Last updated: August 02, 2026

Application No. 19/014,787

PLASMA PROCESSING APPARATUS

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jan 09, 2025

Priority

May 17, 2021 — nonprovisional of PCTJP2021018561 +1 more

Examiner

SATHIRAJU, SRINIVAS

Art Unit

2844

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

Hitachi Ltd.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +6.1% interview lift. Interview lift (+6.1%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 824 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

SATHIRAJU, SRINIVAS View full profile →

Grants 89% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

732 granted / 824 resolved

+20.8% vs TC avg

Moderate +6% lift

Without

With

+6.1%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Fast prosecutor

2y 0m

Avg Prosecution

43 currently pending

Career history

851

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

1.3%

-38.7% vs TC avg

§103

62.6%

+22.6% vs TC avg

§102

9.9%

-30.1% vs TC avg

§112

10.0%

-30.0% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 824 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 09, 2025

Application Filed

Apr 29, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/884,711

Patent 12695058

Plasma Process Control of Multi-Electrode Systems Equipped with Ion Energy Sensors

3y 11m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026

18/662,425

Patent 12696372

METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PRESSURIZATION OF PULSED-POWER DRIVERS

2y 2m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026

17/941,639

Patent 12688999

SYMMETRIC ANTENNA ARRAYS FOR HIGH DENSITY PLASMA ENHANCED PROCESS CHAMBER

3y 10m to grant Granted Jul 21, 2026

18/622,596

Patent 12689004

Plasma Processing Apparatus

2y 3m to grant Granted Jul 21, 2026

18/894,000

Patent 12689238

MICROWAVE POWER DISTRIBUTION NETWORK AND METHOD BASED ON PHASE-FREQUENCY HYBRID CONTROL

1y 10m to grant Granted Jul 21, 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

89%

Grant Probability

95%

With Interview (+6.1%)

2y 0m (~5m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 824 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.