Prosecution Insights
Prosecution Insights
Technology area: Medical Devices & Mechanical Engineering
40 pending office actions • 10 art units • 34 examiners • 0 of 40 (0%) have an AI response strategy ready • 59 patents granted in the last 365 days
C.R. Bard Inc. manages a large portfolio featuring 37 pending office actions in the Medical Devices & Mechanical Engineering technology area. These actions are spread across 10 distinct art units, reflecting a broad and complex range of medical technologies. With 33 distinct examiners involved, the company faces a high degree of variability in examiner perspectives and requirements.
PAPE, ALYSSA MORGAN is the busiest examiner for the company, handling 4 pending actions. While this is the highest number for any single official, it represents only a small fraction of the 37 total actions. The high number of 33 examiners across 10 art units suggests that the company's prosecution strategy must be highly adaptable to succeed across many different USPTO departments. Practitioners should monitor the 4 actions under PAPE, ALYSSA MORGAN for potential trends that could influence the broader portfolio.
Based on the USPTO statutory response window for each pending office action. 16 of the docket's apps have a known mailing date; the rest are excluded from the tile counts.
Every pending office action with a known statutory deadline, placed on a days-until-due axis. Dots left of Today are overdue; the further right, the more runway. Cases that share a deadline window stack vertically. 16 of the docket's apps have a known mailing date.
Difficulty is derived from the rejection statutes on the most recent pending office action. §101-driven and multi-statute cases are graded Hard; §112-only and obviousness-type double-patenting cases are graded Easy; everything else is Medium. "Unknown" means we have not yet parsed a statute for that office action.
| Bucket | Cases |
|---|---|
| §101 + other | 1 (2%) |
| §103 only | 24 (60%) |
| §102 only | 1 (2%) |
| Double-patenting only | 1 (2%) |
| Double-patenting + other | 4 (10%) |
| Multi-statute (no §101) | 9 (22%) |
How the docket's pending cases split across USPTO tech-center bands.
Manual office-action response work runs about 10 hours per case. The time-saved bands below show what IP Author's prosecution pipeline typically delivers — a conservative 20% on the low end, 35% in the middle, 50% on the high end.
| Examiner | Apps on this docket | Allow rate | Interview lift |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAPE, ALYSSA MORGAN | 4 | 28.0% | +43.1% |
| STUMPFOLL, DANA LYNN | 2 | 53.3% | +43.1% |
| PHAM, KATHERINE-PH MINH | 2 | 59.0% | +50.4% |
| DIPERT, FORREST BLAKE | 2 | 50.0% | +64.4% |
| REYNOLDS, STEVEN ALAN | 1 | 65.9% | +23.3% |
| DUNWOODY, AARON M | 1 | 75.2% | +11.4% |
| STRACHAN, KATE ELIZABETH | 1 | 48.2% | +29.2% |
| SU, SUSAN SHAN | 1 | 71.7% | +23.9% |
| BARKER, DAYTON HYUN JIN | 1 | 71.4% | +40.0% |
| FLANAGAN, BEVERLY MEINDL | 1 | 73.0% | +20.4% |
Multi-statute / §101-driven matters, or cases in front of an examiner with an allow rate under 30%. The top 8 ordered by deadline are shown.
| App # | Title | Examiner | Due in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18274415 | Systems, Methods and Apparatus for Application of Targeted Temperature Management Therapy Utilizing Concentric In/Out Cable | PAPE, ALYSSA MORGAN | 4d overdue |
| 17552309 | Targeted Temperature Management Systems, Pads, and Methods Thereof | STUMPFOLL, DANA LYNN | 55d |
| 18835937 | URETEROSCOPES WITH LASER FIBER CHANNEL | BARKER, DAYTON HYUN JIN | 70d |
| 18866907 | Expandable Thermal Contact Pad | STUMPFOLL, DANA LYNN | — |
| 18706737 | Urinary Output Monitoring System | RAYMOND, LINNAE ELIZABETH | — |
| 18618839 | Catheter Clearing System and Methods | GRAY, PHILLIP A | — |
| 18682075 | Body Fluid Input-Output Monitoring Systems and Methods | EVANS, ASHLEY ELIZABETH | — |
| 17963813 | Low-Profile Single and Dual Vascular Access Device | WITTLIFF, KATERINA ANNA | — |
Cases in front of an examiner whose interview lift is 10 percentage points or more — i.e. interviewed cases historically resolve more favorably than non-interviewed ones. The top 8 ordered by deadline are shown.
