Adaptable Vascular Closure Devices for Extreme Environments
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
An adaptable vascular closure device designed for use in specialized environments, including extreme weather conditions, high-altitude environments, disaster relief, high-security settings, and low-resource settings.
Background and Problem Solved
The original vascular closure device patent (PCT/EP2020/080396) provides a general solution for closing vascular access holes. However, this device may not be suitable for use in extreme environments, where the device's material, size, and deployment mechanism may need to be adapted to ensure safe and effective closure. The new inventive concept addresses this limitation by providing specialized variations of the vascular closure device tailored to specific operational environments.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The adaptable vascular closure device comprises a self-expanding tubular vascular closure element and a retaining element. The vascular closure element is made of a weather-resistant material for use in extreme weather conditions, a tamper-evident material for use in high-security environments, or other specialized materials for use in high-altitude environments, disaster relief, or low-resource settings. The retaining element is designed to accommodate the specific deployment mechanism required for each environment, such as a portable deployment unit for disaster relief or a manual deployment tool for low-resource settings. The device's size and shape can also be adapted to suit the specific environment, ensuring safe and effective closure of vascular access holes.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel features and adaptations that enable the vascular closure device to operate effectively in extreme environments, providing a non-obvious solution to the limitations of the original patent. The use of specialized materials, deployment mechanisms, and device designs tailored to specific environments constitutes an inventive step beyond the original patent.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the adaptable vascular closure device could include variations in the material composition, size, and shape of the vascular closure element and retaining element. Additionally, the device could be designed for use in other specialized environments, such as space exploration or search and rescue operations.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The adaptable vascular closure device has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the areas of emergency medicine, disaster relief, and high-security environments. The device could be marketed to hospitals, emergency responders, and government agencies, providing a valuable solution for closing vascular access holes in challenging environments.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61B17/0057 |
| A | A61 | A61B2017/00004 |
| A | A61 | A61B2017/00623 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device technology, specifically vascular closure devices, focusing on interventional cardiology and minimally invasive surgical techniques. Expertise requires knowledge of biomaterials, medical device design, and surgical deployment mechanisms.
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A medical device engineer or biomedical researcher with advanced degree, experience in designing surgical closure devices, understanding of material science, and familiarity with adapting medical technologies to specialized environments.
Obviousness Rationale
A person having ordinary skill would recognize that the core vascular closure device structure remains fundamentally unchanged from the source patent, with the variations representing predictable adaptations to specific use contexts. The PTD's environmental modifications represent standard design optimization techniques commonly employed in medical device engineering. The fundamental closure mechanism and structural elements remain consistent with the original patent's teachings.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,172 |
|---|---|
| Title | Vascular closure device and method of closing a vascular access hole using such a device |
| Assignee(s) | Angiomed GmbH & Co. Medizintechnik KG |