USPTO Examiner WOODWARD VALERIE LYNN - Art Unit 3785

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
19090306NASAL CANNULA SHIELDMarch 2025October 2025Allow610NoNo
19031053THERAPEUTIC, FITNESS, AND SPORTS ENHANCEMENT DEVICEJanuary 2025July 2025Allow610YesNo
18669071BREATHING MASK WITH A FOAM PADMay 2024February 2025Allow910NoNo
18586694RESPIRATORY MASKFebruary 2024November 2024Allow910YesNo
18530044MEDICAL COMPONENTS WITH MICROSTRUCTURES FOR HUMIDIFICATION AND CONDENSATE MANAGEMENTDecember 2023February 2026Allow2610NoNo
18510561ENERGIZING GARMENTNovember 2023August 2025Allow2210NoNo
18510363CARTRIDGE HOUSING AND ATOMIZER FOR A PERSONAL VAPORIZING UNITNovember 2023August 2025Allow2120YesNo
18509922RESPIRATORY MASK WITH GOOD SEALING AND COMFORTNovember 2023March 2025Allow1630YesNo
18388083CPR CHEST COMPRESSION SYSTEMNovember 2023January 2025Allow1400NoNo
18494217Systems and Methods for Generating Nitric OxideOctober 2023November 2025Allow2520NoNo
18480998RESPIRATORY MASK SYSTEMOctober 2023August 2024Allow1000NoNo
18475844SYSTEM FOR ASSISTING AN OPERATOR IN EXERTING EFFORTSSeptember 2023February 2025Allow1600NoNo
18368769Devices And Methods For Engaging Indexed Valve And Pressurized Canister Assembly With Collar And For Linear Actuation By Plunger Assembly Into Fluid Communication With Device For Regulating Drug DeliverySeptember 2023February 2025Allow1710NoNo
18225208DEVICE AND METHOD OF GENERATING AN ENRICHED GAS WITHIN A NASAL VESTIBULEJuly 2023January 2025Allow1710NoNo
18357392MAINTENANCE-FREE RESPIRATOR THAT HAS CONCAVE PORTIONS ON OPPOSING SIDES OF MASK TOP SECTIONJuly 2023November 2024Allow1610NoNo
18356443Anti-Fog RespiratorJuly 2023October 2024Allow1510NoNo
18354550AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING HEADGEAR FOR PATIENT INTERFACEJuly 2023August 2025Allow2510NoNo
18219256LIFE-SAVING TOWEL WITH FUNCTION OF GENERATING OXYGENJuly 2023November 2023Allow400NoNo
18207766NECK STRAP, CROWN STRAP ASSEMBLY AND HEADGEAR FOR A BREATHING MASKJune 2023July 2025Abandon2520NoNo
18313008RESPIRATORY ASSISTANCE APPARATUSMay 2023June 2025Allow2600NoNo
18309988HUMIDIFICATION SYSTEMMay 2023March 2025Allow2210NoNo
18132622HYPERTHERMIC HUMIDIFICATION SYSTEMApril 2023December 2024Allow2010NoNo
18187761TEXTILE SEAL-FORMING STRUCTURE WITH MULTIPLE CURVATURESMarch 2023July 2023Allow410NoNo
18182703FAN UNIT WITH IMPROVED SURGE CHARACTERISTICSMarch 2023August 2025Abandon2920NoNo
18166017ADJUSTABLE HEADGEAR TUBING FOR A PATIENT INTERFACEFebruary 2023October 2024Allow2010NoNo
18017651STANDALONE PATIENT HEAT AND MOISTURE EXCHANGERJanuary 2023February 2024Allow1320YesNo
18003973LUNG VENTILATOR SYSTEM AND METHOD OF VENTILATING LUNGS IN BREATHING AND NON-BREATHING PATIENTSDecember 2022February 2025Allow2520NoNo
18002021HEADGEAR FOR RESPIRATORY THERAPYDecember 2022January 2026Allow3710NoNo
18065337Systems and Methods for Ambulatory Generation of Nitric OxideDecember 2022December 2023Allow1210YesNo
18078502METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR PACED BREATHINGDecember 2022August 2024Allow2010NoNo
18075328CPR CHEST COMPRESSION SYSTEMDecember 2022August 2023Allow910NoNo
18051748METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TISSUE TREATMENT USING MECHANICAL STIMULATION AND ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDNovember 2022October 2024Allow2330NoNo
18049459INTRAORAL ASSEMBLY ALLOWING UNINHIBITED ENDOSCOPE AND OXYGEN ACCESS HAVING FRICTIONAL SECUREMENT MEANSOctober 2022October 2025Allow3610YesNo
