USPTO Examiner HOWELL THEODORE R - Art Unit 1628

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
18905502GANAXOLONE FOR USE IN TREATING TUBEROUS SCLEROSIS COMPLEX AND SEIZURE DISORDERSOctober 2024February 2025Allow510NoNo
18905534GANAXOLONE FOR USE IN TREATING TUBEROUS SCLEROSIS COMPLEX AND SEIZURE DISORDERSOctober 2024April 2025Allow610NoNo
18905520GANAXOLONE FOR USE IN TREATING TUBEROUS SCLEROSIS COMPLEX AND SEIZURE DISORDERSOctober 2024April 2025Allow710NoNo
18895044PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING MELOXICAMSeptember 2024March 2025Allow500NoNo
18892179Electronic Inhalation DeviceSeptember 2024February 2025Allow510YesNo
18745002INHIBITION OF CRYSTAL GROWTH OF ROFLUMILASTJune 2024February 2025Allow810NoNo
18653662TOPICAL ROFLUMILAST FORMULATION HAVING IMPROVED DELIVERY AND PLASMA HALF- LIFEMay 2024March 2025Allow1010NoNo
18594194BIODEGRADABLE LIPIDS FOR THE DELIVERY OF ACTIVE AGENTSMarch 2024March 2025Allow1211NoNo
18594172BIODEGRADABLE LIPIDS FOR THE DELIVERY OF ACTIVE AGENTSMarch 2024November 2024Allow810NoNo
18592262USE OF S-BETA-HYDROXYBUTYRATE COMPOUNDS FOR INDUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF FLOWFebruary 2024February 2025Allow1210YesNo
18589688BIODEGRADABLE LIPIDS FOR THE DELIVERY OF ACTIVE AGENTSFebruary 2024February 2025Allow1111NoNo
18589636BIODEGRADABLE LIPIDS FOR THE DELIVERY OF ACTIVE AGENTSFebruary 2024November 2024Allow910NoNo
18432492GANAXOLONE FOR USE IN TREATING TUBEROUS SCLEROSIS COMPLEX AND SEIZURE DISORDERSFebruary 2024September 2024Allow710YesNo
18429417METHODS OF REDUCING THE PRODUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GASES FROM ANIMALSJanuary 2024November 2024Allow1020YesNo
18400944ETHYL [4,4-BIS(4-BROMOPHENYL)-2,5-DIOXOIMIDAZOLIDIN-1-YL]ACETATE AS AN ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOUNDDecember 2023April 2024Allow300NoNo
18540651METHODS OF TREATING CANCER WITH DRUGSDecember 2023July 2024Allow710NoNo
18509800COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING EYES AND METHODS OF PREPARATIONNovember 2023January 2025Abandon1410NoNo
18388707BENZOFURO[3,2-C]CHROMEN-6-ONE COMPOUNDS AS ANTIBACTERIAL AGENTSNovember 2023March 2024Allow410NoNo
183850438-(3-FLUROBENZYLIDENEAMINO)NAPHTHALENE-1,3-DISULFONIC ACID AS AN ANTIOXIDANT COMPOUNDOctober 2023February 2024Allow400NoNo
184968228-(2-HYDROXYBENZYLIDENEAMINO)NAPHTHALENE-1,3-DISULFONIC ACID AS AN ANTIOXIDANT COMPOUNDOctober 2023January 2024Allow200NoNo
18493178PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING MELOXICAMOctober 2023June 2024Allow820YesNo
18489542LOMITAPIDE FOR USE IN METHODS OF TREATING HYPERLIPIDEMIA AND HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTSOctober 2023June 2025Allow2030YesNo
184868883,4-DIMETHOXY-N'-(2-(5-PHENYL-1,3,4-OXADIAZOL-2YLTHIO)ACETOXY)BENZIMIDAMIDE AS AN ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOUNDOctober 2023January 2024Allow300NoNo
183711103-CYANO 4,5-DIPHENYL FURAN-2-CARBOXAMIDES AS ANTITUBERCULAR AGENTSSeptember 2023March 2024Allow520NoNo
18465446INHIBITION OF CRYSTAL GROWTH OF ROFLUMILASTSeptember 2023November 2023Allow210NoNo
18461389DOSAGE FORMS AND METHODS FOR ENANTIOMERICALLY ENRICHED OR PURE BUPROPIONSeptember 2023May 2024Allow910NoNo
182422089-FLOURO-DIBENZO[B,G]INDENO[1',2':3,4]FLUORENO-[1,2-D]OXONINE-5, 11, 16,21-TETRAONE AS AN ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTSeptember 2023November 2023Allow200NoNo
18238292BENZOFURO[3,2-C]CHROMEN-6-ONE COMPOUNDS AS ANTIBACTERIAL AGENTSAugust 2023July 2024Allow1141NoNo
182370364-AMINO-5-(4-FLUORO-3-PHENOXYPHENYL)-4H-1,2,4-TRIAZOLE-3-THIOL DERIVATIVES AS ANTIFUNGAL AGENTSAugust 2023January 2024Allow510NoNo
18453674Roflumilast Formulations with an Improved Pharmacokinetic ProfileAugust 2023May 2024Allow810NoNo
18233031SUBSTITUTED S-ALANINATE DERIVATIVESAugust 2023October 2023Allow200NoNo
18215731Treatment of a Senescence-Associated Ocular Disease or Disorder Using a Bcl-xL Selective InhibitorAugust 2023January 2025Allow1820YesNo
