Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026

Examiner: MULLEN, MICHAEL PATRICK

Tech Center 4100 • Art Units: 1700 1747 1748 4100

This examiner grants 55% of resolved cases

Analysis

Examiner Michael Patrick Mullen has resolved 40 cases in Art Unit 1700. Within Tech Center 4100, the examiner has an allowance rate of 55.0 percent. This 55.0 percent rate is derived from the 40 cases that have reached a final resolution, providing a benchmark for practitioners.

The median days to allowance is 1142. This 1142 day figure marks the middle point of the duration for successful prosecutions. Applicants should account for this 1142 day timeline when managing expectations for applications assigned to this examiner in Art Unit 1700.

The interview lift is 54.5 percent, which indicates an increase in the probability of allowance when an interview is conducted relative to the 55.0 percent base rate. This 54.5 percent lift suggests that interviews are associated with a higher likelihood of allowance. The 54.5 percent lift provides a statistical basis for engaging in direct communication with the examiner in Tech Center 4100.

Written from this page's own data; every figure is computed from USPTO records and verified before publication.

Performance Statistics

55.0%
Allow Rate
-5.0% vs TC avg
84
Total Applications
+54.5%
Interview Lift
1142
Avg Prosecution Days
Based on 40 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Rejection Statute Breakdown

1.6%
§101 Eligibility
20.8%
§102 Novelty
51.0%
§103 Obviousness
16.7%
§112 Clarity

Currently Pending Office Actions

App #TitleStatusAssignee
18290955 AEROSOL GENERATION AND DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR CARBOXYLATED ACTIVES Non-Final OA Nicoventures Trading Limited
18579058 INTERACTIVE AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM Non-Final OA NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITED
18564219 AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE Non-Final OA Nicoventures Trading Limited
18040701 APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AN INHALABLE MEDIUM Final Rejection Nicoventures Trading Limited
18006641 AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM Final Rejection Nicoventures Trading Limited
17759773 AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE Non-Final OA Nicoventures Trading Limited
18061044 ELECTRONIC VAPING DEVICE AND COMPONENTS THEREOF Final Rejection Altria Client Services LLC
18454041 MEMS SENSOR, MEMS MICROPHONE, ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE Non-Final OA AAC ACOUSTIC TECHNOLOGIES (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
17998695 AEROSOL-GENERATING ARTICLE WITH COMBUSTION PREVENTING WRAPPER Final Rejection Philip Morris Products S.A.
17998696 MODIFIED AEROSOL-GENERATING ARTICLE WITH FLAME RETARDANT WRAPPER Final Rejection Philip Morris Products S.A.
17998764 AEROSOL-GENERATING ARTICLE COMPRISING A FLAME-RETARDANT Non-Final OA Philip Morris Products S.A.
18572613 An Aerosol Generating Device and an Aerosol Generating System Non-Final OA JT International SA
18289692 Aerosol Generating Device Comprising Two Heating Elements Non-Final OA JT International S.A.
18695416 AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE Non-Final OA KT&G CORPORATION
18567098 AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME Final Rejection KT&G CORPORATION
18035221 HEATING STRUCTURE AND AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME Final Rejection KT&G CORPORATION
18034923 AEROSOL GENERATING ARTICLE, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING AEROSOL GENERATING ARTICLE Non-Final OA KT&G CORPORATION
18470784 VAPORIZER AND ELECTRONIC VAPORIZATION DEVICE Final Rejection SHENZHEN SMOORE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
18353798 AEROSOL-FORMING APPARATUS Final Rejection SHENZHEN SMOORE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
18338133 ELECTRONIC VAPORIZATION DEVICE AND VAPORIZER THEREOF Final Rejection SHENZHEN SMOORE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
18206628 ELECTRONIC ATOMIZATION DEVICE Final Rejection Shenzhen Smoore Technology Limited
18029659 AEROSOL-GENERATION SYSTEM AND CHARGING BOX Final Rejection SHENZHEN FIRST UNION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
18027625 AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE AND INFRARED HEATER Non-Final OA SHENZHEN FIRST UNION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
18011189 AEROSOL GENERATION APPARATUS AND ELECTRONIC AEROSOL INHALER Final Rejection SHENZHEN FIRST UNION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.

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