Adaptable Stapling Technology for Diverse Industries
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept leverages the core technology of a surgical stapler buttress with variable length feature to create novel applications in precision farming, livestock vaccination, textile manufacturing, solar panel installation, and precision woodworking.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent disclosed a surgical stapler buttress with variable length feature, primarily designed for endoscopic surgical instruments. However, this technology has limitations in terms of its applicability to other industries. The inventive concept addresses this limitation by exploring new applications and use cases for the adaptable stapling technology, thereby expanding its potential impact and value.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new claims describe a system for precision farming, where the surgical stapler buttress with variable length feature is adapted for cutting and bundling crops, adjusting to varying crop lengths. Another embodiment involves a method for efficient livestock vaccination, using the buttress to create customized vaccination doses based on animal size and breed. Additionally, the buttress can be incorporated into a device for textile manufacturing, cutting and assembling fabric strips of varying lengths. Furthermore, the technology can be utilized in a system for optimizing solar panel installation, adjusting panel lengths for maximum energy harvesting. Lastly, the buttress can be employed in a method for precision woodworking, cutting and assembling wood pieces of varying lengths.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The inventive concept's novelty lies in its application of the adaptable stapling technology to entirely new industries, solving specific problems in each domain. The inventive step involves recognizing the potential of the original technology and creatively adapting it to address diverse challenges, resulting in a range of innovative solutions.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Other potential applications of the adaptable stapling technology could include, but are not limited to, uses in aerospace engineering, biomedical device manufacturing, or construction materials processing. Variations of the inventive concept could involve modifying the buttress material, adjusting the trimming features, or integrating sensors for real-time feedback.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential, as it can be applied to various industries, including agriculture, healthcare, textiles, renewable energy, and woodworking. The target market includes companies and organizations operating in these sectors, seeking innovative solutions to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61B17/07292 |
| A | A61 | A61B2017/0725 |
| A | A61 | A61B2017/07285 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device engineering, specifically surgical instrumentation and biomechanical adaptation technologies, with expertise in precision cutting, trimming, and modular device design
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A professional with advanced engineering degree, experience in medical device design, understanding of mechanical adaptability, cross-domain technology transfer skills, and knowledge of precision manufacturing techniques
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize the fundamental adaptability of the surgical stapler buttress technology as inherently transferable across precision cutting and measurement domains. The core technical principles of variable length adjustment, precise trimming, and modular design demonstrated in the source patent provide a clear technological framework for analogous applications in other industries. The disclosed variations represent predictable extensions of the original surgical technology by applying its fundamental mechanical principles to different contextual challenges.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,190 |
|---|---|
| Title | Surgical stapler buttress with variable length feature |
| Assignee(s) | Cilag GmbH International |