Enhanced Cartilage Repair System with Advanced Matrix Shuttle Delivery Devices
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
An improved cartilage repair system featuring advanced matrix shuttle delivery devices with enhanced biocompatibility, adjustable deployment force, integrated sensors, detachable tips, and ergonomic handles, addressing the limitations of existing cartilage repair methods and devices.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent described a matrix shuttle delivery device for repairing cartilage defects. However, the existing device had limitations, such as potential biocompatibility issues, inconsistent matrix distribution, and risk of device failure. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing advanced features that improve the overall efficiency, safety, and user experience of the cartilage repair process.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The enhanced cartilage repair system comprises a matrix shuttle delivery device with a bioactive coating that promotes cell adhesion and differentiation, ensuring improved biocompatibility. The device also features an adjustable deployment force mechanism, allowing for uniform matrix distribution and minimizing tissue damage. An integrated sensor detects changes in matrix viscosity and adjusts the deployment force accordingly, preventing device failure. Additionally, the device has a detachable tip designed for single-use, reducing the risk of cross-contamination between patients. The ergonomic handle is designed to reduce fatigue and improve grip stability, enhancing user experience and reducing the risk of device mishandling.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel features that significantly improve the original matrix shuttle delivery device. The bioactive coating, adjustable deployment force, integrated sensor, detachable tip, and ergonomic handle are all new and non-obvious elements that address specific limitations of the original patent, providing a significant inventive step.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include different bioactive materials, varying deployment force mechanisms, or alternative sensor technologies. Additionally, the detachable tip could be designed with different materials or geometries, and the ergonomic handle could be optimized for specific user groups or applications.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The enhanced cartilage repair system has significant commercial potential in the orthopedic and sports medicine industries, where cartilage repair is a growing area of interest. The improved device features could also be applied to other medical fields, such as wound healing or tissue engineering, expanding the market potential of the inventive concept.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61B10/02 |
| A | A61 | A61B17/3468 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device engineering, specifically orthopedic surgical instruments for cartilage repair and regenerative medicine, requiring expertise in biomechanical design, materials science, and surgical device functionality
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with advanced degree, 3-5 years experience in orthopedic surgical technologies, familiar with biomaterials, device mechanics, and minimally invasive surgical techniques
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's enhancements represent predictable incremental improvements to the source patent's matrix shuttle delivery device. The modifications address known limitations in cartilage repair technologies by applying standard engineering design principles and well-understood biomedical enhancement strategies. These variations represent logical extensions of existing knowledge that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner seeking to optimize surgical delivery systems.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,170 |
|---|---|
| Title | Methods and devices for repairing cartilage defects |
| Assignee(s) | Vericel Corporation |