Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Enhanced Protective Device for Minimally Invasive Surgery

Publication ID: 24-11857220_0001_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Protective Device for Minimally Invasive Surgery,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857220_0001_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857220_0001_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. 11,857,220.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

An improved protective device for use during minimally invasive surgery, featuring an expandable body with a thermally insulating layer and a retention member, providing enhanced protection against energy and/or contact burns from surgical tools.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent for a protective device for use during laparoscopic surgery has limitations in terms of ease of insertion, risk of falling through the trocar, and limited protection against thermal energy. The present inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing an expandable body with a thermally insulating layer and a retention member, ensuring safer and more efficient surgical procedures.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The enhanced protective device consists of an expandable body made of a non-toxic material, which can be inserted into a patient's body through a cannula of a trocar. The expandable body is adapted to self-inflate upon insertion or expand in response to contact with an expansion fluid. The thermally insulating layer provides resistance to energy and/or contact burns from surgical tools, while the retention member facilitates withdrawal of the protective device from the patient's body. The device can be used in various surgical procedures, including laparoscopic and endoscopic surgeries.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce the concept of an expandable body with a thermally insulating layer and a retention member, which is not present in the original patent. This combination provides a novel solution to the limitations of the original patent, offering improved safety and efficiency in minimally invasive surgeries.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept may include varying the material and shape of the expandable body, using different types of expansion fluids, or incorporating additional features such as sensors or cameras to enhance the surgical procedure. Variations may also include adapting the device for use in different types of surgeries or medical procedures.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced protective device has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the market for minimally invasive surgical tools and accessories. The device's improved safety and efficiency features make it an attractive solution for hospitals and surgical centers, and its adaptability to different surgical procedures expands its market reach.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B17/3496
A A61 A61B17/3431
A A61 A61B2017/00831
A A61 A61B2017/3484

Field of Art

Minimally invasive surgical devices and protective medical technologies, specifically focusing on protective assemblies for laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures. Requires expertise in medical device design, materials science, surgical instrumentation, and thermal protection technologies

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with advanced degree, 3-5 years experience in surgical device development, familiar with laparoscopic techniques, materials compatibility, and thermal protection strategies for surgical interventions

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's expandable body with thermal insulation represents a predictable engineering solution to known surgical risks. The modifications to the source patent's protective membrane involve standard design variations that would be apparent to someone skilled in medical device development. The addition of thermal protection and self-expansion mechanisms are logical extensions of existing surgical protective technologies.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Thin membrane designed for trocar insertion with fold regions
PTD Variation
Expandable body that self-inflates or responds to expansion fluid
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable modification using known fluid-responsive materials and expansion techniques commonly used in medical device design
Source Patent Element
Non-toxic material for surgical protective assembly
PTD Variation
Incorporation of thermally insulating layer to prevent energy/contact burns
Obviousness Reasoning
Known design approach to address surgical tool interaction risks, representing a finite and predictable solution to thermal protection challenges
Source Patent Element
Flexible connector with enlarged head to limit inward movement
PTD Variation
Retention member designed to facilitate device withdrawal
Obviousness Reasoning
Standard engineering adaptation addressing user interaction and device manipulation requirements
Source Patent Element
Membrane with linear peripheral portions
PTD Variation
Expandable body with configurable geometric structures for surgical protection
Obviousness Reasoning
Routine design optimization using known geometric transformation techniques in medical device engineering
Source Patent Element
Surgical protective device for minimally invasive procedures
PTD Variation
System incorporating protective device with surgical tool energy source interaction
Obviousness Reasoning
Logical system-level integration representing standard approach to addressing potential surgical interaction risks
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857220, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed variations in the present technical disclosure to be obvious and anticipated, specifically the expandable protective device with thermal insulation and retention mechanisms. The disclosed innovations represent predictable engineering solutions within the established technological framework of minimally invasive surgical protective assemblies.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,220
TitleProtective device for use during surgery
Assignee(s)SEABAS ENTERPRISES PTY LTD