18049392Head-Worn Oxygen Tube DeviceOctober 2022March 2026Abandon4010NoNo
18048792IMPELLER AND MOTOR ASSEMBLYOctober 2022January 2024Allow1510NoNo
17919487TEXTILE SEAL-FORMING STRUCTURE WITH MULTIPLE CURVATURESOctober 2022October 2023Allow1210YesNo
17962609REUSABLE FACE MASK FOR CANNULASOctober 2022August 2025Allow3400NoNo
17936325ADJUSTABLE PEEP VALVES FOR VENTILATORSSeptember 2022October 2025Allow3700NoNo
17934638UNOBTRUSIVE NASAL MASKSeptember 2022December 2023Allow1510NoNo
17950200Face Mask with Replaceable Filter Cartridges and ComponentsSeptember 2022March 2024Allow1820NoNo
17945251HEADGEAR WITH TENSION LIMIT DETECTION FEATURESeptember 2022October 2025Allow3710NoNo
17909722ORAL APPLIANCE FOR USE WITH CPAP HEADGEARSeptember 2022January 2026Allow4110NoNo
17876703DENTAL WATER JET WITH STORAGE CONTAINER RESERVOIR COVERJuly 2022September 2023Allow1410YesNo
17814602Nasal Ventilation MaskJuly 2022May 2024Allow2220NoNo
17869957AIR DELIVERY CONDUITJuly 2022November 2023Allow1510NoNo
17868190HEADGEAR FOR A RESPIRATORY MASK AND A METHOD FOR DONNING A RESPIRATORY MASKJuly 2022May 2024Allow2220YesNo
17854172HIGH PRESSURE AIR CYLINDERS FOR USE WITH SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUSJune 2022September 2023Allow1510NoNo
17855592Systems and Methods for Generating Nitric OxideJune 2022August 2023Allow1420NoNo
17848788CHEST COMPRESSION SYSTEM AND METHODJune 2022January 2024Allow1810NoNo
17843039MYOFUNCTIONAL TRAINING WITH NEGATIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE FOR OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEAJune 2022August 2025Allow3810NoNo
17780804ADJUSTABLE HEADGEAR TUBING FOR A PATIENT INTERFACEMay 2022January 2023Allow800NoNo
17746785AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICES AND METHODS OF USING SAMEMay 2022November 2023Allow1810NoNo
17745357Nozzle ArrangementMay 2022January 2026Allow4410NoNo
17744636Pathogen-Filtering Transparent Face Mask with an Air Impellor on the Back of the Head or NeckMay 2022June 2025Allow3710NoNo
17735634AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING HEADGEAR FOR PATIENT INTERFACEMay 2022April 2023Allow1100NoNo
17660014Facemask Having Improved Fit and ConstructionApril 2022March 2026Allow4730YesNo
17769685TEXTILE SEAL-FORMING STRUCTURE WITH MULTIPLE CURVATURESApril 2022December 2022Allow800YesNo
17766804DEVICE FOR DISPENSING A FLUID PRODUCT, AND METHOD FOR FILLING SAMEApril 2022October 2025Allow4210NoNo
17703497Systems and Methods for Ambulatory Generation of Nitric OxideMarch 2022November 2022Allow810NoNo
17694764METHODS, DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR PULMONARY DELIVERY OF ACTIVE AGENTSMarch 2022May 2024Allow2610NoNo
17694010HIGH PRESSURE AIR CYLINDERS FOR USE WITH SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUSMarch 2022September 2023Allow1910NoNo
17679190FLOW REGULATING INHALER DEVICEFebruary 2022February 2024Allow2320NoNo
17597710DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH STACKABLE SUBSTRATESJanuary 2022September 2022Allow810NoNo
17646983STRAP ASSEMBLY, STRAP CONNECTOR, HEADGEAR, HEADGEAR ASSEMBLY, METHOD OF FORMING HEADGEAR, TUBULAR CONNECTOR, PATIENT INTERFACE AND METHOD OF JOINING STRAPSJanuary 2022August 2023Allow2000NoNo
17564085AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICES AND METHODS OF USING SAMEDecember 2021October 2024Abandon3320NoNo
17564043ADJUSTABLE PISTONDecember 2021October 2025Allow4520YesNo
17553919MASK SYSTEMDecember 2021August 2022Allow810YesNo