18353869TOPICAL ROFLUMILAST FORMULATION HAVING IMPROVED DELIVERY AND PLASMA HALF- LIFEJuly 2023October 2023Allow310YesNo
18218519COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING S-BETA-HYDROXYBUTYRATE OR NON-RACEMIC MIXTURES ENRICHED WITH THE S-ENATIOMERJuly 2023November 2023Allow510NoNo
18211816PROGESTERONE PHOSPHATE ANALOGS AND USES RELATED THERETOJune 2023May 2025Allow2320YesNo
18141200HOMOLEPTIC METAL COORDINATION COMPLEXES AS ANTIFUNGAL AGENTSApril 2023August 2023Allow400NoNo
18300917DOSAGE FORMS AND METHODS FOR ENANTIOMERICALLY ENRICHED OR PURE BUPROPIONApril 2023August 2024Abandon1620NoNo
18300318DOSAGE FORMS AND METHODS FOR ENANTIOMERICALLY ENRICHED OR PURE BUPROPIONApril 2023June 2024Abandon1420NoNo
18192245PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING MELOXICAMMarch 2023July 2023Allow400NoNo
18125959METHODS OF TREATING TUMORS WITH DRUGSMarch 2023August 2023Allow510NoNo
18121359COMPOUNDED COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING PAINMarch 2023January 2024Allow1011NoNo
18176601TOPICAL ROFLUMILAST FORMULATION HAVING IMPROVED DELIVERY AND PLASMA HALF- LIFEMarch 2023September 2023Allow620YesNo
18112621BENZOFURO[3,2-C]CHROMEN-6-ONE COMPOUNDS AS ANTIBACTERIAL AGENTSFebruary 2023August 2023Allow610NoNo
17920029GONADOTROPIN RELEASING HORMONE RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST AND USE THEREOFOctober 2022September 2023Allow1110NoNo
179629761,2,4-Oxadiazole and Thiadiazole Compounds as ImmunomodulatorsOctober 2022June 2025Allow3200NoNo
17915192Carboxylate Ligand Modified Ferric Iron Hydroxide Compositions for use in the Treatment or Prevention of Iron Deficiency Associated with Liver DiseasesSeptember 2022May 2025Allow3100NoNo
17929633PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING MELOXICAMSeptember 2022June 2023Allow1020NoNo
17929631PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING MELOXICAMSeptember 2022June 2023Allow1020NoNo
17880925SRPK1 INHIBITORSAugust 2022February 2025Allow3011NoNo
17816812URSODEOXYCHOLIC ACID-CONTAINING AGENT FOR TREATING OR PREVENTING PRESBYOPIAAugust 2022October 2024Abandon2710NoNo
17872450NOREPINEPHRINE COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS THEREFORJuly 2022February 2023Allow610NoNo
17871925CHELATED, STABLE OPHTHALMOLOGICAL COMPOSITIONS OF KETOROLAC AND PHENYLEPHRINE AND APPLICATIONS THEREOFJuly 2022February 2024Allow1941NoNo
17865745HIGH-PURITY MOGROSIDES AND PROCESS FOR THEIR PURIFICATIONJuly 2022May 2025Allow3400NoNo
17861752NOREPINEPHRINE COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS THEREFORJuly 2022July 2024Allow2511NoNo
17809151PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING MELOXICAMJune 2022April 2023Allow920NoNo
17845905COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING MUSCLE CONTRACTIONJune 2022January 2025Allow3021NoNo
17740109METHOD FOR REDUCING OTOTOXICITY IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS RECEIVING PLATINUM-BASED CHEMOTHERAPYMay 2022August 2023Abandon1611NoNo
17733868METHODS OF TREATING TUMORS WITH PRO DRUGSApril 2022December 2022Allow710YesNo
17730737BILE ACID RECYCLING INHIBITORS FOR TREATMENT OF PEDIATRIC CHOLESTATIC LIVER DISEASESApril 2022March 2025Allow3410NoNo
17731247DOSAGE FORMS AND METHODS FOR ENANTIOMERICALLY ENRICHED OR PURE BUPROPIONApril 2022February 2023Allow1010NoNo
17660673METHODS FOR TREATING LIVER DISORDERS USING FXR AGONISTSApril 2022March 2025Abandon3510NoNo
17728600KETONE BODIES AND KETONE BODY ESTERS AS BLOOD LIPID LOWERING AGENTSApril 2022July 2025Allow3810NoNo
17728554DOSAGE FORMS AND METHODS FOR ENANTIOMERICALLY ENRICHED OR PURE BUPROPIONApril 2022February 2023Allow1010NoNo
17769774EXPECTORANT COMPOUND, PREPARATION METHOD THEREOF AND USE THEREOFApril 2022March 2024Allow2300NoNo
17723050COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING EYES AND METHODS OF PREPARATIONApril 2022January 2025Abandon3301NoNo
17712274PARENTERAL UNIT DOSAGE FORM OF DIHYDROERGOTAMINEApril 2022February 2023Allow1021NoNo
