Technology area: Medical Devices & Mechanical Engineering
36 pending office actions • 11 art units • 31 examiners • 0 of 36 (0%) have an AI response strategy ready • 23 patents granted in the last 365 days
Merit Medical Systems Inc. has 37 pending office actions in Medical Devices & Mechanical Engineering. The docket spans 31 distinct examiners and 11 distinct art units, combining extensive examiner dispersion with a more limited set of art-unit assignments. This pattern suggests that prosecution management must address many individual examiner relationships within recurring technical examination groups.
WOZNICKI, JACQUELINE is the busiest examiner, with 3 pending matters. That is the largest examiner-specific concentration identified in the profile, but it remains a small part of the overall docket. The difference between 31 examiners and 11 art units indicates that examiner-level coordination may be more demanding than art-unit coordination. Counsel should maintain detailed examiner histories, identify reusable technical explanations by art unit, and prioritize response workflows that prevent dispersed matters from being handled inconsistently.
Based on the USPTO statutory response window for each pending office action. 10 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. 10 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 (3%) |
| §103 only | 12 (33%) |
| §102 only | 3 (8%) |
| §112 only | 2 (6%) |
| Double-patenting only | 2 (6%) |
| Double-patenting + other | 1 (3%) |
| Multi-statute (no §101) | 15 (42%) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| THOMAS, NATALIE NICOLE | 2 | 0.0% | +0.0% |
| LABRANCHE, BROOKE N | 2 | 72.1% | +17.0% |
| PRESTON, REBECCA STRASZHEIM | 2 | 74.0% | +38.3% |
| WOZNICKI, JACQUELINE | 2 | 49.8% | +26.2% |
| RIOS, GABRIELLA GISELLE BONO | 2 | 15.4% | +0.0% |
| RESTAINO, ANDREW PETER | 1 | 72.4% | +39.2% |
| LYNCH, ROBERT A | 1 | 80.3% | +12.9% |
| ALLEN, ANDRE J | 1 | 91.4% | +6.4% |
| SULTANA, NAHIDA | 1 | 78.4% | +9.0% |
| DANIEL, ANTARIUS S | 1 | 52.0% | +14.4% |
Cases in front of an examiner with an allow rate of 80%+ where the difficulty is Easy or Medium. The top 2 ordered by deadline are shown.
| App # | Title | Examiner | Due in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19030824 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MANIPULATING AND FASTENING TISSUE | LYNCH, ROBERT A | — |
| 18958926 | PRESSURE SENSORS AND RELATED METHODS | ALLEN, ANDRE J | — |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18344562 | HIGH PRESSURE INFLATION DEVICE | OSINSKI, BRADLEY JAMES | 8d |
| 18508539 | BALLOON EXPANDABLE STENT PROSTHESES AND BALLOON EXPANDABLE BRANCHING STENT PROSTHESES | BARIA, DINAH N | 14d |
| 18500004 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF AIRWAY BLOCKAGES | WOZNICKI, JACQUELINE | 77d |
| 17516530 | ELECTROSPUN MATERIAL COVERED MEDICAL APPLIANCES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE | RIOS, GABRIELLA GISELLE BONO | 86d |
| 19188717 | HEMOSTASIS DEVICES AND METHODS OF USE | RESTAINO, ANDREW PETER | — |
| 18796975 | HEMOSTASIS VALVE | DANIEL, ANTARIUS S | — |
| 18793340 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MANIPULATING AND FASTENING TISSUE | DAVID, SHAUN L | — |
| 18753791 | APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR EXPANDABLE BRANCHING STENT PROSTHESES | THOMAS, NATALIE NICOLE | — |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18342915 | INTEGRATED DEPLOYMENT BALLOON STENT DELIVERY | WOZNICKI, JACQUELINE | 2d overdue |
| 18183827 | STENT GRAFT WITH ELASTOMERIC IMPERMEABLE LAYER | PRESTON, REBECCA STRASZHEIM | 14d |
| 18500004 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF AIRWAY BLOCKAGES | WOZNICKI, JACQUELINE | 77d |