17547207Pathogen-Filtering Face Mask with Transparent Mouth-Covering Portion and Active Air CirculationDecember 2021April 2022Allow510NoNo
17530694PAP SYSTEMNovember 2021October 2025Allow4630YesYes
17528143MASK SYSTEMNovember 2021May 2025Allow4220YesYes
17524859NECK STRAP, CROWN STRAP ASSEMBLY AND HEADGEAR FOR A BREATHING MASKNovember 2021March 2023Allow1600NoNo
17523180ORAL IRRIGATOR WITH HANDLE SUPPORTNovember 2021July 2022Allow810NoNo
17608303SYSTEM, INHALER, AND METHOD OF MONITORINGNovember 2021December 2024Allow3700NoNo
17509556Devices And Methods For Engaging Indexed Valve And Pressurized Canister Assembly With Collar And For Linear Actuation By Plunger Assembly Into Fluid Communication With Device For Regulating Drug DeliveryOctober 2021September 2023Abandon2310NoNo
17450384THERMOFORMED MASKOctober 2021July 2025Allow4510NoNo
17601701ASSISTIVE APPARATUSOctober 2021August 2025Allow4610NoNo
17489623FACE SHIELD WITH POWERED AIR PURIFYING RESPIRATOR AND METHODS OF USESeptember 2021October 2025Allow4910NoNo
17446277HUMIDIFICATION SYSTEMAugust 2021January 2023Allow1700NoNo
17445937USABILITY FEATURES FOR RESPIRATORY HUMIDIFICATION SYSTEMAugust 2021June 2023Allow2210NoNo
17408409Smile-Through(TM) Transparent Smart MaskAugust 2021August 2022Allow1230NoNo
17402082DISPENSING DEVICEAugust 2021December 2023Abandon2820NoNo
17389717RESPIRATORY MASKJuly 2021September 2025Allow5020NoYes
17426711DEVICE FOR INHALATION-SYNCHRONIZED DISPENSING OF A FLUID PRODUCT, AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING SAID DEVICEJuly 2021October 2024Allow3810YesNo
17385365INHALABLE MEDICAMENTSJuly 2021February 2024Abandon3020NoNo
17379015Exfoliating head with rolling elementsJuly 2021April 2023Allow2110NoNo
17372008CUSHION FOR A RESPIRATORY MASK ASSEMBLYJuly 2021August 2022Allow1310NoNo
17372237SYSTEM, APPLICATION, AND PROCESS FOR EXERCISE RECOVERYJuly 2021December 2025Abandon5310NoNo
17367499SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SAFE SIPPER MASKJuly 2021January 2022Allow620NoNo
17365295MEDICAL COMPONENTS WITH MICROSTRUCTURES FOR HUMIDIFICATION AND CONDENSATE MANAGEMENTJuly 2021August 2023Allow2610NoNo
17362757Face Mask with Replaceable Filter Cartridges and ComponentsJune 2021June 2022Allow1220YesNo
17362125RESPIRATORY MASKJune 2021May 2024Allow3400NoNo
17356008ANTI-FOG RESPIRATORJune 2021March 2023Allow2110NoNo
17356289Nasal Ventilation MaskJune 2021April 2022Allow1610YesNo
17349622SUCTIONING DEVICE FOR VENTILATED PATIENTS AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEM AND METHODJune 2021February 2024Abandon3201NoNo
17347252ELECTRONIC VAPORIZER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAMEJune 2021February 2026Allow5610NoNo
17336441SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ISOLATING GAS LEAKSJune 2021December 2025Abandon5510NoNo
17335556SEALING ARRANGEMENT FOR FORMING A SEAL BETWEEN A PATIENT AND A PATIENT INTERFACE DEVICEJune 2021December 2023Allow3120NoNo
17332915Systems and Methods for Ambulatory Generation of Nitric OxideMay 2021October 2022Allow1720NoNo
17303161DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN CENTRAL AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEAMay 2021October 2024Allow4110NoNo
17323167INTRAORAL ASSEMBLY ALLOWING UNINHIBITED ENDOSCOPE AND OXYGEN ACCESSMay 2021August 2025Abandon5110NoNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner WOODWARD, VALERIE LYNN.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
8
Examiner Affirmed
6
(75.0%)
Examiner Reversed
2
(25.0%)
Reversal Percentile
41.9%
Lower than average

