Expanding Neuromodulation Technology to New Industries

Publication ID: 24-11857249_0002_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Expanding Neuromodulation Technology to New Industries,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857249_0002_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857249_0002_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. 11,857,249.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

This inventive concept leverages the core technology of neuromodulation element deployment monitoring and control to develop innovative solutions for various industries, including agriculture, wind energy, manufacturing, environmental pollution, and building energy efficiency.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent focused on neuromodulation for medical applications, but its underlying technology has broader implications. This inventive concept addresses the limitations of the original patent by applying its core technology to entirely new fields, solving problems such as inefficient irrigation systems, suboptimal wind turbine performance, and inadequate environmental pollution monitoring.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept comprises a neuromodulation element deployed within various industrial settings to monitor and control key parameters in real-time. In agricultural irrigation systems, the neuromodulation element adjusts water flow based on impedance measurements. In wind turbines, it monitors and adjusts blade pitch and yaw. In industrial manufacturing processes, it adjusts production parameters. In environmental pollution monitoring, it adjusts treatment parameters. In building energy efficiency, it adjusts energy consumption. This technology enables real-time optimization and improved performance in these industries.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce a novel application of neuromodulation technology to non-medical fields, which is non-obvious and unexpected given the original patent's focus on medical applications. The inventive step lies in recognizing the potential of neuromodulation technology to solve problems in diverse industries.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments could include deploying the neuromodulation element in other industrial settings, such as oil and gas exploration, aerospace engineering, or construction. Variations could include using different types of sensors or algorithms to optimize performance in each industry.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

This inventive concept has significant commercial potential, as it can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance performance in various industries. The target markets include agriculture, renewable energy, manufacturing, environmental services, and building management, with potential for widespread adoption and growth.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B18/1492
A A61 A61N1/36057
A A61 A61N1/36139
A A61 A61B2018/00267
A A61 A61B2018/00404
A A61 A61B2018/00434
A A61 A61B2018/00511
A A61 A61B2018/00577
A A61 A61B2018/00875
A A61 A61B2018/00898
A A61 A61B2018/144
A A61 A61B2018/1475
A A61 A61N1/0551

Field of Art

Biomedical engineering and sensor-based control systems, with expertise in neuromodulation technologies, impedance measurement, and adaptive deployment systems

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A skilled practitioner with advanced degrees in biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, or related fields, possessing knowledge of sensor technologies, signal processing, and adaptive control systems

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize the fundamental similarity between medical neuromodulation deployment techniques and industrial sensing/control applications. The core technological principles of impedance-based measurement, real-time parameter adjustment, and adaptive element deployment are directly transferable across different technical domains. The source patent's sophisticated deployment monitoring methodology provides a clear technological framework that can be systematically adapted to various industrial contexts.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Detecting neuromodulation element deployment and stable contact within a vessel wall
PTD Variation
Deploying sensor elements in irrigation pipes, wind turbine blades, and industrial production lines
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable extension of sensing methodology to alternative mechanical/fluid systems using known impedance measurement techniques
Source Patent Element
Measuring longitudinal shift to determine system parameters
PTD Variation
Adjusting water flow, blade pitch, or energy consumption based on real-time impedance measurements
Obviousness Reasoning
Known technique of using sensor-derived dimensional changes to dynamically modify system parameters across different technological domains
Source Patent Element
Correlating sensor values to predetermined data for system characterization
PTD Variation
Monitoring and controlling environmental and industrial processes through adaptive sensing
Obviousness Reasoning
Finite set of identifiable solutions for translating sensor data into actionable system modifications
Source Patent Element
Energy delivery modulation based on detected physical configuration
PTD Variation
Adjusting industrial process parameters based on real-time sensor feedback
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable application of control system principles across different technological domains
Source Patent Element
Neuromodulation element coupled to an elongate shaft for precise deployment
PTD Variation
Sensor elements integrated into industrial systems for targeted monitoring and control
Obviousness Reasoning
Design choice involving straightforward technological translation of deployment mechanism principles
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857249's comprehensive disclosure of neuromodulation deployment and monitoring technologies, the present publication demonstrates that the claimed industrial sensing and control variations would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention. The technological principles of impedance-based measurement, adaptive deployment, and real-time parameter modification are directly transferable across medical and industrial domains, rendering the disclosed variations predictable extensions of the prior art.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,249
TitleDevices, systems, and methods for monitoring and/or controlling deployment of a neuromodulation element within a body lumen and related technology
Assignee(s)Medtronic Ireland Manufacturing Unlimited Company