Adaptive Orthopedic Screw Systems for Specialized Environments
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
This inventive concept adapts the original orthopedic screw design for specific, niche markets and operational environments, enhancing its versatility and effectiveness in diverse settings.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent disclosed an orthopedic screw for general surgical applications, but it lacked specialized features for high-altitude, extreme weather, disaster relief, high-security, or underwater environments. This inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing modified designs and materials to cater to these specific needs.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new claims encompass a range of specialized orthopedic screw systems, each tailored to a unique environment. For high-altitude environments, the screw features modified buttress threads and a specialized coating to enhance biocompatibility. For extreme weather conditions, the screw has a thermally-insulated shaft and a self-tightening mechanism. The disaster relief kit includes a set of orthopedic screws with varying thread pitches and diameters, along with a portable, waterproof storage container. The high-security system embeds an RFID tag and a secure, encrypted data storage system. Finally, the underwater screw features a corrosion-resistant coating and a hydrodynamic design.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel, non-obvious modifications to the original orthopedic screw design, specifically tailored to address the unique challenges of specialized environments. These adaptations provide a significant improvement over the original patent, offering enhanced performance, safety, and versatility in diverse settings.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Other potential implementations of the inventive concept could include orthopedic screws for use in space exploration, search and rescue operations, or athletic injuries. These variations could incorporate advanced materials, such as nanomaterials or smart materials, to further enhance their performance and adaptability.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The Adaptive Orthopedic Screw Systems have significant commercial potential in various industries, including healthcare, disaster relief, aerospace, and sports medicine. The target markets include hospitals, clinics, emergency response organizations, and research institutions, among others.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61B17/8685 |
| A | A61 | A61B17/8625 |
| A | A61 | A61B90/06 |
| A | A61 | A61B2090/062 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Orthopedic surgical devices and methods, specifically focusing on bone fracture repair techniques involving specialized orthopedic screws with complex geometric and functional design considerations
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or orthopedic surgical device designer with advanced knowledge of materials science, surgical implant design, and biomechanical engineering, typically holding a graduate degree and 5-10 years of specialized experience in medical device development
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the published technical disclosure represents predictable variations of the source patent's core orthopedic screw technology, applying standard design modification techniques to address specific environmental challenges. The modifications represent incremental adaptations using known engineering principles and materials science techniques. The variations demonstrate standard problem-solving approaches within orthopedic device design, utilizing well-established methods of thread geometry, coating technologies, and functional enhancements.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,236 |
|---|---|
| Title | Orthopedic screw |
| Assignee(s) | RetroFix Screws, LLC |