Blood Treatment Apparatus for Niche Environments
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
A blood treatment apparatus adapted for specialized environments, including high-security, disaster relief, extreme weather, remote locations, and areas with limited medical infrastructure.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent disclosed a method for setting a control device or a closed-loop control device of a blood treatment apparatus. However, this invention is limited to general-purpose applications. The new inventive concept addresses the need for blood treatment apparatuses tailored to specific, demanding environments, where standard devices may not operate effectively or safely.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept comprises a range of adaptations to the original blood treatment apparatus, including secure communication links for high-security environments, portable and backup power sources for disaster relief situations, weather-resistant housings and temperature control systems for extreme weather conditions, communication links and data transmission for remote or isolated locations, and simplified user interfaces and automated fault detection for areas with limited medical infrastructure. These adaptations enable the blood treatment apparatus to operate effectively and safely in these niche environments.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new inventive concept's novelty lies in its adaptation to specific, demanding environments, which is not addressed by the original patent. The inventive step is the combination of these adaptations, which provides a comprehensive solution for blood treatment in these niche environments.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments may include adaptations for other specialized environments, such as military or space applications. Variations may include different communication protocols, user interface designs, or power source configurations.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the areas of disaster relief, remote healthcare, and specialized medical services. The target market includes hospitals, clinics, and medical organizations operating in challenging environments.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61M1/1601 |
| A | A61 | A61M1/28 |
| A | A61 | A61M1/34 |
| A | A61 | A61M60/113 |
| A | A61 | A61M2205/3334 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device engineering, specifically blood treatment apparatus design, involving complex medical equipment for extracorporeal blood processing with expertise in mechanical engineering, fluid dynamics, control systems, and medical device adaptation
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer with advanced degree, 5-7 years experience in medical device design, familiar with dialysis equipment, control system integration, and adaptable medical technology solutions
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the disclosed environmental adaptations represent predictable engineering modifications to extend the source patent's blood treatment apparatus into specialized operational contexts. The core functional elements of blood treatment remain consistent, with variations addressing environmental constraints through standard engineering problem-solving techniques. These adaptations represent incremental improvements using known design strategies within medical device engineering.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,711 |
|---|---|
| Title | Method for setting a control device or a closed-loop control device of a blood treatment apparatus, and devices |
| Assignee(s) | Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH |