Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Adaptable Prosthetic Valve Technology for Diverse Applications

Publication ID: 24-11857412_0007_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Adaptable Prosthetic Valve Technology for Diverse Applications,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857412_0007_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857412_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. 11,857,412.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The present inventive concept discloses the application of prosthetic valve technology with expandable frames to various industries and use cases beyond heart valves, including respiratory, gastrointestinal, dialysis, hydrocephalus, and bionic limb treatments.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed prosthetic heart valves with expandable frames, enabling minimally invasive delivery and improved valve function. However, the patent's focus on heart valves limited its potential applications. The new inventive concept addresses this limitation by exploring the technology's adaptability to diverse industries and use cases, thereby expanding its impact and value.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The adaptable prosthetic valve technology features an expandable frame and associated leaflets, which can be tailored to specific applications. For instance, in respiratory treatments, the valve can be implanted in a trachea or bronchus to regulate airflow and mitigate COPD symptoms. In gastrointestinal motility disorders, the valve can be used to regulate the flow of food and fluids. Similarly, the valve can be integrated into dialysis systems, cerebral shunts, or bionic limbs to address specific challenges in each field.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel applications and use cases for the prosthetic valve technology, which are non-obvious extensions of the original patent. The inventive step lies in recognizing the technology's adaptability and developing specific implementations for diverse industries and use cases.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include modifying the valve's material, shape, or size to suit specific applications. Variations could involve integrating sensors, actuators, or other components to enhance the valve's functionality and performance.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The adaptable prosthetic valve technology has significant commercial potential across various industries, including respiratory, gastrointestinal, dialysis, hydrocephalus, and bionic limb treatments. The target market includes medical device manufacturers, hospitals, and research institutions, with potential for significant revenue growth and improved patient outcomes.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61F2/2418
A A61 A61F2/24
A A61 A61F2/2433
A A61 A61F2/2439
A A61 A61F2/2463
A A61 A61F2/246
A A61 A61F2/2436
A A61 A61F2/2466
A A61 A61F2002/9511
A A61 A61F2210/0014
A A61 A61F2210/0076
A A61 A61F2220/005
A A61 A61F2220/0016
A A61 A61F2220/0025
A A61 A61F2220/0033
A A61 A61F2220/0058
A A61 A61F2220/0075
A A61 A61F2230/0054
A A61 A61F2230/0067
A A61 A61F2230/0069
A A61 A61F2250/0039
A A61 A61F2250/0069

Field of Art

Medical Device Engineering, specifically prosthetic valve technologies and implantable medical devices, focusing on expandable frame structures for minimally invasive interventional procedures across multiple physiological systems

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer with advanced degree, expertise in medical device design, understanding of material science, fluid dynamics, and cross-disciplinary medical technology adaptation, familiar with transcatheter delivery systems and prosthetic valve mechanics

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize the fundamental design principles of the expandable prosthetic valve frame are universally applicable across different physiological systems. The core technological innovation of a collapsible, expandable frame with integrated leaflets can be systematically translated to alternative medical applications by modifying dimensional parameters, material properties, and specific anatomical interface requirements. The source patent's fundamental mechanical and structural principles provide a clear technological blueprint for adapting the valve technology to diverse medical contexts.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Expandable frame with plurality of frame members defining closed cell structures
PTD Variation
Applying the frame structure to respiratory tract valve for COPD treatment
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable extension of known valve technology to regulate fluid/air flow in alternative anatomical contexts, utilizing identical structural principles of expandability and controlled flow regulation
Source Patent Element
Commissure posts and leaflet integration mechanism
PTD Variation
Modifying commissure post geometry for gastrointestinal motility valve
Obviousness Reasoning
Known technique of adapting geometric parameters to suit specific physiological requirements, representing a standard design optimization approach for medical devices
Source Patent Element
Transcatheter delivery configuration allowing minimally invasive implantation
PTD Variation
Implementing similar delivery mechanism for cerebral shunt and dialysis valve applications
Obviousness Reasoning
Established medical engineering practice of translating successful minimally invasive deployment strategies across different implantable device categories
Source Patent Element
Diametrically collapsible support structure with central longitudinal axis
PTD Variation
Integrating valve technology into bionic limb fluid regulation systems
Obviousness Reasoning
Finite set of design solutions for creating adaptable, compact medical devices with controllable expansion characteristics
Source Patent Element
Frame members defining multiple rows of closed cells
PTD Variation
Adapting cell structure geometry for different physiological pressure and flow requirements
Obviousness Reasoning
Routine engineering design variation representing predictable modification of known structural principles to suit specific performance parameters
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857412's comprehensive disclosure of prosthetic valve technology with expandable frames, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the variations disclosed herein obvious and anticipated, representing straightforward technological adaptations employing known medical device engineering principles and demonstrating no inventive step beyond the fundamental structural and functional teachings of the source patent.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,412
TitleProsthetic valve with expandable frame and associated systems and methods
Assignee(s)EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION