Porous Structures for Diverse Applications

Publication ID: 24-11857430_0002_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Porous Structures for Diverse Applications,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857430_0002_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857430_0002_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. 11,857,430.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

This inventive concept leverages the core technology of porous structures with varying porosity to tackle diverse challenges across industries, including agriculture, oil recovery, wind energy, wastewater treatment, and thermoelectric power generation.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed interbody implants with optimization features, primarily focusing on orthopedic applications. However, the limitations of this technology in terms of its scope and adaptability hinder its application in other fields. This inventive concept addresses these limitations by exploring new applications and use cases for the porous structure technology, thereby expanding its potential impact.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The new inventive concept involves adapting the porous structure technology to various industries. For instance, in agriculture, the porous lattice structure promotes root growth and water infiltration, enhancing soil structure and fertility. In oil recovery, the porous interbody device facilitates oil flow, increasing extraction efficiency. In wind energy, the porous structure reduces wind resistance, boosting turbine blade efficiency. In wastewater treatment, the porous filter medium removes contaminants, improving water quality. Finally, in thermoelectric power generation, the porous device converts heat into electrical energy, offering a sustainable energy solution.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The novelty of this inventive concept lies in the application of porous structures with varying porosity to diverse industries, which was not originally considered in the patent. The inventive step involves recognizing the potential of this technology to solve problems in these new domains and adapting the design to meet the specific requirements of each industry.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of this inventive concept could include modifying the porous structure's material composition, geometry, or porosity patterns to better suit specific applications. Additionally, the concept could be extended to other industries, such as aerospace, biomedical, or construction, by tailoring the design to address unique challenges in those fields.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

This inventive concept has significant commercial potential, as it offers innovative solutions to pressing problems in various industries. The target markets include agricultural technology, oil and gas, renewable energy, wastewater treatment, and thermoelectric power generation, among others. The adaptability of the porous structure technology to diverse applications ensures a broad market reach and potential for widespread adoption.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61F2/442
A A61 A61F2/4455
A A61 A61F2/4611
A A61 A61F2/2846
A A61 A61F2002/2835
A A61 A61F2002/4629
A A61 A61F2250/0018
A A61 A61F2310/00023

Field of Art

Biomedical engineering, specifically orthopedic implant design and advanced materials with complex structural configurations, involving expertise in materials science, biomechanical engineering, and tissue-interface technologies

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer with advanced degree, familiar with orthopedic implant design, materials characterization, and understanding of porous structure optimization for biological interfaces

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the fundamental porous structure technology disclosed in the source patent represents a generalizable design principle applicable across multiple technical domains. The core innovation of varying porosity sections and integrating solid and porous structures provides a versatile framework that can be systematically adapted to different engineering challenges. The PTD demonstrates that the underlying structural concept is sufficiently flexible to be translated into diverse applications by modifying material composition and geometric configurations.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Porous body with plurality of sections having different porosity levels
PTD Variation
Agricultural soil structure promotion using porous lattice with varying cell porosity
Obviousness Reasoning
Known technique of adapting porous structures for enhanced material interaction, predictable result of improving root growth and water infiltration
Source Patent Element
Solid structure embedded within porous body forming exterior surfaces
PTD Variation
Oil recovery device using porous interbody structure to facilitate fluid flow
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable application of existing structural design to fluid dynamics problem, representing a straightforward design adaptation
Source Patent Element
Intersecting members forming grid-like structure with openings
PTD Variation
Wind turbine blade design reducing wind resistance through controlled porosity
Obviousness Reasoning
Finite identified solution applying known structural principles to aerodynamic performance optimization
Source Patent Element
Porous body with adjoining cells and variable pore configurations
PTD Variation
Wastewater treatment filter medium with contaminant removal capabilities
Obviousness Reasoning
Known technique of leveraging porous structure for filtration, representing a standard engineering design approach
Source Patent Element
Structural configuration allowing material and energy transfer
PTD Variation
Thermoelectric power generation device converting heat using porous structure
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable extension of existing structural principles to energy conversion applications
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857430's disclosure of porous structures with variable porosity, the present publication demonstrates that a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art would find the disclosed technical variations obvious through systematic adaptation of known structural principles across multiple technical domains, thereby establishing robust prior art challenging the non-obviousness of similar claimed inventions.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,430
TitleInterbody implants and optimization features thereof
Assignee(s)Stryker European Operations Holdings LLC