Adaptive Washing Appliances for Specialized Environments
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
A washing appliance designed to adapt to specific, narrow markets or unique operational environments, offering tailored solutions for high-security needs, disaster relief, extreme weather conditions, high-altitude environments, and space exploration.
Background and Problem Solved
The original washing appliance patent, while effective for general medical device washing, has limitations in addressing the unique challenges of specialized environments. The estimated annual cost of waste in the US health care system remains high, and there is a need for customized washing appliances that cater to specific operational requirements.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new inventive concept comprises a range of adaptive washing appliances, each tailored to a specific niche market or operational environment. The high-security washing appliance features a tamper-evident rinse tank and secure data logging system to track device washing history. The disaster relief washing appliance is portable and self-contained, with a battery-powered spray assembly and UV-C light disinfection system. The extreme weather washing appliance features a weather-resistant rinse tank, thermal insulation system, and redundant power supply. The high-altitude washing appliance includes a pressure-compensated rinse tank, oxygen-enriched spray assembly, and temperature control system. The space exploration washing appliance features a microgravity-compatible rinse tank, water-conserving spray assembly, and radiation-resistant control system.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel adaptations to the original washing appliance, providing tailored solutions for specific markets and operational environments. The inventive step lies in the integration of unique components and features that address the specific challenges of each environment, such as tamper-evident rinse tanks, UV-C light disinfection systems, and radiation-resistant control systems.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments could include adaptive washing appliances for other specialized environments, such as tropical or desert regions, or for specific medical procedures like neurosurgery or orthopedic surgery. Variations could also include different materials, sizes, or configurations to accommodate diverse operational requirements.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The adaptive washing appliances have significant commercial potential in various industries, including healthcare, disaster relief, aerospace, and environmental services. Target markets include hospitals, medical device manufacturers, disaster relief organizations, and space exploration agencies.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61B90/70 |
| A | A61 | A61B2090/701 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device cleaning and sterilization technologies, specifically focused on washing appliances for medical instruments with complex lumens and specialized environments
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device technologist with expertise in cleaning protocols, sterilization technologies, and device maintenance, familiar with adapting equipment for diverse operational conditions
Obviousness Rationale
A person having ordinary skill would recognize that the source patent's washing appliance provides a fundamental framework that can be systematically adapted to different environmental contexts. The PTD's variations represent predictable engineering modifications that address specific operational challenges using known techniques in device design and sterilization. The core washing mechanism remains fundamentally consistent across the disclosed variations, with incremental adaptations that would be obvious to a skilled practitioner.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,383 |
|---|---|
| Title | Washing appliance and methods of using |
| Assignee(s) | INNOVATIVE HEALTH |