Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/954,081

METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES FOR POSITIONING SUTURES FOR CLOSING AN OPENING IN TISSUE

Non-Final OA

Filed

Nov 20, 2024

Priority

Jul 12, 2019 — continuation of 11/375,994 +1 more

Examiner

ORKIN, ALEXANDER J

Art Unit

3771

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Abbott Laboratories

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +27.0% interview lift. Interview already conducted in this application's prosecution history. This examiner has a 65% grant rate with +27.0% interview lift. Since an interview has already been tried, recommend written response with narrowed claims based on precedent claim evolution patterns.

Based on 995 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

ORKIN, ALEXANDER J View full profile →

Grants 65% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

651 granted / 995 resolved

-4.6% vs TC avg

Strong +27% interview lift

Without

With

+27.0%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 9m

Avg Prosecution

31 currently pending

Career history

1028

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.1%

-39.9% vs TC avg

§103

72.1%

+32.1% vs TC avg

§102

9.3%

-30.7% vs TC avg

§112

1.3%

-38.7% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 995 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 20, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 23, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Jun 18, 2026

Examiner Interview Summary

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/669,685

Patent 12678149

OCCLUDER MEDICAL DEVICE

4y 5m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/790,650

Patent 12678164

HEMOSTASIS CLIP SHORT SYSTEM

1y 11m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

17/624,386

Patent 12672861

LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE MANIPULATION

4y 6m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

17/978,589

Patent 12661103

SUTURE-LOCKING WASHER FOR USE WITH A BONE ANCHOR, AND METHOD FOR SUPPORTING THE THUMB OF A PATIENT AFTER BASAL JOINT ARTHROPLASTY, AND OTHER NOVEL ORTHOPEDIC APPARATUS AND OTHER NOVEL ORTHOPEDIC PROCEDURES

3y 7m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

17/981,542

Patent 12653515

VASCULAR HOLE CLOSURE DEVICE

3y 7m 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

65%

Grant Probability

92%

With Interview (+27.0%)

3y 9m (~2y 1m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 995 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.