Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.
| Application Number | Title | Filing Date | Disposal Date | Disposition | Time (months) | Office Actions | Restrictions | Interview | Appeal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18717254 | EXHAUST GAS PURIFICATION DEVICE | June 2024 | October 2024 | Allow | 4 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18631059 | INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE | April 2024 | September 2024 | Allow | 5 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18433168 | FUEL BYPASS SYSTEM FOR GASEOUS-FUELED ENGINE | February 2024 | July 2024 | Allow | 6 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18427426 | MULTIPLE HEATER EXHAUST AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE AND METHODS OF CONTROL THEREOF | January 2024 | July 2024 | Allow | 6 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18424550 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR OPERATING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE | January 2024 | September 2024 | Allow | 8 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18291090 | EXHAUST GAS SYSTEM UNIT | January 2024 | August 2024 | Allow | 7 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18544844 | FORCED INDUCTION DEVICE FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE | December 2023 | August 2024 | Allow | 8 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18534709 | FORCED INDUCTION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF FORCED INDUCTION FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE | December 2023 | September 2024 | Allow | 9 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18562050 | METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING DEFECTIVE INJECTION OF UREA INTO A VEHICLE EXHAUST LINE | November 2023 | August 2024 | Allow | 9 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18512150 | AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEM | November 2023 | April 2024 | Allow | 5 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18511700 | METHOD FOR EMPTYING AN SCR SUPPLY SYSTEM | November 2023 | July 2024 | Allow | 8 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18487757 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION (SCR) MULTIPOINT DIAGNOSIS | October 2023 | March 2024 | Allow | 5 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18379271 | GUIDE BLADE FOR A GUIDE DEVICE | October 2023 | August 2024 | Allow | 10 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18482458 | UNDERCUT GROOVE AND CHAMFER FOR RIM SEAL | October 2023 | April 2024 | Allow | 6 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18373065 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING AN ACTUATOR RANGE CHECK FOR AN INTERCOOLER FLOW CONTROL ASSEMBLY OF AN AIRCRAFT PROPULSION SYSTEM | September 2023 | March 2024 | Allow | 6 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18549174 | POLLUTANT ABATEMENT DEVICE OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE AND POLLUTANT ABATEMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING THE DEVICE | September 2023 | November 2023 | Allow | 2 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18454887 | TURBINE ASSEMBLY FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE | August 2023 | February 2024 | Allow | 6 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18231505 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEM NOX EMISSIONS | August 2023 | July 2024 | Allow | 11 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18272641 | CONTROL DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD, AND EXHAUST PURIFICATION SYSTEM | July 2023 | March 2024 | Allow | 8 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18344717 | METHOD FOR OPERATING AN EXHAUST BURNER, DEVICE FOR EXECUTING SUCH A METHOD, AND MOTOR VEHICLE | June 2023 | February 2024 | Allow | 8 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18342309 | VEHICLE BYPASS CATALYST DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM | June 2023 | February 2024 | Allow | 8 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18268183 | TURBINE | June 2023 | September 2024 | Allow | 15 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18210474 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING AN AFTER-TREATMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN ELECTRONIC CATALYST | June 2023 | April 2024 | Allow | 10 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18327678 | Connection unit | June 2023 | June 2024 | Allow | 13 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18202754 | PHONIC WHEEL FOR TURBINE ENGINE BEARING COMPARTMENT | May 2023 | March 2024 | Allow | 9 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18038922 | CENTRIFUGAL PUMP FOR PUMPING A MULTIPHASE SUSPENSION AND A GAS REMOVAL DEVICE FOR USE IN A CENTRIFUGAL PUMP | May 2023 | February 2024 | Allow | 9 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18319724 | ADAPTION OF A UREA DEPOSIT MODEL VALUE | May 2023 | January 2024 | Allow | 8 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18320165 | Ceiling Fan Light Wiring Structure | May 2023 | January 2024 | Allow | 8 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18198493 | DUAL PROPELLER ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS | May 2023 | January 2024 | Allow | 8 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18197930 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DESULFATION OF CATALYSTS INCLUDED IN AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEMS | May 2023 | September 2023 | Allow | 4 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18315191 | VEHICLE SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AFTERTREATMENT PREHEATING | May 2023 | November 2023 | Allow | 6 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18035566 | A spar cap assembly for a wind turbine blade with a lightning protection system | May 2023 | July 2024 | Allow | 14 | 0 | 1 | Yes | No |
