Balloon Expandable Endoprosthesis for Niche Environments

Publication ID: 24-11857444_0009_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:Specialized Variations & Niche Solutions

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Balloon Expandable Endoprosthesis for Niche Environments,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857444_0009_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857444_0009_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. 11,857,444.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

A balloon expandable endoprosthesis adapted for specific, narrow markets or unique operational environments, such as extreme weather conditions, disaster relief, high-security needs, or extreme altitude environments.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a balloon expandable endoprosthesis for treating vasculature. However, the existing design may not be suitable for specific, high-stress environments. The new inventive concept addresses this limitation by introducing specialized variations and niche solutions tailored to these unique operational environments.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept comprises a balloon expandable endoprosthesis with a stent-graft having a plurality of ringed stent elements disposed along a longitudinal axis between an inner graft element and an outer graft element. The stent-graft is releasably secured over a balloon assembly in a constrained diameter, designed to withstand high winds, extreme temperatures, or low atmospheric pressures. The system may also include a delivery device, protective covering member, secure communication protocol, and portable power source, depending on the specific niche application.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel and non-obvious adaptations of the original endoprosthesis design to address specific challenges in extreme environments, such as high winds, extreme temperatures, low atmospheric pressures, or high-security needs. These adaptations provide a unique solution for treating vasculature in these niche environments.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept may include varying the material composition or structural design of the stent-graft, balloon assembly, or delivery device to optimize performance in specific environments. Additional variations may involve integrating sensors, communication systems, or power sources to enhance the endoprosthesis's functionality in these niche applications.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the areas of disaster relief, high-security medical facilities, and extreme environment medical operations. The targeted market includes medical professionals, hospitals, and medical device manufacturers serving these niche environments.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
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

Field of Art

Medical device engineering, specifically endovascular interventional technologies involving stent-grafts, balloon expandable prostheses, and minimally invasive medical delivery systems

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer with expertise in interventional cardiology/vascular devices, advanced materials science, and medical device design, possessing knowledge of stent manufacturing, balloon catheter technologies, and adaptive medical device engineering

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable adaptations of the source patent's core endoprosthesis design, applying standard engineering problem-solving techniques to extend the device's functionality into specialized environmental contexts. The fundamental structural elements remain consistent, with modifications representing routine design optimization for specific use cases. These variations demonstrate standard engineering approaches of adapting medical devices to meet specific operational requirements through material selection, structural reinforcement, and integrated system design.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Stent-graft with plurality of ringed stent elements between inner and outer graft elements
PTD Variation
Adapting stent-graft design to withstand high winds and extreme temperatures in challenging environments
Obviousness Reasoning
Material selection and structural reinforcement are predictable engineering solutions for environmental adaptation, representing known technique for enhancing device performance
Source Patent Element
Balloon assembly for expanding endoprosthesis
PTD Variation
Integrating secure communication protocols and encryption for high-security medical deployments
Obviousness Reasoning
Adding digital security features to medical devices is a standard approach in modern medical technology, representing an obvious combination of known techniques
Source Patent Element
Delivery device with balloon assembly
PTD Variation
Including portable power source for deployment in areas without reliable electrical infrastructure
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating autonomous power solutions is a predictable engineering response to deployment challenges, representing a finite set of known solutions
Source Patent Element
Stent-graft with constrained diameter
PTD Variation
Modifying balloon assembly to operate at low atmospheric pressures for high-altitude environments
Obviousness Reasoning
Pressure compensation and material selection are standard engineering approaches for adapting medical devices to extreme environmental conditions
Source Patent Element
Basic endoprosthesis delivery system
PTD Variation
Adding protective covering to prevent environmental contamination during transportation
Obviousness Reasoning
Protective packaging and contamination prevention are well-established design considerations in medical device engineering, representing a predictable solution
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857444, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the variations disclosed in this publication to represent obvious extensions of the prior art, demonstrating that the claimed innovations would have been obvious to a skilled practitioner at the time of invention through routine engineering problem-solving and standard technological adaptation techniques.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,444
TitleBalloon expandable endoprosthesis
Assignee(s)W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.