

87%

With Interview (+22.5%)

4y 0m (~2y 4m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 808 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.