| 18312412 | METHOD FOR DETECTING A SENSOR MALFUNCTION OF A LOAD SENSOR OF A WIND POWER INSTALLATION | May 2023 | September 2023 | Allow | 5 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18306420 | AFTERCOOLER EXHAUST DUCT PROTECTION | April 2023 | August 2023 | Allow | 4 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18302648 | CONTROL OF SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION IN HEAVY-DUTY MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINES | April 2023 | June 2024 | Allow | 14 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18301586 | ACCELERATED CATALYST REACTIVATION CONTROL STRATEGY FOR GASOLINE VEHICLE EMISSIONS SYSTEM IN CONJUNCTION WITH N2 SELECTIVE CATALYST TO MINIMIZE NOX REMAKE | April 2023 | June 2024 | Allow | 14 | 0 | 1 | No | No |
| 18133698 | DEVICE TO CORRECT STACK EMISSIONS BASED ON HUMIDITY MEASUREMENTS | April 2023 | July 2024 | Allow | 15 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18295440 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENGINE COLD START | April 2023 | January 2024 | Allow | 9 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18194652 | CONTROLLER AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING VEHICLE | April 2023 | November 2023 | Allow | 7 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18182328 | UREA REMOVING APPARATUS | March 2023 | July 2023 | Allow | 4 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18172930 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO REDUCE METHANE EMISSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH A LEAN-BURN NATURAL GAS ENGINE | February 2023 | February 2024 | Allow | 11 | 2 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18042391 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR EXPANDING A FLUID | February 2023 | December 2023 | Allow | 10 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18171526 | Closed Control Loop With Ammonia Slip and NOx Sensor Feedback For Use In Selective Catalytic Reduction System | February 2023 | August 2023 | Allow | 6 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18165435 | CYLINDRICAL CAN BODY AND INDUCTION HEATING CATALYST DEVICE | February 2023 | April 2024 | Allow | 14 | 2 | 0 | No | Yes |
| 18007477 | Determining the Composition of a Combustion Gas | January 2023 | April 2024 | Allow | 14 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18018180 | TURBOCHARGER | January 2023 | October 2023 | Allow | 9 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18017923 | SUPERCHARGING PRESSURE CONTROL METHOD AND SUPERCHARGING PRESSURE CONTROL DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE | January 2023 | October 2023 | Allow | 9 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18150260 | COVER AND SENSOR FOR DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF) MODULE | January 2023 | September 2024 | Abandon | 21 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18147466 | AN EXHAUST AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEM | December 2022 | October 2023 | Allow | 10 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18145649 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SENSOR TAMPERING DETECTION | December 2022 | July 2024 | Allow | 19 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18010788 | METHOD OF MEASURING STALL CONDITION OF WIND TURBINE ROTOR | December 2022 | January 2024 | Allow | 13 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18066645 | EXHAUST SYSTEM COMBUSTION FOR RAPID CATALYST HEATING | December 2022 | October 2023 | Allow | 10 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18066734 | TREATMENT SYSTEM FOR GASOLINE COMPRESSION IGNITION ENGINE EXHAUST | December 2022 | December 2023 | Allow | 12 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18066797 | Method and Apparatus for Transferring Auxiliary Power from an Engine Crankshaft Output to a Supercharger Input That Circumvents Belt Path Obstacles | December 2022 | February 2024 | Allow | 14 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18065693 | EXHAUST GAS HEATER | December 2022 | April 2023 | Allow | 4 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18065236 | INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE SYSTEMS INCLUDING INTERMITTENT SORBENT USAGE FOR EMISSION REDUCTION | December 2022 | August 2023 | Allow | 8 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18065215 | EXHAUST GAS BURNER ASSEMBLY | December 2022 | August 2023 | Allow | 8 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18009639 | Exhaust Gas Processing Device | December 2022 | March 2024 | Allow | 16 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18008363 | TEMPERATURE ESTIMATION IN A WIND TURBINE | December 2022 | September 2023 | Allow | 10 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18007890 | PARTICLE FILTER DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE | December 2022 | May 2023 | Allow | 6 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18060826 | CONTROLLING OPERATION OF AN ENGINE BASED ON EMISSIONS MONITORING | December 2022 | May 2023 | Allow | 6 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18071717 | Exhaust After Treatment System and Method for Pre-Heating a Catalytic Converter | November 2022 | September 2023 | Allow | 9 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18059519 | COOLING SYSTEM FOR A TURBINE ENGINE | November 2022 | June 2024 | Allow | 18 | 1 | 1 | No | No |
