Adaptable Washing Appliances for Specialized Environments

Publication ID: 24-11857383_0009_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:Specialized Variations & Niche Solutions

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Adaptable Washing Appliances for Specialized Environments,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857383_0009_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857383_0009_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. 11,857,383.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

A washing appliance system adaptable to various specialized environments, including high-security facilities, disaster relief settings, extreme weather conditions, remote or rural areas, and high-altitude environments, ensuring effective medical device washing in diverse operational contexts.

Background and Problem Solved

The original washing appliance patent, while effective for general medical device washing, lacks adaptability to specific, niche environments. This limitation can lead to inefficient or ineffective washing in unique operational contexts, compromising medical device cleanliness and patient safety. The present inventive concept addresses these limitations by providing adaptable washing appliances tailored to distinct environments.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept comprises a washing appliance system with modular components and configurations tailored to specific environments. For high-security facilities, the appliance features a secure rinse tank and manifolds for suspending devices to be washed. In disaster relief settings, the appliance is portable and powered by a generator or alternative energy source. For extreme weather conditions, the appliance incorporates a weather-resistant rinse tank and manifolds. In remote or rural areas, the appliance is satellite-connected, enabling data transmission to a central server for monitoring and quality control. Finally, in high-altitude environments, the appliance features a pressure-resistant rinse tank and manifolds. Each configuration ensures effective washing in its respective environment.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel adaptations of the washing appliance system to specific environments, providing a non-obvious solution to the limitations of the original patent. The inventive concept's modular design and environment-specific configurations represent a significant departure from the original patent, offering a unique and effective solution for diverse operational contexts.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include adapting the washing appliance system for other specialized environments, such as space exploration or underwater operations. Variations may involve integrating additional features, such as UV light disinfection or advanced water purification systems, to further enhance the appliance's effectiveness in diverse contexts.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The adaptable washing appliance system has significant commercial potential in various industries, including healthcare, disaster relief, and environmental services. The system's ability to operate effectively in diverse environments makes it an attractive solution for organizations operating in challenging contexts, such as military medical units, humanitarian organizations, or remote medical facilities.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B90/70
A A61 A61B2090/701

Field of Art

Medical device processing and sterilization technologies, specifically focusing on washing and decontamination systems for medical instruments with complex geometries like catheters and endoscopes

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or medical device processing specialist with expertise in sterilization technologies, fluid dynamics, materials engineering, and environmental adaptation of medical equipment

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the fundamental washing appliance design from the source patent can be readily adapted to different environmental contexts by applying standard engineering modifications. The core washing mechanism remains consistent, with variations primarily addressing external operational constraints. These environment-specific adaptations represent predictable engineering solutions that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner seeking to extend the appliance's utility across diverse operational settings.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Rinse tank 110 with interior space 140 for washing medical devices with lumens
PTD Variation
Pressure-resistant rinse tank for high-altitude environments
Obviousness Reasoning
Modifying tank material and structural integrity to withstand pressure differentials is a standard engineering design choice with predictable implementation techniques
Source Patent Element
Medical device washing for cardiovascular procedure accessories
PTD Variation
Portable washing appliance powered by generator in disaster relief settings
Obviousness Reasoning
Adapting power requirements for mobile medical environments represents a known technique for extending medical equipment functionality
Source Patent Element
Washing devices including catheters, endoscopes, and medical tubing
PTD Variation
Satellite-connected washing appliance with remote monitoring capabilities
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating telecommunications and data transmission into medical equipment is a predictable technological enhancement with well-established implementation strategies
Source Patent Element
Washing appliance for processing medical devices
PTD Variation
Weather-resistant rinse tank operating across -20°C to 40°C temperature ranges
Obviousness Reasoning
Material selection and thermal engineering techniques for expanding operational temperature ranges are standard design considerations for medical equipment
Source Patent Element
Washing system for processing unused and used medical devices
PTD Variation
High-security facility washing appliance with restricted access manifolds
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing access control and security features represents a predictable design modification for specialized institutional environments
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 103, the variations disclosed in this publication would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention, as they represent predictable engineering adaptations of the fundamental washing appliance disclosed in US Patent 11857383, employing known techniques to extend the original invention's utility across diverse operational contexts.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,383
TitleWashing appliance and methods of using
Assignee(s)INNOVATIVE HEALTH