Acoustically Transparent Window for Diverse Applications

Publication ID: 24-11857361_0007_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Acoustically Transparent Window for Diverse Applications,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857361_0007_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857361_0007_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. 11,857,361.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept applies the core technology of the original acoustically transparent window to various industries, including environmental monitoring, agriculture, athletics, infrastructure inspection, and medical imaging, enabling novel solutions for detecting pollutants, monitoring crop health, tracking athletic performance, inspecting bridges, and diagnosing respiratory diseases.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent's acoustically transparent window was designed for intraluminal ultrasound imaging devices. However, the limitations of this design restrict its applicability to other fields. The new inventive concept addresses this limitation by adapting the core technology to cater to diverse industries, providing innovative solutions to pressing problems.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept revolves around the integration of the acoustically transparent window into various systems and devices. In environmental monitoring, the window enables the detection of ultrasonic signals indicative of aquatic life disturbances caused by pollutants. In agriculture, it facilitates the non-invasive monitoring of crop health by transmitting ultrasonic waves through plant cellular structures. In athletics, the window is integrated into smart fabrics to measure muscle fatigue and optimize training regimens. For infrastructure inspection, it detects anomalies in concrete indicative of cracks or weaknesses in bridges. Finally, in medical imaging, the window enables the non-invasive diagnosis of respiratory diseases by detecting changes in lung tissue.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new inventive concept is novel and non-obvious compared to the original patent, as it applies the core technology to entirely new industries and use cases, thereby providing innovative solutions to distinct problems. The inventive step lies in the adaptation and integration of the acoustically transparent window into these diverse applications.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include the use of different materials or geometries for the acoustically transparent window, depending on the specific application requirements. Additionally, the window could be integrated into wearable devices, drones, or autonomous vehicles to further expand its potential applications.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential across various industries, including environmental monitoring, agriculture, athletics, infrastructure inspection, and medical imaging. The market for these applications is substantial, with growing demands for innovative solutions to pressing problems. The inventive concept's adaptability and versatility make it an attractive solution for companies seeking to expand their product offerings and stay ahead in their respective markets.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B8/12
A A61 A61B8/445
A A61 A61B8/4477
A A61 A61B8/4494
G G01 G01S7/52085
G G01 G01S15/8906

Field of Art

Medical ultrasound imaging and acoustic sensing technologies, with expertise in intraluminal device design, acoustic wave transmission through specialized membranes, and multi-domain sensor applications

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with advanced knowledge of ultrasound imaging, materials science, and signal transmission techniques, capable of adapting acoustic window technologies across different technical domains

Obviousness Rationale

A person having ordinary skill would recognize the fundamental acoustic transmission principles from the source patent can be readily extended to diverse sensing and imaging applications by applying known signal processing and material science techniques. The core innovation of an acoustically transparent window represents a generalizable technology with predictable performance across multiple domains. The PTD demonstrates how a skilled practitioner would systematically adapt the original intraluminal ultrasound window concept to solve problems in environmental, agricultural, athletic, infrastructure, and medical monitoring contexts.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Flexible elongate member with acoustically transparent window for intravascular ultrasound imaging
PTD Variation
Underwater acoustic sensor array for environmental monitoring using similar window design
Obviousness Reasoning
Adapting the acoustic transmission principles to underwater sensing represents a predictable application of known signal propagation techniques, with material selection being a routine design choice for a skilled engineer
Source Patent Element
Elastic membrane material like polybutadiene rubber enabling acoustic wave transmission
PTD Variation
Smart fabric integration with ultrasonic wave transmission for athletic performance monitoring
Obviousness Reasoning
Extending the membrane technology to wearable applications is an obvious variation using known elastic material properties and established sensor miniaturization techniques
Source Patent Element
Intraluminal device capable of non-invasive tissue imaging through specialized window
PTD Variation
Non-invasive respiratory disease diagnostic device using ultrasonic wave transmission through chest cavity
Obviousness Reasoning
Translating medical imaging principles from intravascular to pulmonary contexts represents a logical and predictable extension of established ultrasound diagnostic methodologies
Source Patent Element
Ultrasound imaging assembly designed for precise signal transmission through a specialized window
PTD Variation
Infrastructure inspection system for detecting structural anomalies in concrete using ultrasonic waves
Obviousness Reasoning
Applying ultrasonic non-destructive testing principles to structural analysis is a well-established technique that a skilled practitioner would find obvious when presented with the acoustic window technology
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857361's teachings of an acoustically transparent window for ultrasound imaging, the present publication demonstrates that a person having ordinary skill in medical device and acoustic sensing technologies would find the disclosed variations obvious, as they represent predictable applications of known signal transmission principles across multiple technical domains, thereby rendering potential claims to such variations unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. ยง 103.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,361
TitleAcoustically transparent window for intraluminal ultrasound imaging device
Assignee(s)Koninklijke Philips N.V.