Balloon Expandable Sensors for Environmental and Industrial Monitoring
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
This inventive concept leverages the core technology of balloon expandable endoprostheses to develop novel sensors for environmental and industrial monitoring applications, enabling real-time data collection and analysis to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
Background and Problem Solved
The original balloon expandable endoprosthesis patent was limited to treating vasculature. However, the same technology can be applied to other industries, such as environmental monitoring, pipeline inspection, structural health monitoring, wind turbine inspection, and agricultural soil health monitoring. These industries face significant challenges in collecting accurate and timely data, which can lead to environmental disasters, infrastructure failures, and decreased productivity.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept comprises a network of balloon expandable sensors that can be deployed in various environments, such as waterways, pipelines, structures, wind turbines, and agricultural fields. Each sensor is configured to detect specific parameters, such as pollutants, leaks, structural integrity, defects, or soil moisture, and transmit data to a central monitoring station. The sensors can be designed to operate in harsh environments and can be powered by energy harvesting or wireless power transmission.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce the application of balloon expandable technology to entirely new industries, providing a non-obvious solution to the challenges of data collection and analysis in these fields. The inventive concept combines the benefits of balloon expandable technology with advanced sensing capabilities, enabling real-time monitoring and improved decision-making.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include the use of different materials, sensor types, and power sources. For example, the sensors could be designed to detect specific pollutants, such as heavy metals or pesticides, or to monitor temperature, pressure, or vibration. The inventive concept could also be adapted for use in other industries, such as aerospace or automotive.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including environmental monitoring, oil and gas, construction, wind energy, and agriculture. The market for environmental monitoring alone is projected to reach $3.5 billion by 2025, with the global pipeline inspection market expected to reach $1.5 billion by 2027. The inventive concept could provide a competitive advantage to companies operating in these industries, enabling them to improve safety, reduce costs, and increase efficiency.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61F2/958 |
| A | A61 | A61F2/07 |
| A | A61 | A61M25/10 |
| A | A61 | A61F2/89 |
| A | A61 | A61F2002/072 |
| A | A61 | A61F2240/001 |
| A | A61 | A61F2240/008 |
| A | A61 | A61M2025/1004 |
| A | A61 | A61M2025/1068 |
| A | A61 | A61M2025/1075 |
| A | A61 | A61M2025/1084 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device engineering, interventional medical technologies, specifically balloon expandable endoprosthetic and sensing systems with expertise in materials science, mechanical engineering, and biomedical instrumentation
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A skilled practitioner with advanced engineering degree, understanding of medical device design, familiarity with expandable structural technologies, knowledge of sensor integration and miniaturization techniques
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize the fundamental structural similarities between balloon expandable endoprostheses and sensor deployment systems, understanding that the core mechanical principles of controlled expansion, precise positioning, and adaptable geometries are directly transferable across different technological domains. The source patent's detailed teachings about balloon-based deployment mechanisms provide a clear technological foundation for extending the concept into environmental monitoring applications. The PTD represents a predictable variation that applies known medical device engineering principles to alternative industrial contexts.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,444 |
|---|---|
| Title | Balloon expandable endoprosthesis |
| Assignee(s) | W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. |