| 17926689 | CONTROL METHOD AND CONTROL DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE | November 2022 | April 2023 | Allow | 5 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 17988462 | METHOD FOR HEATING AN EXHAUST SYSTEM | November 2022 | August 2023 | Allow | 9 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 17987070 | CONTROL OF ENGINE ENTHALPY FOR CATALYTIC CONVERTER LIGHT-OFF | November 2022 | November 2023 | Allow | 12 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18052517 | FUEL BYPASS SYSTEM FOR GASEOUS-FUELED ENGINE | November 2022 | November 2023 | Allow | 12 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 17920415 | FLUID ATOMIZER WITH HELICAL INLET CHANNEL | October 2022 | December 2024 | Allow | 26 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 17919647 | WIND TURBINE BLADE | October 2022 | September 2023 | Allow | 11 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 17965540 | METHODS FOR EVALUATING DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID QUALITY | October 2022 | October 2023 | Allow | 13 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 17917259 | AIR-SENDING DEVICE | October 2022 | August 2023 | Allow | 10 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 17938526 | METHOD FOR PREDICTING UREA CRYSTAL BUILD-UP IN AN ENGINE SYSTEM | October 2022 | December 2023 | Allow | 14 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 17937130 | Near-Zero Emitting Diesel-Electric Locomotive Using A High-Speed Diesel Engine | September 2022 | April 2023 | Allow | 6 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 17915840 | Method for Determining a State Parameter of an Exhaust Gas Sensor | September 2022 | September 2024 | Allow | 24 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 17914994 | SYSTEM FOR EXHAUST GAS PURIFICATION OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES | September 2022 | January 2024 | Allow | 15 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 17946835 | UREA SOLUTION MIXING CHAMBER FOR DIESEL VEHICLE | September 2022 | August 2023 | Allow | 11 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 17931941 | Heating Device for an Exhaust System of an Internal Combustion Engine | September 2022 | May 2023 | Allow | 8 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 17930838 | THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF EXHAUST GAS WITH CHARGE AIR HEATING | September 2022 | June 2024 | Allow | 21 | 2 | 1 | Yes | No |
| 17907863 | Method and Device for Determining the Sulphur Content in an Exhaust Gas Channel of a Motor Vehicle in Relation to the Supplied Fuel | August 2022 | September 2024 | Allow | 25 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 17802574 | A METHOD AND A CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR A PROCESS OF SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION AFTER-TREATMENT OF AN EXHAUST GAS | August 2022 | March 2023 | Allow | 7 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 17886520 | OUTBOARD MOTOR AND VESSEL | August 2022 | February 2023 | Allow | 6 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 17760277 | DEVICE FOR DISTRIBUTING OIL FROM A ROLLING BEARING FOR AN AIRCRAFT TURBINE ENGINE | August 2022 | June 2023 | Allow | 10 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 17816054 | Motor Vehicle Turbo or Supercharger Diverter Valve System | July 2022 | January 2023 | Allow | 5 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 17868844 | METHOD FOR MONITORING AN EMISSION LEVEL IN A VEHICLE | July 2022 | December 2023 | Allow | 17 | 2 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 17794071 | NOISE REDUCTION ELEMENT AND A WIND TURBINE BLADE COMPRISING A NOISE REDUCTION ELEMENT | July 2022 | August 2024 | Allow | 25 | 3 | 0 | No | No |
| 17867145 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATED EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES | July 2022 | March 2023 | Allow | 8 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 17789971 | GAS TURBINE ENGINE WITH STAGGERED EPICYCLIC GEARBOX | June 2022 | October 2023 | Allow | 16 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 17851832 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEM NOX EMISSIONS | June 2022 | December 2023 | Allow | 18 | 1 | 1 | Yes | No |
| 17807587 | TURBINE | June 2022 | June 2023 | Allow | 12 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 17806482 | Optimizing An SCR Catalytic Converter State When Parking A Vehicle With A Diesel Engine | June 2022 | July 2023 | Allow | 13 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 17836715 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION (SCR) MULTIPOINT DIAGNOSIS | June 2022 | July 2023 | Allow | 13 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 17783564 | Apparatus for Exhaust Gas Aftertreatment Having an Annular Heated Disc | June 2022 | July 2023 | Allow | 13 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 17782836 | COMPRESSOR AND TURBOCHARGER INCLUDING COMPRESSOR | June 2022 | June 2023 | Allow | 12 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 17782845 | VARIABLE GEOMETRY TURBOCHARGER | June 2022 | August 2023 | Allow | 15 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 17751336 | MULTIPLE HEATER EXHAUST AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE AND METHODS OF CONTROL THEREOF | May 2022 | October 2023 | Allow | 17 | 1 | 1 | Yes | No |