| App # | Title | Examiner | Due in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18274415 | Systems, Methods and Apparatus for Application of Targeted Temperature Management Therapy Utilizing Concentric In/Out Cable | PAPE, ALYSSA MORGAN | 4d overdue |
| 18020385 | CATHETER FOR FORMING AN INTERVASCULAR BRIDGE TO RELIEVE VESSEL COMPRESSION | DIPERT, FORREST BLAKE | 16d |
| 17431928 | SEALANT DELIVERY APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREPARING SAME, FOR USE IN A LUNG PROCEDURE | DIPERT, FORREST BLAKE | 27d |
| 17552309 | Targeted Temperature Management Systems, Pads, and Methods Thereof | STUMPFOLL, DANA LYNN | 55d |
| 18835937 | URETEROSCOPES WITH LASER FIBER CHANNEL | BARKER, DAYTON HYUN JIN | 70d |
| 19296615 | Catheterization Packages and Methods Thereof | REYNOLDS, STEVEN ALAN | — |
| 19068969 | Negative Pressure Connector Seal | DUNWOODY, AARON M | — |
| 18866907 | Expandable Thermal Contact Pad | STUMPFOLL, DANA LYNN | — |
| Art Unit | Apps |
|---|---|
| 3794 | 11 |
| 3781 | 8 |
| 3783 | 5 |
| 3791 | 3 |
| 3795 | 2 |
| 3679 | 1 |
| 3736 | 1 |
| 3771 | 1 |
| 3687 | 1 |
| 3774 | 1 |
| App # | Title | Examiner | Art Unit | Statutes | Status | Due in | AI | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19296615 | Catheterization Packages and Methods Thereof | REYNOLDS, STEVEN ALAN | — | §112DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Aug 11, 2025 |
| 19068969 | Negative Pressure Connector Seal | DUNWOODY, AARON M | 3679 | DP | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Mar 03, 2025 |
| 18866907 | Expandable Thermal Contact Pad | STUMPFOLL, DANA LYNN | — | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 18, 2024 |
| 18900119 | Dynamic Pressure Response System and Method for Measuring Residual Fluid | PHAM, KATHERINE-PH MINH | — | §112DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Sep 27, 2024 |
| 18826105 | Automated Fluid Output Monitoring | STRACHAN, KATE ELIZABETH | — | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Sep 05, 2024 |
| 18840824 | Bulge Anchor for Urinary Catheter | SU, SUSAN SHAN | — | §102 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Aug 22, 2024 |
| 18835937 | URETEROSCOPES WITH LASER FIBER CHANNEL | BARKER, DAYTON HYUN JIN | 3795 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | 70d | Pending | Aug 05, 2024 |
| 18832782 | Reusable Thermal Contact Pad | FLANAGAN, BEVERLY MEINDL | 3794 | §103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Jul 24, 2024 |
| 18832400 | URETEROSCOPE DEVICE AND SYSTEMS INCLUDING A CATHETER CONTROL SYSTEM, AND RELATED METHODS | ABBASI, ABDUL HADI | 3795 | §103 | Final Rejection | 4d overdue | Pending | Jul 23, 2024 |
| 18728053 | Highly Comfortable Thermal Contact Pad | SMITH, KAITLYN ELIZABETH | 3794 | §103 | Final Rejection | 10d overdue | Pending | Jul 10, 2024 |
| 18715504 | Weighted Gel Blanket for Targeted Temperature Management Systems | BOCK, ABIGAIL MARIE | 3794 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | May 31, 2024 |
| 18706737 | Urinary Output Monitoring System | RAYMOND, LINNAE ELIZABETH | 3781 | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | May 01, 2024 |
| 18641181 | Intermittent-Catheter Assemblies and Systems | ORTIZ, RAFAEL ALFREDO | 3736 | §103 | Non-Final OA | 61d | Pending | Apr 19, 2024 |
| 18622604 | Air Venting Meter Lid Adapter | CHATRATHI, ARJUNA P | 3781 | §103 | Non-Final OA | 40d | Pending | Mar 29, 2024 |
| 18618839 | Catheter Clearing System and Methods | GRAY, PHILLIP A | — | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 27, 2024 |
| 18592323 | ARTICULATING SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS | HOLWERDA, KATHLEEN SONNETT | 3771 | §103 | Final Rejection | 1d overdue | Pending | Feb 29, 2024 |
| 18682082 | Urinary Output Monitoring System | XU, JUSTIN | 3791 | §103 | Non-Final OA | 17d overdue | Pending | Feb 07, 2024 |
