Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Adaptive Catheter Navigation Systems for Specialized Environments

Publication ID: 24-11857276_0004_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:Specialized Variations & Niche Solutions

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Adaptive Catheter Navigation Systems for Specialized Environments,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857276_0004_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857276_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. 11,857,276.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept adapts catheter navigation systems for specific, narrow market or unique operational environments, such as high-security needs, disaster relief, extreme weather conditions, high-temperature environments, or low-resource settings, ensuring precise navigation and improved patient outcomes.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a system and method for displaying an alignment CT, which enabled clinicians to perform diagnoses and surgeries on patients' lungs. However, this system had limitations in terms of adaptability to diverse operational environments. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by developing specialized variations and niche solutions for catheter navigation systems, catering to the unique requirements of high-security, disaster relief, extreme weather, high-temperature, and low-resource settings.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The new inventive concept comprises four primary variations: (1) a secure navigation system for high-security environments, featuring encryption and access controls; (2) a portable, internally guided navigation system for disaster relief scenarios; (3) a weather-resistant navigation system for extreme weather conditions, incorporating thermal insulation and ruggedized components; and (4) a low-power navigation system for low-resource settings, with power-saving features and minimal hardware requirements. Each variation is designed to optimize catheter navigation in its respective environment, ensuring accurate and efficient navigation.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new inventive concept introduces novel adaptations to the original patent's system, specifically tailored to unique operational environments. The inventive step lies in the development of specialized features, such as encryption, portability, weather-resistance, and low-power functionality, which enable precise navigation in diverse settings.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include adaptations for other specialized environments, such as space exploration, search and rescue operations, or remote medical facilities. Variations could also involve integrating additional sensors, such as temperature or pressure sensors, to further enhance navigation accuracy.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The adaptive catheter navigation systems have significant commercial potential in various industries, including healthcare, disaster relief, and aerospace. The systems can be marketed to hospitals, medical research institutions, and specialized organizations operating in unique environments, providing a competitive edge in terms of navigation accuracy and adaptability.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B34/20
A A61 A61B34/25
A A61 A61B90/37
G G06 G06T15/00
A A61 A61B1/018
A A61 A61B1/2676
A A61 A61B10/02
A A61 A61B2017/00809
A A61 A61B2034/107
A A61 A61B2034/2051
A A61 A61B2034/2055
A A61 A61B2034/2061
A A61 A61B2034/2065
A A61 A61B2034/2068
A A61 A61B2034/2072
A A61 A61B2090/367
A A61 A61B2090/3925
A A61 A61M2025/0166

Field of Art

Medical imaging and interventional navigation systems, specifically focused on catheter guidance and 3D visualization techniques for minimally invasive medical procedures, requiring expertise in medical imaging, computer graphics, and interventional medical technologies

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or medical device specialist with advanced degrees in biomedical engineering, computer science, or medical imaging, possessing expertise in 3D rendering, medical navigation systems, and CT image processing techniques

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the published technical disclosure represents predictable variations of the source patent's core navigation system by applying standard engineering adaptation techniques to different operational contexts. The fundamental 3D rendering and catheter navigation methodology remains consistent across variations, with modifications representing routine design adaptations for specific environmental constraints. These variations demonstrate standard problem-solving approaches within medical device engineering, where core technological principles are systematically adapted to address specialized use cases.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
3D rendering of patient airways using voxel density transfer functions
PTD Variation
Encryption and access control layers added to 3D rendering process for high-security environments
Obviousness Reasoning
Adding security layers to existing navigation systems represents a known technique in medical device design, with predictable results of maintaining core functionality while introducing access management
Source Patent Element
Computing device operably coupled to catheter for navigation
PTD Variation
Portable computing device optimized for disaster relief scenarios with reduced hardware requirements
Obviousness Reasoning
Miniaturization and portability of medical navigation systems are well-established design practices, representing a predictable engineering optimization
Source Patent Element
3D visualization of patient airways for targeting
PTD Variation
Weather-resistant navigation system with thermal insulation for extreme environmental conditions
Obviousness Reasoning
Ruggedizing medical devices for challenging environments is a standard engineering approach, involving known techniques of thermal management and component protection
Source Patent Element
Electromagnetic navigation catheter alignment methodology
PTD Variation
Low-power navigation system with power-saving features for resource-constrained settings
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing power efficiency in medical devices represents a routine design optimization with predictable performance characteristics
Source Patent Element
3D rendering using CT image data for catheter navigation
PTD Variation
Integration of additional environmental sensors to enhance navigation accuracy
Obviousness Reasoning
Augmenting navigation systems with supplementary sensor data represents a standard approach to improving precision in medical device design
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857276, the present published technical disclosure demonstrates that the claimed variations in catheter navigation systems represent obvious extensions of existing medical imaging and navigation technologies. A person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize these adaptations as predictable modifications employing standard engineering techniques to address specific operational environments, thereby rendering potential patent claims obvious and anticipatable.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,276
TitleSystem and method for displaying an alignment CT
Assignee(s)Covidien LP