Universal Ultrasound Device for Diverse Industrial Applications

Publication ID: 24-11857368_0002_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Universal Ultrasound Device for Diverse Industrial Applications,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857368_0002_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857368_0002_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. 11,857,368.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept expands the capabilities of the original universal ultrasound device to address diverse industrial applications, including water quality monitoring, marine life tracking, agricultural soil moisture analysis, building defect detection, and food quality inspection.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a universal ultrasound device capable of operating across multiple frequency ranges for high-resolution imaging in medical applications. However, this technology has vast untapped potential in various industrial sectors, where existing solutions often rely on limited-frequency devices or invasive methods. The inventive concept addresses the need for a versatile, non-invasive, and high-resolution ultrasound technology that can be adapted to diverse industrial use cases.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept involves adapting the original universal ultrasound device to operate in various industrial settings. The device is configured to detect and analyze aquatic life and water contaminants for water quality monitoring, track marine life migration patterns, monitor soil moisture levels in agricultural applications, detect structural defects in buildings, and inspect food quality and detect contaminants. The device's ability to operate at multiple frequency ranges enables high-resolution imaging at varying depths, making it an ideal solution for these diverse applications.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The inventive concept's novelty lies in its application of the original universal ultrasound device's core technology to entirely new industries and use cases. The inventive step involves the adaptation of the device to accommodate the specific requirements of each industrial application, such as water quality monitoring or food inspection.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include custom-designed ultrasound probes for specific industrial applications, integration with AI-powered analytics for enhanced data interpretation, or the development of miniaturized devices for portable use.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential across various industries, including environmental monitoring, agriculture, construction, and food processing. The market demand for non-invasive, high-resolution imaging solutions is substantial, and the universal ultrasound device's adaptability makes it an attractive solution for industries seeking to improve their operations and reduce costs.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B8/4477
A A61 A61B8/0883
A A61 A61B8/0891
A A61 A61B8/12
A A61 A61B8/4236
A A61 A61B8/4427
A A61 A61B8/4444
A A61 A61B8/4472
A A61 A61B8/4494
A A61 A61B8/465
A A61 A61B8/467
A A61 A61B8/483
A A61 A61B8/485
A A61 A61B8/488
A A61 A61B8/5207
A A61 A61B8/54
A A61 A61B8/56
B B06 B06B1/0292
B B06 B06B1/0622

Field of Art

Medical and industrial ultrasound imaging technologies, encompassing transducer design, signal processing, and multi-frequency imaging systems with expertise in capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers (CMUTs) and adaptive imaging techniques

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A skilled practitioner with advanced engineering or biomedical background, possessing knowledge of ultrasound signal processing, transducer design, frequency modulation, and cross-domain application of imaging technologies

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the universal ultrasound device's core technological framework inherently supports adaptation across multiple industrial domains by leveraging its multi-frequency and high-resolution imaging capabilities. The source patent's fundamental design of a flexible ultrasound system with configurable operating modes provides a clear technological foundation for extending applications beyond medical imaging. The disclosed variations represent predictable engineering adaptations that apply known ultrasonic imaging principles to solve domain-specific monitoring and inspection challenges.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Single array of capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers (CMUTs) capable of operating across multiple frequency ranges
PTD Variation
Adapting the CMUT array for water quality monitoring and marine life tracking
Obviousness Reasoning
Known technique of repurposing imaging technologies for environmental monitoring, with predictable signal processing and depth penetration results
Source Patent Element
Processing device with configurable graphical user interface (GUI) and downloadable operating modes
PTD Variation
Developing custom industrial application interfaces for soil moisture analysis and structural defect detection
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable software adaptation using existing device architecture and menu configuration capabilities
Source Patent Element
Ultrasound device capable of generating high-resolution images at different depths
PTD Variation
Applying multi-frequency imaging to food quality inspection and contaminant detection
Obviousness Reasoning
Straightforward extension of existing imaging technology to alternative inspection domains using known signal processing techniques
Source Patent Element
Flexible ultrasound probe design supporting multiple operating configurations
PTD Variation
Creating specialized probe variations for specific industrial monitoring requirements
Obviousness Reasoning
Routine engineering design choice leveraging modular transducer architecture with predictable performance outcomes
Source Patent Element
Mobile device integration for ultrasound signal processing and visualization
PTD Variation
Developing portable industrial monitoring solutions with integrated AI analytics
Obviousness Reasoning
Natural technological progression using existing mobile computing and signal processing infrastructure
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857368's disclosure of a universal ultrasound device with multi-frequency imaging capabilities, the present publication demonstrates that the claimed industrial monitoring variations would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention, as the technological adaptations represent predictable extensions of known ultrasonic imaging principles across diverse application domains.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,368
TitleUniversal ultrasound device and related apparatus and methods
Assignee(s)BFLY Operations, Inc