17707913HOMOGENEOUS OPHTHALMIC COMPOSITIONMarch 2022June 2025Allow3941NoNo
17707784METHOD FOR PREVENTING AND/OR TREATING CHRONIC TRAUMATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY-IMarch 2022May 2025Allow3820NoNo
17692068DOSAGE FORMS AND METHODS FOR ENANTIOMERICALLY ENRICHED OR PURE BUPROPIONMarch 2022June 2023Allow1520NoNo
17690321METHOD AGAINST SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONAVIRUS 2 INFECTIONMarch 2022August 2023Allow1710NoNo
17689245ORAL CANNABINOID FORMULATIONSMarch 2022October 2023Allow1910NoNo
17689704METHODS OF TREATING CANCERMarch 2022September 2024Allow3011NoNo
17653540HPK1 ANTAGONISTS AND USES THEREOFMarch 2022October 2023Allow1911NoNo
17687485OMEGA-3 FATTY ACID SUPPLEMENTATION FOR USE IN TREATING DRY EYEMarch 2022January 2023Allow1020YesNo
17677906PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING MELOXICAMFebruary 2022December 2022Allow1020NoNo
17651023BIODEGRADABLE LIPIDS FOR THE DELIVERY OF ACTIVE AGENTSFebruary 2022December 2022Allow1011NoNo
17651029BIODEGRADABLE LIPIDS FOR THE DELIVERY OF ACTIVE AGENTSFebruary 2022December 2022Allow1011NoNo
17651038BIODEGRADABLE LIPIDS FOR THE DELIVERY OF ACTIVE AGENTSFebruary 2022November 2022Allow910NoNo
17651017BIODEGRADABLE LIPIDS FOR THE DELIVERY OF ACTIVE AGENTSFebruary 2022November 2022Allow911NoNo
17632973Methods And Compositions For The Treatment Of Hair LossFebruary 2022October 2024Allow3311NoNo
17591543APPLICATIONS FOR ESTRADIOL IN PREPARING ANTI-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER AND/OR OVARIAN CANCER AND/OR OSTEOSARCOMA PRODUCTSFebruary 2022May 2024Abandon2711NoNo
17597917PREPARATION METHOD AND USE OF PYRAZOLE COMPOUND CONTAINING 1-(3,4-DIMETHOXYPHENYL)-BETA-CARBOLINE UNITJanuary 2022May 2025Allow4010NoNo
17580755Compositions and Methods for the Prevention and Treatment of Hearing LossJanuary 2022June 2022Allow521NoNo
17573878BIODEGRADABLE LIPIDS FOR THE DELIVERY OF ACTIVE AGENTSJanuary 2022April 2022Allow310NoNo
17574272DIHYDROPYRIDINE COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERSJanuary 2022August 2023Allow1910NoNo
17626074INHIBITORS OF INDOLEAMINE 2,3-DIOXYGENASE AND/OR TRYPTOPHAN 2,3-DIOXYGENASEJanuary 2022February 2025Allow3800YesNo
17555724KETONE BODY ESTERS OF S-BETA-HYDROXYBUTYRATE AND/OR S-1,3-BUTANEDIOL FOR MODIFYING METABOLIC FUNCTIONDecember 2021June 2023Allow1810NoNo
17644914BIODEGRADABLE LIPIDS FOR THE DELIVERY OF ACTIVE AGENTSDecember 2021October 2022Allow1011NoNo
17644907BIODEGRADABLE LIPIDS FOR THE DELIVERY OF ACTIVE AGENTSDecember 2021March 2022Allow310YesNo
17550669FULVESTRANT FORMULATIONSDecember 2021October 2024Abandon3411NoNo
17549081PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING MELOXICAMDecember 2021May 2022Allow510NoNo
17549475TARGETING HYPOXIC CANCER STEM CELLS (CSCS) WITH DOXYCYCLINE: IMPLICATIONS FOR IMPROVING ANTI-ANGIOGENIC THERAPYDecember 2021November 2024Abandon3521NoNo
17548004TREATMENT OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND OTHER CONDITIONS CAUSED OR MEDIATED BY SENESCENT ASTROCYTES USING SMALL MOLECULE SENOLYTIC AGENTSDecember 2021February 2024Abandon2621NoNo
17546895URSODEOXYCHOLIC ACID-CONTAINING AGENT FOR TREATING OR PREVENTING PRESBYOPIADecember 2021May 2022Allow510YesNo
17544365PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING MELOXICAMDecember 2021May 2022Allow510NoNo
17535559COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING AND PREVENTING ADHESIONS AND ILUESNovember 2021August 2024Abandon3310NoNo
17534951FXR (NR1H4) MODULATING COMPOUNDSNovember 2021August 2024Abandon3220NoNo
17525573EXTRACT, CONSUMABLE PRODUCT AND METHOD FOR ENRICHING BIOACTIVE METABOLITE IN AN EXTRACTNovember 2021March 2023Allow1611NoNo
17516556CARBAZOLE DERIVATIVES FOR THE TREATMENT OF FIBROTIC DISEASES AND RELATED SYMPTOMS, AND CONDITIONS THEREOFNovember 2021May 2024Allow3111NoNo
17603876BIFUNCTIONAL COMPOUNDS COMPRISING APCIN-A AND THEIR USE IN THE TREATMENT OF CANCEROctober 2021May 2025Allow4311NoNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner HOWELL, THEODORE R..

