Rotational Metering Pumps for Niche Environments
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept adapts the original rotational metering pump for specialized applications, addressing specific challenges in high-altitude, disaster relief, high-security, extreme weather, and remote settings.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent's rotational metering pump, designed for wearable medication infusion patches, has limitations in operating in unique environments. The new inventive concept overcomes these limitations by introducing adaptations for specific, narrow markets or operational environments.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new claims introduce specialized variations of the rotational metering pump, including adaptations for high-altitude environments with low atmospheric pressures, disaster relief settings with remote monitoring, high-security facilities with tamper-evident features, extreme weather conditions with waterproof and shock-resistant designs, and remote or wilderness areas with solar-powered energy sources and satellite communication modules.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims' inventive step lies in the specific adaptations for each niche environment, which are non-obvious extensions of the original patent's design. These adaptations provide a unique solution for each targeted market, overcoming the limitations of the original design.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments may include further adaptations for other specialized environments, such as underwater or space exploration applications. Variations could also include different materials, manufacturing processes, or user interfaces to enhance the pump's performance and usability in these niche settings.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including medical device manufacturing, disaster relief, high-security facilities, and outdoor recreation. The targeted markets include patients requiring insulin therapy in unique environments, emergency responders, and individuals engaging in extreme sports or adventure activities.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61M5/14248 |
| A | A61 | A61M5/1413 |
| A | A61 | A61M5/1452 |
| A | A61 | A61M5/14216 |
| A | A61 | A61M5/172 |
| F | F04 | F04B7/06 |
| F | F04 | F04B19/025 |
| A | A61 | A61M5/14276 |
| A | A61 | A61M5/19 |
| A | A61 | A61M5/31 |
| A | A61 | A61M2005/14533 |
| F | F04 | F04B7/0007 |
| F | F04 | F04B7/0046 |
| F | F04 | F04B9/047 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device engineering, specifically insulin delivery systems and precision metering pumps, involving mechanical design, fluid dynamics, and medical device miniaturization
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer with expertise in medical device design, mechanical engineering background, understanding of fluid transfer mechanisms, familiarity with medical device adaptation for specialized environments
Obviousness Rationale
A person skilled in the art would recognize that the source patent's rotational metering pump design provides a fundamental architecture that can be readily adapted to specialized environments by applying standard engineering modifications. The core pump mechanism remains fundamentally unchanged, with variations primarily addressing environmental constraints through predictable engineering solutions. These adaptations represent incremental improvements that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner seeking to extend the pump's utility across different use scenarios.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,756 |
|---|---|
| Title | Rotational metering pump for insulin patch |
| Assignee(s) | Becton, Dickinson and Company |