Adaptable Fixation System for Diverse Industries
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
A novel fixation system applicable to various industries beyond orthopedics, offering enhanced stability and versatility in securing diverse structures and materials.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent addressed femoral fractures in orthopedics, but its core technology can be adapted to tackle fixation challenges in other fields. This inventive concept resolves the limitations of traditional fixation methods in wind energy, shipbuilding, construction, and pipeline industries.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The adaptable fixation system comprises a plate with laterally extending bores, configured to receive wires for securing the plate to diverse structures such as wind turbine blades, ship hulls, concrete buildings, and pipelines. The system's tightener ensures secure fastening of the wire to the plate. The plate's design allows for customization to accommodate varying material properties and geometries.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce a paradigm shift by applying the original patent's core technology to entirely new industries, thereby providing a novel solution to fixation challenges in these fields. The inventive step lies in the recognition of the technology's versatility and its adaptation to address distinct problems in various sectors.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments may include adjustable plate designs, specialized wire materials, and customized tighteners for specific industries. Variations could incorporate sensors for real-time monitoring, automated tightening systems, or integrated structural health monitoring.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The adaptable fixation system has vast commercial potential in industries such as wind energy, shipbuilding, construction, and pipeline management. Its versatility and ability to address specific fixation challenges in these sectors could lead to significant market penetration and revenue growth.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61B17/82 |
| A | A61 | A61B17/80 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Orthopedic and structural fixation systems, encompassing medical device design, mechanical engineering, and structural reinforcement technologies with expertise in wire-based attachment mechanisms and plate-based securing systems
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A skilled practitioner with advanced engineering knowledge, capable of translating fixation principles across different material domains, understanding mechanical stress transfer, and adapting core attachment technologies to diverse structural challenges
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize the fundamental wire-and-plate fixation mechanism disclosed in the source patent as a generalizable technology applicable beyond orthopedic contexts. The core mechanical principles of securing a structure using laterally extending bores and tension-based wire attachment are universally transferable across different material substrates and industrial applications. The PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of the original patent's core technological concept by maintaining the essential structural elements while changing the specific implementation context.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,232 |
|---|---|
| Title | Fracture fixation system and method |
| Assignee(s) | MEDARTIS AG |