Pressure-Regulating Vial Adaptors for Environmental Monitoring and Quality Control
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept leverages the core technology of pressure-regulating vial adaptors to develop novel systems and methods for monitoring environmental air quality, detecting air pollutants, tracking water quality, monitoring soil moisture levels, and detecting chemical contaminants in food.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent disclosed pressure-regulating vial adaptors for medicinal vials, but did not consider applications beyond the medical field. The new inventive concept addresses the need for accurate and reliable monitoring systems in various environmental and quality control contexts, where pressure regulation is crucial for maintaining the integrity of monitoring substances.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The pressure-regulating vial adaptors are configured to contain and regulate pressures within vials containing air quality monitoring substances, water quality monitoring substances, soil moisture monitoring substances, or food contaminant detection substances. The adaptors are connected to sensors that detect changes in environmental conditions, allowing for real-time monitoring and data analysis. The adaptors' pressure-regulating capabilities ensure the stability and accuracy of the monitoring substances, enabling reliable detection of pollutants, contaminants, or changes in environmental conditions.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce a novel application of pressure-regulating vial adaptors to environmental monitoring and quality control, which is non-obvious compared to the original patent's medical focus. The inventive step lies in the adaptation of the core technology to address specific challenges in these new fields, such as maintaining pressure stability in varying environmental conditions.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments may include adaptors with adjustable pressure regulation, modular sensor designs, or integrated data logging capabilities. Variations may include adaptors for monitoring other environmental parameters, such as noise pollution or radiation levels.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in industries such as environmental monitoring, agriculture, food safety, and public health. The market for environmental monitoring systems is growing rapidly, driven by increasing concerns about air and water quality, and the need for accurate and reliable monitoring systems.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61J1/22 |
| A | A61 | A61J1/2096 |
| A | A61 | A61J1/201 |
| A | A61 | A61J1/2075 |
| A | A61 | A61J1/2082 |
| Y | Y10 | Y10T137/9029 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device engineering, specifically fluid transfer and pressure regulation systems for scientific and medical containers, with expertise in adaptor design, pressure management, and sensor integration
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device technologist with advanced degree, proficient in fluid dynamics, sensor technologies, and interdisciplinary device adaptation, familiar with medical container design and environmental monitoring techniques
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the core pressure-regulation mechanism of the source patent can be readily adapted to environmental monitoring applications by substituting medical substances with monitoring substances and integrating sensor technologies. The fundamental pressure-regulation principles remain consistent across different technical domains, making the environmental monitoring variations a predictable extension of the original medical device design. The modular nature of the adaptor's design inherently supports cross-domain application with minimal technical modification.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,499 |
|---|---|
| Title | Pressure-regulating vial adaptors |
| Assignee(s) | ICU Medical, Inc. |