Nanoporous Devices for Environmental and Industrial Applications

Publication ID: 24-11857670_0007_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Nanoporous Devices for Environmental and Industrial Applications,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857670_0007_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857670_0007_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. 11,857,670.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept leverages the core technology of the original implantable cellular and biotherapeutic agent delivery canister to address various environmental and industrial challenges, such as wastewater treatment, atmospheric pollutant monitoring, fertilizer delivery, surface decontamination, and chemical threat detection.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent focused on implantable devices for therapeutic applications, but its limitations in terms of material compatibility, controlled agent release, and scalability hindered its adoption in other fields. The new inventive concept overcomes these limitations by adapting the nanoporous device technology to tackle pressing environmental and industrial issues.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept encompasses a range of nanoporous devices designed to encapsulate and deliver various agents, including microorganisms, biotherapeutic agents, fertilizers, and antimicrobial compounds. These devices feature a nanoscale through-porous structure, enabling controlled diffusion of agents and byproducts. The devices can be configured for specific applications, such as wastewater treatment, atmospheric pollutant monitoring, fertilizer delivery, surface decontamination, and chemical threat detection.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel applications and use cases for the nanoporous device technology, extending its scope beyond therapeutic applications. The inventive step lies in the adaptation of the original technology to address distinct environmental and industrial challenges, demonstrating a non-obvious and innovative approach to solving real-world problems.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include devices with varying pore sizes, materials, and geometries to accommodate different agents and applications. Variations may also involve integrating sensors, monitoring systems, or feedback mechanisms to optimize device performance and agent release.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including environmental remediation, industrial process optimization, agriculture, and biodefense. The target market includes companies, governments, and research institutions seeking innovative solutions for wastewater treatment, pollution monitoring, fertilizer delivery, surface decontamination, and chemical threat detection.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61K9/0024
A A61 A61F2/022
A A61 A61K31/337
A A61 A61K31/397
A A61 A61K31/436
A A61 A61K31/65
A A61 A61K31/7036
A A61 A61K35/28
A A61 A61K38/14
A A61 A61K38/1866
A A61 A61K38/22
A A61 A61K39/395
A A61 A61K47/02
A A61 A61M39/0247
A A61 A61M2039/027
A A61 A61M2039/0261
A A61 A61M2039/0276
A A61 A61M2205/04

Field of Art

Biomedical engineering and materials science, focusing on nanoporous devices for controlled agent delivery across medical, environmental, and industrial applications. Expertise requires advanced knowledge of materials engineering, nanotechnology, diffusion mechanisms, and biocompatible encapsulation techniques

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A skilled practitioner with advanced degrees in bioengineering, materials science, or chemical engineering, possessing expertise in nanoscale device design, understanding of controlled release mechanisms, and interdisciplinary problem-solving capabilities

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize the fundamental nanoporous device technology from US 11857670 as a versatile platform with inherent adaptability across multiple domains. The core technological principles of controlled agent encapsulation and diffusion through nanoscale porous structures are directly transferable between therapeutic, environmental, and industrial applications. The PTD demonstrates predictable extensions of the source patent's core technological concept by applying identical fundamental design principles to solve analogous technical challenges.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Nanoscale through-porous metallic shell with controlled agent diffusion channels
PTD Variation
Adapting the nanoporous device for wastewater treatment by encapsulating pollutant-degrading microorganisms
Obviousness Reasoning
Known technique of using controlled-release mechanisms to introduce biological agents into targeted environments, with predictable results in agent containment and controlled diffusion
Source Patent Element
Implantable canister with internal barrier for stabilizing metabolically active agents
PTD Variation
Utilizing similar internal containment strategies for fertilizer delivery and atmospheric pollutant monitoring systems
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable application of established encapsulation principles to alternative domains, representing a straightforward design adaptation
Source Patent Element
Pore size range between 20-5000 nm enabling selective agent transmission
PTD Variation
Modifying pore geometries to enable controlled release of antimicrobial compounds for surface decontamination
Obviousness Reasoning
Finite set of known nanoscale engineering techniques allowing systematic variation of device performance characteristics
Source Patent Element
Biocompatible metallic shell configured for controlled secretion
PTD Variation
Developing wearable chemical threat detection devices using identical nanoporous encapsulation principles
Obviousness Reasoning
Obvious extension of core technological concept by applying known device architecture to alternative threat mitigation scenarios
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US 11857670, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the variations disclosed in the Published Technical Disclosure obvious, as they represent predictable applications of established nanoporous device principles across analogous technological domains. The disclosed variations constitute prima facie obvious combinations of prior art elements, demonstrating no inventive step beyond the fundamental technological framework established in the source patent.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,670
TitleImplantable cellular and biotherapeutic agent delivery canister
Assignee(s)NanoVault Medical LLC