Marine and Offshore Applications of Orthopedic Screw Technology

Publication ID: 24-11857236_0007_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Marine and Offshore Applications of Orthopedic Screw Technology,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857236_0007_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857236_0007_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. 11,857,236.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

This inventive concept applies the core technology of the orthopedic screw to various marine and offshore applications, enabling secure and stable anchoring, monitoring, and exploration in harsh environments.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent focused on orthopedic screws for fracture reduction and fixation. However, the limitations of traditional anchoring methods in marine environments, such as high-pressure and corrosive conditions, hinder the efficiency and safety of offshore operations. This new inventive concept addresses these limitations by adapting the orthopedic screw technology for marine and offshore use.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept comprises modified orthopedic screws, specifically designed for underwater applications. The screws feature a buttress thread design, allowing for secure anchoring to the seafloor or coral reefs. The system can be used for monitoring ocean currents, installing wind turbines, deploying underwater sensors, and securing offshore oil rigs. The modified screws provide increased structural integrity, reduced installation time, and enhanced data collection capabilities.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce a non-obvious application of orthopedic screw technology to marine and offshore environments, providing a novel solution to the limitations of traditional anchoring methods. The inventive concept's use of modified buttress thread screws and cannulated orthopedic screws for underwater applications is a significant departure from the original patent's focus on fracture reduction and fixation.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include the use of different screw materials, such as corrosion-resistant alloys, or the integration of sensors and monitoring systems into the screws. Variations of the concept could also include the application of orthopedic screw technology to other underwater environments, such as lake or riverbeds.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the marine and offshore industries, including wind turbine installation, offshore oil rigging, and underwater exploration. The market for marine and offshore anchoring solutions is substantial, with an estimated value of billions of dollars. The inventive concept's ability to provide secure and stable anchoring in harsh environments positions it for significant market share and revenue growth.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B17/8685
A A61 A61B17/8625
A A61 A61B90/06
A A61 A61B2090/062

Field of Art

Orthopedic surgical devices and medical anchoring technologies, with expertise in mechanical design, biomechanical engineering, and precision fastening systems for medical and industrial applications

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A skilled engineer or technician with advanced degrees in mechanical engineering or biomedical engineering, possessing knowledge of material science, mechanical design principles, and experience in adapting fastening technologies across different technical domains

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the core mechanical principles of the orthopedic screw - specifically its threaded design, cannulation, and load-bearing characteristics - are readily adaptable to alternative technical domains like marine engineering. The source patent's detailed mechanical specifications provide a clear technological foundation that can be systematically translated to underwater anchoring applications with predictable modifications.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Unitary shaft with specialized threaded alignment for bone fragment reduction
PTD Variation
Buttress thread design adapted for seafloor anchoring and underwater sensor deployment
Obviousness Reasoning
A PHOSITA would recognize that thread geometries optimized for load transfer in bone fixation are directly applicable to marine anchoring, representing a predictable extension of known mechanical principles
Source Patent Element
First tapered transition segment enabling progressive pressure application during rotation
PTD Variation
Modified screw geometry for wind turbine foundation installation with enhanced rotational stability
Obviousness Reasoning
The source patent's rotational mechanics provide a clear technological template for adapting screw insertion techniques to alternative structural anchoring scenarios
Source Patent Element
Cannulated orthopedic screw design allowing internal pathway
PTD Variation
Integration of sensor monitoring capabilities within screw structure for underwater environmental tracking
Obviousness Reasoning
The inherent internal channel design suggests an obvious pathway for incorporating sensing or data transmission technologies with minimal structural modification
Source Patent Element
Surgical method involving precise bone segment alignment
PTD Variation
Lateral malleolus-inspired manipulator arm design for underwater robotic exploration
Obviousness Reasoning
The biomechanical principles of precise articulation and load transfer are directly translatable between medical and robotic engineering domains
Source Patent Element
Fracture reduction method involving incremental pressure application
PTD Variation
Offshore oil rig anchoring system using progressive load distribution principles
Obviousness Reasoning
The fundamental mechanical engineering principles of load transfer and incremental pressure application are universally applicable across structural engineering contexts
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857236, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the marine and offshore applications of orthopedic screw technology to be obvious variations, as the core mechanical principles of thread design, load transfer, and structural anchoring are readily adaptable across technical domains through routine engineering modifications that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,236
TitleOrthopedic screw
Assignee(s)RetroFix Screws, LLC