Precise Medical Implant Placement System and Method
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept leverages the core technology of the original aligner placement system to enable precise and sterile placement of medical implants in various settings, including surgical, veterinary, and training environments.
Background and Problem Solved
The original aligner placement system was designed for dental care, but its limitations in terms of flexibility, sterilization, and adaptability hindered its application in other fields. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing a flexible arm, sterilizable handle, and visual indicator of proper placement, enabling the system to be used in a broader range of medical applications.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept comprises a flexible arm with a grasping end and a control end, allowing for precise placement of medical implants in patients' bodies. The control end features a sterilizable handle and a visual indicator of proper placement, ensuring contamination-free placement. The system can be adapted for use in surgical, veterinary, and training settings, offering a versatile solution for medical professionals.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce the concept of a flexible arm, sterilizable handle, and visual indicator of proper placement, which are not present in the original patent. These features enable the system to be used in a broader range of medical applications, making it a novel and non-obvious extension of the original technology.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include the use of robotic arms, haptic feedback systems, or augmented reality visualization to enhance the precision and ease of use of the system. Variations of the system could be designed for specific medical specialties, such as orthopedic, neurosurgical, or cardiovascular applications.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the areas of surgical, veterinary, and medical training. The system's ability to enable precise and sterile placement of medical implants could lead to improved patient outcomes, reduced complications, and increased efficiency in medical procedures.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61C7/023 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device placement systems, specifically dental and surgical alignment technologies involving precision placement instruments with ergonomic handling mechanisms
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with expertise in mechanical design, sterilization protocols, and interdisciplinary medical device adaptation, possessing knowledge of placement systems across dental, surgical, and veterinary domains
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize the fundamental structural similarities between dental aligner placement systems and medical implant placement systems, understanding that core mechanical principles of precise positioning, secure grasping, and controlled manipulation are universally applicable across medical device domains. The extension from dental to surgical contexts represents a predictable variation utilizing known engineering design principles. The proposed modifications represent straightforward adaptations that would be obvious to a skilled practitioner familiar with medical device design and cross-disciplinary technology transfer.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,388 |
|---|---|
| Title | Aligner placement system and method of use |