Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Smart Catheter System with Integrated Technologies for Enhanced Patient Safety and Efficiency

Publication ID: 24-11857734_0003_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:Synergistic Combinations

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Smart Catheter System with Integrated Technologies for Enhanced Patient Safety and Efficiency,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857734_0003_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857734_0003_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. 11,857,734.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

A novel catheter system integrating AI, IoT, blockchain, and advanced materials to predict and prevent catheter occlusion, reduce infection risk, and optimize inventory management, ensuring enhanced patient safety and efficiency in infusion therapies.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a catheter system clamp with an onboard computing system to manage flushing and prevent occlusion. However, this system had limitations in terms of real-time monitoring, data analytics, and material properties. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by integrating distinct technologies to create a more powerful and efficient system.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The Smart Catheter System comprises a catheter assembly with an integrated clamp, IoT-enabled sensors, and advanced materials with antimicrobial properties. The clamp features a machine learning algorithm to predict optimal flushing intervals based on patient-specific data and catheter assembly characteristics. Real-time monitoring of catheter occlusion risk is achieved through IoT-enabled sensors and cloud-based data analytics. Additionally, a blockchain-based system ensures secure and transparent tracking of catheter assembly usage, maintenance, and replacement. The system also incorporates computer vision and machine learning for automated quality control, inspecting the catheter assembly for defects and anomalies prior to packaging and distribution.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce the integration of AI, IoT, blockchain, and advanced materials, which is novel and non-obvious compared to the original patent. The inventive step lies in the synergistic combination of these distinct technologies to create a more powerful and efficient system.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include integrating the Smart Catheter System with electronic health records, using different machine learning algorithms or IoT protocols, or incorporating additional sensors for real-time monitoring. Variations may include adapting the system for different types of catheters or infusion therapies.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The Smart Catheter System has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the infusion therapy market. The system's ability to enhance patient safety, reduce infection risk, and optimize inventory management makes it an attractive solution for hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61M25/00
A A61 A61M5/14
A A61 A61M39/28
G G16 G16H10/60
A A61 A61M2005/1403
A A61 A61M2025/0019
A A61 A61M2205/18
A A61 A61M2205/3327
A A61 A61M2205/3334
A A61 A61M2205/3584
A A61 A61M2205/581
A A61 A61M2205/582
A A61 A61M2205/583
A A61 A61M2205/587

Field of Art

Medical Device Technology, specifically Catheter Systems and Patient Monitoring Technologies, encompassing medical device design, sensor integration, data analytics, and healthcare informatics

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer with expertise in medical device design, proficient in sensor technologies, data analytics, machine learning, and healthcare technology integration, holding advanced degrees in bioengineering or medical technology with 3-5 years of industry experience

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's disclosed variations represent predictable technological extensions of the source patent's core catheter management system. The integration of machine learning, IoT sensors, and blockchain tracking are natural evolutionary steps in medical device technology, applying known computational techniques to enhance the existing catheter monitoring framework. These technological additions represent incremental improvements that would be obvious to a skilled practitioner seeking to optimize catheter management and patient safety.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Clamp with onboard computing system and flush module for managing catheter assembly
PTD Variation
Machine learning algorithm predicting optimal flushing intervals based on patient-specific data
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable application of machine learning to existing computational infrastructure, using known data analytics techniques to enhance existing flush management system
Source Patent Element
Sensor detecting clamp status and generating alerts
PTD Variation
IoT-enabled sensors with cloud-based data analytics for real-time catheter occlusion risk monitoring
Obviousness Reasoning
Known technique of extending sensor capabilities through network connectivity and advanced data processing, representing a standard technological progression
Source Patent Element
Electronic health record integration for tracking catheter status
PTD Variation
Blockchain-based system for secure tracking of catheter assembly usage and maintenance
Obviousness Reasoning
Obvious implementation of enhanced data tracking methodology using emerging secure documentation technologies, representing a finite set of potential improvements to record-keeping systems
Source Patent Element
Catheter assembly with fluid management capabilities
PTD Variation
Advanced materials with antimicrobial properties integrated into catheter adapter
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable materials science approach to addressing known infection risks, utilizing standard engineering design optimization strategies
Source Patent Element
Electronic monitoring of catheter assembly
PTD Variation
Computer vision and machine learning for automated quality control inspection
Obviousness Reasoning
Known application of machine vision technologies to manufacturing and quality assurance processes, representing an obvious technological enhancement
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. ยง 103, the variations disclosed in this Published Technical Disclosure would have been obvious to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art at the time of invention, as they represent predictable technological extensions of US Patent 11857734, applying known computational and engineering techniques to enhance catheter management systems through incremental, foreseeable improvements in sensor technology, data analytics, and materials science.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,734
TitleCatheter system clamp, systems, and methods
Assignee(s)Becton, Dickinson and Company