Adaptable Implant Technology for Diverse Industries
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept leverages the core technology of the original spinal implant patent to develop novel applications in unrelated fields, including structural monitoring, seismic prediction, athletic performance enhancement, ocean current monitoring, and pipeline damage detection.
Background and Problem Solved
The original spinal implant patent addressed the need for a more effective and resilient implant design. However, its scope was limited to the spinal implant industry. This inventive concept recognizes the potential of the core technology to be adapted and applied to diverse industries, solving unique problems and addressing unmet needs in these fields.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new inventive concept involves the integration of the resilient, elastic, or flexible arm technology from the original patent into novel applications. For instance, the implant members can be adapted to detect structural changes in bridges, subtle changes in tectonic plate movement for seismic prediction, joint movement for athletic performance enhancement, ocean current changes, or pipeline pressure fluctuations. The apertures in the implant members receive sensors that detect these changes, providing real-time feedback and enabling proactive measures.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce a paradigm shift by applying the core technology to unrelated industries, demonstrating a non-obvious and innovative leap beyond the original patent's scope. The adaptation of the implant design to accommodate sensors and detect changes in various fields constitutes a significant inventive step.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include modifying the implant member materials, shapes, or sizes to suit specific industry requirements. Variations may also involve integrating additional sensors or functionalities to enhance the detection capabilities or provide more comprehensive data.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The adaptable implant technology has vast commercial potential across multiple industries, including infrastructure monitoring, environmental sensing, sports technology, and industrial process control. The target market includes companies, research institutions, and government agencies seeking innovative solutions to improve safety, efficiency, and performance in their respective fields.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61F2/4455 |
| A | A61 | A61F2/447 |
| A | A61 | A61F2002/30004 |
| A | A61 | A61F2002/30014 |
| A | A61 | A61F2002/30131 |
| A | A61 | A61F2002/30383 |
| A | A61 | A61F2002/30593 |
| A | A61 | A61F2002/30604 |
| A | A61 | A61F2002/30787 |
| A | A61 | A61F2002/30904 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Biomedical engineering, specifically orthopedic implant technologies with a focus on adaptive structural components and sensor integration across medical and industrial monitoring applications
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or materials scientist with expertise in implant design, mechanical engineering principles, sensor integration, and cross-domain technology adaptation, holding at least a master's degree with 3-5 years of practical experience in medical device development
Obviousness Rationale
The published technical disclosure represents a straightforward extension of the source patent's core mechanical design principles by applying the resilient, multi-aperture implant structure to alternative sensing and monitoring contexts. A person having ordinary skill would recognize the fundamental adaptability of the original spinal implant's structural architecture as readily transferable to other monitoring applications. The core mechanical innovations of flexible arms, integral construction, and sensor-receiving apertures remain consistent across the proposed variations, suggesting a predictable technological translation.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,434 |
|---|---|
| Title | Spinal implant and assembly |
| Assignee(s) | X-Spine Systems, Inc. |