Fluid Control Devices for Diverse Industry Applications
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept applies the core technology of fluid control devices to novel applications beyond medical sampling, including environmental water quality monitoring, agricultural irrigation, industrial process fluid analysis, air quality monitoring, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent addressed the challenge of procuring bodily fluid samples with reduced contaminants. However, the technology's potential extends beyond medical sampling. This inventive concept solves the problem of limited application scope by adapting the fluid control device to diverse industries, enabling contamination reduction and efficient fluid handling in various contexts.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept comprises a fluid diversion device, a sequestration chamber, and a flow controller. The device receives a flow of fluid from a source and isolates an initial volume in the sequestration chamber. The flow controller then diverts subsequent volumes of fluid to a testing apparatus, crop, analyzer, or manufacturing apparatus for analysis, irrigation, testing, or further processing. This enables the reduction of contaminants and efficient fluid handling in various industries.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel applications and use cases for the fluid control device, expanding its scope beyond medical sampling. The inventive step lies in adapting the core technology to address contamination and fluid handling challenges in diverse industries, providing a non-obvious solution to these problems.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments may include variations in the sequestration chamber design, flow controller mechanisms, or integration with different types of testing apparatus or manufacturing equipment. These variations can be tailored to specific industry requirements, ensuring broad conceptual coverage.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including environmental monitoring, agriculture, industrial process control, air quality management, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. The technology can be licensed or integrated into existing products, offering a competitive advantage in these markets.
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Fluid control systems and sampling technologies, with expertise in fluid diversion, contamination reduction, and multi-stage fluid handling across medical, environmental, and industrial domains
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A technical professional with advanced engineering or scientific training, capable of understanding fluid dynamics, device design, and cross-domain technology adaptation, with knowledge of fluid control mechanisms and contamination mitigation strategies
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the core fluid control principles from the medical sampling patent can be systematically adapted to other technical domains by applying the same fundamental contamination reduction and fluid sequestration strategies. The source patent's core technological concept of isolating an initial fluid volume and controlling subsequent fluid flow is inherently transferable across different application contexts. The PTD demonstrates predictable variations that extend the original technological framework through straightforward domain-specific modifications.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,321 |
|---|---|
| Title | Fluid control devices and methods of using the same |
| Assignee(s) | Magnolia Medical Technologies, Inc. |