Enhanced Graft Collar System for Surgical Procedures

Publication ID: 24-11857419_0001_PTD

Published: October 28, 2025

Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Graft Collar System for Surgical Procedures,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857419_0001_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857419_0001_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. 11,857,419.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

An improved graft collar system for facilitating grafting in surgical procedures, offering adjustable diameter, reinforcement structures, and self-locking mechanisms to enhance mechanical strength, ease of use, and secure engagement with load-bearing bone fasteners.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a graft collar for facilitating grafting in surgical procedures, but it had limitations in terms of accommodating various bone fastener sizes, mechanical strength, and secure engagement. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing adjustable diameter, reinforcement structures, and self-locking mechanisms, providing a more efficient, safe, and reliable graft collar system.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The enhanced graft collar system comprises a graft collar with an adjustable diameter to accommodate various sizes of bone fasteners, a reinforcement structure integrated into the body to enhance mechanical strength, and a self-locking mechanism to prevent disengagement of the graft collar from the bone fastener. The system also includes a load-bearing bone fastener with a convexly shaped lower surface, and a method for securely engaging the graft collar with the bone fastener. The adjustable diameter feature allows for a more universal fit, while the reinforcement structure and self-locking mechanism ensure a more secure and reliable engagement.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel features such as adjustable diameter, reinforcement structures, and self-locking mechanisms, which are not present in the original patent. These features provide a non-obvious solution to the limitations of the original patent, offering improved mechanical strength, ease of use, and secure engagement.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include varying the design of the reinforcement structure, using different materials for the graft collar and bone fastener, or incorporating additional features such as sensors or actuators to enhance the system's functionality. Variations could also include adapting the system for use in different surgical procedures or anatomical regions.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced graft collar system has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the areas of orthopedic, neurosurgical, and cardiovascular surgery. The system's improved features and functionality could attract a wide range of customers, including hospitals, surgical centers, and medical device manufacturers.

CPC Classifications

Section	Class	Group
A	A61	A61F2/28
A	A61	A61B17/8695
A	A61	A61F2/3094
A	A61	A61B17/7032
A	A61	A61B17/8047
A	A61	A61F2/446
A	A61	A61F2002/2835
A	A61	A61F2002/30115
A	A61	A61F2310/00359

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

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Field of Art

Orthopedic surgical devices, specifically graft collars and bone fixation systems for surgical grafting procedures, involving biomechanical engineering, medical device design, and surgical intervention techniques

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or orthopedic surgical device designer with advanced degree, expertise in medical device design, understanding of surgical biomechanics, knowledge of material properties, and experience with minimally invasive surgical techniques

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable engineering modifications to the source patent's graft collar design, utilizing standard design optimization techniques common in medical device development. The proposed adjustments like reinforcement structures, self-locking mechanisms, and diameter adaptability are logical extensions of existing surgical fixation technologies. These modifications solve known limitations in surgical grafting devices through straightforward engineering approaches that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Graft collar with engagement section for bone fastener head

PTD Variation

Adding adjustable diameter to accommodate various bone fastener sizes

Obviousness Reasoning

Dimensional adaptability is a standard design optimization technique, representing a predictable variation that solves universal fitting challenges in surgical devices

Source Patent Element

Body with upper and lower surfaces defining outer wall

PTD Variation

Integrating reinforcement structure to enhance mechanical strength

Obviousness Reasoning

Structural reinforcement is a known technique for improving mechanical performance, representing a finite solution to enhancing device durability

Source Patent Element

Split gap extending through hole to outer wall

PTD Variation

Implementing self-locking mechanism to prevent fastener disengagement

Obviousness Reasoning

Mechanical engagement improvements are standard design iterations in surgical fixation technologies, representing a known technique for improving device reliability

Source Patent Element

Engagement section with concavity for fastener head

PTD Variation

Chamfered engagement section with correspondingly shaped fastener head

Obviousness Reasoning

Geometric complementarity is a predictable design approach for improving mechanical coupling, representing a logical extension of existing engagement mechanisms

Source Patent Element

Load-bearing bone fastener with convex lower surface

PTD Variation

Enhanced fastener design with improved surface geometries for secure engagement

Obviousness Reasoning

Surface geometry optimization is a standard engineering approach for improving mechanical interfaces, representing a finite set of design solutions

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 103, the variations disclosed in this Published Technical Disclosure would have been obvious to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art at the time of invention, when considered in light of US Patent 11857419. The proposed modifications represent predictable engineering variations that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner, utilizing known techniques to address standard limitations in surgical grafting device design.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,857,419
Title	Methods and apparatus for facilitating grafting in surgical procedures
Assignee(s)	SAMARITAN BIOLOGICS, LLC