Specialized Check Valve Systems for Unique Operational Environments
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The present disclosure relates to a family of check valve systems adapted for specific, narrow markets or unique operational environments, such as disaster relief, high-security areas, extreme weather conditions, emergency response, and high-risk medical procedures.
Background and Problem Solved
The original check valve patent, while effective in general medical settings, has limitations when applied to specialized contexts. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing novel adaptations for specific operational environments, ensuring reliable and secure fluid delivery in these unique situations.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new check valve systems comprise a range of adaptations, including portable power sources, secure fluid pathways, weather-resistant coatings, self-cleaning mechanisms, tamper-evident indicators, and restricted access ports. These adaptations enable the check valves to operate effectively in low-pressure environments, high-security areas, extreme weather conditions, emergency response situations, and high-risk medical procedures.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel combinations of components and features that provide a non-obvious solution for the specific problems encountered in these unique operational environments. The adaptations and modifications made to the original check valve design result in a family of specialized check valve systems that are distinctly different from the original patent.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Other possible implementations of the inventive concept could include adaptations for use in space exploration, search and rescue operations, or remote medical facilities. Additionally, the concept could be expanded to incorporate advanced materials, sensors, or automation to further enhance performance and reliability.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The specialized check valve systems have significant commercial potential in industries such as disaster relief, healthcare, aerospace, and defense. The ability to provide reliable and secure fluid delivery in unique operational environments addresses a critical need, and the inventive concept is poised to capture a significant market share in these industries.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61M5/16881 |
| A | A61 | A61M39/24 |
| B | B08 | B08B1/005 |
| B | B08 | B08B1/02 |
| F | F16 | F16K15/02 |
| F | F16 | F16K15/023 |
| A | A61 | A61M2039/246 |
| A | A61 | A61M2209/10 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical fluid delivery systems, specifically check valve technologies for intravenous sets, involving fluid control mechanisms, medical device design, and specialized valve engineering
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with expertise in fluid control systems, knowledge of valve mechanics, understanding of medical device regulatory requirements, and experience adapting valve technologies for specialized environments
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the published technical disclosure represents predictable variations of the source patent's check valve design, applying known engineering techniques to adapt the fundamental valve structure for specific operational contexts. The modifications represent standard design iterations that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner seeking to optimize valve performance for unique environmental challenges. The core valve mechanism remains substantially unchanged, with adaptations representing routine engineering problem-solving within the established technological framework.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,761 |
|---|---|
| Title | Check valve |
| Assignee(s) | CareFusion 303, Inc. |