Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/994,161

ROBOTIC SURGICAL SYSTEM WITH MULTIPLE PURPOSE SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jan 14, 2025

Priority

Jul 22, 2022 — provisional 63/391,377 +1 more

Examiner

DORNBUSCH, DIANNE

Art Unit

3771

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Covidien L.P.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +35.2% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (74%); +35.2% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 752 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

DORNBUSCH, DIANNE View full profile →

Grants 74% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

554 granted / 752 resolved

+3.7% vs TC avg

Strong +35% interview lift

Without

With

+35.2%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 11m

Avg Prosecution

31 currently pending

Career history

778

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.1%

-39.9% vs TC avg

§103

74.7%

+34.7% vs TC avg

§102

13.8%

-26.2% vs TC avg

§112

3.1%

-36.9% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 752 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 14, 2025

Application Filed

May 04, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/240,568

Patent 12661105

ADJUSTABLE TISSUE REPAIR SYSTEMS AND SURGICAL METHODS

2y 9m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/342,049

Patent 12661106

EXPANDABLE SYNTHETIC SLEEVE TO AFFIX TISSUE

2y 12m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/431,814

Patent 12653522

VASCULAR CLOSURE DEVICES AND METHODS

2y 4m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/476,139

Patent 12653658

FIXATING MEANS BETWEEN A MESH AND MESH DEPLOYMENT MEANS ESPECIALLY USEFUL FOR HERNIA REPAIR SURGERIES AND METHODS THEREOF

2y 8m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/703,564

Patent 12629271

DEVICE FOR INSERTING AN INFLATABLE INTRAGASTRIC BALLOON

2y 0m to grant Granted May 19, 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

74%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+35.2%)

3y 11m (~2y 5m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 752 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.