Adaptable Transcorporeal Void Creation and Support System
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
This inventive concept leverages the core technology of vertebral body replacement devices to create novel solutions for various industries, including agriculture, construction, underwater exploration, and environmental remediation.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent focused on vertebral body replacement devices for cervical spine surgery. However, the core technology has broader applications. This inventive concept addresses the need for adaptable systems that can create transcorporeal voids and provide support or containment in diverse industries, overcoming limitations of traditional methods and materials.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The adaptable transcorporeal void creation and support system consists of a transcorporeal void creation tool and a vertebral body replacement device adapted for use in various industries. For example, in agriculture, the system can be used to create voids in plant stems or trunks, allowing for the insertion of a vertebral body replacement device as a plant support or grafting aid. In construction, the system can create voids in building materials, enabling the use of vertebral body replacement devices as structural supports or anchors.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel applications and use cases for vertebral body replacement devices, expanding their functionality beyond cervical spine surgery. The inventive step lies in recognizing the potential of these devices in diverse industries and adapting them to address specific problems and needs.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments could include modified transcorporeal void creation tools for specific industries, adjustable vertebral body replacement devices for varying applications, or integrated systems combining multiple functions. Variations may include using different materials, sizes, or shapes for the vertebral body replacement devices or incorporating sensors, actuators, or other components to enhance their functionality.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The adaptable transcorporeal void creation and support system has significant commercial potential in various industries, including agriculture, construction, underwater exploration, and environmental remediation. Target markets may include companies involved in plant breeding, building construction, offshore exploration, and environmental cleanup, as well as research institutions and government agencies.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61F2/442 |
| A | A61 | A61F2/2846 |
| A | A61 | A61F2002/3071 |
| A | A61 | A61F2002/4435 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device engineering and surgical intervention technologies, specifically focusing on implantable support structures and void creation techniques in biological and structural systems
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or orthopedic device specialist with expertise in implant design, surgical techniques, structural modification, and cross-disciplinary device adaptation
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the fundamental principles of transcorporeal void creation and support device insertion demonstrated in the source patent are universally applicable across multiple domains. The core technological concept of creating a precise void and inserting a supportive structural element is transferable between biological and non-biological systems. The PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core mechanical and procedural principles.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,431 |
|---|---|
| Title | Method and apparatus for placement of vertebral body replacement device into a transcorporeal void during a surgical operation on the cervical portion of the spine |