Smart Air Extraction System for Intravenous Tubing

Publication ID: 24-11857774_0008_PTD

Published: October 28, 2025

Category:Synergistic Combinations

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Smart Air Extraction System for Intravenous Tubing,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857774_0008_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857774_0008_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. 11,857,774.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

A novel system integrating IoT-enabled sensors, AI-powered fluid flow analysis, blockchain-based data logging, and 3D-printed venting valves to remove air bubbles from intravenous tubing, ensuring patient safety and improving medical outcomes.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed an air extraction device for removing air from intravenous tubing. However, the device had limitations in detecting air bubbles and optimizing fluid flow. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by integrating distinct technologies to create a more efficient, reliable, and secure air extraction system.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The Smart Air Extraction System comprises an IoT-enabled sensor that detects air bubbles in the intravenous tubing and triggers the venting valve to release the air bubbles. The system also incorporates an AI-powered fluid flow analyzer that analyzes the fluid flow rate and pressure in the tubing, identifying areas of high air bubble formation and adjusting the fluid flow rate and pressure to minimize air bubble formation. Additionally, the system features a 3D-printed venting valve with a novel lattice structure, providing improved air bubble removal efficiency. The system's data logger utilizes blockchain technology to track and verify the air extraction process, ensuring secure and tamper-proof medical records.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce the novel combination of IoT-enabled sensors, AI-powered fluid flow analysis, blockchain-based data logging, and 3D-printed venting valves, which provides a significant improvement over the original patent's air extraction device. The inventive step lies in the integration of these distinct technologies to create a more efficient, reliable, and secure air extraction system.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the Smart Air Extraction System could include using different types of sensors, such as ultrasonic or optical sensors, or incorporating additional features like machine learning-based algorithms for predicting air bubble formation. Variations of the system could also include different materials or designs for the 3D-printed venting valve, or integrating the system with other medical devices, such as infusion pumps or patient monitoring systems.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The Smart Air Extraction System has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the areas of patient safety and medical outcomes. The system could be marketed to hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers, offering a more efficient and reliable solution for air extraction from intravenous tubing.

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

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Field of Art

Medical Device Engineering, specifically Intravenous (IV) Fluid Delivery Systems and Air Bubble Removal Technologies

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer with expertise in medical device design, fluid dynamics, sensor integration, and medical instrumentation, holding a master's degree or equivalent professional experience in medical device engineering

Obviousness Rationale

A person of ordinary skill would recognize that integrating modern sensor technologies, data logging, and advanced manufacturing techniques into the existing air extraction device represents a predictable evolution of the original patent's core technology. The fundamental problem of air bubble removal remains consistent, with the PTD merely applying known technological approaches to enhance the base invention's functionality and monitoring capabilities. The modifications represent incremental improvements using standard engineering design techniques and readily available technologies.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Chamber with fluid inlet and outlet tubes for air extraction

PTD Variation

Adding IoT-enabled sensors to detect and trigger air bubble removal

Obviousness Reasoning

Integrating electronic sensors for monitoring fluid systems is a known technique in medical device engineering, representing a predictable application of existing sensor technologies to improve device functionality

Source Patent Element

Flexible chamber for air bubble extraction

PTD Variation

3D-printed venting valve with novel lattice structure

Obviousness Reasoning

Advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing are commonly used to optimize medical device geometries, and modifying valve structures to improve performance would be an obvious design optimization for a skilled engineer

Source Patent Element

Basic air extraction mechanism

PTD Variation

AI-powered fluid flow analysis to predict and minimize air bubble formation

Obviousness Reasoning

Applying machine learning and data analysis techniques to medical device monitoring is a standard approach for improving device performance, representing a predictable application of known computational methods

Source Patent Element

Mechanical air extraction process

PTD Variation

Blockchain-based data logging for tracking air extraction events

Obviousness Reasoning

Implementing secure digital record-keeping is a standard approach in medical technologies, representing an obvious enhancement to existing documentation methods

Source Patent Element

Basic venting mechanism for IV tubing

PTD Variation

IoT-enabled actuator for dynamic valve adjustment

Obviousness Reasoning

Developing adaptive control systems for medical devices is a predictable technological progression, using standard control engineering principles to enhance device responsiveness

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857774 and the disclosed technical variations, a person of ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed innovations obvious and lacking inventive step. The proposed modifications represent predictable applications of known sensor, computational, and manufacturing technologies to the fundamental air extraction device, thereby rendering subsequent claims obvious as a matter of law.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,857,774
Title	Intravenous tubing venting assembly
Assignee(s)	UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INCORPORATED