Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/992,624

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CLOSING AN OPENING OF A BODY WALL

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jan 09, 2025

Priority

Jul 12, 2022 — EU 22184322.0 +1 more

Examiner

KNAUSS, CHRISTIAN D

Art Unit

3771

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven K U Leuven Research & Development

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +34.0% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (71%); +34.0% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 420 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

KNAUSS, CHRISTIAN D View full profile →

Grants 71% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

298 granted / 420 resolved

+1.0% vs TC avg

Strong +34% interview lift

Without

With

+34.0%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 3m

Avg Prosecution

26 currently pending

Career history

457

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.3%

-39.7% vs TC avg

§103

80.1%

+40.1% vs TC avg

§102

10.2%

-29.8% vs TC avg

§112

8.4%

-31.6% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 420 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 09, 2025

Application Filed

Jun 05, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/008,521

Patent 12678187

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HARVESTING A TENDON

3y 7m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

17/978,585

Patent 12653554

THROMBECTOMY DEVICE AND METHODS OF USE

3y 7m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/527,504

Patent 12653526

SUTURE LINKAGE FOR INHIBITING PREMATURE EMBOLIC IMPLANT DEPLOYMENT

2y 6m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

17/234,278

Patent 12629159

DISPOSABLE THROMBECTOMY MACERATION AND ASPIRATION SYSTEM

5y 1m to grant Granted May 19, 2026

17/377,254

Patent 12616593

HEART VALVE PROSTHESIS DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERY OF HEART VALVE PROSTHESIS WITH INTRODUCER SHEATH AND LOADING SYSTEM

4y 9m to grant Granted May 05, 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.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

71%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+34.0%)

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

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 420 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.