| 19188717 | HEMOSTASIS DEVICES AND METHODS OF USE | RESTAINO, ANDREW PETER | — |
| 19030824 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MANIPULATING AND FASTENING TISSUE | LYNCH, ROBERT A | — |
| 18796975 | HEMOSTASIS VALVE | DANIEL, ANTARIUS S | — |
| 18442854 | FENESTRATED VASCULAR AORTIC REPAIR STENT DEPLOYMENT DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS | LABRANCHE, BROOKE N | — |
| 18441812 | FENESTRATED VASCULAR AORTIC REPAIR STENT, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS | PRESTON, REBECCA STRASZHEIM | — |
| Art Unit | Apps |
|---|---|
| 3774 | 13 |
| 3771 | 10 |
| 3783 | 5 |
| 2855 | 1 |
| 1743 | 1 |
| 3775 | 1 |
| 3700 | 1 |
| 3781 | 1 |
| 3772 | 1 |
| 3799 | 1 |
| App # | Title | Examiner | Art Unit | Statutes | Status | Due in | AI | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19188717 | HEMOSTASIS DEVICES AND METHODS OF USE | RESTAINO, ANDREW PETER | 3771 | §101§112Other | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Apr 24, 2025 |
| 19030824 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MANIPULATING AND FASTENING TISSUE | LYNCH, ROBERT A | 3771 | §102§103DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 17, 2025 |
| 18958926 | PRESSURE SENSORS AND RELATED METHODS | ALLEN, ANDRE J | 2855 | §112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 25, 2024 |
| 18824201 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF FORMING A CONTINUOUS REINFORCED CATHETER SHAFT | SULTANA, NAHIDA | 1743 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Sep 04, 2024 |
| 18796975 | HEMOSTASIS VALVE | DANIEL, ANTARIUS S | 3783 | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Aug 07, 2024 |
| 18793340 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MANIPULATING AND FASTENING TISSUE | DAVID, SHAUN L | 3771 | §102§103§112 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Aug 02, 2024 |
| 18753791 | APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR EXPANDABLE BRANCHING STENT PROSTHESES | THOMAS, NATALIE NICOLE | 3774 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jun 25, 2024 |
| 18669233 | OSTEOTOME WITH INFLATABLE PORTION AND MULTIWIRE ARTICULATION | BECCIA, CHRISTOPHER J | 3775 | DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | May 20, 2024 |
| 18654653 | TRANSLUMINAL STENTS AND RELATED METHODS | DUDDEN, TERESA MARIE | 3774 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | May 03, 2024 |
| 18643374 | INTRODUCER SHEATH ASSEMBLIES AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS | HOAG, MITCHELL BRAIN | 3771 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Apr 23, 2024 |
| 18612628 | DILATOR AND DUAL WIRE LUMEN SYSTEMS | STRANSKY, KATRINA MARIE | 3700 | §103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Mar 21, 2024 |
| 18606214 | ESOPHAGEAL STENTS WITH HELICAL THREAD | THOMAS, NATALIE NICOLE | 3774 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 15, 2024 |
| 18591252 | MEDICAL GRASPING DEVICE WITH SLIDE ACTUATOR | GEIGER, RACHAEL L | 3771 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Feb 29, 2024 |
| 18442854 | FENESTRATED VASCULAR AORTIC REPAIR STENT DEPLOYMENT DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS | LABRANCHE, BROOKE N | 3771 | §102 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Feb 15, 2024 |
| 18441812 | FENESTRATED VASCULAR AORTIC REPAIR STENT, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS | PRESTON, REBECCA STRASZHEIM | 3774 | §102§103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Feb 14, 2024 |
| 18404447 | APPARATUSES AND METHODS OF HYBRID STENT PROSTHESES | MATHEW, SEEMA | 3774 | §102§103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Jan 04, 2024 |
| 18508539 | BALLOON EXPANDABLE STENT PROSTHESES AND BALLOON EXPANDABLE BRANCHING STENT PROSTHESES | BARIA, DINAH N | 3774 | §102§103§112 | Final Rejection | 14d | Pending | Nov 14, 2023 |
