Last updated: July 15, 2026

Application No. 19/025,436

ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH COOLING SYSTEM

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jan 16, 2025

Priority

Sep 11, 2013 — provisional 61/876,457 +6 more

Examiner

FISHBACK, ASHLEY LAUREN

Art Unit

3771

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Covidien L.P.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +21.9% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (80%); +21.9% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 953 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

FISHBACK, ASHLEY LAUREN View full profile →

Grants 80% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

763 granted / 953 resolved

+10.1% vs TC avg

Strong +22% interview lift

Without

With

+21.9%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 11m

Avg Prosecution

26 currently pending

Career history

978

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.3%

-39.7% vs TC avg

§103

66.1%

+26.1% vs TC avg

§102

22.9%

-17.1% vs TC avg

§112

3.2%

-36.8% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 953 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 16, 2025

Application Filed

Apr 27, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/485,835

Patent 12667422

PERCUTANEOUS RETRIEVAL SYSTEM

2y 8m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/551,463

Patent 12667382

ULTRASONIC SCALPEL ROD TEMPERATURE CONTROL METHOD AND SYSTEM BASED ON TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION MODEL

2y 9m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/511,080

Patent 12661142

OSCILLATING SURGICAL BONE REMOVAL TOOL WITH ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT

2y 7m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/900,962

Patent 12653565

SURGICAL METHOD

1y 8m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/907,834

Patent 12653573

Minimally Invasive Subdural Evacuating System

1y 8m 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

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

80%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+21.9%)

2y 11m (~1y 5m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 953 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.