USPTO Examiner HOLCOMB MARK - Art Unit 3685

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
17105999Healthcare Methods and Systems with Drive Through Building Structure/ArchitectureNovember 2020December 2024Allow4950NoYes
16918183ORDER CREATION SUPPORT APPARATUS AND ORDER CREATION SUPPORT METHODJuly 2020December 2024Abandon5340NoNo
16818351SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COLLECTING, ANALYZING, AND SHARING BIO-SIGNAL AND NON-BIO-SIGNAL DATAMarch 2020August 2024Allow5340YesNo
16773942METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INTELLIGENT COMPLETION OF MEDICAL RECORD BASED ON BIG DATA ANALYTICSJanuary 2020July 2024Allow5431YesNo
16717290SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF AUTOMATICALLY CORRECTING ERRORS ASSOCIATED WITH PATIENT INSURANCE PROFILESDecember 2019June 2024Allow5450YesNo
16618614SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING HEALTH DATA IN A HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTDecember 2019August 2024Allow5680YesNo
16492387PATIENT STATUS MONITOR WITH VISUALLY STRONG PATIENT STATUS DISPLAYSeptember 2019May 2025Abandon6050YesYes
16130762ARRANGEMENTS FOR INTRAORAL SCANNINGSeptember 2018February 2020Allow1720YesNo
15846270HEALTH TREND IDENTIFICATIONDecember 2017February 2019Allow1420YesNo
15674533SYSTEM FOR A CUSTOMER AND MEDICAL SYSTEM INTERFACEAugust 2017July 2022Abandon5920YesNo
15423798COGNITIVE NOTIFICATION FOR MENTAL SUPPORTFebruary 2017November 2019Allow3320YesNo
14388009METHOD AND A SYSTEM TO DETERMINE AND INDICATE THE TIME FEASIBILITY OF A CLINICAL PATHWAY, ENABLING WORKFLOW ADJUSTMENTSSeptember 2014May 2023Abandon60110YesYes
14373575"INDIMA APPARATUS" SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR INDIVIDUALIZED AND COLLABORATIVE HEALTH CAREJuly 2014January 2020Allow6041YesNo
13294959AUTOMATIC CODING OF PATIENT OUTCOMESNovember 2011March 2013Allow1600YesNo
13218879Using an NFC Enabled Mobile Device To Manage Digital Medical ArtifactsAugust 2011November 2024Abandon6041YesYes
12842185METHOD AND IMAGE-PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR GENERATING A VOLUME-VIEWING IMAGE OF THE INTERIOR OF A BODYJuly 2010November 2016Allow6060YesYes
12817846SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGE ACQUISITION AND RECONSTRUCTIONJune 2010June 2016Allow6040YesNo
12751766SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMAGE SEQUENCE PROCESSINGMarch 2010October 2012Allow3000NoNo
12551759SITUATIONAL AWARENESS/TRIAGE TOOL FOR USE IN A CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVE (CBRNE) ENVIRONMENTSeptember 2009September 2013Allow4820NoNo
12480817METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY ASSOCIATING AN ASSESSOR WITH A MEDICAL ASSESSMENT TASKJune 2009July 2012Allow3720YesNo
12408091METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING OPERATIONS AND PROCESSES IN HEALTHCARE DELIVERY IN A HOSPITALMarch 2009August 2011Allow2900YesNo
12221673POSITION CORRECTION APPARATUSAugust 2008September 2011Allow3810NoNo
11969027SIDE EFFECTS PREDICTION USING CO-ASSOCIATING BIOATTRIBUTESJanuary 2008March 2014Allow6030YesNo
11957145HEALTH DATA GENERATING METHOD, HEALTH DATA GENERATION APPARATUS THEREFOR, USER TERMINAL THEREFOR, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM THEREFORDecember 2007August 2013Allow6020YesNo
11913577ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DEVICENovember 2007February 2014Allow6050YesNo
11804085SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUBMITTING MEDICATION CLAIMS BY POINT-OF-CARE PHYSICIANSMay 2007October 2012Allow6020NoNo
11458069SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A SEARCHABLE DATABASE OF SURGICAL INFORMATIONJuly 2006March 2011Allow5620YesNo
10469800Mobile advertising methods and improvementsMay 2004February 2018Abandon60230YesYes

