Enhanced Adjustable Implantable Devices with Advanced Catheter Systems
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
This inventive concept presents a series of direct improvements and enhancements to adjustable implantable devices, focusing on advanced catheter systems that enable more efficient, safe, and precise adjustments.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent, 'Adjustable implantable devices and associated methods', disclosed invasive adjustment systems for implantable medical devices. However, these systems have inherent limitations, including complexity, invasiveness, and potential risks. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing advanced catheter systems that provide more effective and controlled adjustments, improving overall patient outcomes.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new inventive concept comprises a system for adjusting an implantable medical device, featuring a catheter with an expandable member and an energy delivery element. The expandable member engages the medical device, while the energy delivery element heats a shape memory component, inducing a geometric change and adjusting the device's dimension or parameter. The catheter may also include a sensor for detecting the device's dimension or parameter, providing feedback to the user. Additionally, the system may incorporate a micro-actuator for fine-tuning adjustments, a temperature sensor for monitoring the shape memory component's temperature, or a navigation system for guiding the catheter through the patient's vasculature.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce several novel features, including the use of advanced catheter systems with expandable members, energy delivery elements, and sensors. These features enable more precise and controlled adjustments, addressing the limitations of the original patent. The inventive step lies in the combination of these features, which provide a more efficient, safe, and effective way of adjusting implantable medical devices.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept may include variations in the catheter design, such as different expandable member configurations or energy delivery element types. Additionally, the system could be adapted for use with different types of implantable medical devices or in various medical specialties.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The enhanced adjustable implantable devices with advanced catheter systems have significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the fields of cardiology, neurology, and orthopedics. The market for these devices is expected to grow, driven by the increasing demand for minimally invasive and precise medical interventions.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61B17/12177 |
| A | A61 | A61B17/11 |
| A | A61 | A61B17/1204 |
| A | A61 | A61B17/12109 |
| A | A61 | A61M27/002 |
| A | A61 | A61M2205/04 |
| A | A61 | A61M2205/3331 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device engineering, specifically interventional and minimally invasive medical device adjustment technologies, focusing on implantable shunts, stents, and catheter-based adjustment systems with shape memory components
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer with advanced degree, expertise in medical device design, catheter technologies, shape memory materials, and interventional medical procedures, familiar with minimally invasive adjustment techniques
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable engineering extensions of the source patent's core methodology of adjusting implantable medical devices using shape memory components and catheter-based interventions. The additional sensor, micro-actuator, and navigation system features represent standard design improvements that would be obvious to implement given the existing technological framework. The fundamental approach of using a catheter with an expandable member to engage and modify an implantable device remains substantially consistent with the original patent's teachings.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,197 |
|---|---|
| Title | Adjustable implantable devices and associated methods |
| Assignee(s) | Shifamed Holdings, LLC |