Synergistic Tissue Thickness Compensator Systems

Publication ID: 24-11857187_0003_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:Synergistic Combinations

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Synergistic Tissue Thickness Compensator Systems,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857187_0003_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857187_0003_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. 11,857,187.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

Integrating tissue thickness compensators with AI, IoT, blockchain, and advanced materials to create more effective and efficient surgical instruments.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent described a tissue thickness compensator with controlled release and expansion for surgical instruments. However, this invention had limitations in terms of real-time monitoring, data security, and material properties. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by combining the tissue thickness compensator with distinct technologies.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The new system integrates the tissue thickness compensator with an AI-driven analytics module to predict optimal tissue compression and staple formation. This is achieved through real-time monitoring using IoT sensors and a cloud-based data repository, further secured by a blockchain-secured data storage system. Additionally, the compensator can be fabricated from novel, shape-memory alloy materials. A computer-implemented method simulates tissue compression and staple formation using a machine learning-based predictive model. Furthermore, a system for real-time feedback and control of tissue thickness compensation is enabled through an IoT-enabled sensor array and a cloud-based AI-driven analytics platform.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel synergies between the tissue thickness compensator and distinct technologies, providing a more powerful system that addresses the limitations of the original patent. The inventive step lies in the integration of these technologies to create a more effective and efficient surgical instrument.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments include integrating the tissue thickness compensator with other AI algorithms, using different types of sensors or data storage systems, or incorporating additional advanced materials. Variations may include adapting the system for use in different surgical procedures or developing new predictive models for tissue compression and staple formation.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The synergistic tissue thickness compensator system has significant commercial potential in the surgical instrument market, particularly in areas such as minimally invasive surgery, robotic-assisted surgery, and personalized medicine.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B17/07207
A A61 A61B17/00491
A A61 A61B17/0643
A A61 A61B17/0644
A A61 A61B17/072
A A61 A61B17/07292
A A61 A61B17/1155
H H05 H05K999/99
A A61 A61B17/2909
A A61 A61B2017/00004
A A61 A61B2017/0053
A A61 A61B2017/00314
A A61 A61B2017/00327
A A61 A61B2017/00477
A A61 A61B2017/00495
A A61 A61B2017/00526
A A61 A61B2017/00818
A A61 A61B2017/00862
A A61 A61B2017/00884
A A61 A61B2017/00889
A A61 A61B2017/00893
A A61 A61B2017/00898
A A61 A61B2017/0725
A A61 A61B2017/07228
A A61 A61B2017/07235
A A61 A61B2017/07242
A A61 A61B2017/07257
A A61 A61B2017/07264
A A61 A61B2017/07271
A A61 A61B2017/07278
A A61 A61B2017/07285
A A61 A61B2017/2908
A A61 A61B2017/2919
A A61 A61B2017/2923
A A61 A61B2017/2927
A A61 A61B2017/2933
A A61 A61B2017/2936
A A61 A61B2017/2946
A A61 A61B2017/320052
F F04 F04C2270/0421

Field of Art

Surgical instrument design, specifically staple cartridge systems with tissue thickness compensation technologies, involving biomedical engineering, materials science, and advanced medical device instrumentation

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with expertise in surgical stapling technologies, advanced materials, sensor integration, and computational modeling, holding advanced degrees in bioengineering or related fields with 5-10 years of industry experience

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that integrating AI, IoT, and advanced materials monitoring technologies into existing surgical staple cartridge systems represents a predictable technological evolution. The source patent's foundational tissue thickness compensation framework provides a clear technological platform for incremental innovations in sensing, predictive modeling, and material performance. The proposed variations represent logical extensions of existing surgical instrument design principles using well-established interdisciplinary engineering approaches.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Staple cartridge with hydrogel-based tissue thickness compensator
PTD Variation
AI-driven predictive analytics for tissue compression modeling
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable application of machine learning techniques to optimize existing mechanical design parameters, representing a known technique for performance enhancement
Source Patent Element
Controlled release hydrogel materials in staple cartridge
PTD Variation
Shape-memory alloy material substitution with IoT sensor integration
Obviousness Reasoning
Routine materials engineering substitution with predictable results, leveraging known sensor integration methodologies
Source Patent Element
Staple cartridge with configurable tissue compensation mechanism
PTD Variation
Blockchain-secured data repository for surgical instrument performance tracking
Obviousness Reasoning
Standard data management approach for medical device performance monitoring, representing an obvious technological extension
Source Patent Element
Hydrogel-based tissue thickness control system
PTD Variation
Cloud-based real-time analytics platform for surgical instrument performance
Obviousness Reasoning
Conventional cloud computing application to medical device monitoring, representing a predictable technological progression
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857187's foundational teachings of tissue thickness compensation technologies, the present published technical disclosure demonstrates that the claimed variations would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention, representing a straightforward technological evolution utilizing known interdisciplinary engineering techniques and predictable combinations of existing technological approaches.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,187
TitleTissue thickness compensator comprising controlled release and expansion
Assignee(s)Cilag GmbH International