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner HOLCOMB, MARK.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
5
Examiner Affirmed
5
(100.0%)
Examiner Reversed
0
(0.0%)
Reversal Percentile
17.7%
Lower than average

What This Means

With a 0.0% 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
9
Allowed After Appeal Filing
1
(11.1%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
8
(88.9%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
14.7%
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, 11.1% 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 HOLCOMB, MARK - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner HOLCOMB, MARK works in Art Unit 3685 and has examined 28 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 78.6%, this examiner has a below-average tendency to allow applications. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 56 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner HOLCOMB, MARK's allowance rate of 78.6% places them in the 48% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner has a below-average tendency to allow applications.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by HOLCOMB, MARK receive 4.04 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 96% percentile for office actions issued. This examiner issues more office actions than most examiners, which may indicate thorough examination or difficulty in reaching agreement with applicants.

Prosecution Timeline

The median time to disposition (half-life) for applications examined by HOLCOMB, MARK is 56 months. This places the examiner in the 3% percentile for prosecution speed. Applications take longer to reach final disposition with this examiner compared to most others.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a -6.1% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by HOLCOMB, MARK. This interview benefit is in the 5% percentile among all examiners. Note: Interviews show limited statistical benefit with this examiner compared to others, though they may still be valuable for clarifying issues.

Request for Continued Examination (RCE) Effectiveness

When applicants file an RCE with this examiner, 17.9% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 19% 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 7.7% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 9% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: This examiner rarely enters after-final amendments compared to other examiners. You should generally plan to file an RCE or appeal rather than relying on after-final amendment entry. Per MPEP § 714.12, primary examiners have discretion in entering after-final amendments, and this examiner exercises that discretion conservatively.

Pre-Appeal Conference Effectiveness

When applicants request a pre-appeal conference (PAC) with this examiner, 0.0% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 20% percentile among all examiners. Note: Pre-appeal conferences show limited success with this examiner compared to others. While still worth considering, be prepared to proceed with a full appeal brief if the PAC does not result in favorable action.

Appeal Withdrawal and Reconsideration

This examiner withdraws rejections or reopens prosecution in 28.6% of appeals filed. This is in the 4% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 50.0% occur early in the appeal process (after Notice of Appeal but before Appeal Brief). Strategic Insight: This examiner rarely withdraws rejections during the appeal process compared to other examiners. If you file an appeal, be prepared to fully prosecute it to a PTAB decision. Per MPEP § 1207, the examiner will prepare an Examiner's Answer maintaining the rejections.

Petition Practice

When applicants file petitions regarding this examiner's actions, 81.2% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 85% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Note: Petitions are frequently granted regarding this examiner's actions compared to other examiners. Per MPEP § 1002.02(c), various examiner actions are petitionable to the Technology Center Director, including prematureness of final rejection, refusal to enter amendments, and requirement for information. If you believe an examiner action is improper, consider filing a petition.

Examiner Cooperation and Flexibility

Examiner's Amendments: This examiner makes examiner's amendments in 0.0% of allowed cases (in the 39% percentile). This examiner makes examiner's amendments less often than average. You may need to make most claim amendments yourself.

Quayle Actions: This examiner issues Ex Parte Quayle actions in 0.0% of allowed cases (in the 44% percentile). This examiner issues Quayle actions less often than average. Allowances may come directly without a separate action for formal matters.

Prosecution Strategy Recommendations

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

  • Expect multiple rounds of prosecution: This examiner issues more office actions than average. Address potential issues proactively in your initial response and consider requesting an interview early in prosecution.
  • Plan for RCE after final rejection: This examiner rarely enters after-final amendments. Budget for an RCE in your prosecution strategy if you receive a final rejection.
  • Plan for extended prosecution: Applications take longer than average with this examiner. Factor this into your continuation strategy and client communications.

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.