Surgical Saw Systems for Specialized Environments
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The present inventive concept discloses surgical saw systems adapted for specific, narrow markets or unique operational environments, such as high-security needs, disaster relief, or extreme weather conditions.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent disclosed a reciprocating saw blade cartridge releasably mounted to the saw. However, the original design did not address the needs of specialized environments, such as high-security settings or extreme weather conditions, where specific adaptations are necessary to ensure safe and effective surgical procedures.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept includes a reciprocating saw blade cartridge releasably mounted to the saw, with adaptations for specific environments. For high-security needs, the cartridge includes a biometric sensor for verifying the surgeon's identity before operation. For disaster relief environments, the saw system is adapted for use in extreme weather conditions. For extreme weather conditions, the cartridge includes a heating element to prevent icing of the blade during operation. Additionally, the saw system can include an encryption module for secure data transmission during operation.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The inventive concept's novelty lies in the adaptation of the original reciprocating saw blade cartridge for specific, narrow markets or unique operational environments. The inventive step resides in the combination of the original design with specialized features, such as biometric sensors, heating elements, or encryption modules, to address the specific needs of these environments.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include adaptations for other specialized environments, such as sterile or contamination-controlled environments, or environments with limited access to power or resources. Variations could include different types of sensors, heating elements, or encryption modules, or alternative materials and designs for the saw system and cartridge.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the areas of orthopedic, neurosurgical, and cardiovascular surgery. The target market includes hospitals, surgical centers, and medical research institutions operating in specialized environments.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61B17/144 |
| A | A61 | A61B17/142 |
| A | A61 | A61B17/15 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Surgical instrumentation, specifically reciprocating surgical saw systems with removable blade cartridges, requiring expertise in medical device design, mechanical engineering, and surgical tool integration
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with advanced mechanical engineering skills, familiar with surgical tool design, materials science, and environmental adaptation of medical technologies
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the source patent's fundamental reciprocating saw blade cartridge design provides a modular platform easily adaptable to specialized environmental requirements. The core mechanical structure of the cartridge inherently supports additional functional modules without fundamentally altering its primary operational mechanism. The disclosed variations represent predictable engineering extensions that address specific use case constraints using known sensor, heating, and encryption technologies.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,199 |
|---|---|
| Title | Surgical saw system including a reciprocating saw blade cartridge |
| Assignee(s) | Stryker European Operations Holdings LLC |