Helical Lumen for Infrastructure Inspection and Maintenance
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
This inventive concept applies the core technology of the original patent, specifically the helical lumen, to entirely new industries and use cases, such as infrastructure inspection, pipeline monitoring, and agricultural equipment maintenance.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent addressed the limitations of traditional surgical instruments in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgeries. However, the unique helical lumen design has untapped potential in other fields. The new inventive concept tackles the problem of inspecting and maintaining complex infrastructure, such as pipelines, HVAC systems, and agricultural equipment, where traditional inspection methods are often inadequate.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new inventive concept involves adapting the helical lumen technology to create robotic arms, crawlers, and instruments specifically designed for navigating tight spaces and inspecting infrastructure. The helical lumen enables these devices to access confined areas, providing high-resolution visual inspections and facilitating maintenance tasks. The system can be integrated with advanced sensors, cameras, and software to enhance data collection and analysis.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce a novel application of the helical lumen technology, transitioning from surgical instruments to infrastructure inspection and maintenance. This inventive step lies in recognizing the potential of the helical lumen design to solve complex problems in unrelated industries.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments may include using the helical lumen technology in other industries, such as aerospace, automotive, or construction. Variations could include integrating the technology with autonomous systems, drones, or wearable devices to expand its reach and versatility.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including infrastructure inspection and maintenance, pipeline monitoring, agricultural equipment manufacturing, and HVAC system maintenance. The target market includes companies and organizations responsible for maintaining and inspecting complex infrastructure, as well as manufacturers of equipment and systems that can benefit from the helical lumen technology.
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Robotic and articulated inspection systems, with expertise in mechanical design, robotics, sensor integration, and flexible navigation technologies across medical, industrial, and infrastructure domains
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
An engineer with advanced mechanical engineering and robotics training, capable of cross-domain technology adaptation, understanding articulation mechanisms, and recognizing transferable design principles across different technical applications
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the helical lumen's core mechanical functionality of enabling flexible navigation through constrained spaces is fundamentally transferable between surgical and industrial inspection contexts. The source patent's articulation joint technology provides a clear technical blueprint that can be systematically adapted to alternative domains with predictable engineering modifications. The PTD's variations represent straightforward extensions of the original helical lumen design principles by applying known mechanical adaptation strategies.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,283 |
|---|---|
| Title | Articulation joint with helical lumen |
| Assignee(s) | Cilag GmbH International |