| 18507711 | STENT WITH REMOTE MANIPULATION | LABRANCHE, BROOKE N | 3771 | §102§103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Nov 13, 2023 |
| 18508005 | ENDOVASCULAR DEVICES | WILLSE, DAVID H | 3774 | §102 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 13, 2023 |
| 18506458 | DUAL BALLOON CATHETER INFUSION SYSTEM | GRAY, PHILLIP A | 3783 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 10, 2023 |
| 18500004 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF AIRWAY BLOCKAGES | WOZNICKI, JACQUELINE | 3774 | §103§112 | Final Rejection | 77d | Pending | Nov 01, 2023 |
| 18493446 | INJECTABLE MATERIAL HYDRATING DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS | ZAMORY, JUSTIN L | 3783 | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Oct 24, 2023 |
| 18353502 | SINGLE LUMEN DRAINAGE CATHETER WITH TIP ANCHOR | WIEST, PHILIP R | 3781 | §102 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jul 17, 2023 |
| 18344562 | HIGH PRESSURE INFLATION DEVICE | OSINSKI, BRADLEY JAMES | 3783 | §103§112 | Final Rejection | 8d | Pending | Jun 29, 2023 |
| 18342915 | INTEGRATED DEPLOYMENT BALLOON STENT DELIVERY | WOZNICKI, JACQUELINE | 3774 | §103 | Non-Final OA | 2d overdue | Pending | Jun 28, 2023 |
| 18333337 | HEMOSTASIS VALVE DEVICE | BOSQUES, EDELMIRA | 3772 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jun 12, 2023 |
| 18183827 | STENT GRAFT WITH ELASTOMERIC IMPERMEABLE LAYER | PRESTON, REBECCA STRASZHEIM | 3774 | §103 | Final Rejection | 14d | Pending | Mar 14, 2023 |
| 18179060 | INFLATABLE SURGICAL COMPRESSION DEVICE AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS | KHANDKER, RAIHAN R | 3771 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 06, 2023 |
| 18068181 | ELECTROSPUN MATERIAL COVERED APPLIANCES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE | PELLEGRINO, BRIAN E | 3799 | DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 19, 2022 |
| 17931327 | ENDOTHERMIC COMPRESSION SYSTEMS AND METHODS | SMITH, KAITLYN ELIZABETH | 3794 | §103 | Final Rejection | 27d | Pending | Sep 12, 2022 |
| 17816301 | CORONARY COVERED STENT | TYSON, MELANIE RUANO | 3774 | §102§103§112 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Jul 29, 2022 |
| 17659623 | MULTI-STAGE BALLOON CATHETER SYSTEMS AND METHODS | DUBOSE, LAUREN | 3771 | §103 | Final Rejection | 12d | Pending | Apr 18, 2022 |
| 17655846 | PLIANT MEMBERS FOR RECEIVING AND AIDING IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF VASCULAR PROSTHESES | LONG, SARAH A | 3771 | §103 | Final Rejection | 62d | Pending | Mar 22, 2022 |
| 17652437 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DEPLOYMENT OF A VASCULAR PROSTHESIS | RIOS, GABRIELLA GISELLE BONO | 3774 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Feb 24, 2022 |
| 17516530 | ELECTROSPUN MATERIAL COVERED MEDICAL APPLIANCES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE | RIOS, GABRIELLA GISELLE BONO | 3774 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | 86d | Pending | Nov 01, 2021 |
| 17245291 | DEFLECTABLE CATHETER SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE | HALL, DEANNA K | 3783 | §112 | Non-Final OA | 9d | Pending | Apr 30, 2021 |
IP Author helps IP teams respond to office actions faster with AI-generated responses, examiner analytics, and prosecution intelligence.
Start Free TrialMerit Medical Systems Inc. has 36 pending office actions as of October 2026, spread across 11 art units and 31 examiners.
Natalie Nicole Thomas has the most, with 2 of Merit Medical Systems Inc.'s pending office actions.
Mostly Medical Devices & Mechanical Engineering (USPTO Tech Center 3700), based on where its pending office actions are examined.
