Adaptable Catheter-Based Sensing Systems for Diverse Industries
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
A novel extension of the original catheter technology to various non-medical fields, enabling innovative solutions for environmental monitoring, industrial process control, agricultural optimization, air quality management, and food safety assurance.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent's catheter design, intended for long-term dialysis applications, exhibited limitations in its adaptability to other industries. This inventive concept addresses the need for a versatile, reliable, and efficient sensing system that can be applied to diverse fields, overcoming the constraints of the original design.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new system comprises a network of catheter-based sensors, each fixed to a target medium (e.g., water pipes, industrial pipelines, soil, or air ducts) using a modified fixing means inspired by the original patent. These sensors detect specific parameters (e.g., pollutants, chemical impurities, moisture levels, or contaminants) and transmit data to a central monitoring system. The catheter-based probes are designed to withstand harsh environments and ensure accurate, real-time monitoring.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce a paradigm shift by applying the core catheter technology to entirely novel industries, leveraging the fixing means' adaptability to create innovative sensing systems. The inventive step lies in the unexpected combination of the original catheter design with diverse application domains, resulting in a broad range of new use cases.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments may include varying the sensor types, materials, and geometries to accommodate specific industry requirements. Variations could also involve integrating additional components, such as data analytics software or IoT connectivity, to enhance the system's capabilities.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The adaptable catheter-based sensing systems have vast commercial potential across multiple industries, including environmental monitoring, industrial process control, agriculture, air quality management, and food safety assurance. The target market encompasses companies, governments, and organizations seeking innovative solutions for efficient, accurate, and real-time monitoring and control.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61M25/02 |
| A | A61 | A61M1/3661 |
| A | A61 | A61M2025/0031 |
| A | A61 | A61M2025/028 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device engineering, specifically catheter design and sensor integration, with expertise in fluid handling systems, mechanical fixation mechanisms, and interdisciplinary sensor applications
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or technical professional with advanced degree, understanding of medical device design, sensor technologies, and cross-domain adaptation of medical instrumentation principles
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize the fundamental adaptability of the original catheter's fixing mechanism as inherently transferable to diverse sensing applications. The core technical principles of precise positioning, environmental resistance, and modular attachment are universally applicable across multiple domains. The PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core mechanical and functional design principles.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,739 |
|---|---|
| Title | Catheter for dialysis, in particular for long-term application |
| Assignee(s) | Joline GmbH & Co. KG |