Essentially, the PTO assumed every instance in which inequitable conduct might be charged will necessarily result in a supplementalexamination request being submitted.
Given the cost and risks inherent in any supplementalexamination procedure, it is not reasonable to assume every application will be the subject of a request.
Through supplementalexamination, a patent owner can go back to the PTO after the patent is issued and voluntarily submit additional information to be considered as to whether it impacts patentability.