Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 19/093,738

MULTI-PIECE LIGATION CLIP

Non-Final OA

Filed

Mar 28, 2025

Priority

Jul 02, 2019 — provisional 62/869,584 +2 more

Examiner

MENDEZ, KATHERINE H

Art Unit

Tech Center

Assignee

Covidien L.P.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +33.8% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (67%); +33.8% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 423 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

MENDEZ, KATHERINE H View full profile →

Grants 67% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

285 granted / 423 resolved

+7.4% vs TC avg

Strong +34% interview lift

Without

With

+33.8%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 4m

Avg Prosecution

40 currently pending

Career history

461

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.6%

-39.4% vs TC avg

§103

63.4%

+23.4% vs TC avg

§102

9.1%

-30.9% vs TC avg

§112

18.6%

-21.4% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 423 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 28, 2025

Application Filed

Jun 02, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/370,465

Patent 12678280

VALVE DELIVERY TOOL

2y 9m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/797,479

Patent 12678151

VASCULAR CLOSURE DEVICE WITH RETRACTION ASSEMBLY FOR REPOSITIONING A FOOTPLATE

1y 11m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/002,130

Patent 12672893

TISSUE CUTTER AND MINIMALLY INVASIVE INTERVENTIONAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENT

3y 6m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/109,019

Patent 12667367

SURGICAL LIGATION CLIP

3y 4m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/116,748

Patent 12667384

Splitable Tissue-Cutting Devices, Assemblies, and Methods

3y 4m to grant Granted Jun 30, 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

67%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+33.8%)

3y 4m (~2y 0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 423 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.