Adaptable Stapling Technology for Diverse Industries
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
This inventive concept expands the application of orthopaedic stapler technology to various industries, including underwater pipe securing, modular furniture assembly, solar panel installation, concrete structure repair, and wind turbine assembly, offering a versatile solution for diverse fastening needs.
Background and Problem Solved
The original orthopaedic stapler patent focused on orthopaedic applications, but its core technology has broader potential. This inventive concept addresses the limitations of traditional fastening methods in various industries, providing a more efficient, reliable, and adaptable solution.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new claims describe systems and methods for utilizing the orthopaedic stapler technology in different industries. For example, the stapler can be adapted to engage underwater pipes, providing a secure and reliable connection. In modular furniture assembly, the stapler's sawtooth profile can act as a drilling guide for efficient furniture construction. Similarly, the technology can be applied to secure solar panels to roofs, repair cracks in concrete structures, and assemble wind turbines.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The novelty of this inventive concept lies in the adaptation of orthopaedic stapler technology to diverse industries, leveraging its core components and principles to solve specific problems. The inventive step is the recognition of the stapler's potential beyond orthopaedic applications and the development of new claims that address the unique needs of various industries.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments could include customized stapler designs for specific industries, such as underwater pipe staplers with enhanced corrosion resistance or solar panel staplers with integrated electrical connectors. Variations could also involve adapting the stapler technology to other industries, such as aerospace or construction.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
This inventive concept has significant commercial potential across various industries, offering a versatile and adaptable fastening solution. The target markets include companies involved in underwater pipe installation, modular furniture manufacturing, solar panel installation, concrete structure repair, and wind turbine assembly, among others.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61B17/0642 |
| A | A61 | A61B17/0682 |
| A | A61 | A61B17/8872 |
| A | A61 | A61B90/03 |
| A | A61 | A61B17/0644 |
| A | A61 | A61B17/115 |
| A | A61 | A61B2017/00473 |
| A | A61 | A61B2017/0645 |
| A | A61 | A61B2090/037 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device engineering, specifically orthopaedic surgical instruments and fastening technologies, involving mechanical design, biomechanical engineering, and precision manufacturing techniques
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A mechanical engineer with expertise in medical device design, familiar with surgical stapling technologies, mechanical joining methods, and cross-industry adaptation of specialized mechanical systems
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the core mechanical principles of the orthopaedic stapler - specifically its sawtooth engagement mechanism and beam-and-bracket structural design - are readily adaptable to alternative industrial applications. The stapler's fundamental mechanical characteristics of precise engagement, guided insertion, and structural integrity are universally applicable across different material joining scenarios. The PTD demonstrates predictable variations that extend the source patent's core technological concept through straightforward mechanical translation.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,180 |
|---|---|
| Title | Orthopaedic stapler |
| Assignee(s) | Orthofix S.R.L. |