Specialized Suturing Systems for Niche Environments

Publication ID: 24-11857177_0004_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:Specialized Variations & Niche Solutions

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Specialized Suturing Systems for Niche Environments,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857177_0004_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857177_0004_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. 11,857,177.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

A family of suturing systems tailored for high-security, disaster relief, extreme weather, sterile, and space exploration applications, offering enhanced security, durability, and reliability in unique operational environments.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a method for suturing along a path and an apparatus thereof, but it lacked adaptations for specific, demanding environments. The new inventive concept addresses this limitation by providing specialized variations that cater to the distinct requirements of various niche markets.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept comprises four specialized suturing systems, each designed for a specific niche environment. The high-security system features a secure suture-taking-up mechanism with enhanced encryption, a spiral suturing needle with tamper-evident coating, and a driving mechanism with redundant backup power source. The disaster relief system includes a portable suturing apparatus with a compact, waterproof design, and a spiral suturing needle with enhanced durability to suture through debris-covered materials. The extreme weather system features a weather-resistant housing with thermal insulation, a spiral suturing needle with ice-repellent coating, and a driving mechanism with cold-weather lubrication. The sterile environment system incorporates a sterile suture-taking-up mechanism with UV-C sterilization, a spiral suturing needle with antimicrobial coating, and a driving mechanism with sterilizable components. The space exploration system utilizes a microgravity-compatible suturing apparatus with a spiral suturing needle and a driving mechanism adapted for low-gravity environments.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel adaptations for specific niche environments, which are non-obvious compared to the original patent. The inventive step lies in the combination of specialized components and designs that address the unique challenges of each environment.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Other possible embodiments of the inventive concept could include adaptations for other niche environments, such as suturing systems for underwater operations, high-altitude environments, or contaminated zones. Additionally, the systems could be integrated with other medical devices or robotic systems to enhance their functionality.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including healthcare, disaster response, aerospace, and defense. The specialized suturing systems can provide unique value propositions for customers operating in niche environments, offering enhanced security, reliability, and performance in demanding situations.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B17/0469
A A61 A61B17/0491
A A61 A61B2017/00367
A A61 A61B2017/047
A A61 A61B2017/0475
A A61 A61B2017/0479
A A61 A61B2017/0496
A A61 A61B2017/0498
A A61 A61B2017/06076
A A61 A61F2002/075
A A61 A61F2240/001

Field of Art

Medical device engineering, specifically surgical suturing technologies, focusing on precision mechanical systems for medical interventions with expertise in needle mechanisms, driving systems, and specialized medical apparatus design

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with advanced mechanical engineering training, familiar with surgical instrumentation, mechanical actuation systems, and adaptable medical technologies across diverse operational environments

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the specialized suturing systems represent predictable variations of the source patent's core suturing apparatus design, applying known engineering adaptation techniques to address specific environmental challenges while maintaining the fundamental mechanical suturing principles disclosed in US 11857177.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Spiral suturing needle with driving and recovery mechanisms
PTD Variation
Spiral suturing needle with environment-specific coatings (ice-repellent, antimicrobial, tamper-evident)
Obviousness Reasoning
Surface modification of medical instruments is a known technique, and applying protective coatings to enhance performance in specific environments would be an obvious design optimization for a PHOSITA
Source Patent Element
Inner strut and suture-taking-up mechanism
PTD Variation
Secure suture-taking-up mechanism with enhanced encryption and sterilization capabilities
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating security and sterilization features into medical devices is a predictable engineering solution to address operational requirements in specialized environments
Source Patent Element
Driving mechanism with wheel and eccentric through hole
PTD Variation
Driving mechanism adapted for microgravity and extreme temperature environments with redundant power sources
Obviousness Reasoning
Modifying mechanical systems to operate under extreme conditions is a standard engineering practice, involving known techniques of thermal insulation, power redundancy, and mechanical adaptation
Source Patent Element
Suturing apparatus with path-following capabilities
PTD Variation
Portable, compact suturing systems designed for disaster relief and emergency medical interventions
Obviousness Reasoning
Miniaturization and portability are predictable design evolutions for medical devices, representing an obvious extension of existing technological capabilities
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US 11857177 and the disclosed variations in this publication, a person of ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed specialized suturing systems obvious, as they represent predictable adaptations of known surgical suturing technologies through routine engineering modifications to address specific environmental challenges.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,177
TitleMethod for suturing along path and apparatus thereof
Assignee(s)Jiangnan University