Industrial and Wind Turbine Inspection and Cleaning System
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
A novel application of nested cannula systems for inspecting and cleaning industrial pipelines, wind turbines, and aircraft engines, enabling access to remote areas and enhancing maintenance efficiency.
Background and Problem Solved
In industrial settings, inspecting and cleaning pipelines, wind turbines, and aircraft engines often requires accessing remote areas. Traditional methods are time-consuming, costly, and may cause damage to the equipment. The original nested cannula system patent addressed surgical procedures, but its core technology can be adapted to address these industrial challenges.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept utilizes the nested cannula system to access remote areas of industrial pipelines, wind turbines, and aircraft engines. Each cannula can be used individually with a handle or interlocked with other cannulas to access distant areas. This enables efficient inspection, cleaning, and maintenance of these complex systems. The system's modularity and flexibility allow for customization to specific industrial applications.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce a novel application of the nested cannula system, shifting from surgical procedures to industrial inspection and cleaning. This adaptation is non-obvious, as it requires a deep understanding of both the original technology and the specific challenges of industrial maintenance.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments could include using the nested cannula system for inspecting and cleaning other complex systems, such as oil rigs, chemical plants, or HVAC systems. Variations may include modifying the cannula materials, handle designs, or interlocking mechanisms to suit specific industrial requirements.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The industrial and wind turbine inspection and cleaning system has significant commercial potential in the maintenance and repair industries. Target markets include oil and gas, wind energy, aerospace, and manufacturing, where efficient inspection and cleaning can reduce downtime, increase productivity, and enhance safety.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61B17/3439 |
| A | A61 | A61B2017/347 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device design and industrial inspection technologies, with expertise in modular access systems involving nested tubular structures and precision mechanical interlocking mechanisms
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
An engineer with advanced degrees in mechanical engineering or biomedical engineering, experienced in designing multi-component access systems, familiar with modular design principles, and capable of adapting technologies across different technical domains
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the fundamental nested cannula system's core principles of modular interlocking, size progression, and flexible access are directly transferable from surgical to industrial applications. The mechanical requirements for precise insertion, alignment, and remote area navigation are substantially similar across medical and industrial contexts. The PTD represents a straightforward technological adaptation that leverages the source patent's core mechanical innovations.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,217 |
|---|---|
| Title | Nested cannula system |
| Assignee(s) | Acumed LLC |