What This Means

With a 25.0% reversal rate, the PTAB affirms the examiner's rejections in the vast majority of cases. This reversal rate is below the USPTO average, indicating that appeals face more challenges here than typical.

Strategic Value of Filing an Appeal

Total Appeal Filings
12
Allowed After Appeal Filing
3
(25.0%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
9
(75.0%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
36.5%
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, 25.0% of applications that filed an appeal were subsequently allowed. This appeal filing benefit rate is below the USPTO average, suggesting that filing an appeal has limited effectiveness in prompting favorable reconsideration.

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 WOODWARD, VALERIE LYNN - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner WOODWARD, VALERIE LYNN works in Art Unit 3785 and has examined 370 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 81.4%, this examiner has an above-average tendency to allow applications. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 38 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner WOODWARD, VALERIE LYNN's allowance rate of 81.4% places them in the 52% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner has an above-average tendency to allow applications.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by WOODWARD, VALERIE LYNN receive 1.76 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 38% percentile for office actions issued. This examiner issues fewer office actions than average, which may indicate efficient prosecution or a more lenient examination style.

Prosecution Timeline

The median time to disposition (half-life) for applications examined by WOODWARD, VALERIE LYNN is 38 months. This places the examiner in the 31% percentile for prosecution speed. Prosecution timelines are slightly slower than average with this examiner.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a +15.8% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by WOODWARD, VALERIE LYNN. This interview benefit is in the 56% percentile among all examiners. Recommendation: Interviews provide an above-average benefit with this examiner and are worth considering.

Request for Continued Examination (RCE) Effectiveness

When applicants file an RCE with this examiner, 28.9% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 54% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Insight: RCEs show above-average effectiveness with this examiner. Consider whether your amendments or new arguments are strong enough to warrant an RCE versus filing a continuation.

After-Final Amendment Practice

This examiner enters after-final amendments leading to allowance in 57.5% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 83% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: This examiner is highly receptive to after-final amendments compared to other examiners. Per MPEP § 714.12, after-final amendments may be entered "under justifiable circumstances." Consider filing after-final amendments with a clear showing of allowability rather than immediately filing an RCE, as this examiner frequently enters such amendments.

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 23% 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 52.9% of appeals filed. This is in the 24% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 11.1% 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, 20.0% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 10% 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 Cooperation and Flexibility

Examiner's Amendments: This examiner makes examiner's amendments in 0.3% of allowed cases (in the 55% 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 2.0% of allowed cases (in the 68% percentile). This examiner issues Quayle actions more often than average when claims are allowable but formal matters remain (MPEP § 714.14).

Prosecution Strategy Recommendations

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

  • Consider after-final amendments: This examiner frequently enters after-final amendments. If you can clearly overcome rejections with claim amendments, file an after-final amendment before resorting to an RCE.

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.