A number of modifications to the USPTO’s funding and operations under the America Invents Act will allow the agency to make the most of patent reform. One major benefit is that the USPTO will have the authorization to set its own fees, a mandate that previously fell to Congress. In line with this new provision and effective almost immediately, the USPTO will institute a 15 percent surcharge on all fees. The USPTO also will establish a Prioritized Examination Fee, an indicator that its Track One initiative for accelerated examination—put on hold in April due to budgetary constraints—will be reinstated. Though budgetary constraints also forced the USPTO to shelve its proposed satellite office in Detroit, Mich., the act calls for the creation of the Detroit office as well as an additional two satellite locations. Most importantly, the act creates a USPTO reserve fund, which will receive all fees collected over the amount appropriated each year. The amounts contained in this fund only will be available for use by the USPTO and may not be appropriated by Congress. Though Congressional fee diversion has not been entirely curtailed, these funding provisions nevertheless allocate more control to the USPTO over its own budget. With a more promising financial outlook, the USPTO is poised to take strides in reducing its examination backlog of nearly 700,000 patent applications. Medtech companies eager to bring cutting-edge products to commercialization will appreciate a faster prosecution timeline made possible by the America Invents Act’s reforms.