Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/999,678

ENDOSCOPE HOOD AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM

Non-Final OA

Filed

Dec 23, 2024

Priority

Nov 19, 2018 — continuation of PCTJP2018042694 +1 more

Examiner

FAIRCHILD, AARON BENJAMIN

Art Unit

Tech Center

Assignee

Olympus Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +20.6% interview lift. Interview already conducted in this application's prosecution history. This examiner has a 79% grant rate with +20.6% interview lift. Since an interview has already been tried, recommend written response with narrowed claims based on precedent claim evolution patterns.

Based on 642 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

FAIRCHILD, AARON BENJAMIN View full profile →

Grants 79% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

509 granted / 642 resolved

+19.3% vs TC avg

Strong +21% interview lift

Without

With

+20.6%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 11m

Avg Prosecution

29 currently pending

Career history

658

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.2%

-39.8% vs TC avg

§103

50.4%

+10.4% vs TC avg

§102

20.7%

-19.3% vs TC avg

§112

26.6%

-13.4% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 642 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 23, 2024

Application Filed

May 14, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Jun 08, 2026

Examiner Interview Summary

Jun 08, 2026

Applicant Interview (Telephonic)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/244,506

Patent 12672764

ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM, PROCESSOR, AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING TEMPERATURE OF ENDOSCOPE

2y 10m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/026,349

Patent 12667246

A LESS INVASIVE, FLEXIBLE RETRACTOR-CAMERA KIT FOR VIDEO ASSISTED ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY

3y 3m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/337,236

Patent 12667347

MEDICAL STAPLER AND MEDICAL SYSTEM

3y 0m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/102,096

Patent 12660985

ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM, ENDOSCOPE, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR ENDOSCOPE

3y 4m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/443,713

Patent 12660992

ENDOSCOPE AND OPERATION SECTION FOR ENDOSCOPE

2y 4m to grant Granted Jun 23, 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

79%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+20.6%)

2y 11m (~1y 4m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 642 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.