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
15
Examiner Affirmed
13
(86.7%)
Examiner Reversed
2
(13.3%)
Reversal Percentile
24.0%
Lower than average

What This Means

With a 13.3% reversal rate, the PTAB affirms the examiner's rejections in the vast majority of cases. This reversal rate is in the bottom 25% across the USPTO, indicating that appeals face significant challenges here.

Strategic Value of Filing an Appeal

Total Appeal Filings
86
Allowed After Appeal Filing
16
(18.6%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
70
(81.4%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
20.1%
Lower than average

Understanding Appeal Filing Strategy

Filing a Notice of Appeal can sometimes lead to allowance even before the appeal is fully briefed or decided by the PTAB. This occurs when the examiner or their supervisor reconsiders the rejection during the mandatory appeal conference (MPEP § 1207.01) after the appeal is filed.

In this dataset, 18.6% of applications that filed an appeal were subsequently allowed. This appeal filing benefit rate is in the bottom 25% across the USPTO, indicating that filing appeals is less effective here than in most other areas.

Strategic Recommendations

Appeals to PTAB face challenges. Ensure your case has strong merit before committing to full Board review.

Filing a Notice of Appeal shows limited benefit. Consider other strategies like interviews or amendments before appealing.

Examiner HOWELL, THEODORE R. - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner HOWELL, THEODORE R. works in Art Unit 1628 and has examined 1,097 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 64.4%, this examiner allows applications at a lower rate than most examiners at the USPTO. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 27 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner HOWELL, THEODORE R.'s allowance rate of 64.4% places them in the 17% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner is less likely to allow applications than most examiners at the USPTO.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by HOWELL, THEODORE R. receive 1.88 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 59% percentile for office actions issued. This examiner issues a slightly above-average number of office actions.

