Last updated: July 12, 2026

Application No. 18/980,062

Untitled Application

Unknown

Filed

Examiner

HODGE, LINDA J

Art Unit

Tech Center

Cilag GmbH International

Assignee

Cilag GmbH International

OA Round

2 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +27.3% interview lift. Interview already conducted in this application's prosecution history. This examiner has a 87% grant rate with +27.3% interview lift. Since an interview has already been tried, recommend written response with narrowed claims based on precedent claim evolution patterns.

Based on 232 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

HODGE, LINDA J View full profile →

Grants 87% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

202 granted / 232 resolved

+27.1% vs TC avg

Strong +27% interview lift

Without

With

+27.3%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Fast prosecutor

2y 2m

Avg Prosecution

19 currently pending

Career history

265

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103

58.0%

+18.0% vs TC avg

§102

17.8%

-22.2% vs TC avg

§112

18.4%

-21.6% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 232 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 29, 2025

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Jan 22, 2026

Examiner Interview Summary

Jan 22, 2026

Applicant Interview (Telephonic)

Jan 23, 2026

Response Filed

Mar 30, 2026

Examiner Interview (Telephonic)

Jul 07, 2026

Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/025,533

Patent 12672872

SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE WITH SAFETY MEMBER

3y 4m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/855,721

Patent 12672927

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPENSATION FOR AN OFF-AXIS PUSH-PULL DRIVE ROD IN A ROBOTICALLY ASSISTED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT

1y 9m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/125,563

Patent 12654900

CONTAINER AND PACKAGING SYSTEM

3y 2m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/700,937

Patent 12653758

DEVICE FOR SEALING CAPSULES

2y 2m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/889,840

Patent 12655578

MAGIC BINDING MAKER

1y 9m 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

2-3

Expected OA Rounds

87%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+27.3%)

2y 2m

Median Time to Grant

Moderate

PTA Risk

Based on 232 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.