Enhanced Longitudinal-Positioning Indicator and Marking Grid for Radiographic Imaging

Publication ID: 24-11857144_0006_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Longitudinal-Positioning Indicator and Marking Grid for Radiographic Imaging,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857144_0006_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857144_0006_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,144.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

An improved system for radiographic imaging that integrates advanced longitudinal-positioning indicators and marking grids to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and patient safety.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent's longitudinal-positioning indicator and marking grid, while providing orthogonal coordinates for medical procedures, have limitations in accommodating varying patient sizes and anatomical features. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing adjustable guidelines, real-time tracking, and integrated sensors to ensure precise and safe procedures.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The enhanced system comprises a longitudinal-positioning indicator with adjustable guidelines, allowing for real-time adaptation to patient size and anatomy. The marking grid is embedded with sensors to track patient movement and adjust coordinates accordingly. Additionally, the system includes a built-in scale for direct measurement of longitudinal-positioning coordinates, eliminating the need for patient table position calculation. The computer-aided system utilizes software modules to detect and correct for patient movement during CT scans, ensuring accurate and efficient procedures.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel features such as adjustable guidelines, real-time tracking, and integrated sensors, which provide a significant improvement over the original patent's design. The inventive step lies in the combination of these features to create a more accurate, efficient, and patient-centric system for radiographic imaging.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include the use of different sensor technologies, adjustable grid sizes, or modular designs for increased versatility. Variations may also involve the integration of artificial intelligence or machine learning algorithms to further enhance the system's accuracy and efficiency.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced system has significant commercial potential in the medical imaging industry, particularly in CT-guided biopsy procedures. The system's improved accuracy, efficiency, and patient safety features make it an attractive solution for hospitals, clinics, and medical research institutions.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B6/0492
A A61 A61B90/39
A A61 A61B2090/3966

Field of Art

Medical imaging technology, specifically radiographic positioning systems for CT scanning and interventional procedures, requiring expertise in medical device design, sensor integration, and imaging coordinate systems

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with advanced knowledge of radiographic imaging technologies, sensor integration, and patient positioning techniques, typically holding a master's or doctoral degree in biomedical engineering or related field

Obviousness Rationale

A person of ordinary skill would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core positioning indicator concept, utilizing standard engineering techniques to enhance functionality through sensor integration, software-based tracking, and adaptive guideline design. The modifications represent incremental improvements that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner seeking to optimize radiographic imaging precision and patient safety.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Substrate with longitudinal-positioning guidelines of different lengths
PTD Variation
Adjustable guidelines that can be repositioned to accommodate varying patient sizes
Obviousness Reasoning
A PHOSITA would find it obvious to create dynamically adjustable guidelines as a predictable solution to accommodate patient anatomical variations, using standard mechanical or electronic positioning mechanisms
Source Patent Element
Substrate with parallel guidelines and index demarcations
PTD Variation
Embedded sensors to track patient movement and adjust coordinates in real-time
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating movement tracking sensors is a known technique in medical imaging, representing a predictable application of existing sensor technologies to improve the existing positioning system's accuracy
Source Patent Element
Longitudinal-positioning indicator with length-based guidelines
PTD Variation
Built-in scale providing direct measurement of longitudinal coordinates
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing a direct measurement scale is an obvious design optimization that eliminates intermediate calculation steps, using standard metrology and measurement integration techniques
Source Patent Element
Substrate with positioning guidelines
PTD Variation
Computer-aided system with software modules to detect and correct patient movement
Obviousness Reasoning
Applying software-based movement correction is a predictable solution using known computer vision and tracking algorithms to enhance the existing positioning methodology
Source Patent Element
Marking grid for radiographic imaging
PTD Variation
Lateral-positioning guidelines with integrated depth sensors for needle insertion
Obviousness Reasoning
Incorporating depth measurement sensors represents a straightforward extension of existing positioning technologies, using well-known sensor integration techniques to provide additional procedural precision
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857144, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the variations disclosed in this publication to be obvious extensions of the prior art, representing predictable combinations of known medical imaging positioning techniques. The incremental improvements in sensor integration, software tracking, and adaptive positioning would be apparent to a skilled practitioner seeking to optimize radiographic imaging precision and patient safety.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,144
TitleLongitudinal-positioning indicator and marking grid