Adaptable Endoluminal Support Structures for Extreme Environments
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
A family of repositionable endoluminal support structures designed to operate effectively in high-security, disaster relief, extreme weather, high-altitude, and high-radiation environments, addressing the limitations of traditional stents in these niche scenarios.
Background and Problem Solved
Traditional endoluminal stents, as described in the original patent, are often inadequate for use in specialized environments. These stents may not provide the necessary security, reliability, or durability for high-stakes applications. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing adaptable support structures that can be tailored to specific operational environments.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new inventive concept encompasses a range of repositionable endoluminal support structures, each designed to excel in a unique environment. For high-security environments, the support structure incorporates a secure communication module for encrypting valve deployment data and a sterilizable stent structure for minimizing contamination risks. In disaster relief scenarios, the support structure features a rapid deployment mechanism and self-expanding capabilities to minimize manual intervention. For extreme weather conditions, the support structure boasts a reinforced strut structure for withstanding high-pressure and high-temperature environments, as well as a specialized coating for reducing ice formation. In high-altitude environments, the support structure includes a modified strut geometry for optimizing blood flow in low-oxygen conditions and a specialized material for minimizing material degradation. Finally, for high-radiation environments, the support structure comprises a radiation-resistant stent structure and a remote-controlled deployment mechanism for minimizing operator exposure.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new inventive concept's novelty lies in its adaptability to specific operational environments, addressing the limitations of traditional stents. The inventive step resides in the tailored design of each support structure to meet the unique demands of its intended environment, providing a new level of reliability, security, and performance.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include support structures designed for use in other specialized environments, such as space exploration or underwater operations. Variations could also involve the integration of additional features, such as sensors or therapeutic agents, to enhance the support structure's functionality.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The adaptable endoluminal support structures have significant commercial potential in various industries, including healthcare, aerospace, and disaster relief. The market for these specialized stents is expected to grow as the need for reliable and effective solutions in extreme environments increases.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61F2/2427 |
| A | A61 | A61F2/24 |
| A | A61 | A61F2/243 |
| A | A61 | A61F2/2409 |
| A | A61 | A61F2/2412 |
| A | A61 | A61F2/2418 |
| A | A61 | A61F2/2469 |
| A | A61 | A61F2/844 |
| A | A61 | A61F2/2421 |
| A | A61 | A61F2/82 |
| A | A61 | A61F2/94 |
| A | A61 | A61F2210/0076 |
| A | A61 | A61F2220/0041 |
| A | A61 | A61F2220/0075 |
| A | A61 | A61F2230/0054 |
| A | A61 | A61F2230/0091 |
| A | A61 | A61F2250/001 |
| A | A61 | A61F2250/0004 |
| Y | Y10 | Y10T29/49826 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Interventional cardiology and medical device engineering, focusing on endoluminal support structures, prosthetic heart valves, and minimally invasive medical device deployment techniques
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or interventional cardiologist with advanced degrees, expertise in medical device design, knowledge of material science, and understanding of stent and valve deployment mechanisms
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's environmental adaptations represent predictable variations of the source patent's core endoluminal support structure technology. The disclosed modifications leverage standard engineering design principles of material selection, geometric optimization, and specialized coating techniques that are well-known in medical device engineering. The variations demonstrate incremental improvements that would be obvious to a skilled practitioner seeking to extend stent functionality for specific operational environments.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,414 |
|---|---|
| Title | Repositionable endoluminal support structure and its applications |
| Assignee(s) | Edwards Lifesciences CardiAQ LLC |