Adaptable Endoluminal Support Structures for Extreme Environments

Publication ID: 24-11857414_0009_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:Specialized Variations & Niche Solutions

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Adaptable Endoluminal Support Structures for Extreme Environments,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857414_0009_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857414_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. 11,857,414.

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

SectionClassGroup
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

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

Source Patent Element
Frame with interconnected struts and joints allowing movable expansion
PTD Variation
Modified strut geometry for high-altitude and extreme environment performance
Obviousness Reasoning
Modifying strut geometry is a routine design optimization technique for adapting device performance to specific environmental conditions, representing a predictable variation within standard engineering practice
Source Patent Element
Actuation member and pull wire deployment mechanism
PTD Variation
Remote-controlled deployment mechanism for high-radiation environments
Obviousness Reasoning
Replacing direct mechanical actuation with remote control is an obvious design alternative that addresses safety concerns, utilizing known wireless communication and control technologies
Source Patent Element
Catheter shaft with lumen for receiving actuation member
PTD Variation
Integrated secure communication module for encrypting deployment data
Obviousness Reasoning
Adding encrypted communication to existing deployment mechanisms represents a straightforward technological enhancement using standard data security techniques
Source Patent Element
Prosthetic heart valve frame with expandable configuration
PTD Variation
Self-expanding mechanism for rapid deployment in disaster relief scenarios
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing self-expansion capabilities is a predictable design modification to improve deployment speed and reduce manual intervention, utilizing known mechanical design principles
Source Patent Element
Stent structure with interconnected components
PTD Variation
Specialized coating for reducing ice formation in extreme weather conditions
Obviousness Reasoning
Applying protective coatings to medical devices is a well-established technique for enhancing performance in challenging environments, representing an obvious design optimization
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857414's disclosure of endoluminal support structures, the present publication demonstrates that variations addressing specific environmental challenges would be obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art. The disclosed modifications represent predictable extensions of existing stent technology, utilizing standard engineering design principles and known techniques for optimizing medical device performance across diverse operational contexts.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,414
TitleRepositionable endoluminal support structure and its applications
Assignee(s)Edwards Lifesciences CardiAQ LLC