Robotic Shaft-Based Rotary Drive Systems for Diverse Industrial Applications

Publication ID: 24-11857181_0007_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Robotic Shaft-Based Rotary Drive Systems for Diverse Industrial Applications,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857181_0007_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857181_0007_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. 11,857,181.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The present inventive concept relates to the adaptation of robotic shaft-based rotary drive systems, originally designed for surgical instruments, to various industrial applications such as precision farming, industrial equipment monitoring, wind turbine inspection, oil recovery, and warehouse inventory management.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a robotic shaft-based rotary drive system for surgical stapling instruments. However, the limitations of this patent lie in its restricted application to the medical field. The present inventive concept addresses this limitation by exploring the potential of the core technology in entirely different industries, providing novel solutions to specific problems in these fields.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The new claims describe a system and method for optimizing crop yields, monitoring industrial equipment, inspecting wind turbines, enhancing oil recovery, and automating warehouse inventory management. In each application, the robotic shaft-based rotary drive system is configured to provide precise control, increased efficiency, and improved performance. For instance, in precision farming, the system analyzes soil conditions and adjusts irrigation patterns accordingly. In industrial equipment monitoring, the system rotates sensors and detectors to detect anomalies and alert maintenance personnel.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce a novel application of the robotic shaft-based rotary drive system, which was not originally considered in the medical field. The inventive step lies in the recognition of the system's versatility and its potential to solve specific problems in diverse industries.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include modifications to the robotic shaft-based rotary drive system to accommodate different operating environments, such as harsh weather conditions or extreme temperatures. Variations could also involve the integration of additional sensors, software, or artificial intelligence to enhance the system's performance and adaptability.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and logistics. The system's ability to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve performance makes it an attractive solution for companies seeking to optimize their operations and stay competitive in their respective markets.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B17/068
A A61 A61B17/00234
A A61 A61B17/0684
A A61 A61B17/072
A A61 A61B17/07207
A A61 A61B17/105
A A61 A61B17/32
A A61 A61B17/320068
A A61 A61B34/30
A A61 A61B18/1445
A A61 A61B50/30
A A61 A61B50/36
A A61 A61B2017/00115
A A61 A61B2017/00314
A A61 A61B2017/00323
A A61 A61B2017/00367
A A61 A61B2017/00398
A A61 A61B2017/00473
A A61 A61B2017/00477
A A61 A61B2017/00685
A A61 A61B2017/00734
A A61 A61B2017/0688
A A61 A61B2017/07257
A A61 A61B2017/07271
A A61 A61B2017/07278
A A61 A61B2017/07285
A A61 A61B2017/2905
A A61 A61B2017/2923
A A61 A61B2017/2927
A A61 A61B2017/2933
A A61 A61B2017/2937
A A61 A61B2017/2943
A A61 A61B2017/320069
A A61 A61B2017/320071
A A61 A61B2018/1455
A A61 A61B2034/302
A A61 A61B2090/0811
Y Y10 Y10T29/53

Field of Art

Robotic mechanical systems with precision rotary drive mechanisms, specifically focusing on shaft-based control systems for industrial and medical robotic applications

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A mechanical engineer with expertise in robotic systems design, familiar with rotary drive mechanisms, sensor integration, and cross-domain technology adaptation, holding at least a master's degree with 3-5 years of industry experience

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the fundamental rotary shaft-based drive mechanism disclosed in the surgical instrument patent has inherent adaptability to diverse mechanical control scenarios. The core technical principles of precise rotational control, sensor integration, and modular drive systems are universally applicable across industrial domains. The PTD demonstrates predictable extensions of the source patent's core mechanical design principles by applying the same fundamental rotary drive architecture to different technical contexts.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Robotic shaft-based rotary drive system with selectively engageable gear mechanisms
PTD Variation
Rotating sensor modules in industrial equipment monitoring applications
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable application of known rotary control mechanism to alternative sensing environments, representing a straightforward design adaptation with expected technical outcomes
Source Patent Element
End effector rotatable relative to shaft along longitudinal axis
PTD Variation
Rotating wind turbine inspection modules to detect blade damage
Obviousness Reasoning
Direct translation of precision rotational control from surgical to industrial inspection contexts, utilizing identical mechanical principles
Source Patent Element
Gear mechanism configured to enable firing member retraction
PTD Variation
Robotic system for adjusting agricultural irrigation patterns based on soil conditions
Obviousness Reasoning
Known technique of applying precision mechanical control systems to feedback-driven environmental adaptation
Source Patent Element
Robotic surgical instrument with third rotary interface
PTD Variation
Downhole drilling tool rotation for optimizing oil extraction patterns
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable extension of rotary drive principles to alternative mechanical control scenarios with similar precision requirements
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857181, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the disclosed industrial robotic shaft-based drive system variations obvious and anticipated, as the fundamental mechanical principles of rotational control, sensor integration, and modular drive mechanisms are directly transferable across technical domains without requiring inventive insight beyond ordinary mechanical engineering capabilities.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,181
TitleRobotically-controlled shaft based rotary drive systems for surgical instruments
Assignee(s)Cilag GmbH International