Adaptive Intravenous Tubing Venting Assembly for Specialized Environments
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
A venting assembly for intravenous tubing that adapts to specific, narrow market or unique operational environments, ensuring reliable air bubble removal and fluid flow in high-altitude, disaster relief, extreme weather, high-security, and remote or isolated locations.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent addressed the issue of air bubble removal in intravenous tubing. However, it did not account for the unique challenges posed by specialized environments. The present inventive concept addresses these limitations by providing a venting assembly that can operate effectively in diverse settings, ensuring patient safety and fluid flow reliability.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The adaptive venting assembly comprises a venting valve and fluid flow path that can be configured to operate in low atmospheric pressures, high-altitude environments, or disaster relief situations. It can be deployed in a portable manner and maintain a consistent fluid pressure despite changes in ambient pressure. In extreme weather conditions, the assembly features a waterproof housing and venting valve that can operate in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 40°C. For high-security environments, the venting valve is tamper-evident, and the fluid flow path is designed to detect and prevent unauthorized access. In remote or isolated locations, the assembly can be monitored and controlled remotely using a satellite-enabled communication system, providing alerts and notifications of air bubble detection and removal.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel adaptations to the original venting assembly, including the ability to operate in low atmospheric pressures, high-altitude environments, disaster relief situations, extreme weather conditions, high-security environments, and remote or isolated locations. These adaptations provide a non-obvious solution to the problem of air bubble removal in specialized environments.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include variations in venting valve design, fluid flow path materials, and communication system protocols. Additionally, the assembly could be integrated with other medical devices or systems to enhance its functionality and versatility.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The adaptive venting assembly has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the areas of critical care, emergency medicine, and remote healthcare. Target industries include hospitals, clinics, and medical device manufacturers serving high-altitude, disaster relief, extreme weather, high-security, and remote or isolated locations.
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical Device Engineering, specifically Intravenous (IV) Fluid Delivery Systems with a focus on Air Bubble Removal and Venting Technologies
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with expertise in fluid dynamics, medical tubing design, and knowledge of environmental adaptation techniques for medical equipment
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the fundamental air extraction mechanism from the source patent can be readily adapted to specialized environmental conditions using standard engineering design techniques. The core venting principle remains consistent across the variations, with modifications representing predictable extensions of the original invention's core functionality. The PTD's adaptations represent logical engineering responses to known challenges in medical device deployment across diverse operational environments.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,774 |
|---|---|
| Title | Intravenous tubing venting assembly |
| Assignee(s) | UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INCORPORATED |