Suturing Technology for Infrastructure Repair and Beyond

Publication ID: 24-11857179_0002_PTD

Published: November 07, 2025

Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Suturing Technology for Infrastructure Repair and Beyond,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857179_0002_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857179_0002_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. 11,857,179.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The present inventive concept leverages the core technology of the original patent to develop innovative solutions for repairing damaged infrastructure, textiles, and composites, expanding the reach of suturing technology beyond medical applications.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent addressed the challenge of suture placement in medical settings, particularly during spinal surgery. However, the limitations of the original patent's design and functionality restricted its application to medical contexts. The present inventive concept tackles the problem of tears and damage in non-biological materials, such as infrastructure, textiles, and composites, which require novel suturing solutions.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept comprises a suturing device adapted for use in non-medical settings, configured to repair tears in non-biological materials. The device features a curved needle and a curved needle passage, enabling the precise placement of sutures in a variety of materials. A controller actuates the suturing device, ensuring accurate and efficient suture placement. The system can be tailored for specific applications, such as pipe repair, textile mending, or composite material restoration.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The present inventive concept introduces a significant departure from the original patent by expanding the application of suturing technology to non-medical contexts. The adaptation of the core technology to accommodate diverse materials and settings constitutes a novel and non-obvious advancement.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include customized suturing devices for specific industries, such as construction, aerospace, or automotive. Variations may involve integrating sensors or monitoring systems to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of the suturing process.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has vast commercial potential, targeting industries such as infrastructure development, textile manufacturing, and composite material production. The technology can be licensed to companies operating in these sectors, providing a competitive edge in terms of cost, efficiency, and quality of repair.

CPC Classifications

Section	Class	Group
A	A61	A61B17/0625
A	A61	A61B17/0469
A	A61	A61B17/062
A	A61	A61B17/06004
A	A61	A61B17/06066
A	A61	A61B17/06109
A	A61	A61B17/06114
A	A61	A61B2017/00738
A	A61	A61B2017/00867
A	A61	A61B2017/00946
A	A61	A61B2017/0472
A	A61	A61B2017/0474
A	A61	A61B2017/0608
A	A61	A61B2017/06052
A	A61	A61B2017/06057

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

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Field of Art

Medical device engineering and surgical instrumentation, with expertise in precision mechanical systems for tissue manipulation and repair, particularly focusing on needle-based suturing technologies across medical and industrial applications

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A skilled engineer with advanced mechanical engineering or biomedical engineering training, familiar with precision mechanical design, needle geometry, material interaction principles, and cross-domain technology adaptation strategies

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the core mechanical principles of the suturing device's needle placement and retention mechanism are fundamentally transferable across different material repair contexts. The source patent's detailed curved needle engagement technique provides a clear technological foundation for adapting suturing technology beyond medical applications. The mechanical constraints and precision requirements for repairing biological tissues are substantially similar to those required for infrastructure or composite material repair.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Curved needle with frictional engagement in a needle holder, capable of precise positioning and retention

PTD Variation

Applying the same curved needle mechanism to repair non-biological materials like pipes, textiles, and composites

Obviousness Reasoning

Known technique of technology transfer, where mechanical principles proven in one domain can be predictably applied to structurally similar problems in alternative domains

Source Patent Element

Needle passage design allowing controlled needle retraction and precise suture placement

PTD Variation

Implementing identical needle passage mechanics for infrastructure and industrial material repair scenarios

Obviousness Reasoning

Predictable result of applying established mechanical design principles, with minimal modification required for different material substrates

Source Patent Element

Controller mechanism for actuating needle movement and suture placement

PTD Variation

Extending control system to manage suturing processes in non-medical repair contexts

Obviousness Reasoning

Finite set of known control strategies can be readily adapted across different material repair applications using standard engineering design approaches

Source Patent Element

Precise needle engagement with inner surface contact at multiple locations

PTD Variation

Maintaining identical precision positioning principles when suturing non-biological materials

Obviousness Reasoning

Fundamental mechanical constraints are consistent across material types, making technology transfer a straightforward design optimization

Source Patent Element

Suture attachment and placement methodology

PTD Variation

Generalizing suture placement technique to accommodate diverse material repair requirements

Obviousness Reasoning

Well-established engineering practice of abstracting core technological principles to create broader, more versatile solution sets

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857179's comprehensive disclosure of suturing device mechanics, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the variations disclosed herein to be obvious extensions of the prior art, representing predictable applications of known surgical instrument design principles to alternative material repair contexts. The fundamental mechanical and control system elements remain substantively unchanged, with only contextual adaptation representing the primary modification.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,857,179
Title	Devices and methods for suture placement
Assignee(s)	DURATAP LLC