| 17664336 | CONTROLLING UREA INJECTION IN EXHAUST AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEMS | May 2022 | March 2023 | Allow | 10 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 17743589 | OPTICAL SENSING OF NOx AND AMMONIA IN AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEMS | May 2022 | November 2022 | Allow | 6 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 17737641 | CONTROL OF SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION IN HEAVY-DUTY MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINES | May 2022 | January 2023 | Allow | 8 | 0 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 17661865 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN E-COMPRESSOR AND AN E-CATALYST TO REDUCE EMISSIONS FROM AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE | May 2022 | February 2023 | Allow | 10 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 17731362 | Exhaust Burner Control For Reduced Fuel Consumption | April 2022 | May 2023 | Allow | 13 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner LEE, BRANDON DONGPA.
With a 100.0% reversal rate, the PTAB has reversed the examiner's rejections more often than affirming them. This reversal rate is in the top 25% across the USPTO, indicating that appeals are more successful here than in most other areas.
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, 75.0% of applications that filed an appeal were subsequently allowed. This appeal filing benefit rate is in the top 25% across the USPTO, indicating that filing appeals is particularly effective here. The act of filing often prompts favorable reconsideration during the mandatory appeal conference.
✓ Appeals to PTAB show good success rates. If you have a strong case on the merits, consider fully prosecuting the appeal to a Board decision.
✓ Filing a Notice of Appeal is strategically valuable. The act of filing often prompts favorable reconsideration during the mandatory appeal conference.
Examiner LEE, BRANDON DONGPA works in Art Unit 3746 and has examined 374 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 93.0%, this examiner allows applications at a higher rate than most examiners at the USPTO. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 16 months.
Examiner LEE, BRANDON DONGPA's allowance rate of 93.0% places them in the 80% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner is more likely to allow applications than most examiners at the USPTO.
On average, applications examined by LEE, BRANDON DONGPA receive 0.94 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 11% percentile for office actions issued. This examiner issues significantly fewer office actions than most examiners.
The median time to disposition (half-life) for applications examined by LEE, BRANDON DONGPA is 16 months. This places the examiner in the 98% percentile for prosecution speed. Applications move through prosecution relatively quickly with this examiner.
Conducting an examiner interview provides a +9.0% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by LEE, BRANDON DONGPA. This interview benefit is in the 43% percentile among all examiners. Recommendation: Interviews provide a below-average benefit with this examiner.
When applicants file an RCE with this examiner, 41.0% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 91% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Insight: RCEs are highly effective with this examiner compared to others. If you receive a final rejection, filing an RCE with substantive amendments or arguments has a strong likelihood of success.
This examiner enters after-final amendments leading to allowance in 16.0% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 11% 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.
When applicants request a pre-appeal conference (PAC) with this examiner, 100.0% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 75% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: Pre-appeal conferences are highly effective with this examiner compared to others. Before filing a full appeal brief, strongly consider requesting a PAC. The PAC provides an opportunity for the examiner and supervisory personnel to reconsider the rejection before the case proceeds to the PTAB.
This examiner withdraws rejections or reopens prosecution in 75.0% of appeals filed. This is in the 62% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 33.3% 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.
When applicants file petitions regarding this examiner's actions, 26.7% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 18% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Note: Petitions are rarely granted regarding this examiner's actions compared to other examiners. Ensure you have a strong procedural basis before filing a petition, as the Technology Center Director typically upholds this examiner's decisions.
Examiner's Amendments: This examiner makes examiner's amendments in 0.0% of allowed cases (in the 40% 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 1.1% of allowed cases (in the 58% percentile). This examiner issues Quayle actions more often than average when claims are allowable but formal matters remain (MPEP § 714.14).
Based on the statistical analysis of this examiner's prosecution patterns, here are tailored strategic recommendations:
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.