Advanced Tissue Specimen Removal Systems with Integrated Sensing, Adaptive Mesh, and AI-Assisted Navigation

Publication ID: 24-11857216_0010_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:Future Evolutions & Paradigm Shifts

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Advanced Tissue Specimen Removal Systems with Integrated Sensing, Adaptive Mesh, and AI-Assisted Navigation,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857216_0010_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857216_0010_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

Next-generation tissue specimen removal systems incorporating cutting-edge technologies to enhance efficiency, safety, and precision, revolutionizing minimally-invasive surgical procedures.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent's systems and methods for large tissue specimen removal, while effective, have limitations in terms of tissue fragmentation and removal efficiency. The present inventive concept addresses these limitations by integrating advanced sensing, adaptive mesh, and AI-assisted navigation capabilities, enabling more efficient, safe, and precise tissue removal.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The advanced tissue specimen removal system comprises a containment bag with an integrated sensing module to monitor tissue fragmentation and provide real-time feedback to optimize tissue breakdown during removal. The system also incorporates an adaptive mesh structure that adjusts its porosity in real-time to facilitate efficient tissue fragmentation and removal. Additionally, an AI-assisted navigation module predicts optimal tissue fragmentation patterns and guides the surgical instrument in real-time. The system may also include a robotic arm that navigates and breaks down tissue specimens within an internal body cavity, enabling autonomous tissue specimen removal.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The integration of sensing, adaptive mesh, and AI-assisted navigation capabilities in a tissue specimen removal system is novel and non-obvious compared to the original patent. The inventive concept's ability to provide real-time feedback, optimize tissue fragmentation, and enable autonomous removal represents a significant advancement in the field.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept may include variations in the sensing module, such as using different types of sensors or sensor arrays. The adaptive mesh structure could be replaced with other adaptive materials or mechanisms. The AI-assisted navigation module could be integrated with other surgical instruments or systems. Additionally, the robotic arm could be designed with different degrees of freedom or manipulation capabilities.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The advanced tissue specimen removal system has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the areas of minimally-invasive surgical procedures, cancer treatment, and tissue biopsy. The system's ability to enhance efficiency, safety, and precision makes it an attractive solution for hospitals, clinics, and medical research institutions.

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

Minimally invasive surgical techniques, specifically tissue specimen removal systems, encompassing medical device design, surgical instrumentation, and advanced medical technology integration

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or surgical device designer with expertise in medical device development, understanding of minimally invasive surgical techniques, knowledge of sensor integration, and familiarity with adaptive medical technologies

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's advanced tissue specimen removal system represents predictable technological extensions of the source patent's foundational design. The core surgical specimen removal concept remains consistent, with the PTD introducing incremental technological enhancements that would be considered routine optimization by a skilled practitioner. The integration of sensing, adaptive materials, and AI-guided navigation represents natural technological progression within minimally invasive surgical device development.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Access cannula with engagement fingers for tissue specimen removal
PTD Variation
Integrated sensing module to monitor tissue fragmentation within the containment bag
Obviousness Reasoning
Adding real-time monitoring sensors to a surgical device is a known technique for improving procedural precision, representing a predictable application of existing sensor technologies to enhance surgical performance
Source Patent Element
Containment bag for tissue specimen management
PTD Variation
Adaptive mesh structure with dynamic porosity for tissue fragmentation
Obviousness Reasoning
Modifying material properties to improve surgical performance is a standard design approach, with a PHOSITA recognizing that adaptive materials represent a logical extension of existing containment bag technologies
Source Patent Element
Surgical instrument for tissue specimen removal
PTD Variation
AI-assisted navigation module for predicting and guiding tissue fragmentation
Obviousness Reasoning
Incorporating computational guidance into surgical instruments is a foreseeable technological progression, utilizing known machine learning techniques to enhance existing surgical methodologies
Source Patent Element
Tubular access system for tissue removal
PTD Variation
Robotic arm integrated within the containment bag for autonomous tissue navigation
Obviousness Reasoning
Introducing robotic automation to surgical specimen removal represents a natural technological evolution, applying known robotic control principles to existing surgical device frameworks
Source Patent Element
Minimally invasive tissue removal system
PTD Variation
Energy harvesting module embedded in containment bag to power localized fragmentation devices
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing self-powered medical devices is a recognized design strategy, representing a predictable solution to power management challenges in surgical instrumentation
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857216 and the disclosed technological variations, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the advanced tissue specimen removal system's technical elements obvious and predictable extensions of existing surgical device technologies. The incremental innovations represent routine optimization and combination of known techniques within minimally invasive surgical device development, thereby rendering potential patent claims obvious and unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. Section 103.

Original Patent Information

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