Multifunctional Fluid Circulation Technology
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
This inventive concept leverages the core technology of blood pumps to create innovative solutions for various industries, including agriculture, wastewater treatment, renewable energy, medicine, and oil recovery.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent disclosed improved blood pumps for cardiac assist devices and mechanical circulatory support. However, the limitations of the original patent lie in its focus on medical applications, overlooking the potential of the core technology to address pressing issues in other fields. The new inventive concept tackles this limitation by adapting the blood pump technology to solve real-world problems in diverse industries.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept encompasses a range of innovative applications, including: (1) optimizing agricultural crop yields by circulating nutrient-rich fluids through underground tubes; (2) purifying industrial wastewater by creating a vortex that separates contaminants; (3) generating electricity from ocean currents by harnessing kinetic energy; (4) delivering medications to specific areas of the brain through a catheter; and (5) enhancing oil recovery from depleted wells by injecting a fluid to increase pressure and stimulate oil flow. Each application leverages the unique characteristics of the blood pump technology, such as its ability to circulate fluids efficiently and create controlled pressure gradients.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce a paradigm shift by applying the core technology of blood pumps to entirely new industries and use cases. The inventive step lies in recognizing the potential of the blood pump technology to solve problems beyond medical applications and adapting it to address specific challenges in various fields.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include modifying the blood pump design to accommodate different fluid properties, developing new materials or coatings to enhance performance, or integrating sensors and AI algorithms to optimize operation. Variations could also involve adapting the technology to address specific regional or environmental challenges.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The multifunctional fluid circulation technology has vast commercial potential across various industries, including agriculture, energy, healthcare, and oil recovery. The target market includes companies and organizations seeking innovative solutions to pressing problems, as well as governments and research institutions interested in advancing sustainable technologies.
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device engineering, specifically fluid circulation systems and mechanical circulatory support technologies, with expertise in fluid dynamics, biomedical engineering, and precision mechanical design
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with advanced degree, understanding of fluid mechanics, experience in medical pump design, and capability to adapt core technologies across different fluid circulation applications
Obviousness Rationale
The PTD demonstrates predictable extensions of the source patent's blood pump technology by applying its core fluid circulation principles to alternative domains. A PHOSITA would recognize that the fundamental mechanical and fluid dynamic principles underlying blood pump technology are universally applicable across multiple industries. The disclosed variations represent straightforward adaptations that leverage the source patent's core technological innovations through predictable design modifications.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,777 |
|---|---|
| Title | Blood pumps |
| Assignee(s) | Procyrion, Inc. |