Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 19/207,180

Multiple Pass Self-Cinching Suture Construct

Non-Final OA §101
Filed
May 13, 2025
Priority
May 03, 2024 — provisional 63/642,207 +1 more
Examiner
DANG, PHONG SON H
Art Unit
3771
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Ins Ortho Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
78%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 1m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 78% — above average
78%
Career Allowance Rate
540 granted / 690 resolved
+8.3% vs TC avg
Strong +24% interview lift
Without
With
+23.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 3m
Avg Prosecution
17 currently pending
Career history
707
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.7%
-39.3% vs TC avg
§103
70.8%
+30.8% vs TC avg
§102
21.5%
-18.5% vs TC avg
§112
2.7%
-37.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 690 resolved cases

Office Action

§101
DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Priority This application is a CON of 18/946,857 11/13/2024 PAT 12295569 18/946,857 has PRO 63/642,207 05/03/2024 is acknowledged. Double Patenting A rejection based on double patenting of the “same invention” type finds its support in the language of 35 U.S.C. 101 which states that “whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process... may obtain a patent therefor...” (Emphasis added). Thus, the term “same invention,” in this context, means an invention drawn to identical subject matter. See Miller v. Eagle Mfg. Co., 151 U.S. 186 (1894); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Ockert, 245 F.2d 467, 114 USPQ 330 (CCPA 1957). A statutory type (35 U.S.C. 101) double patenting rejection can be overcome by canceling or amending the claims that are directed to the same invention so they are no longer coextensive in scope. The filing of a terminal disclaimer cannot overcome a double patenting rejection based upon 35 U.S.C. 101. Claim 1 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claim 1 of prior U.S. Patent No. 12,295,569. This is a statutory double patenting rejection. There is no prior art rejection. Prior art US 2023/0309984 to Valentin et al., US 2021/0196264 to Bachmaier et al. and US 2020/0268502 to Brunsvold et al. not used for rejection but are relevant to the claimed invention. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to PHONG SON DANG whose telephone number is (571)270-5809. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri 8-5. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Elizabeth Houston can be reached at 571-272-7134. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /PHONG SON H DANG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3771
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

May 13, 2025
Application Filed
Jun 04, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §101 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12678183
INVERTING THROMBECTOMY APPARATUSES AND METHODS
1y 11m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12653520
SYNDESMOSIS FIXATION ASSEMBLY
1y 9m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026
Patent 12642521
Methods of Tissue Repairs
3y 1m to grant Granted Jun 02, 2026
Patent 12635997
METHODS FOR THE USE OF TISSUE REPAIR AND SEALING DEVICES HAVING A DETACHABLE GRAFT AND CLASP ASSEMBLY
1y 9m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12629171
LUBRICATED MEDICAL INSTRUMENT GUIDE
3y 8m 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
78%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+23.8%)
3y 3m (~2y 1m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 690 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month