Adaptive Suturing Technology for Diverse Industries
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
A versatile suturing instrument applicable to various fields beyond surgery, including fishing, jewelry, marine vessel maintenance, artificial reef creation, and wind turbine repair.
Background and Problem Solved
The original surgical suturing instrument patent addressed limitations in traditional surgical procedures. However, its core technology has untapped potential in other industries where secure fastening and repair are crucial. The new inventive concept adapts this technology to address specific challenges in these diverse fields.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The adaptive suturing technology comprises a handheld device with a grasping mechanism and jaws for securing and cutting strands. The device features a strand aperture for traversing new strands through the jaws. In fishing net repair, the device secures new net strands. In jewelry creation, it threads decorative strands and secures them to components. In marine vessel maintenance, the device is adapted for underwater use, repairing damaged hulls and propellers. For artificial reef creation, it secures coral or reef-building materials to a substrate. In wind turbine repair, it secures repair patches to blades.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel applications of the original surgical suturing instrument technology, expanding its use beyond surgery to address specific challenges in other industries. The inventive step lies in the adaptation of the core technology to these diverse fields, providing innovative solutions for secure fastening and repair.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments may include customized device designs for specific industries, varying jaw and strand aperture configurations, or integration with automation systems for increased efficiency. Variations could also involve different materials or coatings for the device and strands, depending on the target application.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The adaptive suturing technology has significant commercial potential in various industries, including fishing, jewelry, marine vessel maintenance, artificial reef creation, and wind turbine repair. The market for this technology is vast, with potential customers ranging from individual fishermen to large-scale industrial companies.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61B17/0483 |
| A | A61 | A61B17/0467 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Surgical and industrial fastening technologies, specifically devices for securing and manipulating strands or sutures across medical and non-medical applications, requiring expertise in mechanical design, material engineering, and precision joining techniques
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A skilled practitioner with advanced engineering or biomedical background, capable of understanding mechanical coupling mechanisms, strand manipulation techniques, and cross-domain technology adaptation
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize the fundamental mechanical principles of the surgical suturing instrument are universally applicable across different technical domains. The core technology of precise strand manipulation, grasping mechanisms, and pre-knotted suture techniques can be readily translated to alternative industrial applications with predictable results. The disclosed variations represent straightforward extensions of the source patent's core mechanical design principles.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,178 |
|---|---|
| Title | Surgical suturing instrument |