Adaptable Catheter-Based Emboli Removal Devices for Environmental Remediation

Publication ID: 24-11857209_0007_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Adaptable Catheter-Based Emboli Removal Devices for Environmental Remediation,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857209_0007_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857209_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. 11,857,209.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The present inventive concept discloses novel applications of catheter-based emboli removal devices for environmental remediation, extending the original technology's reach beyond medical uses to tackle pressing ecological issues.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent's minimally invasive catheter and methods for treating blocked blood vessels have revolutionized medical treatments. However, the limitations of the original patent's scope have left a significant gap in addressing environmental pollution. The present inventive concept addresses this limitation by adapting the core technology to tackle environmental challenges, such as removing algae blooms, treating industrial wastewater, cleaning oil spills, removing contaminants from soil, and treating agricultural runoff.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept comprises catheter-based emboli removal devices adapted for use in various environmental contexts. These devices capture and remove pollutants, debris, and contaminants from waterways, wastewater treatment systems, marine environments, soil, and agricultural runoff. The devices' design and operation remain largely consistent with the original patent, with modifications to accommodate the unique demands of environmental remediation. For instance, the device for removing algae blooms from aquatic ecosystems features a specialized mesh or filter to capture and remove the blooms, while the device for treating industrial wastewater incorporates a robust filtering system to handle high volumes of contaminants.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The novelty of the present inventive concept lies in its adaptation of the original medical technology to address a wide range of environmental challenges. The inventive step resides in the recognition of the potential for catheter-based emboli removal devices to be repurposed for environmental remediation, and the development of novel designs and modifications to achieve this goal.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include devices with adjustable mesh sizes, modular filtering systems, or integrated sensors for real-time monitoring of environmental conditions. Variations could also involve different materials, shapes, or sizes of the devices to accommodate diverse environmental contexts.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the environmental remediation industry, with potential applications in wastewater treatment, oil spill cleanup, soil remediation, and agricultural runoff management. The target market includes government agencies, private companies, and non-profit organizations involved in environmental conservation and restoration.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B17/22012
A A61 A61B17/221
A A61 A61B2017/22038
A A61 A61B2017/22084

Field of Art

Medical device engineering, specifically interventional catheter-based systems for capturing and removing particulate matter from fluid pathways, with expertise in stent design, material engineering, and fluid dynamics

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer with advanced degree, 5-7 years experience in medical device design, familiar with catheter technologies, material adaptability, and cross-domain technology transfer principles

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize the fundamental structural similarities between medical embolic capture devices and environmental remediation systems, understanding that the core mechanical principles of filtration, capture, and removal are transferable across domains. The source patent's core technology of a structured, flexible capture mechanism can be readily adapted to environmental applications by modifying mesh configurations, material selections, and deployment strategies. The technical variations proposed represent predictable engineering modifications that leverage existing device architectures to solve analogous technical problems.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Elongated stent body with axial lumen and multiple interconnected cells for capturing particulate matter
PTD Variation
Adapting the stent body design to capture algae blooms, oil droplets, and environmental contaminants
Obviousness Reasoning
Known technique of repurposing medical device filtering mechanisms for alternative particulate capture applications, with predictable results based on established fluid dynamics principles
Source Patent Element
Strut configurations allowing axial rotation and variable cell geometries
PTD Variation
Implementing adjustable mesh sizes and modular filtering systems for different environmental contexts
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable design variation utilizing known mechanical adaptability principles, representing a straightforward engineering design choice
Source Patent Element
Minimally invasive catheter deployment mechanism
PTD Variation
Extending catheter insertion techniques to waterways, soil remediation, and industrial systems
Obviousness Reasoning
Obvious application of established medical device insertion technologies to alternative fluid pathway environments, representing a known technique for technology transfer
Source Patent Element
Cellular structure with symmetrical and parallel cell axes
PTD Variation
Creating specialized filtering configurations for capturing specific environmental contaminants
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable engineering modification using known principles of structural adaptation for targeted particulate capture
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857209's comprehensive disclosure of catheter-based particulate capture systems, the present publication demonstrates that the claimed environmental remediation device variations would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention, representing a straightforward technological adaptation employing known engineering principles of device design, material selection, and functional transfer across technical domains.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,209
TitleDevices and methods for treating blocked blood vessels
Assignee(s)SHANGHAI WALLABY MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES CO., INC.