Expandable Implant Assembly for Non-Medical Applications
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The present inventive concept expands the core technology of the original patent to entirely new industries and fields, including water quality monitoring, pipeline crack detection, soil moisture monitoring, structural integrity monitoring, and land subsidence detection.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent disclosed expandable implant assemblies for spinal interbody and intravertebral body devices. However, the limitations of these devices were confined to the medical field. The present inventive concept addresses the need for adaptable, expandable devices in various non-medical industries where monitoring and detection are crucial.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept involves adapting the expandable implant assembly technology to accommodate various sensors and communication modules. These sensors detect specific parameters, such as water quality, pipeline cracks, soil moisture levels, structural integrity, and land subsidence. The communication module transmits the data to remote monitoring stations, enabling real-time monitoring and detection. The expandable implant assembly's adaptability allows it to be submerged, inserted, buried, or embedded in different environments, making it a versatile solution for various industries.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The novelty of the present inventive concept lies in its application of the expandable implant assembly technology to non-medical fields, which was not originally considered. The inventive step is the recognition of the potential for this technology to be adapted and modified for use in diverse industries, overcoming the limitations of the original patent.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments may include modifications to the sensor types, communication modules, and implant assembly materials to suit specific industry requirements. Variations may also include the use of different power sources, data transmission protocols, and remote monitoring station interfaces.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The present inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including environmental monitoring, infrastructure maintenance, agriculture, construction, and geotechnical engineering. The target market includes companies and organizations involved in these industries, as well as government agencies responsible for monitoring and regulating these areas.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61F2/4425 |
| A | A61 | A61F2002/30578 |
| A | A61 | A61F2002/443 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device engineering and adaptive mechanical systems, with expertise in expandable implant technologies, sensor integration, and modular mechanical assemblies
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A skilled engineer with advanced degrees in mechanical or biomedical engineering, familiar with adaptive mechanical systems, sensor integration techniques, and cross-industry technology transfer principles
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize the fundamental expandable mechanical architecture of the source patent as fundamentally adaptable to multiple sensing and monitoring applications. The core mechanical expansion mechanism disclosed in US 11857432 provides a readily modifiable platform for integrating sensors and communication modules across different environmental contexts. The structural principles of controlled expansion, anchoring, and modular configuration are directly transferable to non-medical monitoring applications.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,432 |
|---|---|
| Title | Expandable implant assembly |
| Assignee(s) | Life Spine, Inc. |