Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 04, 2026
Application No. 18/953,972

CELL COUNTING OR CELL CONFLUENCE WITH RESCALED INPUT IMAGES

Non-Final OA §101
Filed
Nov 20, 2024
Priority
Mar 02, 2021 — DE 102021105020.0 +2 more
Examiner
ALAVI, AMIR
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
94%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
4m
Est. Remaining
97%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 94% — above average
94%
Career Allowance Rate
1108 granted / 1184 resolved
+33.6% vs TC avg
Minimal +4% lift
Without
With
+3.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 3m
Avg Prosecution
13 currently pending
Career history
1191
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
26.9%
-13.1% vs TC avg
§103
20.6%
-19.4% vs TC avg
§102
19.7%
-20.3% vs TC avg
§112
8.7%
-31.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1184 resolved cases

Office Action

§101
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 . Double Patenting A rejection based on double patenting of the “same invention” type finds its support in the language of 35 U.S.C. 101 which states that “whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process... may obtain a patent therefor...” (Emphasis added). Thus, the term “same invention,” in this context, means an invention drawn to identical subject matter. See Miller v. Eagle Mfg. Co., 151 U.S. 186 (1894); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Ockert, 245 F.2d 467, 114 USPQ 330 (CCPA 1957). A statutory type (35 U.S.C. 101) double patenting rejection can be overcome by canceling or amending the claims that are directed to the same invention so they are no longer coextensive in scope. The filing of a terminal disclaimer cannot overcome a double patenting rejection based upon 35 U.S.C. 101. Claims 1-2 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claim 1 of prior U.S. Patent No. 18/953,972. This is a statutory double patenting rejection. Below, a tabular comparison: Application 18/953,972 US patent 12,190,616 1.A method, comprising: acquiring a light-microscope image which images a multiplicity of cells, adapting a size of the light-microscope image, such that a size of a predefined cell structure of the multiplicity of cells corresponds to a predefined reference value, and determining an estimation of at least one of a number or a confluency of the cells on the basis of the light-microscope image. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, furthermore comprising: using a first machine-learned algorithm, which executes said adapting of the size of the light-microscope image, by means of an image-to-image transformation on the basis of the light-microscope image. 1. A method, comprising: acquiring a light-microscope image which images a multiplicity of cells, adapting a size of the light-microscope image, such that a size of a predefined cell structure of the multiplicity of cells corresponds to a predefined reference value, after adapting the size: determining an estimation of at least one of a number or a confluency of the cells on the basis of the light-microscope image, and using a first machine-learned algorithm, which adapts the size of the light-microscope image by means of an image-to-image transformation on the basis of the light-microscope image. Claims 3-27 are rejected based on the same analysis as well as their dependency upon a rejected base claim. Prior Art of record The Prior Art which are pertinent to Applicant’s invention but were not relied upon: Banju et al. (USPAP 2018/0312,803), shows a similar system, in which, acquiring a light-microscope image which images a multiplicity of cells; adapting a size of the light-microscope image, such that a size of a predefined cell structure of the multiplicity of cells corresponds to a predefined reference value (Please note, paragraph 0065. As indicated the size of the nucleus of a nucleated cell means the average value of the lengths of the nuclei of plural nucleated cells that is acquired when the nucleated cells are arranged in a liquid and are observed using a microscope and the longest line of lines each connecting optional two points on the outer circumference of the nucleus of the nucleated cell is defined as the length of the nucleus.). Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AMIR ALAVI whose telephone number is (571)272-7386. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F from 8:00-4:30. 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, Vu Le can be reached at (571)272-7332. 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. /AMIR ALAVI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2668 Tuesday, September 8, 2026
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Prosecution Timeline

Nov 20, 2024
Application Filed
Sep 11, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §101 (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
94%
Grant Probability
97%
With Interview (+3.8%)
2y 3m (~4m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1184 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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