Prosecution Timeline

The median time to disposition (half-life) for applications examined by HOWELL, THEODORE R. is 27 months. This places the examiner in the 55% percentile for prosecution speed. Prosecution timelines are slightly faster than average with this examiner.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a +28.1% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by HOWELL, THEODORE R.. This interview benefit is in the 79% percentile among all examiners. Recommendation: Interviews are highly effective with this examiner and should be strongly considered as a prosecution strategy. Per MPEP § 713.10, interviews are available at any time before the Notice of Allowance is mailed or jurisdiction transfers to the PTAB.

Request for Continued Examination (RCE) Effectiveness

When applicants file an RCE with this examiner, 23.8% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 24% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Insight: RCEs show lower effectiveness with this examiner compared to others. Consider whether a continuation application might be more strategic, especially if you need to add new matter or significantly broaden claims.

After-Final Amendment Practice

This examiner enters after-final amendments leading to allowance in 43.8% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 61% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: This examiner shows above-average receptiveness to after-final amendments. If your amendments clearly overcome the rejections and do not raise new issues, consider filing after-final amendments before resorting to an RCE.

Pre-Appeal Conference Effectiveness

When applicants request a pre-appeal conference (PAC) with this examiner, 66.7% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 50% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: Pre-appeal conferences show above-average effectiveness with this examiner. If you have strong arguments, a PAC request may result in favorable reconsideration.

Appeal Withdrawal and Reconsideration

This examiner withdraws rejections or reopens prosecution in 73.7% of appeals filed. This is in the 58% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 66.7% occur early in the appeal process (after Notice of Appeal but before Appeal Brief). Strategic Insight: This examiner shows above-average willingness to reconsider rejections during appeals. The mandatory appeal conference (MPEP § 1207.01) provides an opportunity for reconsideration.

Petition Practice

When applicants file petitions regarding this examiner's actions, 46.8% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 54% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Note: Petitions show above-average success regarding this examiner's actions. Petitionable matters include restriction requirements (MPEP § 1002.02(c)(2)) and various procedural issues.

Examiner Cooperation and Flexibility

Examiner's Amendments: This examiner makes examiner's amendments in 0.6% of allowed cases (in the 63% percentile). This examiner makes examiner's amendments more often than average to place applications in condition for allowance (MPEP § 1302.04).

Quayle Actions: This examiner issues Ex Parte Quayle actions in 5.4% of allowed cases (in the 80% percentile). Per MPEP § 714.14, a Quayle action indicates that all claims are allowable but formal matters remain. This examiner frequently uses Quayle actions compared to other examiners, which is a positive indicator that once substantive issues are resolved, allowance follows quickly.

Prosecution Strategy Recommendations

Based on the statistical analysis of this examiner's prosecution patterns, here are tailored strategic recommendations:

  • Prepare for rigorous examination: With a below-average allowance rate, ensure your application has strong written description and enablement support. Consider filing a continuation if you need to add new matter.
  • Prioritize examiner interviews: Interviews are highly effective with this examiner. Request an interview after the first office action to clarify issues and potentially expedite allowance.

Relevant MPEP Sections for Prosecution Strategy

  • MPEP § 713.10: Examiner interviews - available before Notice of Allowance or transfer to PTAB
  • MPEP § 714.12: After-final amendments - may be entered "under justifiable circumstances"
  • MPEP § 1002.02(c): Petitionable matters to Technology Center Director
  • MPEP § 1004: Actions requiring primary examiner signature (allowances, final rejections, examiner's answers)
  • MPEP § 1207.01: Appeal conferences - mandatory for all appeals
  • MPEP § 1214.07: Reopening prosecution after appeal

Important Disclaimer

Not Legal Advice: The information provided in this report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with a qualified patent attorney or agent for advice specific to your situation.

No Guarantees: We do not provide any guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the statistics presented above. Patent prosecution statistics are derived from publicly available USPTO data and are subject to data quality limitations, processing errors, and changes in USPTO practices over time.

Limitation of Liability: Under no circumstances will IronCrow AI be liable for any outcome, decision, or action resulting from your reliance on the statistics, analysis, or recommendations presented in this report. Past prosecution patterns do not guarantee future results.

Use at Your Own Risk: While we strive to provide accurate and useful prosecution statistics, you should independently verify any information that is material to your prosecution strategy and use your professional judgment in all patent prosecution matters.