Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026

Examiner: RHODES, NORA W

Tech Center 3700 • Art Units: 3656 3794

This examiner grants 54% of resolved cases

Analysis

Nora W. Rhodes is an examiner in Tech Center 3700, specifically Art Unit 3656, with 109 resolved cases. Her allowance rate of 53.2% indicates a moderate level of difficulty, with about half of her cases resulting in a grant. This baseline provides a starting point for applicants to assess their chances of success during the examination process in her docket.

The median days to allowance is 1545, which indicates a prosecution timeline that typically extends for a significant period. A key finding in the data is the interview lift of 26.2%. This significant increase in the likelihood of allowance following an interview suggests that direct communication is an effective strategy for overcoming objections and reaching a positive conclusion with this examiner in Art Unit 3656.

With 109 resolved cases, the 26.2% interview lift is a compelling reason for practitioners to prioritize interviews. When compared to the 53.2% baseline allowance rate, the impact of an interview is substantial. Applicants should use the 1545-day median duration as a planning tool, while relying on the interview lift to improve their overall prospects for success within Tech Center 3700.

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

Performance Statistics

54.1%
Allow Rate
-15.9% vs TC avg
164
Total Applications
+25.5%
Interview Lift
1547
Avg Prosecution Days
Based on 111 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Rejection Statute Breakdown

1.0%
§101 Eligibility
24.5%
§102 Novelty
59.7%
§103 Obviousness
14.2%
§112 Clarity

Currently Pending Office Actions

App #TitleStatusAssignee
18192378 SURGICAL PERFORATION BETWEEN THE AORTA AND LEFT ATRIUM Final Rejection Boston Scientific Medical Device Limited
17719599 ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CLAMP CLOSURE SENSOR Non-Final OA Cilag GmbH International
18962951 SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTED HEAT FLUX SENSING OF BODY TISSUE Non-Final OA INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
18159329 SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ELECTROPORATION USING WAVEFORMS THAT REDUCE ELECTRICAL STIMULATION Final Rejection St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
18660908 ELECTROPORATION FOR SELECTIVE GI TRACT DEPTH ABLATION AND REGENERATION FOR GI DISEASES Final Rejection Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
19002042 ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT METHOD Non-Final OA OLYMPUS CORPORATION
17399344 APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING CHRONICALLY STABLE ATRIAL SHUNT Final Rejection Medtronic, Inc.
16650837 DEVICES AND METHODS FOR REMODELING TISSUE Final Rejection Medtronic, Inc.
19052586 ORIENTED IRREVERSIBLE-ELECTROPORATION (IRE) PULSES TO COMPENSATE FOR CELL SIZE AND ORIENTATION Non-Final OA BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
18766376 Expandable Assembly Catheter Non-Final OA BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
18747567 IMPEDANCE BASED IRREVERSIBLE-ELECTROPORATION (IRE) Non-Final OA BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
18747119 ELECTRODE ATTACHMENTS FOR BASKET CATHETERS Non-Final OA Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
18584855 MODULAR RING ELECTRODES Non-Final OA Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
18500375 ELECTRODES FOR BASKET CATHETERS Final Rejection Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
18213509 CATHETER Non-Final OA ASAHI INTECC CO., LTD.
17647047 SURGICAL DEVICE WITH SEGMENTED END EFFECTOR Final Rejection GYRUS ACMI, INC. D/B/A OLYMPUS SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES AMERICA
18408910 SURGICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATION THEREOF Non-Final OA Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH
17575614 NEEDLE TIP TO APPLY CURRENT, HANDPIECE, AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING SKIN Final Rejection JEISYS MEDICAL INC.
18995740 CURVED FIRE-FORWARD NEEDLE FOR PUNCTURING AND TRAVERSING VASCULATURE Non-Final OA BARD PERIPHERAL VASCULAR, INC.
18583485 TEMPERATURE VOLUME HISTOGRAM GENERATION APPARATUS AND METHOD Non-Final OA Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
17752001 NASAL NERVE DENERVATION INSTRUMENT WITH DENERVATION CONFIRMATION Non-Final OA Acclarent, Inc.

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