Adapting Biopsy Technology for Environmental and Agricultural Applications

Publication ID: 24-11857171_0007_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Adapting Biopsy Technology for Environmental and Agricultural Applications,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857171_0007_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857171_0007_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. 11,857,171.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The present inventive concept leverages the core technology of the original biopsy device with aspiration valve to create novel solutions for environmental and agricultural monitoring, enabling more efficient and accurate sampling and analysis in these industries.

Background and Problem Solved

The original biopsy device with aspiration valve was designed for medical applications, but its innovative design and functionality can be adapted to address the limitations of current environmental and agricultural sampling methods, which often require cumbersome and expensive equipment, leading to delayed or inaccurate results. The present inventive concept solves this problem by applying the biopsy technology to create portable, efficient, and accurate sampling devices for these industries.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept comprises a biopsy device with an aspiration valve adapted for use in various environmental and agricultural applications. The device enables efficient and accurate sampling of air, water, soil, and agricultural products, allowing for real-time monitoring and analysis of contaminants, nutrients, and microbial populations. The aspiration valve ensures precise control over sample collection, while the portable design enables on-site sampling and analysis. The device can be integrated with various sensors and analytical tools to provide comprehensive data on environmental and agricultural health.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The inventive concept's novelty lies in its application of the biopsy technology to entirely new industries, overcoming the limitations of current sampling methods. The inventive step is the adaptation of the aspiration valve and biopsy device design to accommodate the unique requirements of environmental and agricultural monitoring, resulting in a novel solution that is more efficient, accurate, and cost-effective than existing methods.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include variations in the design of the aspiration valve, the materials used for the biopsy device, or the integration of additional sensors and analytical tools. For example, the device could be modified for use in extreme environments, such as high-temperature or high-pressure applications, or designed for specific types of contaminants or analytes.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the environmental and agricultural industries, where accurate and efficient monitoring is critical for decision-making and policy development. The device could be marketed to government agencies, research institutions, and private companies involved in environmental monitoring, agricultural production, and food safety. The potential market size is substantial, with opportunities for growth in emerging markets and expanding applications.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B10/0275
A A61 A61B10/0283
A A61 A61B2010/0208

Field of Art

Medical and diagnostic sampling technologies, specifically biopsy and sampling devices with precision fluid control mechanisms, encompassing medical device design, fluid dynamics, and sampling instrumentation

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with expertise in sampling technologies, fluid control systems, and interdisciplinary device adaptation, holding advanced degrees in bioengineering or medical technology with 3-5 years of practical experience

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the core aspiration valve technology from the source patent represents a generalizable sampling mechanism with broad applicability beyond medical diagnostics. The fundamental principles of precise fluid control, sample collection, and mechanical valve actuation are directly transferable to environmental and agricultural monitoring contexts. The PTD demonstrates predictable engineering adaptation by maintaining the core mechanical principles while expanding the device's functional domain.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Biopsy device with precision aspiration valve for tissue sampling
PTD Variation
Adapting the aspiration valve mechanism for environmental sample collection
Obviousness Reasoning
Known technique of transferring fluid control technologies across domains, with predictable results in maintaining sampling precision
Source Patent Element
Instrument set housing with removable coupling to drive unit
PTD Variation
Portable sampling device for field-based environmental monitoring
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable design extension applying existing modular instrument architecture to new sampling contexts
Source Patent Element
Mechanical valve actuation system
PTD Variation
Integration of sensors and analytical tools with sampling mechanism
Obviousness Reasoning
Finite set of known methods for enhancing sampling devices through sensor integration, representing standard engineering practice
Source Patent Element
Outer cannula with axial lumen for precise fluid management
PTD Variation
Adapting cannula design for collecting agricultural and environmental samples
Obviousness Reasoning
Obvious design adaptation leveraging existing fluid control principles across material and contextual boundaries
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857171, the present disclosure demonstrates that the claimed variations in sampling device technology represent obvious extensions of prior art, wherein a person having ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize the transferability of precision sampling mechanisms across medical, environmental, and agricultural domains through routine engineering adaptation.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,171
TitleBiopsy device with aspiration valve
Assignee(s)Hologic, Inc.