Shapeable Devices for Diverse Industries
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
This inventive concept applies the core technology of shapeable medical devices to new industries, including agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and underwater exploration, enabling precision control and optimized performance in these fields.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent addressed limitations in minimally-invasive medical procedures, but its core technology has broader applicability. This inventive concept tackles the challenge of adapting shapeable instruments to diverse industries, where precision control and adaptability are crucial for success.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new claims describe systems and methods for controlling shapeable devices in agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and underwater exploration. These devices comprise a shapeable instrument with a tip portion and one or more intermediate portions, configured to change shape in response to sensing data from a plurality of sensors. The systems and methods enable precision farming, optimized infrastructure inspection, and enhanced underwater exploration by adjusting the shape of the device based on sensed data.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce a novel application of shapeable instrument technology to industries beyond medicine, demonstrating an inventive step in adapting the core technology to address distinct challenges in agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and underwater exploration.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments may include adapting the shapeable instrument to other industries, such as search and rescue, environmental monitoring, or construction. Variations could include different sensor configurations, advanced materials for the shapeable instrument, or integration with AI-powered analytics for real-time optimization.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
This inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and underwater exploration markets, where precision control and adaptability can lead to increased efficiency, reduced costs, and improved outcomes. The market size for these industries is substantial, and the inventive concept's adaptability to diverse applications ensures a broad market reach.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61B1/00042 |
| A | A61 | A61B1/00006 |
| A | A61 | A61B1/008 |
| A | A61 | A61B1/009 |
| A | A61 | A61B1/0016 |
| A | A61 | A61B1/0051 |
| A | A61 | A61B34/20 |
| A | A61 | A61B34/30 |
| A | A61 | A61B1/0011 |
| A | A61 | A61B2017/00477 |
| A | A61 | A61B2034/105 |
| A | A61 | A61B2034/301 |
| A | A61 | A61B2090/061 |
| A | A61 | A61M25/0147 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical and robotic instrumentation, specifically shapeable devices with adaptive control systems across multiple technical domains including medical intervention, agricultural sensing, infrastructure inspection, and underwater exploration
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
An engineer with expertise in robotic systems, sensor integration, and adaptive control technologies, capable of translating control mechanisms across different technical domains with knowledge of mechanical design, sensor technologies, and systems engineering
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the core shapeable instrument technology disclosed in the source patent represents a generalizable control system applicable across multiple domains. The fundamental principles of shape-changing instruments with sensor-driven adaptive configuration are technically transferable, with modifications primarily involving sensor selection and specific environmental adaptation rather than fundamental technological innovation.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,156 |
|---|---|
| Title | Methods and devices for controlling a shapeable medical device |
| Assignee(s) | Auris Health, Inc. |