Specialized Endoscope Systems for Niche Applications

Publication ID: 24-11857166_0009_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:Specialized Variations & Niche Solutions

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Specialized Endoscope Systems for Niche Applications,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857166_0009_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857166_0009_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. 11,857,166.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

A family of endoscope systems tailored to specific, high-stakes environments, including high-security, disaster relief, extreme weather, infectious disease diagnosis, and search and rescue operations.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a general-purpose imaging unit and endoscope. However, these devices may not be suitable for unique operational environments or specialized markets, where specific requirements and constraints must be addressed. The new inventive concept solves this problem by adapting the imaging unit and endoscope for these niche applications, ensuring optimal performance, safety, and reliability.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept encompasses five specialized endoscope systems. The high-security endoscope system features enhanced encryption and secure data transmission protocols to prevent unauthorized access to patient data. The disaster relief endoscope system boasts a ruggedized and waterproof design, with an extended battery life for use in remote or disaster-stricken areas. The system for endoscopic imaging in extreme weather conditions incorporates a thermal management system to maintain optimal operating temperatures in high or low temperature environments. The endoscope system for high-risk infectious disease diagnosis has a sterilizable design and UV-C light disinfection capabilities to minimize the risk of cross-contamination. Lastly, the portable endoscope system for search and rescue operations is characterized by a compact and lightweight design, with a wireless communication module for real-time video transmission to remote command centers.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel, specialized variations of the imaging unit and endoscope, tailored to specific markets or operational environments. These adaptations involve non-obvious modifications to the original design, ensuring that the inventive concept is both new and non-obvious.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include endoscope systems for use in space exploration, high-altitude environments, or underwater operations. Other variations might focus on specific medical specialties, such as cardiology or neurology, or incorporate advanced sensors, such as hyperspectral or fluorescence imaging capabilities.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The specialized endoscope systems have significant commercial potential in various industries, including healthcare, disaster response, search and rescue, and aerospace. Target markets may include government agencies, hospitals, research institutions, and private companies operating in these domains.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B1/051
H H05 H05K1/115
H H05 H05K1/147
H H05 H05K2201/10015
H H05 H05K2201/10151
H H05 H05K2201/10757

Field of Art

Medical imaging systems, endoscopic technologies, and electronic packaging with a focus on miniaturized imaging units with specialized communication and power interfaces

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

An engineer with expertise in medical device design, electronic packaging, optical systems, and signal transmission, typically holding a BS/MS in electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, or related field with 3-5 years of industry experience in medical imaging device development

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the specialized endoscope variations represent predictable adaptations of the base imaging unit design, leveraging standard engineering techniques for environmental hardening, secure communication, and specialized functionality. The core semiconductor package and imaging sensor architecture remains fundamentally consistent across variations, with modifications representing routine design optimization for specific use cases. These adaptations would be considered straightforward extensions of known medical imaging system design principles.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Semiconductor package with optical system and connection terminals supporting multiple communication functions
PTD Variation
Enhanced encryption and secure data transmission protocols for high-security environments
Obviousness Reasoning
Adding secure communication protocols represents a known technique for protecting medical imaging data, utilizing standard encryption methods that would be familiar to a PHOSITA in medical device design
Source Patent Element
Imaging unit with flexible insertion portion and compact design
PTD Variation
Ruggedized and waterproof design for disaster relief applications
Obviousness Reasoning
Environmental hardening through materials selection and sealing techniques is a predictable engineering solution for extending device reliability in challenging conditions
Source Patent Element
Semiconductor package with thermal management considerations
PTD Variation
Advanced thermal management system for extreme weather imaging environments
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing enhanced thermal regulation represents a standard engineering approach for maintaining electronic performance across temperature ranges, utilizing known heat dissipation and insulation techniques
Source Patent Element
Imaging unit with connection terminals and communication capabilities
PTD Variation
Wireless communication module for real-time video transmission in search and rescue operations
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating wireless communication represents a predictable technological extension, utilizing standard wireless transmission protocols and miniature communication components
Source Patent Element
Semiconductor package supporting multiple functional interfaces
PTD Variation
UV-C light disinfection capabilities for infectious disease diagnostic environments
Obviousness Reasoning
Adding integrated disinfection mechanisms represents a logical design evolution, utilizing known sterilization technologies and standard medical device engineering approaches
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857166's comprehensive imaging unit disclosure, the present publication demonstrates that the claimed specialized endoscope system variations would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention. The technical modifications represent predictable engineering solutions that would be readily conceived by a skilled practitioner seeking to adapt the base imaging technology for specific operational environments, thus rendering potential derivative claims non-patentable under standard obviousness analysis.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,166
TitleImaging unit and endoscope
Assignee(s)OLYMPUS CORPORATION