Flexible Sizing Tubes for Diverse Applications
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
A novel adaptation of gastric sizing systems for innovative use cases in aquatic ecosystems, precision irrigation, marine debris removal, industrial air quality control, and in-situ soil remediation.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent focused on gastric sizing instruments for bariatric surgery, but the core technology can be repurposed to address distinct challenges in various industries. This inventive concept leverages the flexibility and valve-controlled suction of the original design to tackle pressing issues in environmental sustainability, agriculture, marine conservation, and industrial hygiene.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new claims describe flexible sizing tubes with central passageways and perforated or valved tips, adapted for introduction into water bodies, soil beds, marine environments, air ducts, or contaminated soil. These tubes enable targeted fluid introduction, suction, and control of substances, allowing for monitoring and control of algae growth, precision irrigation, marine debris removal, air quality control, and in-situ soil remediation. The inventive concept combines the benefits of flexible tubes, valve-controlled suction, and targeted fluid introduction to create innovative solutions for diverse applications.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce a non-obvious extension of the original gastric sizing system to entirely new fields, leveraging the core technology's flexibility and valve-controlled suction to address unmet needs in environmental sustainability, agriculture, marine conservation, and industrial hygiene. The inventive concept's novelty lies in its adaptation of medical instrumentation principles to solve complex problems in distinct industries.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments could include adjustable valve configurations, varying tube materials and diameters, and integrated sensors for real-time monitoring. Variations could involve adapting the flexible sizing tubes for use in other industries, such as oil spill remediation, industrial process control, or bioremediation.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
This inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including environmental consulting, precision agriculture, marine conservation, industrial hygiene, and remediation services. The market demand for innovative solutions in these fields is substantial, and the flexible sizing tube technology could provide a competitive edge for companies operating in these sectors.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61F5/0089 |
| A | A61 | A61B17/07207 |
| A | A61 | A61B2017/00818 |
| A | A61 | A61B2017/306 |
| A | A61 | A61B2017/320052 |
| A | A61 | A61J15/0003 |
| A | A61 | A61M25/007 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device engineering, specifically flexible tube-based systems for fluid introduction, suction, and controlled intervention across medical and environmental applications
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with expertise in flexible tube technologies, fluid dynamics, valve mechanisms, and cross-disciplinary system adaptation
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the core technical principles of the gastric sizing tube - flexible tube design, central passageway, valve-controlled fluid introduction and suction - are readily adaptable to diverse environmental and industrial contexts. The fundamental mechanical and fluid control mechanisms are transferable across domains, representing a predictable engineering extension rather than a non-obvious invention.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,445 |
|---|---|
| Title | Gastric sizing systems including instruments for use in bariatric surgery |
| Assignee(s) | Boehringer Laboratories LLC |