| 18682075 | Body Fluid Input-Output Monitoring Systems and Methods | EVANS, ASHLEY ELIZABETH | 3687 | §101§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Feb 07, 2024 |
| 18580449 | Urinary Catheters and Methods | PHAM, KATHERINE-PH MINH | 3781 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 19, 2024 |
| 18414408 | Retainer System for Catheter | MENSH, ANDREW J | 3781 | §103 | Final Rejection | 12d | Pending | Jan 16, 2024 |
| 18538136 | Automated Urine-Output-Measurement Systems and Methods Thereof | FERNANDES, PATRICK M | 3791 | §103§112DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 13, 2023 |
| 18569470 | Urinary Catheter Container | HAN, SETH | 3781 | §103 | Final Rejection | 24d overdue | Pending | Dec 12, 2023 |
| 18568208 | Intermittent Catheters and Methods | SMITH, PETER DANIEL | 3781 | §103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Dec 07, 2023 |
| 18563852 | Urinary Catheter-Insertion Kits with Integrated Instructions for Use and Methods Thereof | YANG, CHENG FONG | 3781 | §103DP | Final Rejection | 9d overdue | Pending | Nov 22, 2023 |
| 18274415 | Systems, Methods and Apparatus for Application of Targeted Temperature Management Therapy Utilizing Concentric In/Out Cable | PAPE, ALYSSA MORGAN | 3794 | §103 | Final Rejection | 4d overdue | Pending | Jul 26, 2023 |
| 18273163 | On-Pad Fluid Line Connectors for Arctic Gel Pads | KERN, ASHLEIGH LAUREN | 3794 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jul 19, 2023 |
| 18272332 | Targeted Temperature Management Systems, Pads, and Methods Thereof | DEMIE, TIGIST S | 3794 | §103 | Final Rejection | 28d | Pending | Jul 13, 2023 |
| 18020385 | CATHETER FOR FORMING AN INTERVASCULAR BRIDGE TO RELIEVE VESSEL COMPRESSION | DIPERT, FORREST BLAKE | 3783 | §103 | Final Rejection | 16d | Pending | Feb 08, 2023 |
| 18011560 | BALLOON CATHETER WITH PRECISION DRUG-ELUTING CAPABILITY | CARPENTER, WILLIAM R | 3783 | §103 | Non-Final OA | 9d | Pending | Dec 20, 2022 |
| 17963813 | Low-Profile Single and Dual Vascular Access Device | WITTLIFF, KATERINA ANNA | 3783 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Oct 11, 2022 |
| 17881270 | Universal Thermal Contact Pad With Twisting Paddles | PAPE, ALYSSA MORGAN | 3794 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Aug 04, 2022 |
| 17846860 | In-Line Urinalysis System and Method | KALIHER, HANS CHRISTIAN | 3781 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jun 22, 2022 |
| 17728752 | In-Line Sampling Apparatus for Bodily Fluids | KREMER, MATTHEW | 3791 | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Apr 25, 2022 |
| 17700216 | Reconfiguration Compatible Thermal Pad | CHA, CASEY GEORGE | 3794 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 21, 2022 |
| 17694416 | Targeted Temperature Management Pad Design | PAPE, ALYSSA MORGAN | 3794 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 14, 2022 |
| 17686301 | Methods, Systems and Apparatus for Direct Connection of Gel Pad Targeted Temperature Management Device | PAPE, ALYSSA MORGAN | 3794 | §103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Mar 03, 2022 |
| 17684747 | ENDOVASCULAR APPARATUS WITH ENHANCED RETRIEVABILITY AND RELATED METHODS | BARIA, DINAH N | 3774 | §102§103§112Other | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 02, 2022 |
| 17552309 | Targeted Temperature Management Systems, Pads, and Methods Thereof | STUMPFOLL, DANA LYNN | 3794 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | 55d | Pending | Dec 15, 2021 |
| 17431928 | SEALANT DELIVERY APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREPARING SAME, FOR USE IN A LUNG PROCEDURE | DIPERT, FORREST BLAKE | 3783 | §103 | Non-Final OA | 27d | Pending | Aug 18, 2021 |
| 16973043 | Introducer Tool And Methods Thereof | MEDWAY, SCOTT J | 3783 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 08, 2020 |
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