Neuromodulation Systems for Niche Environments

Publication ID: 24-11857249_0004_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:Specialized Variations & Niche Solutions

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Neuromodulation Systems for Niche Environments,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857249_0004_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857249_0004_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

Adaptable neuromodulation systems for high-security, disaster relief, extreme weather, remote or underserved areas, and high-altitude environments, ensuring safe and effective treatment in unique operational environments.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed devices, systems, and methods for monitoring and/or controlling deployment of a neuromodulation element within a body lumen. However, these systems may not be suitable for niche environments with specific constraints, such as high-security needs, disaster relief, extreme weather conditions, remote or underserved areas, or high-altitude environments. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by providing adaptable neuromodulation systems tailored to these unique operational environments.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept encompasses a range of neuromodulation systems designed for specific niche environments. For high-security environments, the system incorporates a monitoring module to detect unauthorized access and a control module to prevent energy delivery in response to detection. In disaster relief settings, the method involves deploying a neuromodulation element, detecting impedance through an electrical circuit, and controlling energy delivery based on the detected impedance. For extreme weather conditions, the system features a weather-resistant enclosure and a control module that adjusts energy delivery based on real-time weather data. In remote or underserved areas, the method involves deploying a neuromodulation element, detecting pre-neuromodulation parameters, and controlling energy delivery based on the detected parameters. Finally, for high-altitude environments, the system includes a pressure-resistant enclosure and a control module that adjusts energy delivery based on real-time altitude data. These adaptable systems ensure safe and effective treatment in unique operational environments.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new inventive concept introduces novel features and functionalities that are not present in the original patent. The adaptation of neuromodulation systems for niche environments, such as high-security, disaster relief, extreme weather, remote or underserved areas, and high-altitude environments, provides a non-obvious solution to the limitations of the original patent. The inventive concept's unique combination of components and operation provides a distinct advantage over existing systems.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include variations in the monitoring module, control module, or neuromodulation element design to accommodate different niche environments. For example, the system could be adapted for use in areas with limited access to medical resources or in environments with unique physical constraints. These variations would ensure broad conceptual coverage and provide a robust foundation for future developments.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including healthcare, disaster relief, and aerospace. The adaptable neuromodulation systems could be marketed to hospitals, clinics, and medical research institutions operating in niche environments. Additionally, the systems could be used in emergency response situations, such as natural disasters or search and rescue operations. The market for these systems is expected to grow as the need for specialized medical solutions in unique operational environments increases.

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 focused on neuromodulation devices, specifically interventional systems for deploying energy-delivery elements within body lumens, requiring expertise in medical device design, electrical engineering, and minimally invasive medical technologies

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer with advanced degree, 3-5 years experience in medical device design, familiar with catheter-based interventional technologies, electrical circuit design, and neuromodulation energy delivery systems

Obviousness Rationale

A skilled practitioner would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core neuromodulation deployment methodology by applying known engineering adaptation techniques to specific environmental contexts. The fundamental deployment mechanism remains consistent, with the PTD introducing contextual modifications that would be considered routine design variations for a person skilled in medical device engineering. The systematic approach of detecting parameters, controlling energy delivery, and adapting to environmental constraints represents a logical progression of the source patent's core technological principles.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Method for detecting neuromodulation element deployment and correlating longitudinal shift with vessel inner diameter
PTD Variation
Detecting pre-neuromodulation parameters in remote or underserved areas and controlling energy delivery based on those parameters
Obviousness Reasoning
A PHOSITA would recognize this as a predictable application of the source patent's parameter detection and energy modulation technique to a different operational context, representing a straightforward design adaptation
Source Patent Element
Controlling energy delivery based on physical configuration and deployment characteristics of neuromodulation element
PTD Variation
Adjusting energy delivery based on real-time environmental data like weather conditions or altitude
Obviousness Reasoning
Modifying energy delivery parameters based on external conditions is a known technique in medical device design, representing a routine engineering solution to ensure safe and effective treatment
Source Patent Element
Monitoring deployment stability and contact with vessel wall
PTD Variation
Implementing a monitoring module to detect unauthorized access in high-security environments
Obviousness Reasoning
Extending monitoring capabilities to include security parameters is a predictable variation that applies standard access control principles to medical device design
Source Patent Element
Detecting impedance and correlating with deployment characteristics
PTD Variation
Detecting impedance in disaster relief settings to control energy delivery
Obviousness Reasoning
Using impedance as a control mechanism is a well-established technique in medical electronics, representing a known approach to ensuring safe energy delivery across different operational contexts
Source Patent Element
Method for controlling neuromodulation energy based on physical deployment characteristics
PTD Variation
Creating pressure-resistant enclosures and adjusting energy delivery for high-altitude environments
Obviousness Reasoning
Adapting medical devices for environmental constraints is a standard engineering practice, representing a predictable solution for expanding operational capabilities
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857249 and the disclosed variations, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed innovations obvious through routine engineering adaptations. The systematic approach of detecting deployment parameters, controlling energy delivery, and adapting to specific environmental contexts represents a predictable extension of existing neuromodulation technologies, thereby rendering potential claims obvious under 35 U.S.C. ยง 103.

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