Systems and Methods for Aquatic Ecosystem Management and Oil Spill Remediation

Publication ID: 24-11857216_0002_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Systems and Methods for Aquatic Ecosystem Management and Oil Spill Remediation,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857216_0002_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857216_0002_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. 11,857,216.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The present inventive concept leverages the core technology of the original patent to develop novel systems and methods for removing invasive aquatic species and oil spills from aquatic ecosystems, providing a groundbreaking solution for environmental conservation and pollution control.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent addressed the challenge of removing large tissue specimens from internal body cavities during minimally-invasive surgical procedures. However, the inventive concept disclosed herein expands the application of this core technology to tackle pressing environmental issues, specifically the removal of invasive aquatic species and oil spills from aquatic ecosystems. The inventive concept solves the problem of efficiently and effectively removing these harmful entities while minimizing ecological disruption.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept comprises a containment bag adapted for underwater use, an access cannula including a first elongated tubular member, and a deployment cannula configured to break down the invasive aquatic species or oil spill into smaller pieces while maintaining the entity in an enclosed environment during removal from the aquatic ecosystem. The system may further include a suction device coupled to the access cannula to facilitate removal. The deployment cannula may be equipped with a mechanical device to shred or crush the invasive aquatic species or oil spill into smaller pieces. The inventive concept enables the efficient and safe removal of invasive aquatic species and oil spills, mitigating their harmful impacts on aquatic ecosystems.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The inventive concept's novelty lies in its application of the original patent's core technology to an entirely new field, addressing critical environmental concerns. The inventive step resides in the adaptation of the containment bag, access cannula, and deployment cannula for underwater use, as well as the integration of mechanical devices to facilitate the breakdown of invasive aquatic species and oil spills.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept may include variations in the design of the containment bag, access cannula, and deployment cannula to accommodate different aquatic ecosystems and types of invasive aquatic species or oil spills. Additional variations may involve the use of different materials, shapes, or sizes of the components to optimize their performance in various environments.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the environmental conservation and pollution control industries, with potential applications in aquatic ecosystem management, oil spill remediation, and related fields. The target market includes government agencies, private companies, and organizations focused on environmental protection and sustainability.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B17/3421
A A61 A61B17/00234
A A61 A61B2017/00287
A A61 A61B2017/320024
A A61 A61B2017/320775
A A61 A61B2017/3484
A A61 A61B2017/3486

Field of Art

Medical Device Technology, Specifically Minimally Invasive Surgical Systems and Specimen/Material Removal Techniques, with expertise in cannula design, containment systems, and procedural methodologies for extracting materials from confined spaces

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with advanced degree, 5-7 years experience in surgical instrumentation, familiar with minimally invasive techniques, material science, and cross-domain adaptation of medical technologies

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the core mechanical principles of specimen containment and removal from the source patent are readily adaptable to alternative environments like aquatic ecosystems. The fundamental technological components - elongated tubular members, containment bags, and mechanical breakdown mechanisms - represent transferable engineering concepts that can be systematically modified for different operational contexts with predictable results.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Access cannula with engagement fingers for tissue specimen removal
PTD Variation
Access cannula adapted for underwater deployment to remove invasive aquatic species
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable design adaptation applying known surgical instrument principles to environmental management, representing a straightforward technical translation
Source Patent Element
Containment bag within a surgical introducer lumen
PTD Variation
Containment bag configured for underwater use to capture invasive species or oil spills
Obviousness Reasoning
Known technique of modifying material properties and structural design to suit different operational environments, with minimal inventive complexity
Source Patent Element
Mechanical breakdown of tissue specimens within a confined space
PTD Variation
Mechanical shredding or crushing of invasive aquatic species or oil spills within a containment system
Obviousness Reasoning
Obvious extension of existing mechanical fragmentation techniques, applying established principles of material reduction to alternative contexts
Source Patent Element
Suction-assisted removal of specimens through an access cannula
PTD Variation
Suction device integrated with access cannula to facilitate removal of aquatic materials
Obviousness Reasoning
Well-known method of using vacuum-assisted extraction, representing a standard engineering approach to material removal across multiple domains
Source Patent Element
Modular cannula system with selectively coupled components
PTD Variation
Deployment cannula with integrated mechanical breakdown capabilities for different material types
Obviousness Reasoning
Obvious design variation demonstrating standard engineering practice of creating adaptable, multi-functional medical/technical instruments
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857216 and the published technical disclosure, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed variations obvious, as the core technological principles of specimen containment, mechanical breakdown, and extraction are directly transferable across surgical and environmental management domains, thereby rendering subsequent claims involving similar methodological approaches anticipated and non-patentable.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,216
TitleSystems and methods for large tissue specimen removal
Assignee(s)Covidien LP